The Detroit Lions plan to have an agreement in place with whomever they select with the first overall pick in the draft.

The Lions apparently are still deciding whom to select with the No. 1 overall pick in next month's draft, but they're taking a smart course of action with one important aspect of the process.

First-year coach Jim Schwartz indicated at last week's owners' meetings that the Lions plan to have a finalized contract - or at least an agreement in principle - in place with whomever they select.

Only the team with the top overall pick can negotiate with prospects before the draft.

While the overwhelming cost of the top pick now makes it more of a burden than a reward, Schwartz realizes that leverage is important for the Lions to seize, whether they're picking Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith, Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, or someone else.

The Oakland Raiders botched that aspect of holding the No. 1 pick two years ago, which contributed to JaMarcus Russell's holdout.

"We saw how much that set back [Russell] a couple years ago," Schwartz said. "That's a tool we have in drafting No. 1. We need to take advantage of every advantage that we have."