2010 NFL Draft Recap: St. Louis, Denver Hitch Futures to Question Mark QBs

The St. Louis Rams did something rather peculiar on Thursday evening when you think about it. The floundering franchise opted to put all of its eggs in the basket of a 22-year-old quarterback who underwent serious surgery on his throwing shoulder just six months ago. The Rams made former Oklahoma standout Sam Bradford the top selection in the 2010 NFL Draft and will invest upwards of $40 million in the young man they've deemed the team's savior.

Roughly two hours after St. Louis secured Bradford, the Denver Broncos did something seemingly worthy of a one-way ticket to Shutter Island. Head coach Josh McDaniels and his band of merry man shocked the football world by trading up in the draft's first round to select the most polarizing and captivating collegiate player we've ever seen - Timothy Richard Tebow. Some people think Tebow is actually the savior, though the majority of them reside in trailer parks amidst the swamplands of northern Florida.

Nobody knew where the two-time national champion would land leading up to the draft. There were those who stood by Tebow and maintained that with a few tweaks to his unorthodox throwing motion, he would be the same fiery winner at the next level. But there appeared to be at least twice as many others screaming that Tebow would never be a quarterback in the NFL and if he truly aimed to realize his lifelong dream of playing professional football, a position change was obligatory. Upon selecting the Florida legend, McDaniels made his position clear by saying he targeted Tebow as a passer. And so, Tebow's NFL odyssey will begin under center. As a wise man once said, "get your popcorn ready!"

Beyond the two Heisman-winning QBs, there was a ton of compelling action throughout sports' greatest non-sporting event. The NFL's revamped draft brought us three days of roster movement that could ultimately determine the league's Super Bowl champion in 2011 (and the next 10 seasons for that matter). Let's delve into the weekend's wheeling and dealing by taking a look at how the cookie crumbled for all 32 teams. We'll go division-by-division, since a number of moves were made in response to maneuvers by intradivison rivals.

NFC EAST

- Dallas Cowboys -

Just when you thought Cowboys' owner and life of the party Jerry Jones was content to sit back and go through an entire offseason without grabbing headlines, the overlord of the NFL's evil empire made a major splash in round one. My pal Jimmy - the only 'Boys fan with an opinion I respect - told me all week he had a feeling Jones was itching to do something big. To be honest, I did too because that's what Dr. Evil does.

Dallas traded up three spots to grab free-falling super receiver Dez Bryant out of Oklahoma State at No. 24. Much like wideout Michael Crabtree in 2009, Bryant's value was hampered by the dreaded "prima donna" label and it caused him to plummet well beyond where he should have been selected. A pass-catcher with the size, speed and playmaking abilities of Bryant has no right slipping out of the top 10.

Jones said he's always regretted passing on future Hall of Famer Randy Moss in the 1998 draft and he didn't want to repeat the mistake. What exactly are Bryant's "character issues"? Well, unlike Moss, he's never been arrested or accused of doing anything illegal. He was suspended for the majority of the '09 season because he lied to NCAA investigators about his relationship with mentor/shady older buddy Deion Sanders, who happens to be friends with high profile agent Eugene Parker. But don't be so naive to call Bryant a "bad apple". He was punished by the NCAA, an organization that still refuses to acknowledge the existence of Facebook and mid-major football programs.

Do not confuse Bryant with former flameouts like Charles Rodgers and David Boston. Sure, he was know to be tardy on more than one occasion during his time in Stillwater. But something tells me that during Dallas' glory days of the early '90s, there were plenty of late arrivals at team functions. Jones hit a home run with this pick and Dallas is the firm favorite in the toughest division in football.

- NEW YORK GIANTS -

Just two years ago, the G-Men were led to a Super Bowl championship by a dominant defense that featured the league's most feared pass rush. In 2009, New York had one if its worst statistical seasons in franchise history on the defensive side of the ball and it kept the team from making its fourth straight playoff appearance.

Therefore, it wasn't surprising to see the Giants use their first four selections to address defensive weaknesses. South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul - the team's first round choice - made only seven career collegiate starts. New York will count on him to make six starts in the NFC East alone this season, which is why JPP probably has the biggest "bust" potential of any first-rounder. I'm a fan of the Giants second round choice - East Carolina defensive tackle Linval Joseph. He's a classic mammoth nose tackle who should take some of the pressure off Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -

When the Eagles swapped choices with San Francisco and leapfrogged their way to the 13th pick, I thought for sure Andy Reid had Texas safety Earl Thomas in his sights. Instead, Philadelphia grabbed defensive end Brandon Graham out of Michigan. Graham will immediately provide defensive coordinator Sean McDermott with an edge rusher opposite of Pro Bowler Trent Cole. At 6'1", Graham is a tad undersized for an NFL end, but then again so are players like Cole and Dwight Freeney. Don't be surprised if Graham is registering double-digit sack totals by 2011.

