2010 NFL Predictions: Dez Bryant & 9 Rookie WRs Who Should Start

The 2010 NFL Draft saw many NFL teams pick a receiver (or two) to either help get younger at the position or to increase depth and groom for a possible starting spot in the future.

Some of these teams also will put their faith into a few of these rookie wide receivers, who may actually be starting from day one of the regular season.

The following are the top 10 rookie wide receivers who have the best chance to be starting come game one of the 2010 season.

10. Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 21: Golden Tate #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball as he is grabbed by Lindsay Witten #9 of the Univeristy of Connecticut Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium on November 21, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jon

Tate may have had a legal issue recently that could cause him to possibly miss a game or two, but there is no denying that he is a threat to start in Seattle.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the incumbent, but after him is quite a mystery, and Tate could sneak through the depth chart to start opposite of him, especially since Tate is a pick of the new regime and it has no ties to any of the other players at receiver right now.

Highly explosive, Tate would be a great complement as a downfield threat to Houshmandzadeh's possession style of play.

9. Eric Decker, Denver Broncos

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 08: Eric Decker #7 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates his touchdown reception in the first overtime period against the Miami of Ohio Redhawks as Minnesota defeated Miami of Ohio 41-35 in triple overtime at the Metrodom

Since the Broncos traded away former Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall, they went young at receiver and picked not one, but two rookies in the draft this year.

Decker will have a tough time getting into a starting spot since veteran Eddie Royal might have the upper hand in securing that role, but that still leaves one spot open, and both of the Broncos' rookies will battle to become a starter in 2010.

For the style of offense that the Broncos run, Decker is a possession receiver, which is ideal for their offensive play calling, and he could see plenty of short passes and passes over the middle in his rookie season.

8. Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 07: Marcus Easley #29 of the Connecticut Huskies runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Big East Conference game at Nippert Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Easley may have been a late round draft pick, but he landed in a great spot to compete for a possible starting receiver spot in Buffalo.

Lee Evans is one starter, but after him is somewhat a mystery with Roscoe Parrish being the logical choice to start opposite of Evans as of right now.

That could change in training camp and in the preseason if Easley can put together some great performances both in practices and in preseason games.

A bigger target than Evans, Easley has good size to be a starter at the NFL level as a rookie as long as he can adjust to the pro game.

7. Carlton Mitchell, Cleveland Browns

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide receiver Carlton Mitchell #2 of the University of South Florida Bulls rushes upfield against the Kansas University Jayhawks at Raymond James Stadium on September 12, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty

Mitchell is much like Easley on the last slide. Since he got picked by the Browns, who have questions surrounding their receiver group, he can possibly sneak into a starting spot too.

The Browns have second-year starter Mohamed Massaquoi as the only starter who is inked in, and Josh Cribbs is not a true starting receiver since he is a versatile threat.

Brian Robiskie could break out and become a starter, but that remains to be seen after a very disappointing rookie season.

Mitchell may be a bit raw, but he has size and speed to be a starter in the NFL, and he can produce for the Browns, especially when it comes to jump balls in the end zone.

6. Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 01: Receiver Mike Williams #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs during the Buccaneers Rookie mini camp at One Buccaneer Place on May 1, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Williams' stock fell in the draft due to character questions, but there is no question about his talents and abilities as a receiver.

With a great showing in training camp and preseason, Williams could push his way into a starting spot, and his presence on the field will also help in quarterback Josh Freeman's development as well.

The Bucs have gotten younger at receiver, since Williams was one of two rookies picked in this draft, and there is a chance that both could be starting come opening day of 2010.

5. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 5: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #1 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrates his touchdown with teammate Dexter Pratt #22 during the second quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 20

Bryant should be starting in game one of the regular season opposite of Miles Austin, but this all depends on how Roy Williams performs before the season starts.

Bryant has all the tools and skills to become a dominating receiver in the NFL as long as his head is in the game and he does not get distracted.

Dropping due to questionable character concerns that themselves could also be questioned, Bryant should be able to contribute in his rookie year, and if he is not the starter at the beginning of this year, he could easily be a starter by the second half of the season too.

4. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #8 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rushes upfield against the Clemson Tigers in the 2009 ACC Football Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by

Thomas was the Broncos' top receiver pick, and he is already penciled in as a starter prior to training camp starting.

The combo of both Thomas and Decker as the starters could be scary on the outside for the Broncos, which comes back to Eddie Royal being a factor in this starting receiver battle.

Thomas does have great size, speed, and potential to pick up where Brandon Marshall left off, but those are also very big shoes to fill.

3. Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 07: Brandon LaFell #1 of the Louisiana State University Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Panthers have had trouble finding a complementary starting receiver opposite of Steve Smith.

They hoped Dwayne Jarrett could be that guy, but he has not panned out.

Now with Smith recovering from an arm injury, Jarrett and rookie receiver LaFell will get to see more reps with the first-team offense, and the No. 2 starting spot is really a battle between both of these players.

If Jarrett continues to struggle, then LaFell will just have to run solid routes, block on running plays, and catch the ball when it comes his way to move up the depth chart and be the No. 2 starter the Panthers have been looking for.

2. Mardy Gilyard, St. Louis Rams

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 27: Mardy Gilyard #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats is picturedl during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Nippert Stadium on November 27, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Rams picked their future quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in Sam Bradford, but besides running back Steven Jackson, they needed to get Bradford more weapons.

The Rams chose Gilyard in the fourth round, and he should step into a starting role and provide some explosiveness on the Rams offense to not only give Bradford a weapon on the outside, but also help alleviate the pressure on Jackson's shoulders since he has been the featured part of the Rams offense of the last few years.

1. Arrelious Benn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 01: Receiver Arrelious Benn #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass during the Buccaneers Rookie mini camp at One Buccaneer Place on May 1, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Benn is a big and physical receiver who is an easy pick as the No. 1 rookie receiver who might start in 2010.

Whether he is running routes inside or outside, Benn has the build to take any hits a defender can lay on him, and his ability to use his strength to overpower cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage should get him open quickly for Freeman to throw to.

Benn may have slipped out of the first round and into the second round of the draft, but his talents on the Bucs will help an offense that needed weapons badly in 2009.

Look for Benn to have a big impact as a starter in 2010.