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SB Nation has your complete pick by pick analysis, including--yes--Tim Tebow to the Broncos.
When you pick right after Tim Tebow is selected, don't expect much media attention.
SB Nation's Cardinals site, Revenge of the Birds, is talking about the media attention -- or lack thereof -- their first round pick is getting.
You see, two picks before the Cardinals was Dez Bryant and then Tim Tebow. So you could see how the media attention was focused elsewhere.
By then, the Cardinals time to pick had expired and I could see that their "pick was in". At one point they went to a commercial break and I questioned whether or not we'd even get to see the pick or the text would display at the bottom of the screen. When they returned, the draft "experts" were still discussing Tebow. They almost seemed irritated that they had to stop speaking for the commissioner to announce the Cardinals selection.
That's what happens when you pick right after Tim Tebow is selected.
SB Nation's Andrew Sharp called the Jaguars selection of DT Tyson Alualu the "WTF moment" of the night. Alualu, coming out of Cal, was a second round prospect on most boards but the Jaguars selected him 10th overall.
The Jags brass were unfazed by that and defended their selection to the media.
"This is not a popularity contest,' Smith told Sports Illustrated. "I don't give a damn about perception. I care about picking the right player for our team. My attitude is, 'You can outsmart people some of the time, but you can outwork them all of the time.' If you can't trust your ability to judge players after all the work you put in on them, you shouldn't be in this business.'
Even if Alualu turns out to be the best player in this draft, this pick will be questioned because they could have traded down a dozen spots, picked up some extra picks in the process, and still nabbed Alualu at a fraction of the price.
SB Nation's Jaguars community, Big Cat Country, is willing to wait it out a little with Alualu.
I'm inclined to trust Gene Smith with this pick, but that doesn't mean I've got to like it. Nothing against Tyson Alualu, I think he's a very good player. I just don't see the value at 10 overall, but as I mentioned in a previous article... I didn't see it with Derek Cox and Terrance Knighton last season, either. For that reason last year, I'm willing to temper the "freak out" and let it play out with Alualu. I had my fair share of the "What the..." moments last night, but i've watched him play, watched tape on him, and watched him in the Senior Bowl. He's a good football player. If he's as good a football player as it seems Gene Smith believes, he should have no problem living up the 10th overall pick.
Here it is, from Sam Bradford to Patrick Robinson, the complete first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, all taken care of in a rather brisk manner.
One of the biggest questions during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft was "Where will Tim Tebow end up?" (quickly followed by "What color is Tebow's shirt, exactly?"). We all learned the answer with the 25th selection, when Denver picked the Florida quarterback (as for the shirt: I'm still not sure ... a robin's egg blue? A seafoam green? Whatever, it has shoulder straps and buttons on the arms).
Tebow was clearly someone Denver really wanted, made clear when they gave up a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round pick to move back into the first round to get their man before someone else did (Rich Eisen reported that the Bills camp was distraught when he went to the Broncos). Debate is raging about whether or not this was a smart move by Josh McDaniels and company -- CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco has already said the head coach can kiss his job goodbye because of the pick -- but our Broncos blog, Mile High Report, thinks it is a perfect fit, considering the team is "in need of a long term solution at the quarterback position."
Kyle Orton's contract expires at the end of the 2010 season, Brady Quinn has not managed to stay healthy for a full season of duty, and Tom Brandstater is the most unproven of the group. Tim Tebow didn't come from a pro style offense at Florida by any means, but he has all of the physical tools and intangibles to be a very successful quarterback at this level.
Tebow, despite what some in the media have stated, was a very accurate passer at the University of Florida. He completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in four years with the Gators, and had a touchdown/interception ratio of nearly 9:2.
Tebow is a phenomenal athlete, as he displayed at the NFL Scouting Combine and his Florida Pro Day by running the 40 yard dash in under 4.7 seconds, with a vertical leap at a very impressive 38.5 inches.[...]
Great pick by the Denver Broncos, and oh by the way--they got him a nice new toy in Demaryius Thomas, the wide receiver from Georgia Tech. Not a bad first day for the Broncos.
