2010 NFL Draft: Prospects That Snuck In, Slid During First Round

The 2010 NFL Draft was expected to be an exciting one.

It didn't fail to disappoint. 

Many surprises, trades, disappointments, and classic Jets fans made this another exciting first round of the NFL Draft. 

But like every year, you have those prospects that sneak in and fall out of the first round of the Draft. Here is a look at some of those players.

Players Who Snuck in

Tim Tebow, QB, Selected by Denver

It was pretty obvious that if he were going to be selected, it would be by a team who traded up to get him.

What wasn't so obvious was that he'd be taken before Jimmy Clausen.

Tebow comes into a good situation with the Broncos where can just sit back and learn for a couple years. I think if he does just that, he can become an elite quarterback in the future.

Tyson Alualu, DT, Selected by Jacksonville

It's not all that surprising that he was a first round pick, although some still thought he would be a second round pick.

It's more surprising how early he was taken at 10th overall.

Jahvid Best, RB, Selected by Detroit

Detroit traded up for the perfect running back for their offense. With Kevin Smith busting his knee, a back was in high demand for Detroit, and Best was still available at No. 30, so they traded with Minnesota to select him.

Although they probably could have gotten him with their second round pick, Detroit wanted to make sure they got their guy.

Look out for Detroit this upcoming season.

Jerry Hughes, OLB, Selected by Indianapolis

Hughes came in being the most underrated player in this draft. He's got everything you want in a linebacker, and he is perfect for what the Colts need.

For some reason he just couldn't get his name up there with the likes of Sergio Kindle and Sean Weatherspoon.

While Kindle is still on the board going into round two, Hughes is not.

Patrick Robinson, CB, Selected by New Orleans

With all the cornerbacks taken in the first round, the Saints just had to go with the best one available. 

Robinson is a good pickup for the Saints, although he was projected to be a mid-second round pick.

Players That Slid

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

Everyone knew that if Clausen wasn't picked by San Francisco's second first round pick, he would slide.

Unless someone traded up for him, he was expected to free-fall into the second round. But no one could say with confidence that would actually happen.

I wonder how St. Louis feels right now, as they could have selected defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and still gotten Clausen in the second.

Expect Cleveland to trade up for Clausen, as they were considering him in the first round. 

Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

McCoy wasn't really projected to go in the first round, but experts had that possibility of some team trading up for him there.

It didn't happen, and not only does McCoy have to wait until day two, but now he will be the second quarterback taken off the board.

Taylor Mays, S, USC

Mays has seen himself fall from the possible first overall pick to now waiting until the second round to hear his name called.

He has the talent to be a great player in this league, but after coaches started to closely watch film, they have seen him struggle in coverage, which is the type of safeties teams want these days. 

Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

The athletic, NFL Combine freak falls short of the first round but expects to hear his name called early in the second.

Campbell is the best offensive tackle on the board, and there are still teams that are in need of one (St. Louis).

Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas

Kindle's stock has dropped the past few weeks, and now has fallen into the second round.

The 6'4", 236-pound pass rusher should hear his name called early, as many teams are in need of a linebacker.

He could be the steal of day two.

Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

Tate should hear his name called early during round two, but it's still disappointing to see the speedy guy fall.

Tate is a talented receiver, and the St. Louis Rams hold the first pick in the second round, so don't be surprised if that's where he is taken.