The first round of the primetime 2010 NFL Draft in the books and teams are ready to pick up Friday night. In the meantime, we can take a look at which NFL franchises knocked one out of the park and who struck out with their opening round selections.
Day One Winners
Detroit Lions
The Lions still had plenty of holes to fill in the 2010 NFL draft and they managed to add to impact players in the first round. The addition of Ndamukong Suh immediately upgrades their front seven. This move will give the Lions more pressure up front and help allow their linebackers and secondary to make plays.
The Lions decided to make a risky but correct move when they traded back into the first round for Jahvid Best. Best will give this team the burst of speed they need in their running game. This will help take some pressure off of quarterback Matt Stafford who should find more success in 2010.
Seattle Seahawks
No one was quite sure what the Seahawks were going to do with their two first round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft. Instead of trading either one away, the Seahawks made two solid additions to their 2010 roster.
With their first round selection, they picked up tackle Russell Okung who will anchor the left side of the offensive line for years to come. To help with their defense, they grabbed safety Earl Thomas who is going to make plays for the secondary and make his presence known every time the ball is thrown.
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers had their sights set on running back Ryan Matthews and made sure they were going to get their man. They completed a trade with the Miami Dolphins to move into the twelfth spot of the 2010 NFL Draft.
They now have the replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson who can be a work horse for the Chargers and allow them to use running back Darren Sproles in the support role.
Day One Losers
New York Jets
It is evident the Jets have taken the phrase “Defense Wins Championships” to heart, especially when they drafted one of the best cornerbacks on the board, Kyle Wilson. The only problem is that they already have one of the best tandems in the game.
The Jets did little to address their offense in the first round and will need to find some help at the wide receiver position and running back if they are going to continue to contend in 2010.
Denver Broncos
While the Broncos did add some depth at the wide receiver position with the selection of Demaryius Thomas you have to question their selection of quarterback Tim Tebow. The biggest problem with the selection of Tebow is because he was selected in the first round.
First round selections need to be impact players on the field and ready to take on the starting role. Tebow is a project and will need a few years before he could step in and attempt to be a pro quarterback. Tebow would have been a safer pick in the later rounds.
Dallas Cowboys
Apparently owner Jerry Jones did not learn from the trade that brought in wide receiver Roy Williams. Instead of drafting to fill a need along the offensive line or in the secondary, they picked up wide receiver Dez Bryant in the 2010 NFL Draft.
While Bryant has the ability to be a big time playmaker, there is a reason he was available late in the draft. The Cowboys will find out they made the wrong choice by selecting him.
Resources
Yahoo NFL Draft Coverage
