Denver Broncos
2010 NFL Draft Overall Draft Grade: B-
22. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Value Board #: 39
Grade: C+
Thomas was all over the board, but coming from Georgia Tech’s offense, he’ll need some time to develop route running ability (if he is even elite at it) and wide receivers bust more often than not from the first round.
25. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Value Board #: 56
Grade: C-
Hyped up so much, the media and Gator fans have built him up so much. In the NFL, things are different. We’ll need to wait and see on Tebow because he’s going to work his tail off to become an NFL quarterback. We won’t know until an actual game is played if his arm motion has been changed enough. If not, NFL defenses are going to slam the door shut on his career very quickly.
45. Zane Beadles, G/OT, Utah
Value Board #: 130
Grade: F
Another reach, but this time, it’s huge. Maybe the Broncos thought that his versatility was very coveted by teams. Still, this pick is way under it’s value.
80. J.D. Walton, C, Baylor
Value Board #: 112
Grade: C+
The Broncos are picking good players, they’re just leaving players on the board who are better at other positions. This draft could turn out to be so much more when they realize who they could’ve had if they hadn’t reached for players of need.
87. Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota
Value Board #: 94
Grade: B
Solid pick here. Decker is coming off of injury.
137. Perrish Cox, CB/KR, Oklahoma State
Value Board #: 136
Grade: B
Good value here, but his character has come into concern. He was suspended, so he couldn’t play in OK State’s bowl game, then he wasn’t even allowed to do his pro day at OK State’s pro day. I’m sure with the great job that Josh McDaniel has done with previous players, he can mold Cox into a team first guy. Yeah.
183. Eric Olsen, C, Notre Dame
Value Board #: 172
Grade: A
Decent pick here. They must plan on moving Walton or Olsen to guard.
225. Syd’Quan Thompson, CB, California
Value Board #: 180
Grade: A
Very slow for a corner at 4.62 40, so maybe a move to safety is in the works, plus he’s 5’9″
232. Jammie Kirlew, DE/OLB, Indiana
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Strong DE/OLB hybrid who’ll play OLB in the 3-4, is strong as he did 33 reps on the bench press.
Kansas City Chiefs
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B
5. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Value Board #: 7
Grade: A
I really thought that Scott Pioli would go with an offensive lineman since last year he took positional value (Tyson Jackson) over best available player (Aaron Curry), but it turns out he just liked a worse player. But this year, Berry was the best, and maybe 3rd best overall, player available.
36. Dexter McCluster, RB/WR/KR, Ole Miss
Value Board #: 35
Grade: A
What a playmaker McCluster is going to be. Never mind his size, he’s going to make this KC offense fun to watch.
50. Javier Arenas, CB/KR, Alabama
Value Board #: 79
Grade: C+
Arenas’ game speed is probably much faster than his time 40 (4.6), which is slow for a return guy/corner.
68. Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois
Value Board #: 82
Grade: B-
KC’s picking good players, they’re just not in the correct draft range. Asamoah was supposed to be the 2nd best guard in the draft, but everyone’s draft boards are different.
93. Tony Moeaki, TE, Iowa
Value Board #: 115
Grade: B-
Sleeper tight end pick. A lot of teams were interested in Moeaki, but KC wanted to get him while they could.
136. Kendrick Lewis, FS, Ole Miss
Value Board #: projected 7th round
Grade: C
Lewis’ stock had been plummeting, but KC maybe takes him where he would’ve been taken had the draft been in February. Offseason workouts don’t always tell you how good a player is.
142. Cameron Sheffield, DE/OLB, Troy
Value Board #: 168
Grade: B
Sheffield had dropped off of many boards into free agency, but I think he’s a very viable option as a rusher.
Oakland Raiders
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B
8. Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Value Board #: 17
Grade: B-
McClain is the first middle linebacker to go in the top 10 since Brian Urlacher in 2000. McClain will be a great linebacker, but taking him this early with other better players on the board just doesn’t happen. Then again, this is Al Davis. It’s still a good pick though, and McClain will be a great linebacker.
44. Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
Value Board #: 65
Grade: B-
Houston had a great bowl game and he pushed himself into the second round possibility. This is still too early for him.
69. Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale
Value Board #: 74
Grade: B+
Veldheer is what Al Davis loves: Physical specimens. Veldheer is 6’8”, 312, so he’s an intimidating prescence.
106. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Value Board #: 42
Grade: A
Campbell had a great 40 time, so many mockers had him going to the Raiders with their first pick. Campbell with coaching and dedication can turn into a good OT.
108. Jacoby Ford, WR/KR, Clemson
Value Board #: 125
Grade: B
Good pick and in his draft range too. Al Davis is getting wiser in his old age. Ford had the fastest 40 time out of all the prospects this year at 4.22. He’ll provide serious speed in the return game.
138. Walter McFadden, CB, Auburn
Value Board #: 143
Grade: B+
McFadden could surprise people this season. He had trouble breaking the lineup with the cornerback situation in past years at Auburn, but broke through in 2008.
190. Travis Goethel, ILB, Arizona State
Value Board #: 215
Grade: B-
Decent pick, after trading Kirk Morrison away, the Raiders need depth at MLB now.
215. Jeremy Ware, CB, Michigan State
Value Board #: FA
Grade: C+
Depth at corner.
251. Stevie Brown, S, Michigan
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Brown will make the switch from linebacker to safety.
San Diego Chargers
2010 NFL Draft Overall Grade: B+
12. Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Value Board #: 18
Grade: B-
The Chargers had this guy targeted since the day after their playoff loss to the Jets. The Chargers running game was nonexistent last season. So they let LT go and bring in Mathews who will bring life back to the running game.
79. Donald Butler, ILB, Washington
Value Board #: 101
Grade: B-
Good pick, but a reach. Butler will help improve San Diego’s run defense.
110. Darrell Stuckey, SS, Kansas
Value Board #: 113
Grade: B+
Another good pick, Stuckey could’ve gone higher, but I had his value right about here. Smart safety.
146. Cam Thomas, NT, North Carolina
Value Board #: 45
Grade: A+
Huge steal, Thomas will replace the traded Jamal Williams and will probably be the starter this year. What great value at number 146.
168. Jonathan Crompton, QB, Tennessee
Value Board #: 176
Grade: B+
The Chargers needed a developmental guy behind the aging Billy Volek.
235. Dedrick Epps, TE, Miami
Value Board #: FA
Grade: B
Replaces Manamaleuna who exited for Chicago.
