Let's Try That Again: A 2010 NFL Re-Draft
They say hindsight is 20/20. Well let's put that to the test and see how the 2010 NFL Draft would look if teams knew in April what they know now. Commissioner Roger Goodell hasn't returned my phone calls yet, so I'm going to have to handle this one myself.
Now without further ado, the St. Louis Rams are on the clock.
No. 1 St. Louis: Sam Bradford
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With the first overall pick, the St. Louis Rams select Sam Bradford / QB / Oklahoma
Actually Drafted (First overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 307-517 (59.4 %), 3,065 yards, 17 TD's, 14 INT's, 63 rushing yards, 1 TD
No shocker here as the Rams got it right landing their franchise quarterback. Bradford has his team controlling their own destiny in the (although putrid) NFC West. Bradford has the talent and maybe more importantly the swagger of a QB you want to build your franchise around.
No. 2 Detroit: Ndamukong Suh
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With the second overall pick, the Detroit Lions select Ndamukong Suh / DT / Nebraska
Actually Drafted (Second overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 55 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT
Again, no change. The Lions got a franchise defensive superstar you build a team around. Suh has been as advertised plus some. His eight sacks leads all rookies and believe it or not, all defensive tackles in the league. Your looking at a perennial All-Pro.
No. 3 Tampa Bay: Tyson Alualu
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With the third overall pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Tyson Alualu / DT / Cal
Actually Drafted (10th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 33 tackles, 3.5 sacks
Tampa is currently the fourth worst in the NFL in rush defense and dead last in opposing yards per carry. Obviously drafting McCoy wasn't the answer here and Alualu has been a starter since day one for a potentially playoff-bound Jaguars team.
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No. 4 Washington: Gerald McCoy
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With the fourth overall pick, the Washington Redskins select Gerald McCoy / DT / Oklahoma
Actually Drafted (third overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 28 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
The 'Skins are currently the sixth-worst against the run and second-worst in opposing yards per carry. Albert Haynesworth has been an absolute bust and a physical presence in the middle is needed. McCoy could be that guy.
No. 5 Kansas City: Dez Bryant
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With the fifth overall pick, the Kansas City Chiefs select Dez Bryant / WR / Oklahoma State
Actually Drafted (24th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 45 catches, 561 yards, 6 TD's
The Chiefs rank second-to-last in the NFL in receiving yards, and that's WITH Dwayne Bowe who is 15th in the league in the same category! Take him out and Chiefs wide receivers have 618 yards in 14 games (an average of just 44 yards a game!) They desperately need another threat opposite Bowe and Bryant would be perfect for the job.
No. 6 Seattle: Eric Berry
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With the sixth overall selection, the Seattle Seahawks pick Eric Berry / S / Tennessee
Actually Drafted (Fifth overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 81 tackles, 3 INT's, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 8 passes defended
Seattle nabs the best player available, one that will be an immediate standout on a God-awful defense.
No. 7 Cleveland: Trent Williams
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With the seventh overall pick, the Cleveland Browns select Trent Williams / OT / Oklahoma
Actually Drafted (Fourth overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 11 games started
The Browns are currently starting 33-year-old journeyman John St. Clair at right tackle. They should not let a talent like Williams pass them by.
No. 8 Oakland: Devin McCourty
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With the eighth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select Devin McCourty / CB / Rutgers
Actually Drafted (27th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 77 tackles, 6 INT's, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 15 passes defended
It's been a revolving door at corner opposite Nnamdi Asomugha in Oakland leaving them with just eight interceptions on the season, good for second worst in the league. Though a shutdown like McCourty would make throwing the ball against the Raiders truly a black hole.
No. 9 Buffalo: Rolando McClain
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With the ninth overall pick, the Buffalo Bills select Rolando McClain / LB / Alabama
Actually Drafted (Eighth overall)
2010 NFL Stats - 71 tackles, 1 INT, .5 sacks
It's well documented how poor the Bills are against the run, but don't blame it on nose tackle Kyle Williams or linebacker Paul Posluszny. Still, something needs to be done and with the 3-4 defense Buffalo utilizes, another big time linebacker is in order. Insert Rolando McClain.
No. 10 Jacksonville: Joe Haden
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With the 10th overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Joe Haden / CB / Florida
Actually Drafted (Seventh overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 55 tackles, 5 INT's, 16 passes defended
The Jags surrender the sixth-most passing yards in the league and the most yards per attempt. Rashean Mathis has lost a step and when you have to face the Colts and Texans passing attack twice a year, you need talented corners. Haden gives them what they need.
No. 11 San Francisco: Earl Thomas
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With the 11th overall selection, the San Francisco 49ers pick Earl Thomas / S / Texas
Actually Drafted (14th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 71 tackles, 5 INT's, 7 passes defended
The Niners pass defense is in the bottom 10 in yards allowed, yards per attempt and TD's allowed. Thomas is a true ball hawk who would change that in a hurry.