Once Dallas added Bryant to its arsenal, you know Reid was hellbent on taking a rangy defensive back in the second round. He found one in USF's Nate Allen, who possesses terrific ball skills and can cut on a dime. No one will ever confuse Allen with Philly legend Brian Dawkins due to his finesse style of play, but he should upgrade the secondary as a starter at free safety. Daniel Te'o-Nesheim - the team's third round selection - is Washington's all-time sack leader, which is nothing to scoff at.

- WASHINGTON REDSKINS -

When your team acquires a 33-year-old quarterback with a history of injuries, the first priority has to be keeping him upright. Mike Shanahan and the 'Skins took a giant leap toward doing that when they made Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams the 4th overall choice in the draft. Washington likes Williams' athleticism and he should be a perfect fit in Shanahan's zone blocking scheme. Fans in D.C. should be ecstatic about coming away with a stud left tackle and Donovan McNabb in return for first and second round selections.

NFC NORTH

- CHICAGO BEARS -

I'm not sure what Chicago's front office was doing during the first two rounds of the draft. Perhaps they were explaining to Jay Cutler that he does not, in fact, pick up passing yardage when an opposing player catches his throw. The Bears didn't select until round three, but may have gotten a steal in Florida safety Major Wright. They'll need him to learn on the fly against the division's premier passers. Chicago has built its roster through trades and free agency. The team will live or die by that tactic this upcoming season.

- DETROIT LIONS -

Sitting at No.2, Detroit was in a great position entering Thursday. The franchise's draft history might as well be a blooper reel, but the Lions were spared this year. They didn't have to deal with the extreme pressure of taking a franchise quarterback and the choice came down to the two best defensive tackle prospects to come along in five years.

Predictably, Detroit went with the freight train known as Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh. NFC North quarterbacks should be wary because, barring injury, Suh should wreak havoc on offensive game plans for years to come. The Lions have surrendered more than 1,000 points over the last two seasons, when the team stumbled its way to a brutal 2-30. Now that they've added Suh to a defensive line featuring newcomers DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and DT Corey Williams, it appears that Detroit is truly on the upswing for the first time in a while.

The shrewd trade that brought the Lions Cal running back Jahvid Best was impressive. Best is a speedster and once his abilities are combined with the turf of Ford Field there could be fireworks.

- GREEN BAY PACKERS -

The Packers live and die with the draft. Only on rare occasions does Green Bay reach beyond its roster to haul in a big name free agent so it has to make the most out of each pick.

Aaron Rodgers may have been the NFL's best quarterback in '09. However, unlike his elite peers Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, he finds himself on his butt far to often. The Packers looked to put an end to the issue when they selected Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, who should help stabilize Rodgers' passing pocket for years to come.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

No team in the NFL is better equipped for winter football than the Vikings. Though Minnesota plays in a dome, it may face a difficult road playoff game in a brutal environment (like Green Bay, if the Favre vs. Packers postseason dream matchup comes to fruition). Now that Stanford running back Toby Gerhart has joined All-World RB Adrian Peterson in the Vikes' backfield, the offensive game plan can easily adjust from full-throttle to grind-it-out without missing a beat. Gerhart is a punishing runner and a menace for defenses on the goal line. I can't wait for his first collision with Suh. The field might just explode.

NFC SOUTH

- ATLANTA FALCONS -

Atlanta would have likely earned a playoff berth last season if Matt Ryan hadn't missed the majority of the team's final stretch with turf toe. With an efficient offense already in place, the Falcons were able to bolster an average defense. Tackling machine Sean Witherspoon of Missouri will fit in nicely in the Falcon's Tampa-2 scheme at the all-important weakside linebacker position.

- CAROLINA PANTHERS -

As a coach entering the final year of his contract, John Fox made some eyebrow-raising selections over the weekend. It started midway through round two, when the Panthers became the team that finally put an end to Note Dame QB Jimmy Clausen's embarrasing plummet down the draft board. It appeared four-year veteran Matt Moore owned the keys to the starting job, but Clausen will be given a shot to claim the role.