Not bad at all.
While the Lions selecting Ndamukong Suh with the No. 2 overall pick wasn't much of a surprise, the addition of Cal running back Jahvid Best certainly was. Detroit traded up to the 30th pick (giving up a second, fourth and seventh rounder to the Vikings in exchange for the pick, as well as Minnesota's fourth-rounder in this year's draft) to land the explosive back. The move certainly caught our Lions blog, Pride Of Detroit, off guard, but they say it was a decision made to get the best talent available at the time.
They obviously wanted to make sure they got Jahvid Best, and basically they gave up a seventh-round pick and 28 spots in the fourth-round for him. None of the teams in front of Detroit were a threat to take a running back (Minnesota has Adrian Peterson, Indianapolis has Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, New Orleans has Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, and St. Louis has Steven Jackson), but the Lions must have felt that another team was going to trade up and take him.
Oh, and about that Suh guy ... he could quickly become a part of one pretty intimidating defensive line in Detroit.
Suh, a defensive tackle from Nebraska, was the most dominant defensive player in college football in 2009 and is yet another new face that will help bolster Detroit's defensive line. He joins fellow Nebraska Cornhusker Kyle Vanden Bosch and former Cleveland Brown Corey Williams as offseason additions that will hopefully help the Lions' defensive line become one of the best in the league.
With the 32nd pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Saints select...
FSU CB Patrick Robinson
Interesting pick for the Saints who had needs at a few defensive positions. He should be able to see the field pretty quickly.
Robinson was rated highly by some analysts. He's 5'11" and 190 pounds.
With the 31st pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Colts select...
TCU DE Jerry Hughes
The Colts were expected by most folks to go offensive line here. Indiana OL and hometown guy Roger Saffold was a name often connected to them.
Hughes might just be the best pass-rusher in this draft, according to SB Nation's Stampede Blue. He'll play defensive end in the Colts 4-3 defense. The Colts place a high premium on defensive ends (Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis) so while the pick is surprising it makes sense.
With the 30th pick in the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...
RB Jahvid Best
If Jahvid Best can stay on the field in Detroit, this is a phenomenal pickup for the Lions. They've already added Suh to anchor the defense, they've got Matthew Stafford with a promising future on offense, and now, they've got a difference-maker like Best who can break things wide open on offense and in the return game. Yes, Jahvid Best has had several concussions over the course of his career, and it's been considered a red flag for much of the past few months. But at no. 30, for a player that could ultimately be Detroit's Reggie Bush, it's a good risk.
Sorry, Jahvid, but you heard the man.
"Take him to Detroit."
With the 29th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Jets select...
Boise State CB Kyle Wilson
This Jets defense just got a lot better. Pre-draft rumors were connecting Wilson to the Browns with the 7th overall pick so consider this a good value.
Wilson should help a defense that's already stellar. Sitting in the AFC East with a pass-happy team like the Patriots and the arrival of Brandon Marshall in Miami, it's important that the Jets solidify their secondary. This also gives them some Antonio Cromartie insurance.
With the 28th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Dolphins select...
Penn State DT Jared Odrick
Odrick is a physical specimen, at 6-5, 304, and the type of tackle scouts describe as having a "good motor." His combination of size and strength make him a great run-stopper, and a perfect fit in a 3-4 defense as an end, or as a tackle in a 4-3 scheme.
After a slew of trades, the Patriots select...
Rutgers CB Devin McCourty
Solid pick by the Pats, who could use secondary help.
The Patriots play in a division that just added Brandon Marshall and Santonio Holmes so a solid secondary is a must. McCourty is a tough and hard-working corner that fits the "Patriot Way".
With the 26th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals select...
Tennessee DT Dan Williams
Thought by many scouts to be a non-pick entering his senior season thanks to attitude and weight concerns, Williams amassed 30 solo tackles and two sacks in 2009, largely at nose tackle, to rocket up the draft boards. He's a holy terror to inhabitants of opposing pockets, has great hustle for a guy his size away from the line and will be a valuable asset if he can sustain the work ethic that propelled him through his final college season.
With the 25th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Broncos select...
