Here’s a recap of the first-round of the 2010 NFL Draft with a blurb on the Top 10 selections and how they fit with their respective teams:
1) RAMS – SAM BRADFORD, QB, OKLAHOMA
Bradford was the guy. They are desperate for QB help and they really don’t have a decent option on their roster. He should walk in and start week one with their limited choices. He needs a lot of help and will have to adjust to playing under center and calling his own plays but he should develop nicely.
2) LIONS – NDAMUKONG SUH, DT, NEBRASKA
I love this pick. It was the easiest pick in the entire draft and the Lions didn’t bungle it. Suh is a monster and had one of the most dominant games by a college player I’ve ever seen. He’s going to be a star in the NFL and help turn the Lions’ defense around.
3) BUCCANEERS – GERALD MCCOY, DT, OKLAHOMA
The Buccaneers came up short in the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes a year ago but now they’re getting the defensive tackle they coveted. I doubt McCoy will become as good as Haynesworth but they need him to anchor their line. After striking out with Gaines Adams in the first-round a few years ago they were desperate for some help up front. I don’t think he’ll compare to Suh, but the Bucs loved him.
4) REDSKINS – TRENT WILLIAMS, OT, OKLAHOMA
QB Donovan McNabb and now LT Trent Williams in the same off-season? Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen have wasted no time coming in to D.C. and improving this Redskins team. O-Line was Washington’s most glaring weakness and they addressed it in a big way. They should be much improved this season.
5) CHIEFS – ERIC BERRY, S, TENNESSEE
This is an ideal pick for Kansas City — they went with the best available player of biggest need. Eric Berry is going to be a superstar in this League, not just a star. He will be All-Pro. Aside from losing, there was one consistency with Tennessee games last season: Eric Berry was constantly making plays. Whether it was by forcing a fumble, making a tackle for a loss, breaking up a pass, or making an interception, Barry is a difference-maker. The Chiefs defense just got a massive upgrade.
6) SEAHAWKS – RUSSELL OKUNG, OT, OKLAHOMA STATE
13 years ago the Seahawks selected a left tackle out of Florida State with the sixth pick in the NFL draft. Tonight, also with the sixth pick, they chose a left tackle out of Oklahoma State and they can only hope Russell Okung serves them as well as Walter Jones did. Seattle definitely needs help on their line and Okung gives them that. Okung got beat by some of the stellar defensive linemen in the Big 12 but he’s still a good player.
7) BROWNS – JOE HADEN, CB, FLORIDA
The Browns had one of the worst pass defenses in the League last year and they’ve done a good job addressing that weakness. They traded for Sheldon Brown and now they’ve drafted Joe Haden. He took some heat for running a slow 40 time but that doesn’t matter too much to me. He’s still fast and a good cover man. Solid pick.
8) RAIDERS – ROLANDO MCCLAIN, LB, ALABAMA
Incredible, the Raiders didn’t reach in the first-round and made a good pick! They’ve been unhappy with their run defense for a while and wanted to replace Kirk Morrison despite Morrison’s impressive tackle totals. Rolando McClain is a good all-around linebacker who will improve the Raiders defense and have an impact this year. Oakland’s defense was already pretty good, now it will be very good. If only they could get a quarterback.
9) BILLS – C.J. SPILLER, RB, CLEMSON
Although C.J. Spiller may not fit an immediate need for the Bills, I can’t complain about this pick. Spiller is the best offensive playmaker in this draft. Whether it’s returning kicks, punts, or taking handoffs, Spiller has the ability to take it to the house on any play. What’s not to love about that?
10) JAGUARS – TYSON ALUALU, DT, CAL
Tyson Alualu was the first real surprise in the draft but I like the pick. Alualu has a good motor, strong work ethic, and he’ll be disruptive rushing the passer from the interior part of the defensive line. In a division with Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub, they need all the pressure they can get. Between Alualu and signing Aaron Kampman, the Jags have made a strong effort to improve their defensive line.