Carolina continues its search to find a No. 2 WR behind Steve Smith, who will soon be on the downside of his career, by nabbing LSU receiver Brandon LaFell in the third round. Appalachian State's Armani Edwards - one of the most productive college quarterbacks in recent history - will also be asked to contribute on offense as a wideout and "Wildcat" option.

- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS -

The reigning champs rounded out the first round with a selection that will help them retool for another playoff run. Athletic Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson joins '09 first round selection Malcolm Jenkins in the defensive backfield. The addition also gives New Orleans flexibility to move Jenkins to free safety in the event that unsigned vet Darren Sharper heads elsewhere.

- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -

Besides the Detroit Lions, no franchise needs its '10 draft class to be productive more than the Bucs. Tampa Bay was the NFL's worst team at stopping the run last season - a far cry from its trademark defensive prowess. Raheem Morris looked to remedy the problem by selecting a pair of dominant DTs. Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy may have been the draft's most talented player and he's already receiving tips from Warren Sapp. UCLA's Brian Price will play nose tackle and could join McCoy in forming one of the league's best interior duos.

Tampa Bay was also able to snag two receivers for 2nd year QB Josh Freeman. Illinois' Arrelious Benn (2nd round) and quitter of Syracuse Mike Williams (4th round) will get early playing time as members of a subpar group of pass catchers. Williams may have been the draft's second or third best receiver, but when you bail on your team late in the season - like he did with the Orange last year - it doesn't bode well for your draft stock.

NFC WEST

- ARIZONA CARDINALS -

The Cardinals quietly had a very productive draft. Ken Whisenhunt is in the process of transforming Arizona into a team lead by its defense and running game. First-rounder DT Dan Williams of Tennessee was a steal at No. 26. The explosive 330-pound Williams will be the anchor in the center of the Cards' 3-4 defense. Arizona also added an edge rusher in TCU outside linebacker Daryl Washington.

- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS -

Running back Frank Gore has to be ecstatic about what the 49ers did on draft day. San Fran added two elite offensive lineman in Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis and Idaho guard Mike Iupati. Mike Singletary also brought in USC safety Taylor Mays with his second round pick. Mays is a headhunter who can line up in the box and cover the run. If Alex Smith plays like an average quarterback this season, the Niners will vie for the division title.

- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS -

Pete Carroll went to work on creating the Seahawks in his own image during the draft. In the first round, Seattle netted a replacement for tackle Walter Jones (Oklahoma State's Russell Okung) and picked up versatile defensive back Earl Thomas of Texas. Thomas can play safety or cornerback and adds a new dimension to Seattle's secondary. Carroll brought a new weapon into his offense by selecting Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate in the latter stages of round two. The 'Hawks also shipped a late round pick to the Jets for shifty running back Leon Washington, who is rehabbing his way back from a broken leg.

- ST. LOUIS RAMS -

QB Sam Bradford has a luxury that most rookie quarterbacks would kill for - Steven Jackson. The ultra-talented running back will make life a little easier for Bradford. And so will Indiana offensive tackle Rodger Saffold, who the Rams took at the top of the second round. But this offense is still very shaky and it could be a long first year for Mr. Bradford.

Still out there? Awesome. Follow me to the flip side and let's explore what went down in the AFC...

AFC EAST

- BUFFALO BILLS -

I can understand why the Bills passed on Clausen at No. 9, but there was no reason for the team not to draft the Notre Dame quarterback with its second round pick. Trent Edwards is entering his make-or-break season as a professional quarterback so why not bring in someone to push him or eventually take his job? I love what C.J. Spiller brings to the table. He's an explosive back who can take it the distance at any time, but he seems like a luxury pick for a team with a ton of holes.

- MIAMI DOLPHINS -

Penn State's Jared Odrick is a "Bill Parcells guy" so it wasn't shocking to see Miami take him with its first pick. He's an overachiever who should fit in nicely as a five-technique DT in the Dolphins 3-4 front. He's leaves a lot to be desired as a pass rusher but defends the run very well. Utah OLB Koa Misi - the team's second round choice is relentless at getting into the backfield and disrupting passers. Along with newcomer Karlos Dansby, the two draftees bolster a drastically improved Dolphins' defense.

- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -

The Patriots really need some new blood. Bill Bellicheck's squad is in transition and is beginning to lose its mystique. With four selections in the first two rounds, Bellicheck had the opportunity to restock his aging roster. Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty was a great get in round one and he will likely serve as the team's kick returner. New England may have found two gems in the second round. Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski missed all of '09 with a back injury but he is the real deal and gives Tom Brady a reliable target. Florida's Brandon Spikes lacks elite speed and athleticism at inside linebacker but his instincts are through the roof and he was a tremendous leader for the Gators.

