2010 NFL Draft Snap Decision: Top Five Winners and Losers

I am one of the senior editors of NFLdraftbible.com and one of the primary draft analysts. I have run hundreds of scouting reports for this year's draft.

The most insightful and in-depth coverage can be found on our website, where we run live interviews and podcasts and have up to date news and analysis. I was "discovered" writing for B/R, so I am posting a few things during the draft as a thank you.

Top Five Winners (in no particular order)

Detroit Lions—The Roar Is Beginning To Be Restored

Standouts: Ndamukong Suh, Jahvid Best, Amari Spievey.

Short-term analysis—Taking into account that by using draft picks as trade material the Lions brought in Rob Sims, Corey Williams, and Chris Houston, they may have gotten six starters out of this draft for the 2010 season.

Seattle Seahawks—Pete Carroll Is NFL Ready

Standouts: Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, Golden Tate, Walter Thurmond.

Short-term analysis—Taking into account that by using draft picks as trade material the 'Hawks got QB Charlie Whitehurst and RBs Leon Washington and Lendale White, they too may have gotten six starters for 2010. 

Oakland Raiders—Remember, Al Davis Was a Genius Before He Went Crazy

Standouts: Rolando McClain, Lemarr Houston, Bruce Campbell, Jacoby Ford.

Short-term analysis—A lot of potential starters in this draft class for the 2010 season. Al Davis drafted football players early in the draft and raw athletes in the later stages. A brilliant draft plan I wish he had used the last five years, still better late than never.

Arizona Cardinals—The Cards Got a Lot Of Value

Standouts: Dan Williams, Daryl Washington, Andre Roberts, O’Brien Schofield, John Skelton

Short-term analysis—In the first five rounds of the draft the Cardinals got highly-rated players in relation to their drafted positions as well as perfect fits for what the Cardinals do schematically on both offense and defense.

New England Patriots—They Got Future Draft Picks AND Value

Standouts: Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Taylor Price, Aaron Hernandez.

Short-term analysis—Tom Brady can exhale as he got some much-needed new toys to play with in the passing game. McCourty is a perfect Patriots type player and along with very slight but justifiable reaches Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes should breathe some new life into a slouching Patriots defense. Oh yeah they also have two first rounders and two second rounders in 2011 now. 

Top Five Losers (in no particular order)

Houston Texans—Rick Smith May Regret This Draft

Reaches: Kareem Jackson, Ben Tate, Daryl Sharpton.

Short-term analysis—Instead of Jackson and Tate they could have had Kyle Wilson and Toby Gerhart. Both are players with considerably higher long-term and short-term ceilings. There is also a chance Sharpton never sees the field. 

Jacksonville Jaguars—Oops

Reaches: Tyson Aluala

Short-term analysis—If Gene Smith was planning on reaching this badly in the first round he should of just drafted Tim Tebow, at least that would get some local and national attention on the team in a somewhat positive way. There is a chance that third-round DT D’Anthony Smith outperforms Tyson Aluala, a Top 10 pick, now and in the future.

Cincinnati Bengals—They Never Learn

Reaches: None

Short-term analysis—The Bengals didn’t reach, they took appropriately-slotted players. That’s not the issue; the issue is that they always take risky players. Example? Jermaine Gresham’s knees, Carlos Dunlap’s character, Geno Atkin’s motor.

Washington Redskins—Shanny Ignored The Film

Reaches: Trent Williams

Short-term analysis—Any time you reach for a player in the Top Five you’re a draft loser in my book. Russell Okung on film blew Trent Williams out of the water when playing left tackle. Jeremy Bates, Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator and previous O.C. to Shanny in Denver, has no issue plugging Okung into their zone blocking system. With Okung and Williams playing the same position in the same style offense, we will see who is the better player soon enough.

Carolina Panthers—Setting a Bad Trend

Reaches: None

Short-term analysis—It’s not that they reach, its that every draft they will gladly pay you double on Tuesday for a hamburger on Monday. Yes Armanti Edwards is a interesting player for a third rounder, but their obvious desperation for him wasn’t reason enough to sacrifice a 2011 second-round pick.

This is multiple years in a row where the Panthers have dealt high future picks for a pick in the current draft. It’s bad business and stinks of desperation. No wonder people think John Fox is on his way out.