2010 NFL Draft: Will First Round Choices Sink Or Swim In 2010?

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Usually, the expectation of first-round picks is that they'll contribute down the line.

Sometimes, though, a rookie can contribute in a big way. Given the opportunity in the right system, or simply transitioning smoothly from college to pro, rookies can find ways to contribute right from the beginning.

Inevitably, not all will be stand-outs in their first year. Sitting on the bench for a year will inevitably raise questions, as will a bumpy transition to the NFL.

Here are my thoughts on each first-round draft choice, and whether they will sink or swim in 2010.

1. Sam Bradford—St. Louis Rams

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Sink

The St. Louis Rams brought Bradford in to be the face of their franchise, but that doesn’t mean he’s starting. AJ Feeley may not be the best veteran quarterback to mentor Bradford, but starting Feeley in 2010 beats the hell out of Bradford getting the hell beat out of him.

If Bradford’s forced into the mix too early, his confidence could be broken with nearly no weapons behind a broken offensive line. Some may criticize Bradford for spending too much time away from the field, but the time off can only be good for his shoulder, especially if he keeps working it in practice.

2. Ndamukong Suh—Detroit Lions

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Swim

Jim Schwartz is going to love utilizing Suh in similar ways to Albert Haynesworth when both were in Tennessee. He's harnessing his talents as a pass-rusher, but is simply a dominant force athletically and technically on the defensive line.

Suh could have a hard time putting up big-time numbers in one of the hardest divisions in the league, but his presence will immediately be felt on a Lions defense that sorely needed to improve in the trench.

3. Gerald McCoy—Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Swim

McCoy will be playing to his strengths of rushing the passer in the Buccaneers’ signature Tampa 2 defense. There are still some serious issues to resolve in run defense, but McCoy can contribute in that regard, too. Alongside Brian Price, the Bucs quickly addressed concerns in both facets of trench play.

4. Trent Williams—Washington Redskins

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Sink

With questions of his work ethic popping to the forefront in the weeks and months prior to the draft, Trent Williams will certainly have his work cut out for him in 2010. In 10 of his 16 games, he’ll be lined up across from players who have gone to the Pro Bowl at least two times.

Williams certainly has the physical capability to hold his own against those players, but how quickly will he be ready for that challenge? That may be a bit too much to ask of a rookie, but with Chris Samuels gone, that’s exactly what will happen.

5. Eric Berry—Kansas City Chiefs

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Swim

Berry has a ton to contribute, both on the field and off. He’s a ballhawk and a team leader, having captained the Vols in his sophomore and junior years.

As the most NFL-ready safety prospect in recent memory, Scott Pioli certainly knew what he was doing drafting the Tennessee safety so high. The Chiefs desperately needed an enforcer in the secondary, and added a player who could be the face of the defense this and many years to come.

6. Russell Okung—Seattle Seahawks

Swim

Walter Jones retired this year, so the Seahawks had no choice but to address the giant hole (no pun intended) left behind by him. It won’t be a seamless transition by any stretch, but Okung has great size and athleticism for the NFL game.

After only giving up one sack in his senior season, Okung should play well early with many subpar defensive ends calling the NFC West their home.

7. Joe Haden—Cleveland Browns

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Swim

The Browns have improved their defense considerably between last year and now. Joe Haden will contribute to a defense that looks to get after the ball a lot more frequently than in 2009. He intercepted four of his eight career passes in 2009, and figures to take that experience against top talent with him to the NFL.

Despite Michael Lombardi’s words to the contrary, Haden will probably be featured prominently in three-corner sets, and occasionally as the second cornerback.

8. Rolando McClain—Oakland Raiders

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Swim

The Raiders have improved their defense across the board, and now feature an impressive 3-4 front line that includes Richard Seymour and John Henderson. McClain is a linebacker in the mold of Patrick Willis and Jerod Mayo: a tackle machine with a nose for the ball. McClain’s performance will be a good barometer for the improvement of Oakland’s defense in 2010.

9. CJ Spiller—Buffalo Bills

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Swim

The Bills showed their true colors as a running football team last year. Fred Jackson and Spiller could form a scary one-two punch in Buffalo’s backfield, and the offense should feature both backs more prominently. Chan Gailey likes to pass the ball, but knows enough not to overuse an ineffective pocket passer like Trent Edwards.

10. Tyson Alualu—Jacksonville Jaguars

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Sink

Are we all crazy, or do the Jaguars know something that we don’t? Whatever the case, Alualu looked like a huge reach on draft day, and he may look like even more of a reach on the field. He doesn’t exactly have a bevy of talent surrounding him on defense, and even John Henderson had a good share of struggles in Jacksonville’s system.