- NEW YORK JETS -

It's no surprise that the NFL's new "it" team made some noise last weekend. They sent guard Alan Faneca and running back Leon Washington packing, while making some fine picks in the draft. Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson is a local New Jersey product who plays with an attitude that certainly fits with the Jets' philosophy. I think Antonio Cromartie will be one-and-done in the Meadowlands and if that's the case then Wilson will easily slide into the starting role opposite the NFL's best cover man - Darrelle Revis.

Fourth-round choice Joe McKnight - a former USC standout - assumes Washington's position and will be counted on to provide a spark off the bench with 5-10 touches per game. I'm not sure whether Sexy Rexy drafted Kentucky fullback John Conner to pave running lanes for LaDainian Tomlinson or to save humanity from a robot holocaust. Either way, it's a quality late-round selection.

AFC NORTH

- BALTIMORE RAVENS -

Baltimore is a team on its way up. The Ravens' offense is the best it has ever been in franchise history and its swarming defense still has swagger. The Ravens first two picks reinforced the fact that Baltimore is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Texas OLB Sergio Kindle has some injury concerns that center around his knee, which is why he fell to the Ravens in round two. But if he can stay on the field, he is a perfect compliment to Terrell Suggs. Baltimore landed 360-pound monster Terrence Cody of Alabama 14 picks later. This means that in goal line situations, the Ravens' defensive line will feature nearly 700 pounds of beef inside between Mount Cody and Haloti Ngata. Yikes.

- CINCINNATI BENGALS -

Outside of Chad Ochocinco and the resurgent Cedric Benson, the Bengals didn't provide QB Carson Palmer with much support on offense last season. Cincy's front office made sure things will be different this fall by acquiring two Big 12 playmakers. Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham isn't much of a blocker but he is a rare threat in the vertical passing game and could become one of the AFC's best tight ends in a few years. Texas receiver Jordan Shipley will develop into a sure-handed slot receiver at the next level. Expect him to to be a big producer on third downs.

Florida DE Carolos Dunlap is loaded with talent but possesses the maturity of a preteen. Thus, he's a perfect fit in the Bengals' locker room.

- CLEVELAND BROWNS -

It's as though fate insisted that Mike Holmgren select Texas QB Colt McCoy. The Browns surprisingly passed on him twice in the second round but when the winningest passer in collegiate history was still around at No. 85, Holmgren couldn't ignore him anymore. McCoy won't sniff the field in '10 but I think he will win more NFL games than Clausen when all is said and done. First round selection Joe Haden of Florida excels at route-recognition and is already the best player in Cleveland's secondary.

- PITTSBURGH STEELERS -

The Steelers passed on Clausen once and McCoy three times. This is an obvious indication that the franchise is committed to troubled QB Ben Roethlisberger. Whenever Big Ben does return to the field he will be taking snaps from a new center. Pittsburgh made Florida's Maurkice Pouncey its first pick and he should be a solid starter for years to come. I am amazed the Steelers didn't use one of their ten draft choices on a passer considering Roethlisberger is one slip-up away from a year-long suspension.

AFC SOUTH

- HOUSTON TEXANS -

For the second year in a row, the Texans appear to be on the verge of their first playoff-caliber season. Houston's draft haul won't blow anyone away but I think there are at least two guys that can help them finally reach the promised land. First-rounder Kareem Jackson of Alabama is a smooth cornerback who I think has the best chance of developing into a perennial Pro Bowler among his CB peers in the draft. Auburn running back Ben Tate may have been a reach in round two, but he can catch the ball out of the backfield and should be good for 10-15 quality carries per contest.

- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS -

Indianapolis is one of the few NFL organizations that always seems to draft smart by putting more emphasis on work ethic than style points. This draft was no different, as the defending AFC champs grabbed defenders with nonstop motors in each of the first two rounds. TCU outside linebacker Jerry Hughes dominated opponents during the Horned Frogs undefeated regular season. He provides terrific blitz potential from the outside. Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer has the draft's best name and is a favorite of mine. His legs never stop churning and he rarely misses a tackle. Both LBs should be three-down players for Indy in the near future.

- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS -

Quick, which TV market delivered the highest ratings during the NFL draft? No, it wasn't New York or Dallas. Jacksonville's fan base was on full-fledged Tebow Watch Thursday night. Imagine their heartbreak when the Jaguars reached for boarder-line first-rounder Tyson Alualu at No. 10. There's a lot to like about the former Cal DT. He's strong and often manhandles blockers, however he isn't the star that Jacksonville desperately needs. You can be sure that if Tebow, Clausen or Bryant turn out to be superstars and Alualu develops into nothing more than a nice role player, the Jaguars awkward fall into obscurity will only grow worse.

