NFL draft: 2010 re-do
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas (29) during Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 43-8. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2010’s draft was full of talent, most notably at the safety position. Quarterback was again an issue like it was in 2009, but that should change for 2011.
Here’s my re-mock of the 2010 NFL draft. See my page to see the 2007-09 re-mocks.
1. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Actual pick: same
The Rams can’t really go any other way with this pick. The team desperately needed a franchise quarterback. While Bradford has yet to prove himself in the NFL, and coming off a torn ACL won’t help that, I still have confidence in Bradford as a viable starter. Based on how he’s played in the NFL so far, it’s not fair to judge Bradford as he’s had barely anyone around him besides Steven Jackson for a short time. I’d still give the former Heisman trophy-winner a shot.
2. Detroit Lions
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Actual pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh is very productive when he’s actually on the field and is playing clean. But the Lions did have other needs. Defensive tackle isn’t a position that’s valued as much as safety, and the back end of the secondary remains a need for Detroit to this day. Thomas is arguably the most important member of the “Legion of Boom” and he’s one of the NFL’s best safeties, if not the best.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia
Actual pick: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
While McCoy has turned into a good player, he didn’t produce immediately, and I think Atkins is better. Although Atkins just tore his ACL, he has been an extremely productive tackle for Cincinnati and would fit the Bucs’ defensive tackle need perfectly.
4. Washington Redskins
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Actual pick: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
It’s hard to pass Williams up here. Chris Samuels had retired after a bad knee injury and left tackle was one of the team’s biggest needs. But the Redskins needed serious help on the back end as well, and to this day, the loss of Sean Taylor hurts the team on the field (as well as off of it, of course). For a defense that’s given up big play after big play consistently over the past couple years, a Pro Bowl safety would help the Redskins better than a Pro Bowl tackle, as much as I like Trent Williams as a player.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
T.J. Ward, S, Oregon
Actual pick: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Berry was taken a pick earlier, and safety was a big need. T.J. Ward is the best NFL safety in the box and will greatly help with run defense. He’s not a bad cover guy either.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami
Actual pick: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl this year with both starting receivers hurt (Percy Harvin didn’t play in a full game until the Super Bowl itself, and Sidney Rice tore his ACL in October). Russell Wilson needs weapons. While I like Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, a tight end is a quarterback’s security blanket, and Jimmy Graham has solidified his status as the NFL’s best tight end. He’d take Seattle’s offense to the next level.
7. Cleveland Browns
Alterraun Verner, CB, California-Los Angeles
Actual pick: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
A lot of people would question this – Verner over Joe Haden. But I thought that Verner was the NFL’s second-best cornerback last season, right behind Richard Sherman. Verner led the league with 23 passes defended and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl, and the Bucs still signed him for relatively cheap. I’m not sure how. Verner has blossomed as of late and has been playing better than Haden, so I’m taking Verner here.
8. Oakland Raiders
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
Actual pick: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
We know about Rolando McClain’s off-field troubles. He was a great prospect, but it didn’t work out. The Raiders have lacked a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball for a long time (Darren McFadden doesn’t count – I may consider him to be one if he can stay on the field). Health is the only issue with Gronkowski, but when healthy, he’s unstoppable.