11. Anthony Davis—San Francisco 49ers

Swim

The Rutgers offensive tackle didn’t play against top talent, but he did enough to convince offensive line guru Jimmy Raye that he was worth a pick this high. He is an elite run blocker that really knows how to finish the job on a defensive linemen, but has talent and athleticism in pass protection as well.

Davis will be incredibly effective for a 49ers offense that is running the ball more and more frequently and effectively behind Frank Gore year after year.

12. Ryan Mathews—San Diego Chargers

Swim

There’s little question that Mathews is the No. 1 running back in San Diego, even with Darren Sproles still present. Mathews can be a battering ram for the Chargers in the mold of Corey Dillon when he was with the Patriots, opening up the perimeter for Rivers to air it out.

Even on limited carries, Mathews should make a quick impact for the Chargers offense.

13. Brandon Graham—Philadelphia Eagles

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Swim

Even with a diminutive frame, Graham is a great blitzer with all the right moves. He’ll have the chance to use them all in the Eagles’ blitz-happy defense. Top that off with his keen ability to get in the opponent’s backfield and Graham is set for big things in 2010 and far beyond.

The Eagles were very wise to trade up for him, starting one of the strongest drafts of the year on the right foot.

14. Earl Thomas—Seattle Seahawks

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Swim

Thomas isn’t the best tackler in comparison to the other safeties in the league, but he will be asked more to help a team that has ranked near the bottom of the league in turnovers the past two years. He’s incredibly rangy, and Marcus Trufant has already commented that he can feel the confidence in the other guys because they know they have help over the top in Thomas.

15. Jason Pierre-Paul—New York Giants

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Sink

For a defensive end picked this early in the draft, we should expect instant production. Pierre-Paul, however, will play behind Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Justin Tuck in the Giants’ 4-3 defensive end rotation.

He has a ton of raw athleticism, but he has only been playing football for five years, and has never played against top talent until last year. He still has a lot of polishing up to do before he can make a name for himself at the professional level.

16. Derrick Morgan—Georgia Tech

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Sink

Playing in the ACC against easier competition all these years might have spoiled Morgan. Inevitably, the transition will take him a little bit of time in acclimating himself with the top talent.

There are other viable starters in Tennessee, and the Titans could just opt to bring Morgan along slowly. Either way, he can't be expected to do it all for the Titans in 2010.

17. Mike Iupati—San Francisco 49ers

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Swim

Iupati makes a great interior lineman to put next to Anthony Davis. Iupati is less susceptible to agile pass-rushers, and still possesses the same aggressive qualities as a run-blocker as Davis.

Whichever side of the line these two guys are on, Frank Gore will certainly love running to that side of the field. It's clear with their first two picks that the 49ers have devoted themselves to smash-mouth football.

18. Maurkice Pouncey—Pittsburgh Steelers

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Swim

The Steelers lacked a powerhouse interior offensive linemen last year, and their running game suffered for it. Pouncey can play both guard and center, and will make a great lead blocker for Rashard Mendenhall and anyone else carrying the rock for the Steelers this year.

The off-field issues considering his time in college shouldn't effect Pouncey's play on the field. Expect Pouncey to be the centerpiece for the Steelers' offensive line for years to come.

19. Sean Weatherspoon—Atlanta Falcons

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Swim

The Atlanta Falcons have been focusing mightily on revamping their defense, putting the pieces together one at a time. One weak spot was weakside linebacker. Weatherspoon's one of the best at it, and instantly upgrades their pass defense with his incredible speed and athleticism.

He's also one of the best leaders in the draft class. He will be the type of vocal leader the Falcons defense hasn’t had for awhile, holding players accountable and demanding respect.

20. Kareem Jackson—Houston Texans

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Swim

He didn’t rake in a ton of interceptions last year, but that doesn’t make him a bad corner. He’s only being asked to play sound defense, and he came really close to a lot of picks that he missed. He makes a good replacement for the departed Dunta Robinson, and will make a quick impression in Houston.

He played against top talent in the SEC, so what’s to say he doesn’t measure up in the NFL?

21. Jermaine Gresham—Cincinnati Bengals

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Sink

Gresham has the great fortune of transitioning from a great college quarterback to a great pro quarterback. He has all the tools to make a great pass-catching tight end in the NFL. Still, he missed most of 2010 with an injury, and the Bengals haven’t used their tight ends a lot in the past.

It’s hard to tell if he'll make a big enough impression in his first year to warrant a first-round selection, so we’ll have to see how much he gets used.