No. 12 San Diego: Mike Williams
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With the 12th overall pick, the San Diego Chargers select Mike Williams / WR / Syracuse
Actually Drafted (101st overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 58 catches, 880 yards, 8 TD's
Sure the Chargers may have just got their big play guy back in Vincent Jackson, but maybe they wouldn't be on the outside looking in on the playoffs if they had Williams on their roster over castoffs and nobodies like Malcom Floyd, Patrick Crayton, Seyi Ajirotutu, Legedu Naanee, Kelley Washington and Buster Davis.
No. 13 Philadelphia: Maurkice Pouncey
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With the 13th overall pick, the Philadelphia Eagles select Maurkice Pouncey / C / Florida
Actually Drafted (18th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 14 starts for the AFC North leading Steelers
Only Todd Herremans has started all 14 games for the Eagles this season. Current starting center Mike McGlynn is a converted tackle who was inactive for every game in 2009. Pouncey would be a fixture in the middle for the Birds o-line.
No. 14 Seattle: LeGarrette Blount
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With the 14th overall pick, the Seattle Seahawks select LeGarrette Blount / RB / Oregon
Actually Drafted (Undrafted)
2010 NFL Stats: 164 carries, 777 yards (4.7 YPC), 6 TD's
The Seahawks running game is miserable at best, only the Colts have rushed for less yards. Drafting Blount would have also saved Seattle a 2011 fourth round pick and a 2012 conditional pick. Blount may have made one bad choice, but he has been a model citizen since then.
No. 15 New York Giants: Pat Angerer
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With the 15th overall selection, the New York Giants pick Pat Angerer / LB / Iowa
Actually Drafted (63rd overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 78 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
Keith Bulluck had his time, but it's come and gone. The G-Men need a younger, faster linebacker to step up and take his place. Angerer leads all rookie linebackers in tackles this year.
No. 16 Tennessee: T.J. Ward
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With the 16th overall pick, the Tennessee Titans select T.J. Ward / S / Oregon
Actually Drafted (38th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 114 tackles, 2 INT's, 1 forced fumble, 8 passes defended
T.J. Ward has been a human missile this year, leading all rookies in tackles (11th overall in the NFL). The Titans have an aging safety in Chris Hope that will be needing a replacement soon. It's a match made in heaven.
No. 17 San Francisco: Russell Okung
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With the 17th overall pick, the San Francisco 49ers select Russell Okung / OT / Oklahoma State
Actually Drafted (Sixth overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 8 games started
Thin at line, the Niners take the best available prospect in Okung.
#18 Pittsburgh: Mike Iupati
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With the 18th overall pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Mike Iupati / G / Idaho
Actually Drafted (17th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 14 games started
Decimated by injury, the Steelers have a makeshift line protecting the human pinata that is Ben Roethlisberger. Iupati steps in no problem as a full-time starter.
No. 19 Atlanta: Sean Weatherspoon
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With the 19th overall pick, the Atlanta Falcons select Sean Weatherspoon / LB / Missouri
Actually Drafted (19th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 38 tackles, 1 sack
An injury has slowed up Weatherspoon's rookie campaign, but the Falcons got this pick right. A glaring weakness at linebacker and 'Spoon is the top outside linebacker on the board.
No. 20 Houston: Alterraun Verner
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With the 20th overall pick, the Houston Texans select Alterraun Verner / CB / UCLA
Actually Drafted (104th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 81 tackles, 3 INTs, 11 passes defended
Maybe losing Dunta Robinson hurt more than Houston thought it would. The Texans pass defense is the worst in the NFL in every conceivable way (pass yards AND TD's allowed!). Verner provides a legitimate No. 1 corner for a team that is still looking for one.
No. 21 Cincinnati: Anthony Davis
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With the 21st overall selection, the Cincinnati Bengals pick Anthony Davis / OT / Rutgers
Actually Drafted (11th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 14 games started
The Bengals average the second-lowest yards per carry in the league. The Bengals have the second-most rushes for negative yards when running to the left side. The Bengals will need to draft a QB in the quarterback-heavy 2011 NFL Draft. The Bengals will need a left tackle to block said franchise QB. The Bengals need Anthony Davis.
No. 22 Denver: LaMarr Houston
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With the 21st overall pick, the Denver Broncos select LaMarr Houston / DE/DT / Texas
Actually Drafted (44th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 30 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble
The Broncos have the second-worst rush and overall defense in the league. Houston is a versatile defensive lineman who can play inside or out. Denver cant afford to pass up on a big run stopping/pass rushing duel threat.
No. 23 Green Bay: Chris Ivory
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With the 23rd overall pick, the Green Bay Packers select Chris Ivory / RB / Tiffin
Actually Drafted (Undrafted)
2010 NFL Stats: 130 carries, 683 yards (5.3 YPC), 5 TD's
Obviously the Pack couldn't predict the injury to Ryan Grant, but the running game has been abysmal in 2010, ranking in the bottom 10 in yards per game and yards per carry. Even without the injury, it's become common knowledge you two backs to succeed in this league and clearly the Packers were not prepared.
