2010 NFL Draft: Position Rankings - 4/13

The Quarterback position is a very important one in the NFL. The NFL is a "Quarterback Driven" League. A QB whom is safe with the football can take a team with a great defense to the playoffs... but a QB whom is cautious with the football on an average defense will probably win 6 games at most during the year. Teams with great Quarterbacks are the playoff teams in the league on a consistent basis. Think Patriots, Colts, Brett Favre's teams, the 49ers of the 80's and 90's. Rookie Quarterbacks typically have a tough time in their first season... but recently Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez and Ben Roethlisberger have had success in their first season. How a QB will perform in their first season is based on millions of factors... the talent around them... the system... the defense etc. Here is the top Quarterbacks in the 2010 draft class

Jimmy Clausen:
Notre Dame
Junior
6-3 | 223 lbs.
Westlake Village, CA
Lions? Skins? Bills?

1. Jimmy Clausen - Notre Dame
2. Sam Bradford - Oklahoma
3. Colt McCoy - Texas
4. Tim Tebow - Florida
5. Dan LeFevour - Central Michigan
6. Tony Pike, Cincinnati
7. Jevan Snead - Ole Miss
8. Sean Canfield - Oregon State

Running backs have short lives in the NFL. Teams frequently are adding new young runners and dropping aging veterans. (see Ahman Green, Fred Taylor, Stephen Davis, Edgerrin James). The draft is where the teams find their youth in the backfield. This year there is an influx of talent of talented running backs. There is the speed demons (Spiller, Best, McCluster) and the bruisers (Gerhart, Dwyer). This draft class is not the best for running backs... but there is a lot of value present in possible 2nd & 3rd round picks.
C.J. Spiller:
Clemson
Senior
5-11 | 195 lbs.
Lake Butler, FL
Seahawks? 49ers?

1. C.J. Spiller - Clemson
2. Jahvid Best - California
3. Ryan Matthews - Fresno
4. Jonathan Dwyer - Georgia Tech
5. Toby Gerhart - Stanford
6. Dexter McCluster - Ole Miss
7. Joe McKnight - USC

Rashawn Jackson:
Virginia
Senior
6-1 | 245 lbs.
Jersey City, NJ

1. Rashawn Jackson - Virginia
2. John Conner - Kentucky
3. Manase Tonga - BYU

Wide Receivers: The Divas of the NFL. Wide receivers can make a huge difference in the NFL. In a positive way and in a negative way. Terrell Owens figured out a way to dismantle the 49ers, Eagles, and Cowboys... the smartest team - the Ravens. They got rid of him before he did any real damage. The top 2 receivers last year were taken at 10 and 19. Michael Crabtree fell into the laps of the 49ers. How did the top wideout fall so far... Al Davis. Al Davis took the fastest receiver first instead of the best receiver. Things like this happen sometimes, but like last year there is a definite #1 at the wide out position. Lets hope this year the team who wants a WR first selects Dez Bryant.
Dez Bryant:
Oklahoma State
Junior
6-2 | 220 lbs.
Lufkin, TX
Broncos? Ravens?
Browns? Dolphins?
Raiders?%$#?

1. Dez Bryant - Oklahoma State
2. Arrelious Benn - Illinois
3. Golden Tate - Notre Dame
4. Demaryius Thomas - Georgia Tech
5. Brandon LaFell - LSU
6. Jordan Shipley - Texas
7. Damian Williams - USC
8. Mardy Gilyard - Cincinnati
9. Eric Decker - Minnesota
10. Jeremy Williams - Tulane
11. Danario Alexander - Missouri

Tight End's are hit or miss in the NFL draft. Tight ends who are drafted high are typically freakish athletes or players who have put up huge numbers at big programs. For instance, Vernon Davis is a freakish athlete, and Kellen Winslow Jr was at a big progam. However, there is more value lower in the draft. 2nd and 3rd round tight ends are typically just as good as those first rounders. Dallas Clark rings a bell. Vernon Davis looked to be a bust after a few years, but now he is undoubtedly the most complete tight end in the NFL. A tight end in the 1st round should be a luxury pick... however some players are just too good to pass up early in the draft.

Jermaine Gresham:
Oklahoma
Senior
6-6 | 258 lbs.
Ardmore, OK
Bengals? Patriots?