22. Demaryius Thomas—Denver Broncos

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Sink

Thomas may not have as seamless transition to the pro level as we think after suffering a broken foot while training for the scouting combine. He also has a little learning to do in terms of route-running. Look for Josh McDaniels to utilize Thomas’s many strengths, including run after the catch and stretching the field, but it may be a year or two before he realizes his full potential.

23. Bryan Bulaga—Green Bay Packers

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Swim

Over the past couple of years, the Packers’ primary problem has been health on the offensive line. As a rookie, Bryan Bulaga should get a lot of reps in replacement of the injured players. He was considered by many to be the second-best tackle prospect in the draft, and his ability to contribute early for Green Bay only makes him an invaluable addition.

24. Dez Bryant—Dallas Cowboys

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Swim

This one’s a no-brainer.

With a loaded receiving corps, Bryant may not put up phenomenal numbers in year one simply because Tony Romo will be spreading the ball to Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Felix Jones, and Roy Williams, but he will certainly warrant the pick this year and for years to come. He gives the Cowboys the perfect deep ball receiver in the mold of—you guessed it—Randy Moss.

25. Tim Tebow—Denver Broncos

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Sink

Everyone’s eyes were on Tebow during the 2010 NFL Draft. If that’s the case during the regular season, expect many eyes to be glued to the bench, and for a clipboard to be glued to Tebow’s hands. He shouldn’t be starting for the Broncos in 2010; he needs time to develop and to learn the ins and outs of the NFL game.

There’s not a much better offensive coordinator for him to land with than Josh McDaniels, but Tebow is a project that will take some time to complete.

26. Dan Williams—Arizona Cardinals

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Swim

The Cardinals wisely drafted the man that will be the leader of their defense for years to come, but not statistically. He’ll selflessly hold blockers down while the linebackers float freely and make the sure plays. Under Ken Whisenhunt, Williams may not start from Week One, but he’ll get there sooner than later, and the Cardinals defense will be that much better when he does.

27. Devin McCourty—New England Patriots

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Swim 

So much talk has centered around McCourty’s contributions on special teams that I’m beginning to feel as though his ability as a cover corner is underrated. He was regarded as one of the best in his conference last year, and McCourty will get to use his athleticism and speed to cover slot receivers.

Oh, by the way, he’ll also be a great gunner and return-man if and when called upon.

28. Jared Odrick—Miami Dolphins

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Sink

Odrick been asked to rush the passer for years in Penn State’s 4-3 front, and became one of the best interior defensive linemen at doing just that. He’ll be asked to hold blockers in Miami’s 3-4 defense. If he can learn to play a solid two and four technique, he’ll be a great pick down the line for his flexibility. It’s not a transformation that just involves putting on weight; it’s a different technique, and it could take time for him to develop those skills.

29. Kyle Wilson—New York Jets

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Swim

Wilson’s speed gives Rex Ryan exactly what he lacked last year: the ability to mix up coverages to really confuse opposing offenses. With a legitimate trio of cornerbacks, the Jets can comfortably rush five or more on almost every down. He’ll get solid reps from the beginning and should evolve into a great corner in the blitz-happy system that will allow him to play his comfortable aggressive style of football.

30. Jahvid Best—Detroit Lions

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Swim

The Lions hadn’t found a true identity for their offense until now. Jahvid Best figures to contribute early and often as part of a two-headed rushing attack involving himself and Kevin Smith. With three viable options in the receiving game, defenses will load up the box until Matthew Stafford proves them wrong, but Best and Smith together figure to help him along in that process.

31. Jerry Hughes—Indianapolis Colts

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Swim

He won’t be a starter from the beginning, but he will get the chance to learn under Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. He proved he can get after the quarterback over the past two years, racking up a total of  sacks in that time frame.

There may not be a starting spot for Hughes for a long time; still, Hughes can see reps as a rotational option for when either Freeney or Mathis get tired. It's probably best to bring him along slowly, anyway, after playing against subpar talent in college.

32. Patrick Robinson—New Orleans Saints

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Swim

Robinson is going to a defensive back’s dream: a defense that loves to blitz. He can hold his own in man coverage, especially with a distracted quarterback, as errant balls will be thrown his way enough to help build his confidence and develop him into a solid starter.

He may not get the start from Week One, but will definitely see time in a defense that loves to rotate its players in certain situations.

Your Thoughts?

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Inevitably, someone will tell me I got it wrong. That's just the nature of sports writng: up to this point, it's all based on conjecture.

With that, I welcome your opinion on the matter and appreciate any and all feedback.

Thanks for reading!