The earliest in my opinion that you can start to evaluate a draft class is after three years. Very few people come in right away and make a big impact, but by year three we start to really see what we have in a player. Here is a look at the 2010 class and how the first round has made out.
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
As a rookie Bradford looked very promising, throwing for 3,512 yards and 18 TDs but an injury kept him out of six games in his second season. Bradford bounced back during his third year, but there are still questions if he can be one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL or just average.
Pick Grade: B
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
Suh came in right away and was a dominant force as a rookie. However his second year was marred by the stomp on Thanksgiving and his third year was nothing special. Suh is still an elite player, but he'll needs to continue his development if he wants to shed the overrated label.
Pick Grade: A
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
Going into his third year it looked like McCoy might be a bust. However in year three everything finally clicked, including a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Pick Grade: B+
4. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
This was a questionable pick because Williams wasn't the top tackle in the draft. But he was a good fit in Mike Shannahan's zone blocking scheme. Williams hasn't disappointed and is becoming one of the better tackles in the league.
Pick Grade: A+
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry S Tennessee
Berry was rated as one of the best players in the draft because of his all around play and playmaking ability. He's made the pro bowl in both his first and third season and likely would have made in year two if he didn't tear his ACL.
Pick Grade: A+
6. Seattle Seahawks: Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State
Rated as the top tackle in the class, the Seahawks were excited to get Okung here. When healthy Okung has played like an All Pro, however his first two years were marred by injuries to his ankle and pec. He played the entire 2012 season and earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
Pick Grade: A
7. Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden CB Florida
Because of a slow 40 time in pre draft work there was a thought that Haden could fall out of the top ten. Cleveland took a chance on him and it paid off. Haden has established himself as one of the top young cornerbacks in the league.
Pick Grade: A+
8. Oakland Raiders: Rolando McClain LB Alabama
To say McClain has been a bust could be considered an understatement. After an alright rookie season McClain got arrested, was benched in season, suspended from the team and then eventually cut. He signed in the offseason by the Ravens, but after another arrested retired from the NFL.
Pick Grade: F
9. Buffalo Bills: CJ Spiller RB Clemson
If it wasn't for an injury to starter Fred Jackson late into Spiller's second season we could be talking about his speed being wasted. However being forced to be the every down back, Spiller has excelled and was just being under utilized by the former staff. Too bad it took that long.
Pick Grade: A
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyson Alualu DT California
At first it looked like Alualu was going to prove the Jaguars were smart in overdrafting him with a strong rookie year. However his second and third seasons have been disappointing. The new coaching staff is moving him out to defensive to see if it will rejuvinate his career. The 2013 season is very important for him.
Pick Grade: C
11. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis OT Rutgers
He was drafted to be their left tackle, but the emergence of Joe Staley has forced Davis to stay at right tackle. That's not a knock on Davis who is still playing at a high level and a part of one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Well worth this pick.
Pick Grade: A
12. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews RB Fresno State
It's been a roller coast career so far for Matthews. He had a poor rookie season but improved in year two rushing for over 1,000 yards and was a Pro Bowl alternate. However his third season was a mess. He miss a bulk of the season because of two separate shoulder injuries and when he did play it was full of fumbles and underwhelming play. Add in an arrest in this offseason and you have to wonder how long the Chargers will put up with him.
Pick Grade: D
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham DE Michigan
Big things were expected from Graham when the Eagles drafted him, but he's failed to make his mark. A big reason for that was two knee surgeries he's had to have. It'll be tough for him to make his mark this season with Philly going out and bringing in free agents at the same position. Eagles fan are kicking themselves for not taking Earl Thomas while they've struggled to find quality safety play.
Pick Grade: D
14. Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas S Texas
Desperate for starters at safety the Seahawks snagged the versatile Thomas and rejoiced in the decision they made. Thomas has emerged as a playmaker and is considered one of the best coverage safeties in the NFL. He's a big part of why their defense is so good.
Pick Grade: A+
15. New York Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida
JPP was very raw coming into this draft with only one year of big time college football under his belt, so he was a big risk going this early. After starting slow, he's emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL and a cornerstone of the Giants defense.
Pick Grade: A+
16. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
Morgan came into the NFL as the most complete defensive end in this class, but was slowed by a torn ACL during his rookie year. He started to show his promise this past year registering 6.5 sacks, but is going to need a big 2013 season before he's completely written off as a bust.
Pick Grade: C
17. San Francisco 49ers: Mike Iupati G Idaho
One of the best guard prospects to come out in the decade, Iupati hasn't disappointed. He became an instant starter and is the driving force behind the 49ers power running game. Adding him and Davis in this draft really set the 49ers well.