1. Jermaine Gresham - Oklahoma
2. Aaron Hernandez - Florida
3. Rob Gronkowski - Arizona
4. Ed Dickson - Oregon
5. Anthony McCoy - USC

The offensive tackle position: The blind side of the quarterback must be protected in any passing scheme. There are some rare athletes to come out as tackles and there have been several whom have played at pro bowl levels immediately (Ryan Clady, Michael Oher). If you are familiar with the NFL you know that having a quality offensive line is essential to having a quality offensive attack. This year there are numerous prospects on the line and at the tackle position that can immediately help NFL teams. Although we Okung Ranked at number 1... Davis may be selected first because of Okung injury history and Davis's raw physical ability. Think Eugene Monroe = Okung and Jason Smith = Davis. Smith was picked higher but Monroe was the more complete tackle overall at the time of the draft.
Anthony Davis:
Rutgers
Junior
6-6 | 325 lbs.
Piscataway, NJ
49ers? Raiders?
Seahawks? Bills?

1. Russell Okung - Oklahoma State
2. Brian Bulaga - Iowa
3. Trent Williams - Oklahoma
4. Anthony Davis - Rutgers
5. Bruce Campbell - Maryland
6. Charles Brown - USC

Guards: the offensive line's meat. As a Guard you very rarely get true recognition in the media. You might rarely even get a mention in film study... That is unless you've made a mistake. Although, guards are a key component to any offensive attack. Having athletic guards who can pull... seal edges, and dominate defenders can really create a problem for the defense in the run game. This year's class of guards has man whom is clearly the head of his class... Mike Iupati out of Idaho is a mammoth of a guard standing at 6-6 and weighing in at 330 lbs... but he moves as if he was a linebacker. While watching him play he seems to not be carrying half of his weight. He is a force from the guard position and should be taken in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Mike Iupati:
Idaho
Senior
6-6 |330 lbs.
Anaheim, CA
Cowboys? Ravens?

1. Mike Iupati - Idaho
2. Maurkice Pouncey - Florida
3. Jon Asamoah - Illinois
4. Vladimir Ducasse - UMass
5. Mike Johnson - Alabama
6. Mitch Petrus - Arkansas

The middle of the offensive line. The anchor. The line caller. The ball handler. The Center. Call it what you want... but the center of the offensive line... of the offense... is where it all begins. Before a play there are tons of responsibilities put on the center... which player is coming and which is not. Switching in and out of blocking schemes... a center must be smart. The Quarterback and Center have similar pre snap responsibilities... and when done properly (see Indianapolis) it can make all the difference. In this years class Maurkice Pouncey holds the top spot. Maurkice Pouncey:
Florida
Junior
6-5 |318 lbs.
Lakeland, FL

1. Maurkice Pouncey - Florida
2. J.D. Walton - Balyor
3. Eric Olson - Notre Dame
4. Matt Tennant - Boston College
5. Ted Larson - NC State

Defensive tackle: Nose Tackle: The Point of attack. The dirty work of all defenses. Albert Haynesworth made his money at the position like no other defensive player in NFL history. A 3-4 NT and a 4-3 DT are different things entirely. At NT you may want a large space eater that command 2 blockers at all times... thus freeing up your linebackers to fill in the gaps and attack the line of scrimmage. At DT you may want large individuals whom can move and win matches on a consistent basis. Yes the DT will eat up space but you prefer them to be more technically sound that a NT. Both positions have their positives and negatives but in reality they do have many similarities and most prospects are a specific position in the pros because of the team their on and not necessarily their skill set out of college. Anyone with size can play either position... I don't think there is any question which player is at the top of this list. He could play any position on the defensive line. He is a true force. Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh:
Nebraska
Senior
6-4 | 300 lbs.
Portland, OR
Grant High School
Rams? Lions?

1. Ndamukong Suh - Nebraska
2. Gerald McCoy - Oklahoma
3. Dan Williams - Tennessee
4. Jared Odrick - Penn State
5. Brian Price - UCLA
6. Terrance Cody - Alabama
7. Cam Thomas - UNC

Defensive ends. There are defensive ends whom specialize in pressuring the quarterback and there are defensive ends in a 3-4 defense that primarily stuff the run and take on multiple blockers in passing situations. There have been some great Defensive Ends to come out of the draft... Mario Williams went 1st overall. We will never forget Gaines Adams out of Clemson. He passed away this offseason due to heart troubles. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the Bears organization.
Derrick Morgan:
Georgia Tech
Junior
6-4 | 275 lbs.
Coatesville, PA
Bills? Seahawks?

