It has been five years since the 2010 NFL Draft. In those years, much has changed. Many players drafted early on turned out to be busts, while some players came out of nowhere to become stars in the NFL. After five years, this is how I think the draft would be redone it scouts had knowledge of not only the draftees but of those on their own roster. Each player’s actual draft position back in 2010 is in parentheses.
1. St. Louis Rams – DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (second overall, Detroit Lions)
Ndamukong Suh is the best player to come out of this draft. Suh has been a star for the Detroit Lions and is the best defensive lineman in the NFL. The Rams major need in the draft was at quarterback, but Sam Bradford, although skilled, is injury prone. Bradford has not reached much success in his time as the starter, and has not yet shown that he is worth the top pick in the draft. Suh, on the other hand, has achieved 36 sacks and 181 tackles in his career. Suh is one of the most feared men on the front seven. He clogs up the run game and his pass rush can throw off any quarterback. His speed and power is a force to be reckoned with and was definitely worth the first overall pick.
Other Options: Antonio Brown (WR), Rob Gronkowski (TE), Geno Atkins (DT)
2. Detroit Lions – S Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech (133rd overall, Seattle Seahawks)
Between 2007 and 2012, the Detroit Lions had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. They were treacherous and many teams would take advantage of it. Any team with an elite quarterback or an elite receiver would have a field day against them, and they were the main reason for the Lions elimination from the 2011 playoffs.
Kam Chancellor managed to fall all the way to the fifth round of the draft where he was selected by the Seahawks. Still, the safety would continue the legacy of amazing defensive backs from Virginia Tech. Chancellor is one of the best safeties in the NFL and he would have instantly added a huge boost to the unit. It would not fix all of their problems, but a player as athletic and smart as Chancellor could have made the Lions Super Bowl contenders in a year like 2011 where they had one of the NFL’s best offenses.
Chancellor barley played his rookie season, but when he became a starter in 2011 he became a star. Chancellor has become a menacing player to all NFL quarterbacks and has been a crucial component to the fearful Seahawks secondary. In 2014 Chancellor had eight interceptions, and a huge one in the postseason that went for a game sealing touchdown. If Chancellor had been drafted by the Lions, it could the beginning of a much better future for the team.
Other Options: Antonio Brown (WR), Rob Gronkowsi (TE), Earl Thomas (S), Eric Berry (S)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – T Trent Williams, Oklahoma (fourth overall, Washington Redskins)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not have much going for them in 2010. They were a bad team who did not have much young talent. They had invested a lot in quarterback Josh Freeman and were planning to build around him. But years later, Freeman became a bust and the Bucs already are looking for another franchise quarterback.
Trent Williams, on the other hand, would have given the team an elite tackle that excels in the run game. At the time, the main source of the Buccs offense was running back LeGarrette Blount. The Buccaneers were surprisingly great in 2010, mainly on the back of Blount. The offensive line is the most important unit on a football team and the addition of Williams would help the Buccs significantly in both the run and the pass game.
Other Options: Antonio Brown (WR), Rob Gronkowski (TE), Russell Okung (T)
4. Washington Redskins – WR Antonio Brown, Central Michigan (195th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Redskins needed two things in 2010. First was an offensive lineman to protect an aging Donovan McNabb. They met that need with Trent Williams. But with Williams off the board and no other huge power at tackle on the board, they would have to go to need number two. The Redskins needed a playmaker. Santana Moss was aging and entering the decline of his career and they needed someone to fill his role. In his prime, Moss was a speedy receiver with great hands who could beat his man and make big catches down field. The Redskins needed someone to take over the role, and they believed Anthony Armstrong would be the one. Armstrong did not pan out for them, and they never got the guy they wanted until they signed DeSean Jackson over summer in 2014.
