NFL Power Rankings 2010: Top 10 Rookies Who Will Earn Their Paychecks

Every year after the NFL draft fans and teams are irrate. This is due to the enormous rookie contracts first round selections receive before playing a down in the NFL. Veterans become upset by rookies receiving more guaranteed money than them which spurs contract disputes and lengthy holdouts.

I can't blame them after Sam Bradford received the most guaranteed money in NFL history. You're telling me he is worthy of getting more money than Super Bowl Champions Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady?

Rookie contracts will be at the forefront of the discussion for a new CBA. In the mean time, such drama provides for great sports writing and analysis. Therefore, here are my top 10 rookies who will prove they were worth every penny, well maybe not "every" penny, their franchise just gave them.

#10 Jerry Hughes

Selected No. 31 Overall by the Indianapolis Colts out of TCU

Contract: five years, $12 million with approximately $7 million guaranteed

The Colts' strengthened their pass rush with the addition of Jerry Hughes. Although Indianapolis has Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, they still needed another rusher to provide relief to the aging duo.

In Hughes, the Colts get a hard-working edge rusher with outstanding quickness and burst. The Colts have the luxury of slowly integrating Hughes into the lineup as he will mostly serve as a nickel pass rusher early on.

The coaching staff has been so impressed through camp thus far they are looking for creative ways to incorporate all three pass-rushers in three defensive end packages.

#9 Joe Haden

Selected No. 7 Overall by the Cleveland Browns out of Florida

Contract: five years, $50 million of which $26 million is guaranteed

Haden gives the team a legitimate "shutdown" corner to play alongside incumbent star in the making Eric Wright. Joe is an instinctive playmaker with exceptional cover skills which make up for his lack of top end speed.

His quickness allows him to stay with receivers on the edge and is the main reason for his knack of making plays on the ball down the field. With the Browns' secondary in desperate need of a talent infusion, selecting Haden will only improve their overall defense by allowing Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan to play more man coverage and blitz often.

Expect Haden to replace Sheldon Brown opposite of Eric Wright by the end of the season.

#8 Gerald McCoy

Selected No. 3 Overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Oklahoma

Contract: five years, $63 million with #35 million guaranteed

The Bucs have finally found a replacement for their Warren Sapp-like player to man their "three-technique" position. McCoy is a disruptive force with the quickest first step of any defensive tackle in recent history.

He is an ideal fit in the Tampa-2 scheme due to his ability to create instant penetration with his explosive burst off the line and his never-ending motor. He is expected to anchor the defensive line for years to come alongside second round selection Brian Price at the nose tackle position.

Tampa has invested highly in their defensive line which is key to slowing down the rushing attacks of the teams in the NFC South.

#7 Ndamukong Suh

Selected No. 2 Overall by the Detroit Lions out of Nebraska

Contract: five years, $60 million and $40 million guaranteed. He can also earn another $8 million in incentives

The Lions selected Ndamukong Suh to become the leader of their defense at the tackle position. Suh gives coach Jim Schwartz an enforcer on the interior of the line in the mold of Albert Haynesworth.

Given the fact the Lions ranked dead last in total defense last season, Suh's dominant presence should restore some of the roar in Detroit.

His sack production will be somewhat limited by having to play some of the “nose” in the 4-3, but you can still expect around six sacks in his rookie season which will give the Lions brass all smiles.

#6 C.J. Spiller

Selected No. 9 Overall by the Buffalo Bills out of Clemson

Contract: five years, $37.5 million of which $20.8 million is guaranteed

The Bills ignored obvious needs along the offensive line to add the most electrifying running back in the draft. After the off-field issues with Marshawn Lynch the Bills needed some sort of scoring threat on their offense.

Spiller gives coach Chan Gailey a multi-purpose weapon to feature in his spread offense to alleviate some of the pressure on the Bills' suspect group of quarterbacks. While the offensive line remains a priority, it's hard to argue against the addition of a talented playmaker with the ability to score from anywhere on the field. He will serve as the primary option on kickoff and punt returns with his great elusiveness and game-changing ability.

#5 Kyle Wilson

Selected No. 29 Overall by the New York Jets out of Boise State

Contract: five years, $12.99 million and $7.12 million guaranteed

The Jets' already loaded defense got even more star power with addition of Kyle Wilson. The Boise State standout was viewed as the top corner on some boards, and his skills make him an exceptional cover corner.

Additionally, he possesses the grit and toughness that is sought by the Rex Ryan and his coaching staff. For a team that is loaded on defense, the landing of Wilson is a case of the rich getting richer.

He may be thrust into a larger role earlier on with the absence of Darrelle Revis in training camp. However, Coach Ryan and his staff believe he was the best corner in the draft and now he will have a chance to prove it.

#4 Dez Bryant

Selected No. 24 Overall by the Dallas Cowboys out of Oklahoma State

Contract: five years, $11.8 million with $8.3 million guaranteed

Though Bryant has been roundly labeled as a potential character risk, his exceptional talent was irresistible by Jerry Jones and his staff as they believe he gives them an all-star caliber pass catcher.

With the under performing Roy Williams, Bryant could become a major contributor early in his rookie season alongside Pro Bowl starter Miles Austin. His learning curve may last slightly longer due to a high ankle sprain he suffered early in training camp.

He has been going over responsibilities on the sidelines with coaches to be prepared when his ankle will allow him to return by the start of the season. He has freakish athletic skills that will no doubt turn him into one of the best receivers in the game. The question is when, not if.

#3 Sam Bradford

Selected No. 1 Overall by the Saint Louis Rams out of Oklahoma

Contract: six years, $78 million and a record $50 million guaranteed. He can also earn another $8 million in incentives.

The Rams have nabbed Sam Bradford to be their franchise quarterback for years to come. Though Bradford missed most of the 2009 season nursing a shoulder injury, his strong pre-draft workouts, intangibles and game tape made him impossible to pass up in Saint Louis.

While the Rams don't have many weapons around him, Bradford gives the team a slinger with pinpoint accuracy and the skills to develop into an elite quarterback as the talent around him grows. Some of his growing pains will be alleviated with the presence of Steven Jackson in the backfield to handle the rushing attack.

Steve Spagnuolo believes in bringing rookies along slowly but there is no denying the advantage Bradford brings to the dynamic of the offense compared to Feeley which is why Bradford will be under center to start the season.

#2 Eric Berry

Selected No. 5 Overall by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Tennessee

Contract: five years, $60 million and $34 million guaranteed

The Chiefs ignored their needs along the offensive line to add a dynamic ball-hawking playmaker to their secondary.

As a safety with rare corner-like skills, Berry is capable of roaming the deep middle or covering slot receivers in man-to-man. Not only can Berry cover, but he does not shy away from contact making him useful in the box.

Berry figures to be an important part of Romeo Crennel's aggressive defense as the free safety to enable him to have an impact on as many plays as possible.

#1 Ryan Matthews

Selected No. 12 Overall by the San Diego Chargers out of Fresno State

Contract: five years, $25.65 million of which $15.083 million is guaranteed

San Diego knew what they were getting when they coughed up a few picks for future franchise running back Ryan Mathews out of Fresno State.

As a big, physical runner with explosive speed and quickness, Mathews gives the Chargers an every down back to pair with incumbent Darren Sproles. After the aging LT lead their rushing offense to the bottom of the league the past two seasons, the Chargers' running game is poised to make a resurgence with Mathews serving as the feature back.

His physicality will come in handy in short yardage and goal line situations as he could approach 300 touches in the upcoming season. The Chargers will get their money’s worth from day one with this back.