Florida QB Tim Tebow
Josh McDaniels rides with the devil, draft-wise. Wait, maybe that’s a poor metaphor given the player involved: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the most scrutinized major NFL prospect in recent memory, hit enough tick marks on the Bronco’s list of wants to merit a first-round draft pick. Let the grand experiment begin, and by experiment we mean Tebow’s occasionally floaty passes traveling in thin mountain air a mile above sea level.
Two pieces of deep irony:
1. Tebow will be handing off to former mortal rival Knowshon Moreno.
2. Tebow was taken before Jimmy Clausen.
The Cowboys traded up with the Patriots to select....
Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant
Wow. I know, I know. It's Jerry Jones.
But just a year removed from giving up a king's ransom for Roy Williams, the Cowboys go out and trade up for another receiver.
Dez Bryant might be special -- NFL Network's Mike Mayock calls him the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson -- but is it worth another trade up? We shall find out.
With the 23rd pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Packers select...
Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga
This fits very, very well and will turn out to be one of the better value picks in this draft.
Bulaga was a candidate to go in the top ten because he's a tremendous worker and comes very refined, courtesy of Iowa's Kirk Ferentz.
Great pick by the Packers, who were in desperate need of offensive line help.
With the 22nd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Broncos select...
Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas
After letting Brandon Marshall leave town this offseason, it'd make sense that the Broncos would go after a receiver in the first round of the draft, and that's exactly what they did (they even traded up to do so, moving from the 24th to the 22nd, swapping spots with the Patriots).
At 6-3, 224, Thomas is another big, physical receiver, and should be a great fit in Josh McDaniels' offense.
Sure, Jermaine Gresham is a good player, when healthy. But is he first round talent? The Bengals decided he was, taking him 21st overall, despite plenty of other talent being on the board, including offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga and wide receiver Dez Bryant.
SB Nation’s Cincy Jungle says the pick is debatable:
Problem is, fan favorite Dez Bryant was still on the board when the Bengals selected Gresham. This will cause some measure of controversy as the Bengals were still in need for wide receiver help, even after drafting Antonio Bryant.
Admittedly, Tight End is a need. Was it a need to be addressed in the first round? Considering the team’s lack of a philosophy using Tight Ends in the passing game, that’ll be debatable. One could suggest that Gresham will be used primarily as a in short-yardage situations, especially in the Red Zone. Either way, the Bengals got their Tight End.
On the bright side, Gresham is rated as the best Tight End available in this year’s NFL draft and if the team looks to utilize the position in the passing game for the first time during Marvin Lewis’ era, then they got their guy.
With the 21st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Bengals select...
TE Jermaine Gresham
A questionable pick for the Bengals here, taking a tight end in the first round, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Sure, they need help at this position, but it still feels like a reach given what was left on the board.
Having said that, if he can be 1000% physically, he can certainly be a top-tier tight end, and give Carson Palmer another weapon. Before his injury, he was considering a top 15-type player.
With the 20th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Texans select...
Alabama CB Kareem Jackson
This is a bit of a surprise. Sure, the Texans needed a cornerback but Jackson wasn't on a lot of first-round boards out there.
He comes to Houston very well tested. He started 12 of 13 games his freshman year at Alabama and won a national championship last season.
With the 19th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Falcons select...
Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon
This isn't surprising at all for two reasons.
First, Weatherspoon tweeted "I'm a Falcon" before Roger Goodell announced it.
Second, he has been connected to the Falcons for some time now and the majority of the analysts out there had him pegged as the next Falcon.
Weatherspoon, an outside 'backer, should step in and play quickly. He's smart, passionate and loud on the field.
Pouncey is big, fast, a multi-year All-Conference and All-American performer, and along with twin brother Mike provided much of the thump behind Florida’s offensive line. Despite the white tee and casual dress, he’s also a fine character pick for an organization that is suddenly very concerned with these things.
With the 17th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the 49ers select (from Panthers)...
Idaho OG Mike Iupati
Passed over by many mainstream top-tens and awards shortlists for the simple crime of playing football in Idaho, Mike Iupati is an absolute beast at 6'5" and 331 pounds. Apart from the language barrier (Iupati is a native Samoan), there's nothing standing between him and a terrifying career on the line.