1. Derrick Morgan - Georgia Tech
2. Carlos Dunlap - Florida
3. Jason Pierre-Paul - South Florida
4. Brandon Graham - Michigan
5. Everson Griffen - USC

Outside Linebacker, Hawk Linebacker, Will Linebacker: There are tons of names for the position whether it be in a 3-4 scheme or a 4-3. Some teams need undersized defensive ends to play rush linebacker for them... while others are looking for a true outside linebacker (think Derrick Brooks). What ever the case for your team this year... there is a clear top 5 OLB that stand above the rest, leading the group of Outside linebackers is Sergio Kindle out of Texas. (Note) Some players such as Jason Pierre-Paul are viewed as perfect 3-4 Outside linebackers... but we only included him in the DE rankings.
Jerry Hughes:
Texas Christian
Senior
6-3 | 257 lbs.
Sugar Land, TX
49ers? Eagles?

1. Sergio Kindle - Texas
2. Brandon Graham - Michigan
3. Jason Pierre-Paul - South Florida
4. Sean Weatherspoon - Missouri
5. Jerry Hughes - TCU
6. Ricky Sapp - Clemson
7. Navorro Bowman - Penn State

The Focal Point of any defense. The Middle linebacker makes or breaks a defense. Brian Urlacher, Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, Demeco Ryans... are just a few of the talented linebackers that have made huge impact in the NFL in recent years. Linebackers tend to have instant impacts on their teams coming out of the drafts. Just take a look at the defensive rookies of the year in the recent past...

2003 - Terrell Suggs
2004 - Jonathan Vilma
2005 - Shawne Merriman
2006 - DeMeco Ryans
2007 - Patrick Willis
2008 - Jerod Mayo
2009 - Brian Cushing

I believe the tradition will continue with Rolando McClain in 2010. He is an absolute beast out of Alabama
Rolando McClain:
Alabama
Junior
6-4 | 258 lbs.
Decatur, AL
49ers? Broncos?
Raiders? Chiefs?
Giants? Dolphins?

1. Rolando McClain - Alabama
2. Daryl Washington - TCU
3. Brandon Spikes - Florida
4. Sean Lee - BYU
5. Micah Johnson - Kentucky
6. Pat Angerer - Iowa

Derrelle Revis has created a ton of hype of the cornerback position this postseason. Similar to the display Larry Fitzgerald put on last season... Revis is dominating the competition. Shut down corners are invaluable in the NFL. A true shutdown corner like Revis is hard to find but a lot of teams will attempt to get their Revis in the draft this year. Joe Haden is their best option. Corners are always the most drafted position in drafts... they don't lack in quantity but do they lack in quality?
Joe Haden:
Florida
Junior
5-11 | 190 lbs.
Fort Washington, MD
49ers? Browns?
Seahawks?
Raiders? Dolphins?
4.41 forty

1. Joe Haden - Florida
2. Kyle Wilson - Boise State
3. Devin McCourty - Rutgers
4. Patrick Robinson - Florida State
5. Kareem Jackson - Alabama
6. Brandon Ghee - Wake Forest
7. Perrish Cox - Oklahoma State
8. Chris Cook - Virginia
9. Syd'Quan Thompson - California
10. Donovan Warren - Michigan
11. Javier Arenas - Alabama
12. Trevard Lindley - Kentucky

Safety has likely the 3 best prospects its had in a long time. The top 3 prospects in the 2010 NFL draft are all 1st round material... and they all have the potential to start day one and make an impact. 2 of them are rangy playmaking safeties, and one is a protoype physical linebacker, with cornerback like speed. He is a physical specimen. His name is Taylor Mays. With all that talent... yet he is still the 3rd best safety in the 2010 draft class.

Eric Berry:
Tennessee
Junior
5-11 | 203 lbs.
Fairburn, GA
Buccaneers?
Chiefs? Browns?

1. Eric Berry - Tennessee
2. Earl Thomas - Texas
3. Taylor Mays - USC
4. Chad Jones - LSU
5. Morgan Burnett - Georgia Tech

Kickers and Punters. Besides Sabastian Janikowski and Ray Guy there isn't really any other legged specialists to ever be drafted in the first round. It won't happen this year either. I think the Raiders can find better values at their #8 selection but you never know with Al Davis running the show. Lets hope they get this one right.
Aaron Pettrey:
Ohio State
Kicker

K #1. Aaron Pettrey - Ohio State
2. Hunter Lawrence - Texas
3. Brett Swensen - Michigan State

Zoltan Mesko:
Michigan
Punter

P #1. Zoltan Mesko - Michigan
2. Mike Brandtner - Iowa State
3. Scott Ravanesi - Southern Illinois