There are so many TV stations, websites and newspapers telling everyone who are the winners and losers of this year’s draft. It’s an easy way to keep the lead story going, but it just doesn’t seem right to me. There is no way to give a team a fair grade, for at least three years. So here’s a review of the 2010 NFL Draft by division.
AFC West
Let’s start with the most head scratching pick in recent draft memory. Josh McDaniels and the Broncos started with six draft picks but after some wheeling and dealing ended up with nine picks, including two first-rounders. The first selection was receiver Demaryius Thomas from Georgia Tech. The Broncos decided to go with Thomas over Dez Bryant, who was more proven and had more potential. Coming out of college, Thomas wasn’t known as a polished receiver because the offense was an option attack. He was brought in to replace Brandon Marshall and proved when he has a quarterback can produce big numbers. Interesting choice to go with Thomas over Bryant. Speaking of quarterbacks and interesting choices, three picks later they picked Tim Tebow. You know the story, you know the result. Denver hit a mile high home run with their next three picks. Zane Beadles (2nd rd/Utah) has started 46 games in 3 seasons. JD Walton (3rd rd/Baylor) was plagued by injuries in 2012, but started all 32 games the previous two seasons. Beadles and Walton, along with Ryan Clady, will be solid anchors for this offensive line for a long time. With their next choice in the third round, Denver picked two-sport star Eric Decker. He was coming off a foot injury. Number 87 was the 87th pick and this baseball player has proven to be one of the steals of the draft. Cornerback Perrish Cox (5th rd/Oklahoma State), center Eric Olsen (6th rd/Notre Dame), cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson (6th rd/California) and defensive end Jammie Kirlew (7th rd/Indiana) are no longer on the roster. I will remember this draft for Thomas, Decker, Beadles and Walton. No one else…
Chiefs: If any team could have a do-over it would probably be Kansas City. Typically, if teams need a premier pass blockers and a safety, they choose the former. Well, the Chiefs chose the latter. With the 4th pick, they selected Eric Berry from Tennessee with Russell Okung on the board. Berry only played in one game during the 2012 season, but has been a playmaker on that back end. Despite the Pro Bowl, many people feel Berry wasn’t even the best safety in this draft. That belongs to Earl Thomas. Okung and Thomas are now teammates, but the Chiefs could have prevented that by taking Okung. Ok, so they didn’t address the offensive line with their first round pick so there next pick has to be a tackle or guard, right? Wrong. They reached big time with Dexter McCluster, who had a 3rd or 4th round grade. Zane Beadles was still available, who is starting for their rival Broncos. Another option could have been tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has become a favorite target for Tom Brady. Their next third round pick was cornerback Javier Arenas from ‘Bama. They recently traded Arenas. Plus, McCluster has scored 5 career touchdowns. Can we say Mulligan?
Chargers: Speakin
g of mulligans, San Diego wants a serious restart. Their first round pick, 12th overall, has been running to darkness. They gave up a lot to acquire Ladainian Tomlinson’s replacement. In order to get Ryan Mathews they had to move up 16 spots with the Dolphins and gave up the 28th overall pick, the No. 40 overall pick, a fourth-round pick (No. 126). That’s three high quality draft picks for a running back who has been low quality. San Diego could have kept those picks and drafted Toby Gerhart or Anthony Dixon later. What Philip Rivers and Chargers fans really wish they would have done is keep those picks and re-sign Darren Sproles. Way to go A.J. Smith! Not to rain on their parade, their next choices have started and contributed to this defense. Linebacker Donald Butler (3rd rd) has become a player to watch. While Manti Te’O will get all the press, I believe Butler will step his game up and be a leader for this defense. Not a bad pick, but when you look at All-Pro linebacker Navarro Bowman still on the board at that time…did I mention “do-over.” Cam Thomas is a big body who frees up linebackers to run around and make plays. The Chargers nailed this 5th round pick and has turned into a great value at that point in the draft, but Thomas hasn’t made a Pro Bowl. Someone they could have drafted, Geno Atkins is one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league has made it to Hawaii and will be back. Darrell Stuckey (4th rd) hasn’t emerged as a playmaker on that back end like they hoped he would. And they drafted Jonathan Crompton (5th rd) to be Rivers’ backup. What could have been? Epic Fail!
Raiders: With , Al Davis in control Raider Nation never knew what to expect. But this 2010, draft was actually considered a “winner” at the time time. They filled all their needs and didn’t reach for players like usual. Oakland selected Rolando McClain with the eight overall pick. The Raiders run defense was horrendous and needed a big linebacker that could run and hit. My, how times have changed. McClain couldn’t stay out of trouble and never reached his full potential. The new regime recently traded McClain to the Baltimore Ravens. But after he was traded, the troubled tackler got in more trouble. Looking back at this draft, Earl Thomas (14th pick) or Sean Weatherspoon (19th pick) have been productive and avoided the off-the-field distractions. Their 2nd round pick actually fell right in their laps. Lamarr Houston was another pick of need and talent. He has quickness and strength to be a dominant force on that defensive line. The Longhorn product can play defensive end or defensive tackle. Hats off to this pick, who hasn’t missed a game yet. Jared Valdheer was a small school star who dominated at Hillsdale College. Do you even know where Hillsdale is? The scouting department gets a high five with this 3rd round selection, who has been very productive and best years are ahead of him. The complete opposite can be said for their next pick. After two great picks, Oakland went pick to their philosophy of height and speed. Bruce Campbell ran one of the fastest 40 times at the combine. Too bad the NFL doesn’t have a relay team for offensive lineman, because he would have been a BEAST. But it doesn’t and he’s not on the team anymore. Their next choice was definitely a speed guy, but has turned out better than Campbell. Jacoby Ford was one of the fastest players ever at Clemson University. He has shown big play ability on special teams with four touchdowns. Ford is also a threat to run the ball. His only problem is his knack for injuries. He missed the entire 2012 season with a foot injury. Time well tell if he gets his world class speed back. The Silver and Black acquired another Campbell in the 2010 draft. They traded for Jason Campbell, who threw 19 td’s and 12 interception he two season with the Raiders. They gave up a 4th round pick to acquire Campbell from the Redskins. That was a pretty steep price to pay, but at that time they believed Campbell could be their signal caller for years…to bad it was only 2 years. Not a great draft by other team’s standards but it’s the Raiders, so it was a good one.
Other draft recaps by division: NFC West, NFC East