- TENNESSEE TITANS -

I really like Tennessee's decision to grab Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan in the first round. He's the most "sure thing" of any defensive end in the draft and, while he doesn't possess elite closing speed, he is a complete player who rushes the passer and covers the run equally well. USC WR Damian Williams has a lot of value as a third-round selection. He's polished, has great hands and reminds me of Ike Hilliard, who had a productive decade in the league as a complementary wideout. Williams is a nice addition to a receiving corp that already features promising youngster Kenny Britt.

AFC WEST

- DENVER BRONCOS -

Call me crazy, but I believe five years from now we will wonder how so many teams let Tim Tebow pass by in the first round. Yes, there are those who say Tebow is a fifth-round talent at best but I'm not buying it. Individual success in the NFL is about sustained commitment to improving, even if you have the talent to coast by. No collegiate player ever appeared to be more driven than Tebow was for four seasons in Gainesville. He's been the "golden boy" since high school and his abilities have never been called into question... until now. All this debate has given Tebow a chip on his shoulder that was never there before. He did everything a football-loving kid could ever hope to accomplish on the field in college, yet now he's taking personal attacks from all sides. Josh McDaniels sees something in Tebow that made him go against common thought and grab the QB in round one.

Tebow is already one of the biggest names in the NFL and will be a superstar of Brett Favre proportions if he excels. My guess is he will be starting and winning games in 2011. Explosive Georgia Tech receiver Demaryius Thomas - Denver's other first round selection - should be finding his groove by then.

- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS -

Safety Eric Berry is a playmaker who can potentially change the dynamics of a defense. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, because of the position he plays, his addition doesn't necessarily mean the team will improve on last season's win total of four. Kansas City has a lot of money tied up to QB Matt Cassel, but if he continues to get knocked around like he did in '09, he's more likely to end up like David Carr than Tom Brady. The Chiefs would have been better off grabbing an offensive tackle like Russell Okung or Anthony Davis to protect their investment. I do like the Chiefs' selection of Ole Miss playmaker Dexter McCluster near the top of round two. Had the speedy back played for a more successful program with a better supporting cast he may have been a Heisman candidate. McCluster will team up with emerging third-year RB Jamaal Charles and receiver Dwayne Bowe in an offense that could become explosive with good pass protection.

- OAKLAND RAIDERS -

Just three years ago, Oakland owned the top overall pick in the draft. Al Davis used it to bring in heralded LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Davis attempted to make up for that colossal blunder by trading for former Redskins starter and first-round pick Jason Cambell, who is likely to enter training camp as the Raiders' first-team QB. Cambell's track record isn't bad and he's proven himself to be at least an adequate NFL starter while playing with a mediocre offensive unit in D.C. The addition of Campbell, combined with first-round choice Rolando McClain means Oakland could approach the .500 mark for the first time in seven years. McClain - a middle linebacker out of Alabama - could have a similar impact to Patrick Willis' in San Francisco when he was the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year

- SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -

When the Chargers jettisoned franchise legend Ladainian Tomlinson, it was obvious they would draft a running back in the early stages of the draft. By trading up for Miami's 12th overall pick, San Diego ensured it would come away with one of the class' best ball carriers. Fresno State's Ryan Mathews is everything that LT wasn't recently for the Bolts. He's a powerful downhill runner who welcomes contact and can finish near the goal line. Mathews is my early pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year, especially after head coach Norv Turner said he expects him to tally approximately 240 carries and 40 receptions as in his first season.

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Alrighty then. Now you're all caught up on the new landscape of the NFL and my hands have carpal tunnel syndrome from getting you up to speed. We won't see any of these NFL newbees in action for almost four months. Until then, the only thing we can do is speculate about what they will bring to their new teams. No one knows which late-round pick will make a game-changing play in the Super Bowl years from now or which highly-touted first rounder will be selling home insurance in 2015. That's the beauty of the draft.

A year ago, many "experts" had Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead pegged as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft when looking ahead. Late Saturday night, Snead was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and he will be in a dogfight to make the team's final roster. If a player's fortunes can change so drastically in one collegiate season, imagine what lies ahead for the NFL's new crop of contributers as they embark on their careers. It sure is one heck of a way to make a living.

What's your take on the 2010 NFL Draft?

Leave a comment below to join the discussion or tell Tyler he's wrong.