Timing is everything in the NFL in every facet of the game, on and off the field.

So while Lions fans have been patient, they are beginning to see that Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz are building a solid roster step by step.

Clearly the key is quarterback Matthew Stafford who has shown flashes while healthy.

When they drafted Stafford with the first overall pick two years ago, afterward they said he was a consensus pick. No hesitation on the gunslinger from Georgia.

So what about the teams that need to draft a quarterback three weeks from now. It will be tough.

Christian Ponder (Florida State), Blaine Gabbert (Missouri), Jake Locker (Washington), Cameron Newton (Auburn), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) are considered to be at the top of the heap

“These quarterbacks all have red flags, every one of them. There is no consensus quarterback in this draft that everyone agrees on,’’ ESPN analyst Mel Kiper said on a conference call this week.

Of course he was big on Jimmy Clausen who was drafted by Carolina a year ago and was a disappointment. Still Kiper hasn’t given up on Clausen.

“So Jimmy Clausen is supposed to be written off as a reject? I don't buy it. But remember, a lot of people didn't like Clausen. I was one of the few that liked Clausen. ... I was on that island last year all by myself almost. Find me another person in this evaluation business that liked Clausen. I don't know of any. So I'm out there. I’ll stay. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong,’’ Kiper said.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)