5/3/2010
By Perry Burr

 

The 2010 NFL Draft is in the books, so let's take a look at ALL rookie draft picks and where they fit in with their new team and their fantasy potential...

NFC EAST:

DALLAS COWBOYS: The Cowboys took the best player available approach early in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Cowboys traded up to the No. 24 spot to stop Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant’s (1-24-24) free fall. Bryant was widely considered a top 10 pick and was easily the best receiver in the draft. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones regretted letting WR Randy Moss go by in 1998 because of off field issues and was determined not to let history repeat itself. Bryant is a game-breaking receiver who will have an immediate impact on offense and the return game. Given WR Roy Williams’ past struggles, the opportunity is there for Bryant. Penn State MLB/OLB Sean Lee (2-23-55) has great combination of athleticism, instincts and read/react skills. While durability is an issue, Lee has a knack for slipping blocks and making tackles. Indiana (Pa.) CB/FS/KR/PR Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (4-28-126) has great versatility and ball skills. He’ll add depth to the secondary and another option in the return game. He close to being fully recovered from surgery to repair the labrum he tore in his right shoulder during the 2009 season. Notre Dame OT Sam Young (6-10-179), who was inconsistent in college, is a major project. But he has the size and motor that coaches can’t teach. Texas Tech CB/KR Jamar Wall (6-27-196) has a good blend of size, strength and athleticism. He shows good leaping ability and change of direction agility. However, he lacks ideal speed, burst and consistency. William & Mary DT/DE Sean Lissemore (7-27-234) lacks the bulk to be a nose tackle in the Cowboys’ 3-4 defense, but he has speed and athleticism to succeed at defensive end in Dallas’ defensive scheme.

