2010 NFL Draft: A Few Daring Predictions

Every year we make a list of somewhat bold predictions concerning the NFL Draft.  Below are this year’s forecasts–five general NFL predictions, and five dealing solely with the Cowboys.

Non-Cowboys Predictions

1. Florida QB Tim Tebow will be drafted in the first round.

Is Tebow a first-round talent?  We think so, but obviously a handful of teams do not (Jerry Jones, do you have any thoughts on Tebow ?).

Nonetheless, someone will covet Tebow’s leadership and willingness to work as hard as possible to become a winner.  Expect a team in the early second round to jump up to the late first to grab him.

2. Oklahoma’s Trent Williams , not Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung, will be the first offensive tackle off of the board.

This prediction is based on draft order.  In all likelihood, the Redskins will have their choice of offensive tackles at the fourth overall selection. 

Okung is the consensus No. 1 LT, but Williams seems to better fit their offense.  Coach Shanahan loves zone-blocking–a scheme that emphasizes athleticism among linemen.  They don’t come much more athletic than Williams.

3.  Texas QB Colt McCoy will get picked no later than the 38th overall selection.

Who selects at that spot?  The Cleveland Browns.  Expect the new head honcho Mike Holmgren to select McCoy (perhaps the most accurate quarterback in this class) to run his West Coast offense...but only if no one trades up ahead of the Browns to snatch McCoy.

4.  Virginia Tech DE Jason Worilds will go to a 3-4 team in the mid-second round.

Worilds is so under-the-radar it is unreal.  We assume many of you have never heard of the V-Tech product, but he had the fastest 10-yard split of any defensive end at the Combine. 

With all of the talk of Michigan’s Brandon Graham and TCU’s Jerry Hughes, Worilds is in a perfect position to be the first “Who the **** is he?” player drafted this year.

5.  No tight end will be selected in the entire first round.

Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham and Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski are the only tight ends with a legitimate shot to go in the first round. 

The Cincinnati Bengals have been linked to Gresham, while a recent report calls Gronkowski a “darkhorse” selection for the Baltimore Ravens .

However, both teams have more pressing needs and with such a deep class tight end class, other squads may prefer to hold off on selecting one as well.

Dallas Cowboys Predictions

1.  Dallas will trade at least one player on the current roster on draft day.

The front-runner?  Martellus Bennett.  The darkhorse?  Marcus Spears. 

An early second-rounder would probably suffice for both players (although it is more realistic for Spears).  This would allow the ‘Boys to acquire two first round-quality impact players.

2.  The Cowboys will not select at pick No. 27; they will either move up or back.

If the Cowboys do trade a player on draft day, don’t rule out the team using that player as trade bait to move up in the first round. 

If a stud offensive tackle or safety drops into the mid-first round, they may be inclined to package their first-round pick and a player like Spears to go get him.

If no quality offensive tackles or safeties drop (which we see as more likely), the Cowboys could move back into the early second round.  This would allow them to acquire both an extra pick and a player like USF FS Nate Allen .

Also, read our article on why the new draft format might make Dallas more inclined to move out of the first round .

For the final three predictions concerning the Cowboys' draft, visit DallasCowboysTimes.com .