With the 16th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Titans select...
Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan
This is a solid move that should payoff for the Titans. They've already got a solid defensive line and Morgan, who most believe is a true 4-3 defensive end, should benefit from that.
He was a candidate to move to outside linebacker in the event a 3-4 defense team picked him so you know he's athletic.
Morgan just landed in a good situation in Tennessee.
With the 15th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Giants select...
South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul has three first names, one of which is French, but don't let that lead to underestimation. Stronger as a pass rusher than he is against the run, he could stand to do some bulking up before summer. He can also do this:
With the 14th pick in the 2010 NFL draft the Seahawks select...
Texas S Earl Thomas
Thomas is widely considered the second best safety in this draft and the Seahawks have a need at safety so this makes a lot of sense.
Thomas can play safety or even cornerback if necessary.
SB Nation's mock draft had him going to the Dolphins with the 12th pick.
Trade alert:
With the 13th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Eagles select ...
Michigan DE Brandon Graham
Philadelphia took Brandon Graham, and got a pass rusher and physical presence the team lacked so sorely last year in the process. if you missed Graham play in college, you missed a man who made several one-man goal-line stands by himself, ruined blocking schemes with little to no help, and grew from a linebacker into a defensive end. He cleans 425 pounds. He eats quarterbacks whole, and has multiple moves he likes to use in order to feed.
In short: it’s a magnificent pick even the nastiest Philly fan can boo.
Trade alert:
With the 12th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Chargers select...
Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews
It's not surprising that the Chargers drafted a running back in the first round but it is a surprise they moved this far into the first round to nab Matthews. They gave up a 2nd and a 4th round pick, which you don't need us to tell you is A LOT for a running back. He better be the second coming of Barry Sanders.
Matthews will team with Darren Sproles to replace LaDainian Tomlinson.
With the 9th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the 49ers select (From Bears through Broncos)...
Rutgers OT Anthony Davis
The 49ers wanted Davis badly enough to trade up to give up their 4th Round pick to Denver (as well as swapping their 13th pick in this first round). And the general reaction is: why? It seems we have our first big reach of the evening.
With the 10th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Jaguars select...
California DT Tyson Alualu
It’s a position of need, sure, but the player they chose is mostly unknown to East Coast eyes: Tyson Alualu, who played defensive end at Cal in a 3-4 but who will most likely play tackle in a 4-3 scheme.
Alualu isn’t close to the physical freakshow you get with Suh at this position, but he is very talented, extremely hard-working, and most importantly can flex between schemes and different positions on the line for the Jaguars. More importantly for Jaguars fans, their hearts can start beating again after they dodged the “Draft-Tebow-For-Ticket-Sales” pick in the first round.
Not a flashy pick, but certainly not a reach like the grab the Raiders made for Rolando McClain.
With the 9th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Bills select...
Clemson RB C.J. Spiller
The Bills wasted little time in making their selection official. Then again, when a player as versatile as Spiller is sitting there, there decision was an easy one.
Spiller became the latest play-maker to join the AFC East, and immediately gives the Bills arguably the best skill position player in the Draft, a running back who can catch and also spends his free time as a touchdown threat on kick returns.
With 8th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Raiders select...
Alabama LB Rolando McClain
In addition to leading a National Championship defense for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, McClain was probably the best linebacker in the country last season.
All things considered, it's a surprisingly solid pick for the Raiders, who've been known to waste first rounders in the past.
With the 7th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Browns select...
Florida CB Joe Haden
The Browns were reportedly targeting Haden or Eric Berry. With Berry off the board, Haden is the best corner available.
Eric Mangini is a former defensive backs coach so he should like this pick.
With the 6th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Seahawks select....
Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung
Walter Jones retired at the end of the season so this is a no-brainer for the Seahawks. In fact, they should be doing cart-wheels that he lasted this long as the Redskins and Chiefs had perceived needs at tackle.
Great, safe pickup for the Seahawks who need to protect Matt Hasslebeck or Charlie Whitehurst.
