Why Tim Tebow Should Be the No. 1 Pick in the 2010 NFL Draft

After the recent NFL draft, a couple of buddies and I have been debating who the No. 1 pick will be next year.

Anyone who follows the NFL closely understands the ridiculous salaries that are paid to unproven players drafted in the top 10. For that reason, most teams choose to rebuild with a quarterback, because it is arguably the most important position in the game.

If you don't believe me, the QBs of the last five Super Bowl champions are Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger (twice), Eli Manning, and Peyton Manning. You need one to win the big game.

After reading and listening to countless talking heads on ESPN (i.e. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay), apparently Tim Tebow and his two national championships and Heisman Trophy award will be changing positions to tight end or fullback, and he might not even be drafted until the third round.

My response to this is sheer and utter laughter, then confusion. These so-called "draft gurus" make mistakes constantly when projecting players, and their jobs are never on the line when scouting these players.

NFL scouts and GMs' jobs are on the line, so I'm pretty sure they don't listen to talking windbags on TV.

Here are two examples off the top of my head.

1. Tom Brady wasn't drafted until the sixth round. Does anyone remember Kiper crying foul on that?

Nope, he was advocating the mighty Drew Henson and claiming he would be a first round pick if he entered the draft. Three Super Bowl rings, one MVP, the greatest passing season ever, and four Super Bowl appearances later, Brady is getting the last laugh. 

2) The Reggie Bush fiasco: The entire time before the 2006 draft, all you heard about was how Reggie Bush should be the No. 1 pick. When the Texans passed because of trouble with contract negotiations and drafted Mario Williams, it was seen as a travesty and the end of the Texans.

Three years later, Williams is a Pro Bowl defensive end anchoring the team's defense, while Bush is an inconsistent, injury-prone third down back that roughly has the same value as Devin Hester (a third rounder).

All viewers heard about was projecting Williams' career and stating he could be like Bruce Smith, while Bush was the next Barry Sanders.

I laughed when I remembered that Sanders couldn't even win playoff games, while despite all the losses Smith was the cornerstone of a defense that went to four straight Super Bowls.

My friends' arguments on why Tebow will not be drafted No. 1: For one, he doesn't have the prototypical size for an NFL QB, i.e. 6'5", 220, rocket arm.

This is true; he is a mere 6'3", 240. But I told him that one of the best passers in the game is Drew Brees, a QB that stands a meager 6'0". He retorts that Brees was drafted in the second round. 

I then bring up the point of Alex Smith. He compares Tebow to Smith and claims they are both system quarterbacks in Urban Meyer's system. I argue that Smith was the No. 1 pick. My friends then argue that NFL scouts draft on arm strength, potential, and leadership qualities.

I state that if—it is a big IF—Tebow wins another national championship, he should be the No. 1 pick.

I state that the last five years, the SEC has been the most dominant conference in college football, and if the best player on the best team (Tebow) can dominate the best conference in college, that success should translate to the NFL.

The other knock against Tebow is his lack of arm strength and inaccuracy throwing downfield. I said arm strength is the most overrated quality.

For example, JaMarcus Russell, the 2007 No. 1 pick, can throw the ball 70 yards on his knees. Does anyone know when that would be useful in a game?

I said you don't need superior arm strength to be a good QB. Case in point, Chad Pennington. Pennington has won playoff games in the NFL and was second—yes, second—in MVP voting behind Peyton Manning last year. 

I then argue that if GMs are going to pour tens of millions of dollars into their first round pick and QB position, then they are going to want a leader. I use the example of Mark Sanchez using his leadership quality to jump all the way up to No. 5 in the draft, despite starting just 16 games in college. 

But the defenders of Sanchez claim he played in a pro-style system, unlike Tebow.

I then compare Sanchez to Matt Leinart. I said Leinart started more games and was a more successful college QB, but despite all of his time in the pro-style system, his success has yet to translate to the NFL.

I compare Tebow to a second coming of Steve Young. I believe he will use his feet to buy him time in the pocket but in time will learn to make more plays with his arm. They retort once again that he isn't Michael Vick; however, I argue Vick was the No. 1 pick and the Falcons even traded up to get him.

I said he has the jump pass, the most difficult move in football to defend at the goal line.

They claim it will not work in the NFL; I disagree.

They claim that Sam Bradford fits the mold of the prototype QB in the NFL. I believe Bradford is talented but think he is the product of a system. Bradford played against two good defenses all last season and lost both times.

I argue that the way the NFL is changing, it is becoming more offensive and defensive line-oriented, and there isn't going to be time for QBs to sit in the pocket and dissect a defense.

If I was a GM, I would want a QB with size that could make plays with his feet and lead my team to victory. That is why we play the game, right? (Thanks, Herm Edwards.)

I have heard every knock on the guy, but the one quality that cannot be undermined is his leadership. There isn't a better leader in the country playing QB in college right now. The speech he made after the Ole Miss loss is how all athletes should act after a loss.

Tebow's intangibles are second to none and should be the reason some GM makes a savvy move and selects Tebow with the No. 1 pick.