Matt McGuire’s 2010 NFL Draft Prospects

These rankings do not reflect where these players will go in the draft or how I think they will fall in the draft. It is just how good I think these players are on my personal draft board.

I have a key to better understand my star system:
: Elite Prospect
: Top 8 Prospect
: Solid First-Round Prospect
: Fringe First-Round Prospect; Very Strong Round 2 Prospect
: Second-Round Prospect
: Third-Round Prospect
: 4th-5th Round Prospect
: Late Round/Undrafted Free Agent



Matt McGuire’s 2010 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Defensive Players By Position

April 22, 2010

Quarterbacks

1. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
   Jimmy Clausen is in a great position to be a top-five draft pick. For one, there is no doubting his intangibles or toughness, unless you are Todd McShay. Secondly, Pete Carroll is in Seattle and once he installs a traditional West Coast offense he needs a new quarterback to run it – and he will have to trade up for Clausen.
   
   
2. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
   Unlike every other quarterback in the past couple of years, Bradford has gone through the NFL Draft process without any criticism. It boggles my mind how Matthew Stafford gets nitpicked for a couple of interceptions, but Bradford, who has an average arm and played around an elite starting class, is good enough to be the No. 1 pick.
   
   
3. Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
   Brown is the best developmental quarterback in the 2010 NFL Draft by a mile in my opinion. He has nice accuracy, very good size, excellent athleticism, and one of the strongest arms in this class. He needs experience and coaching, but in two or three years he could become a starter.
   
   
4. Tony Pike, Cincinnati
   Outside of Jimmy Clausen, Pike is the smartest quarterback in the 2010 NFL Draft. However, he is severely limited by his arm strength.
   
   
5. Jevan Snead, Mississippi
   Snead is the stereotypical developmental quarterback. He has every physical tool, but no mental ones as a passer. He is also extremely raw with his mechanics and knowlege of the game.
   
   

Running Backs

1. C.J. Spiller, Clemson
   I rank Spiller above Jahvid Best because he is more well-rounded. He has elite speed, but he is also a punt returner and has improved his pass blocking from a season ago.
   
   
2. Jahvid Best, California
   Best is a downhill running back, but lacks the size to be a No. 1 in the NFL. He has elite athletic ability and will be a home run threat in the league. What hurts Best the most is he can’t be trusted on third down in pass protection.
   
   
3. Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State
   Dixon is a powerful runner and has good agility. I love what I saw on his tape against Kentucky. He runs with good pad level and keeps his legs pumping after contact.
   
   
4. Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
   Mathews has very good measureables, but after the Combine I went back to my VHS/DVD collection of game tapes and put in both the Nevada and Boise State games. He lacks game speed, acceleration and the ability to break tackles. He is the most overrated running back in the 2010 NFL Draft.
   
   
5. Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech
   Dwyer lacks a second gear and some vision. He’s a solid running back, but I doubt he will be a star in the league. Chan Gailey voiced concerns about his weight when he was in high school, so I dropped him on my board.
   
   

Fullbacks

1. Tim Tebow, Florida
   Tebow’s best quality is his ability to lower his shoulders and get yardage after contact. These are fullback qualities – not quarterback qualities.
   
   
2. Rashawn Jackson, Virginia
   Jackson is athletic and brings some versatility at fullback.
   
   
3. John Conner, Kentucky
   Conner is an old-school back who is an elite blocker. He isn’t that athletic, but he has consistent hands.
   
   

Wide Receivers

1. Damian Williams, USC
   Williams is an elite route runner who will have a smooth transition into the league. I love his hands and damage after the catch. Williams does profile as a No. 1 receiver, but not on the level of the Johnson brothers (Calvin and Andre).
   
   
2. Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
   Dez Bryant moves back down as my No. 2 receiver for his poor offseason workouts and constant questioning of his character.
   
   
3. Arrelious Benn, Illinois
   Benn has some underrated speed and is a solid route runner. He will be the second or third receiver off the board.
   
   
4. Golden Tate, Notre Dame
   I love everything about Tate’s game, but he is a smaller receiver who runs poor routes and lacks elite speed. He has some definite upside and could be chosen in the first round.
   
   
5. Andre Roberts, The Citadel
   After Brandon LaFell measured in with 8 3/4 inch hands, I had to drop him on my board siginificantly. Roberts has killed this offseason showing very natural hands, nice speed and polished route running. I’m a big fan of his and I’m confident he will be a productive player in the league especially early in his career.
   
   

Tight Ends

1. Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
   Despite the injury, I still consider Gresham a first-round talent because of his physical tools.
   
   
2. Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
   After a nasty back injury, Gronkowski declares for the 2010 NFL Draft. Back injuries scare me and because he didn’t even play this year, I have to knock him down a little bit.
   
   
3. Ed Dickson, Oregon
   Dickson is a solid receiver with good athleticism after the catch. His blocking will go under microscope.
   
   
4. Aaron Hernandez, Florida
   Hernadez is a poor in-line blocker with very nice athletic ability. Some team will take a chance on him in Rounds 2 or 3.
   
   
5. Dennis Pitta, BYU
   Pitta was a productive tight end at BYU and he has the potential to be groomed into a starter as a mid-round prospect.
   
   

Offensive Tackles

1. Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
   Okung cemented his status as the first tackle off the board at the Combine much like Joe Thomas did back in 2007. With the trade of Corey Williams, it is now much more possible that he goes No. 2 overall to Detroit.
   
   
2. Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
   Bulaga’s instincts are questionable and he doesn’t have elite agility or knee flexion, but he is a great run blocker and has solid footwork. He is a likely top-20 pick for some team at right tackle.
   
   
3. Bruce Campbell, Maryland
   Campbell is a freak of nature athletically and has very good footwork. He’s a likely top-10 pick. I doubt he falls past Oakland with his size and speed.
   
   
4. Charles Brown, USC
   Brown made my Top 25 Big Board this preseason, and he backed up that projection by being an elite pass protector for the Trojans.
   
   
5. Trent Williams, Oklahoma
   Very inconsistent and questionable left tackle who simply doesn’t play up to his measurables.
   
   

Guards

1. Mike Iupati, Idaho
   Mike Iupati has issues in pass protection, but he’s the No. 1 guard in this class.
   
   
2. Rodger Saffold, Indiana
   Saffold has been a big riser since he had a great East-West Shrine Bowl week and then followed that up with a solid Combine. He is now a second-round pick and a good value. He offers versatility.
   
   
3. Jon Asamoah, Illinois
   Asamoah is athletic and plays with solid technique. Good all-around player.
   
   

Centers

1. Maurkice Pouncey, Florida
   Pouncey has the size and athleticism, but his technique is quite shaky.
   
   
2. J.D. Walton, Baylor
   Walton brought the lunch pail to work on Saturdays. Love his physicality.
   
   
3. Matt Tennant, Boston College
   Tennant is an athletic, intelligent center whom zone-blocking scheme teams will love.
   
   

MISSING


Matt McGuire’s 2010 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Defensive Players By Position

Matt McGuire’s 2009 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Offensive Players By Position

Matt McGuire’s 2008 NFL Draft Prospects:
Top Five Offensive Players By Position




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