The Detroit Lions selected defensive end Ziggy Ansah out of BYU with the fifth overall pick.

Ansah has only been playing football for three years and started less than one full season.

General manager Martin Mayhew said that the Lions had just two players rated higher than Ansah.

The Lions also selected Darius Slay early in the season round, another player they had given a first round grade on.

"I think he's high on a lot of boards," Mayhew said. "We felt like he was a guy we should definitely target and try to get in the second round."

The NFL has converged on New York City for the first round of the 2013 draft. Without two sure-fire picks, as we saw last season with Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, there promises to be a lot of drama on Thursday night.

As the action unfolds, check out Jeff Risdon's Mock Draft and see how our expert's predictions matched up with the actual picks.

You can also chat with fellow NFL fans in our NFL Draft forum as the picks are announced.

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

3. Miami Dolphins (acquired from Oakland) - Dion Jordon, OLB, Oregon

4. Philadelphia Eagles -Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

5. Detroit Lions - Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

6. Cleveland Browns - Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

7. Arizona Cardinals - Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina

8. St. Louis Rams (acquired from Buffalo) - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

9. New York Jets - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

10. Tennessee Titans - Chance Warmack, G, Alabama 

11. San Diego Chargers - D.J. Fluker, G, Alabama

12. Oakland Raiders (acquired from Miami) - D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

13. New York Jets - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

14. Carolina Panthers - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

15. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

16. St. Louis Rams - E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State

17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

18. San Francisco 49ers (from Cowboys) - Eric Reid, S, LSU

19. New York Giants - Justin Pugh, G, Syracuse

20. Chicago Bears - Kyle Long, G, Oregon

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

22. Atlanta Falcons (from Rams) - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

23. Minnesota Vikings - Sharrif Floyd, DT Florida

24. Indianapolis Colts - Bjoren Werner, DE, Florida State

25. Minnesota Vikings - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

26. Green Bay Packers - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

27. Houston Texans - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

28. Denver Broncos - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

29. Minnesota Vikings (from Patriots) - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

30. St. Louis Rams (from Falcons) - Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

31. Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers) - Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin

32. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Elam, S, Florida

Trades

The Oakland Raiders traded the third overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the 12th and 42nd overall selections.

The Buffalo Bills traded the eighth and 71st overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for the 16th, 46th, 78th and 222nd overall selections.

The 49ers traded the No. 31 and No. 74 pick to the Cowboys for the No. 18 pick.

The Falcons traded the No. 30 pick and a sixth rounder to the Rams to acquire No. 22 and a seventh rounder in 2015.

The Vikings have acquired the No. 29 pick from the Patriots for the No. 52, No. 83, No. 102 and No. 229 selections.

The Detroit Lions are considering drafting a wide receiver to help alleviate the attention Calvin Johnson receives.

The Lions spent a second rounder on Titus Young in 2011 and a third on Derrick Williams in 2009, both of whom are no longer with the franchise.

"I think with what we have on the roster right now I would say somebody that can stretch the field," Matthew Stafford said. "I think in the NFL, more and more today, everybody's looking for that. It doesn't matter if you're playing opposite of Calvin Johnson or not, you want somebody that can run."

The Lions already have enough slot type receivers on the roster.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will take a hands-off approach to upcoming contract talks, but doesn't necessarily want to leave money on the table.

"Everywhere in the league you see guys breaking records with how much they're making and all that kind of stuff, and honestly, you want fair-market value," he said.

"I don't really care about breaking records too much. I want to break records on the field. I want to win games, I want to have as many good players around me as I possibly can."

Stafford has two years remaining on the deal he signed with the team when he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2009 draft.

"That's my No. 1 focus this whole offseason was trying to do everything I could to help us win and the contract stuff will take care of itself," he said.

The Detroit Lions plan to use Reggie Bush as an option in the passing game, similar to how he was used with the New Orleans Saints.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz believes Bush could wind up catching between 60-80 passes, according to the team's official site.

Detroit running backs caught 97 passes last season with Joique Bell catching 52 passes for 485 yards.

Bush has caught 70-plus passes twice before during his first two seasons in the league with the Saints.

Just a day after Jason Hanson opted for retirement, the Detroit Lions agreed to terms on a contract with kicker David Akers.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to play for the Lions' organization," Akers said.

"I'm not trying nor would I be able to fill the likes of Jason's shoes. He is and will always be a legend as far as I'm concerned. That being said, it will be an honor to attempt to follow in his footsteps. It will be great to be near my extended family as we strive for a championship."

The contract is for one year.

Detroit Lions' kicker Jason Hanson is retiring after 21 NFL seasons, announcing his decision Thursday. The 42-year-old Hanson thought about returning, but problems with his heel prompted him to call it a career.

"It's time," Hanson said. "I gave serious thought and consideration to playing in 2013. While the determination and willpower are still there, the wear and tear on my body, especially the issues I had and still have with my heel, have convinced me that it's time to retire."

David Akers visited with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, but left without a contract.

Jason Hanson could return to Detroit for another season.

The Detroit Lions are still looking for help at wide receiver.

The club has long been looking for a capable No. 2 option aside star Calvin Johnson.