With the 5th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Chiefs select...
Tennessee S Eric Berry
Well, he was certainly the fan favorite. Berry got the loudest reaction from the fans so far.
This is a slight surprise because it's not really a Pioli move. While the general public thought it was Eric Berry all along, that wasn't the case. The Chiefs were thought to be seriously considering an offensive lineman or a linebacker.
Berry should start immediately in Kansas City.
It was hardly a surprise: the Rams used their No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to select Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford. Yes, St. Louis has many holes to fill on their team -- remember, this is a team with just six wins in the past three seasons, combined -- but none was bigger than getting a quarterback.
Our Rams blog, Turf Show Times, says it was indeed the obvious and smart pick, but that doesn't mean it is not without risks (see: a very expensive contract).
There will be plenty of time down the road to discuss the contract, a contract that's likely to stand as a record if the players union allows rookie contract to be sacrificed in the name of forging a new CBA...as well they should.
Drafting anyone with the first overall pick and the kind of contract it requires automatically makes it a risk; the stakes are just too high. That's especially true with a QB. Lots of people will dislike this pick for that basis alone. And passing up a player regarded as the next great defensive tackle, and a much safer investment, stings a lot of folks. The difference is the ceiling, and the Rams need to be reaching as sky high as they possibly can given the disrepair the franchise was in when Billy Devaney took the reigns as GM.
The Rams went with the safer pick last year, drafting OT Jason Smith. It was the smart pick. They needed to rebuild the offensive line. Now, they have to take the next logical step, and a much riskier one.
Like the pick or not, the guy has to succeed in order for the Rams to win again.
Welcome aboard Sam Bradford. You've got a big job on your hands. We're pulling for you.
With the 4th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Redskins select...
Oklahoma OT Trent Williams
This is a slight surprise because Russell Okung was considered the pick here for many months.
Williams makes the third Oklahoma player drafted in the top four. Quite impressive.
Williams was the pick over Okung because he's a better fit in Mike Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme.
With the 3rd pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Bucs select...
Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy
That's two Oklahoma players in the top three. This is what was expected.
McCoy fits Tampa Bay's defense very well and, according to various reports, they expect him to become another Warren Sapp.
There are no real concerns surrounding McCoy.
With the 2nd pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Lions select...
Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh
Another non-shocker. Suh has long been connected to the Lions.
Head coach Jim Schwartz is a former defensive coordinator previously coaching Albert Haynesworth. Suh should be the dominating force in Schwartz's defense that Haynesworth was.
Sorry, Ndamukong, but you heard the man.
"Take him to Detroit."
With the first pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Rams select...
Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford
No surprise from my end and apparently no surprise in St. Louis. The Rams took about two minutes to make their decision.
Bradford-to-the-Rams has been the rumor for several months now and today is just a formality.
Considering the state of the Rams quarterback situation, Bradford could immediately become the starter. He's expected to revive the franchise with his accurate arm that was on display at Oklahoma.
The next step for the two sides is figuring out a contract. Neither side has talked contract which is a bit unusual with the first overall pick. Bradford is expected to receiver a contract in the neighborhood of $50 million guaranteed.
Greetings from Radio City Music Hall. SB Nation's team of bloggers is ready for the 2010 NFL Draft.
Along for the ride is Brad Wells of Stampede Blue, Jason Brewer of Bleeding Green Nation and Andrew Sharp of SBNation.com.
We'll be updating this StoryStream as all the picks roll in with instant analysis as well as filling you in on what those Jets fans have to say after every pick.
Hint: They like to boo. A lot.
Keep up with the rest of the NFL draft at our NFL draft page.
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Odds Shark 
2010 NFL Draft: Giants Fans Not Wild About Jason Pierre-Paul
The Giants have spent several years re-working their defensive line and continually adding talent. With a solid line the addition of Jason Pierre-Paul should make that unit shine even more, right?
Wrong, according to SB Nation's Giants site, Big Blue View.
Check out Big Blue View's reaction. It's in two parts -- part one is here and part two is here.
Apr 23 5:17p by Joel Thorman - 0 comments