Overall 2010 NFL Draft Outlook:
Every year the NFL draft is characterized by star potential. The "who's" next questions sprout as analyst after analyst try to
determine the next NFL superstar. Without failure, we always witness "the sure bet" go unrecognized or have little to no
impact either their first season or even sometimes, their career. On the other hand, finding the next Tom Brady is always
discussed as "sleeper" picks are often sought after. Yes, the NFL draft has become a form of entertainment and some
what of a roller coaster ride that is followed throughout the entire season.
This years draft (2010) in particular showcases some of the most successful college prospects ever. The household
names of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy highlight this draft as two of the most storied prospects to ever play the game. You
have a handful of players from the NCAA's top two defenses in the mix with Florida and Alabama. The names attached to
these programs is a star-studded list including: Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes, Terence Cody, Carlos Dunlap, and
Joe Haden. All are potential first round draft picks. Lastly, the 2010 NFL draft includes one of the most dominant defensive
tackles in the past decade. Often drawing comparison to former first rounder, Warren Sapp, Ndamukong Suh highlights
the draft as the top overall prospect. Many scouts believe Suh is the most NFL ready and possesses the most potential:
we agree. Without a doubt, this draft will be a defensive coordinators dream! Of the top 35 draft board, nearly 70% are
defensive players. Although our numbers are based on our draft board and analysis, the consensus from other mock
drafts is the same.
In addition to individual players, drafthuddle.com also determined which college programs and conferences will produce
the most prospects with chances of being drafted on day one (top 64).
Alabama = 5 (McClain, Cody, Arenas, Johnson, Woodall)
Florida = 5 (Spikes, Dunlap, Haden, Tebow, Pouncey)
USC = 4 (Mays, Everson, Brown, Williams)
Oklahoma = 4 (Bradford, Williams, McCoy, Gresham)
Texas = 4 (McCoy, Kindle, Thomas, Muckelroy)
Georgia Tech = 3 (Dwyer, Burnett, Morgan)
South Florida = 3 (Allen, Selvie, Pierre-Paul)
Based on the schools listed, the 2010 draft is dominated by both the SEC and Big-12 conferences. This however is not
unusual. What is unusual is the lack of talent/prospects coming out of power house programs such as: Ohio State, LSU,
Florida State, Miami, and Michigan. All of the aforementioned schools have produced at least one first round draft pick in
the past decade. This year (2010), not one prospect is expected to be drafted in the first round from any of these
programs.
It is undeniable the talent level coming out this season. This draft will be defined by the defensive depth and quarterback
transitions. The majority of the sporting world will have a watchful eye on the quarterbacks (Tebow, McCoy, Bradford, and
Clausen) to determine if they can transition from the college level to the NFL. These prospects will be heavily scrutinized,
as no other draft class (recently) has included college prospects with the resumes of these quarterbacks: 2 Heisman
Trophy Winners, 2 Heisman Finalists, 2 National Championships, and 4 total National Championship visits. The scrutiny
will come from sports writers and analysts who believed their success was achieved due to the systems, supporting
casts, and other factors which would prove to hinder their NFL careers. If we are not mistaken, the unorthodox
systems/offenses ran by some of these quarterbacks perhaps can relate to the NFL. The Miami Dolphins are a prime
example of this as they re-introduced the "wild-cat" formation to the NFL, which helped propel non-traditional/unorthodox
quarterback Pat White (WVU) to a second round draft pick. To quote Urban Meyer: "Unless the job description of being a
winner changes, I have no reason to believe he [Tebow] will not be successful." We will eventually see if the critics were
correct or if these players are indeed meant to play the NFL quarterback position.
One outlier to take into consideration is the high value placed on juniors entering the draft. This is not an uncommon
trend, but given the talent entering the 2010 NFL Draft, it seems noteworthy. Out of the top 32 prospects being considered
for first round consideration, 22 are underclassmen (based on drafthuddle.com's first round mock). That represents 69%
of the entire first round. Now, other draft analyst/websites vary, but for the majority the number of underclassmen
projected in the first round far exceeds the quantity of seniors - this year in particular. Economics coupled with the risk
factor (injury), the move to forego a senior year makes sense. However, it is undeniable what an extra year of preparation
can do for a prospects maturity and growth entering the NFL. I guess it does not matter if you are projected in the first
round - leaving early makes sense.
In three to five years, we will look back and realize how dominant the 2010 draft class was from a defensive standpoint.
Offensively, the jury is still out as injuries, youth, and system development all leave question marks regarding whether
some of the talent can successfully transition to the NFL. In 4-5 years, will we see a successful Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy,
Sam Bradford, and Jimmy Clausen? Or will they shows signs of struggle comparable to previous high-profile prospects
such as Alex Smith, Vince Young, Matt Lienhart, and Brady Quinn? Personally, I for one believe that the work ethic,
winning-attitudes, and physical tools are all readily available. Only time will tell, but the overall draft outlook of the 2010
draft class is extremely promising.