NEW YORK GIANTS: The New York Giants had considerable needs on defense going into the 2010 NFL Draft, and they used all but one of their picks on that side of the ball. South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul (1-15-15) is an explosive edge rusher who has great length and athleticism. But Paul is raw and has only one year of Division I experience. East Carolina DT Linval Joseph (2-14-46) has great strength and power to hold up at the point of attack. Joseph will see action immediately in the middle to shore up the team’s poor run defense. LSU FS/SS/PR Chad Jones (3-12-76) was added as a hedge against FS Kenny Phillips’ continuing health issues. While the Giants added Cardinals FS Antrel Rolle in free agency, Jones’ ability to play both safety spots gives the Giants flexibility on their depth chart. Jones has great size and ball skills. Nebraska MLB Phillip Dillard (4-17-115) will compete for the team’s starting middle linebacker job with a host of young veteran holdovers. Dillard was highly productive in college, showing good instincts and an aggressive mentality. Arkansas OG Mitch Petrus (5-16-147) is a strong but athletic drive blocker who demonstrates good quickness and technique. William & Mary OLB/DE Adrian Tracy (6-15-184), a college defensive end, will make the move to outside linebacker in the Cowboys’ 3-4 defense. He displays good athleticism and edge rushing skills, but lacks the strength and bulk to hold up at the point of attack. East Carolina P Matt Dodge (7-14-221) is the leading candidate to replace 22-year veteran P Jeff Feagles, who struggled some during the 2009 season. Dodge has the leg strength and versatility to be the Giants’ kickoff specialist as well.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES:  The Eagles entered the 2010 NFL Draft with a plethora of needs on defense and some nagging concerns on offense. Philadelphia’s first five picks and nine of their 13 overall selections were defensive players. The Eagles began their draft by trading up to the No. 13 overall draft spot to select Michigan DE Brandon Graham (1-13-13) to compete for the end position opposite veteran RDE Trent Cole. Graham is similar to Cole in that he is an undersized end who plays with a non-stop motor. Graham also possesses a quick first step and could become as disruptive as Cole. South Florida FS Nate Allen (2-5-37) plugs the gaping hole at free safety which the team had failed to fill since longtime FS Brian Dawkins’ departure. Allen has good size, athleticism, instincts and ball skills. Allen is the clear-cut favorite to start at free safety this season. Washington DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim (3-22-86) is another high-motor edge rusher who is a bit undersized. He has a good blend of strength, athleticism and instincts. Te’o-Nesheim finished his college career as Washington’s sacks leader despite some inconsistencies in his game. Kentucky CB Trevard Lindley (4-7-105) is a quick, athletic cover corner who lacks elite speed and smooth change of direction ability. He was considered a top corner prospect entering the 2009 season, but injuries and inconsistencies took their toll on his draft stock. Lindley will be thrown into the mix at the No. 3 cornerback spot this summer. Oklahoma OLB Keenan Clayton (4-23-121), a former strong safety, fits the Eagles mold of small but quick linebackers. Clayton has great range and pursuit skills but lacks consistency while changing directions in pass coverage. Northwestern QB Mike Kafka (4-24-122) fits the mold of a West Coast quarterback. He’ll have the time to get acclimated to the offense working behind QB Kevin Kolb and QB Michael Vick. Kafka’s accuracy, intelligence and pocket awareness will go a long way in helping him develop into a competent NFL signal caller. Missouri State TE/HB/FB Clay Harbor (4-27-125) has all the attributes to develop into a quality "move" tight end. Harbor combines good athleticism and solid hands with excellent strength. He’s an excellent hedge against second-year TE Cornelius Ingram and his injury-racked knee. Clemson DE Ricky Sapp (5-3-134) is another undersized end who has excellent athleticism, speed, burst and explosiveness. The Eagles clearly made getting pressure on the opponent’s quarterback a priority in this draft. Sapp’s right knee (partially torn ACL – 11/22/08) will have to be monitored closely considering it was only about 60% during the 2009 season. Florida WR Riley Cooper (5-28-159) has a very good blend of size, athleticism, ball skills and hands. He’ll compete for a reserve wide receiver job and emerge as a red zone threat. LSU RB Charles Scott (6-31-200) is the big back the Eagles have been looking for. He will compete for the team’s No. 3 running back job and could be used in short-yardage situations this season. His fractured clavicle that cut short his 2009 season has completely healed. Mississippi State MLB/OLB Jamar Chaney (7-13-220) is another short, speedy linebacker who can make plays all over the field. The Eagles struggled to find healthy, effective linebackers for most of the 2009 season. The selections of Chaney and Clayton (4th round) address that need. Georgia DT Jeff Owens (7-36-243) will compete for a backup position in the Eagles’ defensive tackle rotation. Ohio State SS Kurt Coleman (7-37-244) is a hard-hitting safety with coverage skills. He diagnoses plays well and demonstrates good instincts. He’ll have to make the Eagles final roster on special teams to begin his NFL career.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS:  The Washington Redskins filled several needs before the 2010 NFL Draft when the hired GM Bruce Allen and HC Mike Shanahan and traded for Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. The move for McNabb allowed the Redskins to fill the large void at left tackle with Oklahoma OT Trent Williams (1-4-4). Williams is the only tackle with enough talent to replace retired OLT Chris Samuels and keep McNabb’s uniform clean. The Skins selected Williams instead of Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung due to his upside, athleticism and versatility. Williams has the nimble feet to play left tackle and has started at left tackle, right tackle and center in college. Provided he learns to work harder than he did in college, Williams should be able to harness his talent and become a 10-year anchor on the line. LSU OLB Perry Riley (4-5-103) has the size, speed, and quickness to fit in well at inside linebacker in the Redskins’ new 3-4 defense. Louisiana Tech TE/HB/FB Dennis Morris (6-5-174) has the size, blocking skills and hands to make a smooth transition from college tight end to NFL fullback. Morris is expected to push long time Redskins FB Mike Sellers for playing time. UCLA WR/KR/PR Terrence Austin (7-12-219) is an undersized receiver who excels in the return game. He could contribute as a slot receiver as well, provided he can beat press coverage. New Mexico C/OG/OT Erik Cook (7-22-229) is a versatile lineman who should provide great value as a backup at all three interior line positions. West Virginia OT Selvish Capers (7-24-231) will compete for the team’s backup right tackle spot.

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