Brown, though, would adequately fill that role. With Moss only having a few more years left in him, Brown could have taken over as the feature wide receiver and as the teams punt returner. And in the next few years the pair could form one of the best receiver duos in the NFL. Brown has quickly risen to become the league’s best receiver, with over 3,000 receiving yards over the past two years. In 2014, Brown caught 129 passes for over 1,600 yards, both of which were team records for the Steelers. Brown is a playmaker that can make all 32 teams much better, and would have been a great investment for the Redskins at four.
Other Options: Demaryius Thomas (WR), Dez Bryant (WR), Earl Thomas (S)
5. Kansas City Chiefs – S Earl Thomas, Texas (14th overall, Seattle Seahawks)
With their fifth pick in the draft, the Chiefs took Eric Berry who filled up their huge need in the secondary. Berry has been incredible for them, but with the opportunity to redo their pick, they would most likely go for Earl Thomas. Thomas has become an elite member of Seattle’s secondary, and he and Kam Chancellor have formed the NFL’s best duo.
Thomas has caught 16 interceptions in his career, and although that number is not the most flattering, what he brings to a team does not show up on a stat sheet. Thomas is a smart, athletic and fast player that is amazing in both zone and man coverage. He benefits a lot from the players around him, but on his own he can shut down some of the NFL’s best receivers. Thomas is one of the best defensive backs the NFL has seen over the past few years, and his presence in the Chiefs secondary would have been a major help for their secondary
Other Options: Rob Gronkowski (TE), Eric Berry (S), Dez Bryant (WR)
6. Seattle Seahawks – TE Rob Gronkowski, Arizona (42nd overall, New England Patriots)
Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in the NFL. The Seahawks went for a tackle here at six, but Russell Okung has not provided enough to justify getting picked that early, especially with Gronkowski still on the board. Gronkowski is one of the NFL’s biggest threats over the middle of the field, and despite injury troubles can be a huge asset to every offense.
Gronk has 54 touchdowns in his career, averaging just under one a game. He has earned over 1,000 receiving yards twice in his career, including his 2014 Super Bowl winning campaign. Last season, Gronkowski had a huge return after an injury-riddled 2012 and 2013. He has gotten his career back on track and has emerged as the top player in his position.
Other Options: Jimmy Graham (TE), Dez Bryant (WR), Sam Bradford (QB)
7. Cleveland Browns – WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State (24th overall, Dallas Cowboys)
Dez Bryant is yet another elite receiver who came out of this draft. The Browns chose Joe Haden with this pick, who worked out well for them as he turned into a feared cornerback. Nevertheless, Dez Bryant would bring so much more to the struggling franchise. Bryant is a versatile weapon that brings not only skill but emotion to an NFL team.
Bryant has caught over 1,200 receiving yards for three seasons in row and has over ten touchdowns in each one of those seasons. Bryant has had problems with inconsistency, and some of his actions on and off the field may be questionable. But with over 5,000 yards and over 50 touchdowns throughout his career, he definitely would be worth a top 10 pick.
Other Options: Sam Bradford (QB), Eric Berry (S), Joe Haden (CB)
8. Oakland Raiders – LB NaVorro Bowman, Penn State (91st overall, San Francisco 49ers)
The Oakland Raiders have a history of drafting busts with a top ten pick, and when they selected Rolando McClain with this pick they continued the trend. The Raiders needed a linebacker, but a struggling McClain, who was later traded along with a seventh round pick for a sixth rounder was not the answer. If they could redo their pick they would definitely have picked NaVorro Bowman. Bowman has played only four NFL seasons, but already has been an all-Pro selection three times.
In 2011, Bowman took over as the starting inside linebacker and emerged as one of the NFL’s best at the position. Bowman has been credited with nine sacks over the three years he spent as a starter, and has 337 tackles between 2011 and 2013. He missed out on the entire 2014 season due to an injury, but is expected to return to form for 2015.
