Tim Tebow and the 10 Most Valuable Players from the 2010 NFL Draft Class

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It has been more than a year since the 2010 NFL Draft took place, and we have had a chance to see what some players can do on a professional level.

That would make right now an excellent time to review last year's draft class and determine the top 10 MVP's. 

While making this list, I used the following three characteristics to rank the players:

 

1. Overall Skill. This one is fairly obvious. It just means how good someone is at what they do. Example: Maurkice Pouncey, in this category, is judged by his ability to snap the ball and block.

2. Importance of Position. This category is used because some positions have greater impacts on the game than others, therefore providing more value to a team.

One instance of this is comparing Sam Bradford and Eric Berry.

Even though Berry is a better safety than Bradford is a quarterback right now, Bradford ranks higher because a quarterback is the most important position on the field, and a free safety does not have as big an impact on the game.

3. Character. This is a combination of one's off-field issues, commitment to the game and leadership skills. Example: Dez Bryant's stock is hurt by this category, while Tim Tebow's is helped.

 

Let's reexamine the 2010 NFL Draft class to discover the 10 Most Valuable Players.

10. Tim Tebow, QB (Denver Broncos)

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Tim Tebow came into the NFL with more questions than answers. Overall, many people were wondering if he could succeed in the NFL and if his skill set would carry over to a professional game.

Tebow saw little action in his rookie season and mainly sat behind veteran Kyle Orton, but Tebow began playing toward the end of the season.

This isn't enough time to answer whether or not his ability to throw has transitioned over to the NFL.

On the other hand, his leadership skills have. A quarterback who is a leader and has the "it" factor is difficult to find, which makes Tim Tebow the 10th Most Valuable Player from the 2010 Draft class.

9. Trent Williams, OT (Washington Redskins)

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Trent Williams wasn't a sexy pick at the time of the draft, but his ability to maintain order on the quarterback's blindside became an asset that is difficult to turn down.

Williams wasn't the most pro-ready offensive tackle in his class, but his strength and determination gave the Redskins enough incentive for him to be selected fourth overall.

Since entering the league, Williams has done an excellent job of pass-blocking, but his ability to run-block needs improvement, along with his technique.

Williams started 12 games of his rookie season, which is impressive. He has a lot of potential at an incredibly important position in the NFL, and therefore comes in as the ninth Most Valuable Player from the 2010 NFL Draft.

8. Dez Bryant, WR (Dallas Cowboys)

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Dez Bryant's stock has definitely been hurt on this list by his off-the-field incidents, but his skill is undeniable.

After a one-year suspension from college football, Bryant came into the league and proved he was the best wide receiver from his class.

Bryant caught six touchdowns and two punt returns for touchdowns. Had Bryant not of been injured toward the end of the season, he could have been in serious contention for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Bryant very well may become an elite receiver in the NFL someday, but his off-the-field antics will continue to stifle his value. That's why he comes at No. 8 on our list.

7. Joe Haden, DB (Cleveland Browns)

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Joe Haden's slow 40-yard dash time scared many teams, but not the Browns.

Cleveland pulled the trigger on Haden with the seventh overall pick in the draft, and he has continued to impress many.

Scouts believed Haden was going to be the next shut-down cornerback in the NFL. While many rookies would take this as a compliment, Haden took it as a challenge. He wanted to be more than just a shut-down corner, he wanted to be balanced.

Haden found success in doing this, as he managed to obtain an impressive six interceptions in his rookie year. If he continues to find success the way he did his first season while maturing as a player, he can become an elite cornerback in the NFL.

Therefore Haden ranks as the seventh Most Valuable Player form the 2010 NFL Draft.

6. Devin McCourty, DB (New England Patriots)

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Few thought 27th overall pick Devin McCourty would start as a cornerback in his rookie season

Even less thought that he would also make the Pro Bowl.

McCourty's numbers speak for themselves. His 17 pass deflections, seven interceptions and two forced fumbles are superb for any player in the NFL, let alone a rookie. 

Right now, McCourty is the best cornerback in the 2010 Draft class and as a result, is the sixth most valuable player.

5. Eric Berry, DB (Kansas City Chiefs)

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Eric Berry came into the NFL with high expectations and was widely considered the best player in the draft.

He definitely did not fail to achieve his goals.

Although his numbers aren't staggering (four interceptions and one forced fumble), he transitioned into the NFL incredibly and had an immediate impact. Berry brought a sense of leadership to the Chiefs' secondary, which is difficult to do as a rookie.

But Berry is a free safety, and no matter how great he plays, a free safety will not have a huge impact on a team. That's why he comes in at No. 5 on our list of the 10 Most Valuable Players of the 2010 NFL Draft class.

4. Mike Williams, WR (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

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Fact: Mike Williams is the only player on this list who was not selected in the first round.

Even Scarier Fact: He was taken in the fourth.

(Remind me why NFL scouts are paid again)

Being a fourth-round selection, no one expected much out of Williams; maybe a rotational player, and definitely a factor on special teams is what I'm sure most coaches thought he would accomplish.

Williams completely shattered any of these thoughts, bringing in 65 receptions for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was by far the most explosive offensive player in the draft.

Williams' surprising emergence as a top rookie receiver brings him in at No. 4 on our list.

3. Maurkice Pouncey, C (Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Maurkice Pouncey did exactly what the Steelers wanted him to do when they selected him with the 18th overall pick: Lead the lackluster Steelers' offensive line back to prominence.

Pouncey started all 16 games of the regular season, and had a huge impact on the Steelers' run game and interior offensive line play.

He also made the Pro Bowl ahead of dominant players such as Alex Mack and Jeff Saturday.

Additionally, Pouncey's heartbreaking injury in the AFC Championship showed how important he was to the team, and the running game struggled as a result of his absence.

Pouncey is a phenomenal player at a position that generally leads the offensive line and plays a great part in developing the scheme for running backs.

As a result, he comes in at No. 3 on our list.

2. Sam Bradford, QB (St. Louis Rams)

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Sam Bradford's arm is the holy grail.

At 23-years old, Bradford is the youngest quarterback in the NFL who has proven he can become an elite quarterback.

He is accurate, mobile and most importantly, a winner.

Many (including myself) questioned Bradford's ability to transition into the NFL; he clearly had no problem. Bradford nearly led the Rams to the playoffs as a rookie and also won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

It is so difficult to come across an elite quarterback in today's game, and the knowledge that your team has a young player who can grow into one of these rare specimens is huge.

Due to his skill and positional importance, Bradford rises to the MVP runner-up from the 2010 NFL Draft class.

1. Ndamukong Suh, DT (Detroit Lions)

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Ndamukong Suh played scary for his first year in the NFL. Many said he was one of the top prospects to come out of college for a long time, and he lived up to the hype.

Suh record 66 tackles and 10 sacks. He also forced one fumble and picked off an interception. Additionally, he was awarded the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, the Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award and the NFL Alumni Defensive Alumni Rookie of the Year Award.

Not Impressed?

Suh also made the Pro Bowl and the First-Team All-Pro, all as a rookie.

Barring any injuries, Suh will be in the Pro Bowl for years to come. Even though a defensive tackle may not be the most important position on the field, Suh is without a doubt the best player of his draft class, and that gives me enough incentive to label him as the MVP of the 2010 NFL Draft class.

Bold Prediction: Ndamukong Suh will be in the Hall of Fame.