(PS, yes that is the only picture of Chris Ivory at Tiffin as he only played five games and had no more than 40 carries. If you can find a better one, hats off.)
No. 24 Dallas: Nate Allen
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With the 24th overall pick, the Dallas Cowboys select Nate Allen / S / USF
Actually Drafted (37th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 48 tackles, 3 INT's, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 8 passes defended
Long story short, the Cowboys defense was down right terrible at times this year. While the rush defense has picked it up, the pass defense is still among the worst in the NFL. Nate Allen would change that quickly with his ability to find the ball, also, with the way he can get after the quarterback.
No. 25 Denver Broncos: Kareem Jackson
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With the 25th overall pick, the Denver Broncos select Kareem Jackson / CB / Alabama
Actually Drafted (20th overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 65 tackles, 2 INT's, 10 passes defended
As noted earlier, the Broncos defense is the worst in the NFL. So naturally, what did they do with their two first round picks in real life? A backup QB and a No. 4 WR. Well since I have a brain (sorry for the cheap shot Mr. McDaniels), I will be selecting them Kareem Jackson in an attempt to help out a defense that is giving up the most points in the league.
No. 26 Arizona: Bryan Bulaga
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With the 26th overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals select Bryan Bulaga / OT / Iowa
Actually Drafted (23rd overall)
2010 NFL Stats: 10 games started
The Cardinals are another team who can only be summed up with one word: mess. As badly as they need a quarterback, no one is worth the pick at this pick. So a talented tackle is the pick and they can hope for a QB in '11.
#27 New England: CB Perrish Cox
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With the 27th overall pick, the New England Patriots select Perrish Cox / CB / Oklahoma State
Actually Drafted (137th overall)
2010 NFL Stats - 50 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 12 passes defended
With New England now without McCourty (#8 to Oakland), the Pats are now left with Kyle Arrington, Leigh Bodden, Darius Butler, and Jonathan Wilhite. Yuck! Cox is the best corner available so by default he is now a Patriot. I'm sure Belichick will turn him into an All-Pro in two years anyway.
#28 Miami: Rodger Saffold
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With the 28th overall selection, the Miami Dolphins pick Rodger Saffold / OT / Indiana
Actually Drafted (33rd overall)
2010 NFL Stats - 14 games started
Jake Long is the best tackle in the game. Now he just needs some help on the line. The rest of the offense is solid and the defense has no glaring holes. Saffold steps right in and starts at right tackle no problem.
#29 New York Jets: Cody Grimm
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With the 29th overall pick, the New York Jets select Cody Grimm / S / Virginia Tech
Actually Drafted (210th overall)
2010 NFL Stats - 57 tackles, 2 INT's, 1 forced fumble
The Jets safety situation is a problem. Jim Leonhard is a solid player, but after that there is a little to be desired. Brodney Pool has been a letdown since coming over from Cleveland and Eric Smith has more fines and penalties than big plays. Grimm is a guy who can be trusted and counted on and step right in for this vaunted defense.
#30 Detroit: Ryan Mathews
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With the 30th overall pick, the Detroit Lions select Ryan Mathews / RB / Fresno State
Actually Drafted (12th overall)
2010 NFL Stats - 120 carries, 503 yards (4.2 YPC), 3 TD's, 16 catches, 98 yards
Unable to find a franchise back since Barry left town, the Lions need a home run type running back and get just that in Mathews. They have not finished above the bottom 10 in the league in rushing since 2004. Mathews gives them the chance to change that.
#31 Indianapolis: C.J. Spiller
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With the 31st overall pick, the Indianapolis Colts select C.J. Spiller / RB / Clemson
Actually Drafted (9th overall)
2010 NFL Stats - 65 carries, 248 yards, 22 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD
A disappointing rookie season has Spiller being the biggest dropper in our 2010 Re-Draft. But what may be others trash is now the Colts treasure. Manning has had an unusually pedestrian season and incoincidentally, he's had the weakest crop of targets in years. Spiller is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches it and Manning will get him in the perfect place and the perfect time.
#32 New Orleans: Jahvid Best
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With the 32nd and final pick in the first round, the New Orleans Saints select Jahvid Best / RB / Cal
Actually Drafted (30th overall)
2010 NFL Stats - 155 carries, 497 yards (3.2 YPC), 4 TD's, 51 catches, 411 yards, 1 TD
I think we can all agree the Reggie Bush experiment was a failure. Pierre Thomas cant stay healthy. Julius Jones is out of his prime if he ever had one. And Ladell Betts is still and forever will be Ladell Betts. The Saints need a back who can carry the ball for them consistantly and even though Best's average per carry was far from strong, its mostly due to a lackluster blocking game. He is what the Saints need.
Conclusion
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So that's how I feel the first round should have looked, based off what we now know some 8 months later. Feel free to chime in with your opinions as I'm sure you guys wont hesitate to call me an idiot here and there, it's all welcomed. I just had a blast doing this!
-Mike Walpole
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