- Draft Huddle
Every year the NFL draft is characterized by star potential. The "who's" next questions sprout as analyst after analyst try to
determine the next NFL superstar. Without failure, we always witness "the sure bet" go unrecognized or have little to no
impact either their first season or even sometimes, their career. On the other hand, finding the next Tom Brady is always
discussed as "sleeper" picks are often sought after. Yes, the NFL draft has become a form of entertainment and some
what of a roller coaster ride that is followed throughout the entire season.
This years draft (2010) in particular showcases some of the most successful college prospects ever. The household
names of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy highlight this draft as two of the most storied prospects to ever play the game. You
have a handful of players from the NCAA's top two defenses in the mix with Florida and Alabama. The names attached to
these programs is a star-studded list including: Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes, Terence Cody, Carlos Dunlap, and
Joe Haden. All are potential first round draft picks. Lastly, the 2010 NFL draft includes one of the most dominant defensive
tackles in the past decade. Often drawing comparison to former first rounder, Warren Sapp, Ndamukong Suh highlights
the draft as the top overall prospect. Many scouts believe Suh is the most NFL ready and possesses the most potential:
we agree. Without a doubt, this draft will be a defensive coordinators dream! Of the top 35 draft board, nearly 70% are
defensive players. Although our numbers are based on our draft board and analysis, the consensus from other mock
drafts is the same.
In addition to individual players, drafthuddle.com also determined which college programs and conferences will produce
the most prospects with chances of being drafted on day one (top 64).
Alabama = 5 (McClain, Cody, Arenas, Johnson, Woodall)
Florida = 5 (Spikes, Dunlap, Haden, Tebow, Pouncey)
USC = 4 (Mays, Everson, Brown, Williams)
Oklahoma = 4 (Bradford, Williams, McCoy, Gresham)
Texas = 4 (McCoy, Kindle, Thomas, Muckelroy)
Georgia Tech = 3 (Dwyer, Burnett, Morgan)
South Florida = 3 (Allen, Selvie, Pierre-Paul)
Based on the schools listed, the 2010 draft is dominated by both the SEC and Big-12 conferences. This however is not
unusual. What is unusual is the lack of talent/prospects coming out of power house programs such as: Ohio State, LSU,
Florida State, Miami, and Michigan. All of the aforementioned schools have produced at least one first round draft pick in
the past decade. This year (2010), not one prospect is expected to be drafted in the first round from any of these
programs.
It is undeniable the talent level coming out this season. This draft will be defined by the defensive depth and quarterback
transitions. The majority of the sporting world will have a watchful eye on the quarterbacks (Tebow, McCoy, Bradford, and
Clausen) to determine if they can transition from the college level to the NFL. These prospects will be heavily scrutinized,
as no other draft class (recently) has included college prospects with the resumes of these quarterbacks: 2 Heisman
Trophy Winners, 2 Heisman Finalists, 2 National Championships, and 4 total National Championship visits. The scrutiny
will come from sports writers and analysts who believed their success was achieved due to the systems, supporting
casts, and other factors which would prove to hinder their NFL careers. If we are not mistaken, the unorthodox
systems/offenses ran by some of these quarterbacks perhaps can relate to the NFL. The Miami Dolphins are a prime
example of this as they re-introduced the "wild-cat" formation to the NFL, which helped propel non-traditional/unorthodox
quarterback Pat White (WVU) to a second round draft pick. To quote Urban Meyer: "Unless the job description of being a
winner changes, I have no reason to believe he [Tebow] will not be successful." We will eventually see if the critics were
correct or if these players are indeed meant to play the NFL quarterback position.
One outlier to take into consideration is the high value placed on juniors entering the draft. This is not an uncommon
trend, but given the talent entering the 2010 NFL Draft, it seems noteworthy. Out of the top 32 prospects being considered
for first round consideration, 22 are underclassmen (based on drafthuddle.com's first round mock). That represents 69%
of the entire first round. Now, other draft analyst/websites vary, but for the majority the number of underclassmen
projected in the first round far exceeds the quantity of seniors - this year in particular. Economics coupled with the risk
factor (injury), the move to forego a senior year makes sense. However, it is undeniable what an extra year of preparation
can do for a prospects maturity and growth entering the NFL. I guess it does not matter if you are projected in the first
round - leaving early makes sense.
In three to five years, we will look back and realize how dominant the 2010 draft class was from a defensive standpoint.
Offensively, the jury is still out as injuries, youth, and system development all leave question marks regarding whether
some of the talent can successfully transition to the NFL. In 4-5 years, will we see a successful Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy,
Sam Bradford, and Jimmy Clausen? Or will they shows signs of struggle comparable to previous high-profile prospects
such as Alex Smith, Vince Young, Matt Lienhart, and Brady Quinn? Personally, I for one believe that the work ethic,
winning-attitudes, and physical tools are all readily available. Only time will tell, but the overall draft outlook of the 2010
draft class is extremely promising.
- Draft Huddle
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