Other Options: Sam Bradford (QB), Joe Haden (CB), Geno Atkins (DT)
#9 Buffalo Bills – TE Jimmy Graham, Miami (FL) (95th overall, New Orleans Saints)
By picking CJ Spiller ninth overall, the Bills showed that they wanted a dynamic playmaker. Spiller has filled that role well for them, but Jimmy Graham would provide much more. Graham is a playmaker when he lines up at either wide receiver or tight end. Graham uses his 6’7”, 260 pound frame to bully those who try to match up with him, and usually manages to beat them over the top with his superior height.
Graham has nearly 600 receptions over the past five years, and has reached ten or more touchdowns three times. Graham is Drew Brees’ favorite target, and has carried the pass happy offense of the Saints. Although he would not have a quarterback of Brees’ skill in Buffalo, he would still be able to put up big numbers just off of his skill alone.
Other Options: Demaryius Thomas (WR), Joe Haden (CB)
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech (22nd overall, Denver Broncos)
For the past few years the Jaguars have been in the cellar of the NFL standings. They have tried time and time again to draft a star that would help turn their team around, but they have not yet found one. Justin Blackmon had potential to be that guy, but off-the-field issues have caused him to leave the NFL. That is where Demaryius Thomas would fit in.
Demaryius Thomas is one of the best receivers in the NFL. He has the ability to put up big numbers week after week and can punish any defense. He is extremely fast and agile, has great hands, and is a smart player with great route running abilities who can think a few steps ahead of the man matched up on him.
Over the past five years, Thomas has scored 41 touchdowns, along with over 5,000 yards. In 2014 he got off to a slow start, but nothing could keep him down for too long. Thomas had a career high 111 receptions and scored 11 touchdowns.
Thomas would not put up the same numbers in Jacksonville though. In Denver, Thomas has Peyton Manning, arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. In Jacksonville there would be a mix between failed rookie projects and backup journeymen. It would be a struggle for Thomas, but the Jags would finally find the athletic playmaker they had been searching for.
Other Options: Golden Tate (WR), Sam Bradford (QB), Victor Cruz (WR), CJ Spiller (RB)
Rest of the draft:
11. San Francisco 49ers – CB Joe Haden (seventh overall, Cleveland Browns)
12. San Diego Chargers – DE Jason Pierre-Paul (15th overall, New York Giants)
13. Philadelphia Eagles – DE Greg Hardy (175th overall, Carolina Panthers)
14. Seattle Seahawks – S Eric Berry (fifth overall, Kansas City Chiefs)
15. New York Giants – DT Gerald McCoy (third overall, Tampa Bay Bucs)
16. Tennessee Titans – C Maurkice Pouncey (18th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers)
17. San Francisco 49ers – G Mike Iupati (17th overall, San Francisco 49ers)
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Golden Tate (60th overall, Seattle Seahawks)
19. Atlanta Falcons – RB CJ Spiller (ninth overall, Buffalo Bills)
20. Houston Texans – CB Devin McCourty (27th overall, New England Patriots)
21. Cincinnati Bengals – DT Geno Atkins (120th overall, Cincinnati Bengals)
22. Denver Broncos – WR Victor Cruz (undrafted, New York Giants)
23. Green Bay Packers – T Russell Okung (sixth overall, Seattle Seahawks)
24. Dallas Cowboys – WR Emmanuel Sanders (82nd overall, Pittsburgh Steelers)
25. Denver Broncos – CB Sam Shields (undrafted, Green Bay Packers)
26. Arizona Cardinals – LB Daryl Washington (47th overall, Arizona Cardinals)
27. New England Patriots – RB Ryan Mathews (12th overall, San Diego Chargers)
28. Miami Dolphins – QB Sam Bradford (first overall, St. Louis Rams)
29. New York Jets – TE Jermaine Gresham (21st overall, Cincinnati Bengals)
30. Detroit Lions – RB Chris Ivory (undrafted, New Orleans Saints)
31. Indianapolis Colts – DE Carlos Dunlap (54th overall, Cincinnati Bengals)
32. New Orleans Saints – TE Andrew Quarless (154th overall, Green Bay Packers)
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