Pick Grade: A+
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey C Florida
After having one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, the Steelers were able to get a gem here. Not only did Pouncey start from day 1 at center, he became one of the best in the league as a rookie.
Pick Grade: A+
19. Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon LB Missouri
A tackling machine in college, Weatherspoon picked right up where he left off. Manning the weakside spot he's become the captain of their defense and a big part of the Falcons being one of the top teams in the NFC.
Pick Grade: A
20. Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson CB Alabama
Help was needed after the Texans finished last in the NFL in pass defense. Jackson really hit his stride half way through his rookie year and now teaming with Jonathan Joseph he gives the Texans two good cover corners for their bliz heavy scheme.
Pick Grade: B+
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
Improving his production each year, Gresham is proving the Bengals made a smart decision taking a chance on him when he didn't play his final college season because of an injury. He's given Andy Dalton a reliable receiving threat and security blanket the young signal caller can rely on.
Pick Grade: A
22. Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech
Thomas was your traditional boom or bust player coming in with all the skills but was very raw playing in a triple option offense. It's safe to say Thomas showed that he was a lot further along than most thought. He's emerged at Peyton Manning's favorite receiver and is emerging as one of the better wide outs in the league.
Pick Grade: A
23. Green Bay Packers: Bryan Bulaga OT Iowa
This upcoming season will be the true test of how valuable this pick was. So far Bulaga's only played right tackle and done a good job of it. But now he's moving to the left side. If he locks down the spot this could become an even better selection. At worst he's one of the better right tackles in the NFL.
Pick Grade: B
24. Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
Bryant is a talented but troubled receiver who fell because of those concerns. So far in his career he's lived up to those expectations. Bryant has dominated at times and then been widely inconsistent with drops and mental lapses. If he can get it all together he can be special. But that's a big IF.
Pick Grade: B
25. Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow QB Florida
Whether it was pretty or not, when Tebow finally got his chance in year two he made the most of it. He took a team that was looking at an awful season and took them to a playoff victory. But because of Peyton Manning signing with the Broncos he got shipped off to the Jets. But leading the them to the playoffs and winning may have been worth this pick.
Pick Grade: B
26. Arizona Cardinals: Dan Williams DT Tennessee
As the nose tackle in the Cardinals 3-4 defense Williams has been solid, but unspectacular. But that goes with the position. You want to get starters in the first round and that's exactly what the Cardinals got here.
Pick Grade: B
27. New England Patriots: Devin McCourty CB Rutgers
McCourty has been the one solid consistancy in the Patriots secondary. He's made a Pro Bowl as a cornerback but because of the emergence of Alfonzo Dennard and resigning Aqib Talib they'll be moving him to free safety where he could be even better.
Pick Grade: A+
28. Miami Dolphins: Jared Odrick DT Penn State
He was brought in to be a end in the Dolphins 3-4 defense but when the team moved towards a 4-3 he was moved outside to end where he's been a solid run stuffer but offers nothing of a pass rush. Getting a defensive lineman in the first round you expect them to provide some playmaking ability.
Pick Grade: C
29. New York Jets: Kyle Wilson CB Boise State
Rex Ryan wanted to have three good cover corners so he could get more exotic with his blitzes. Wilson has never really panned out to be the player they thought he'd be. In the offseason the Jets drafted Demarucs Milliner who they want to start over Wilson. That should tell you what they think of him.
Pick Grade: D
30. Detroit Lions: Jahvid Best RB California
When healthy Best was a dynamic long touchdown waiting to happen. However his concussion issues he had in college followed him to the NFL and his career is likely done. You have to wonder if the Lions should have be weary of that.
Pick Grade: D
31. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes DE TCU
Hughes was poised to be a star for the Colts. Hughes was an undersized end who had good athletic ability and was a tear rushing the passer. However he just couldn't make the transition to the NFL. Even when the Colts moved to the 3-4. Hughes was traded this off season to the Bills.
Pick Grade: F
32. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
Needing help at cornerback the Saints found a keeper in Robinson. He's excels in man coverage and signed a five year extension in 2010.
Pick Grade: B+
Best Class: Seattle Seahawks (Okung, Thomas, Golden Tate, Walter Thurmond, Kam Chancellor, Anthony McCoy) Four starters and two more key contributors. Thomas and Chancellor are the top safety tandem in the league.
Worst Class: Jacksonville Jaguars (Alualu, D'Anthony Smith, Larry Hart, Austen Lane, Deji Karim, Scotty McGee) Alualu is the only one that's really made any type of an impact, and that's a stretch.
Value Picks: Rob Gronkowski (#42 New England), Daryl Washington (#47 Arizona), NaVorro Bowman (#91 San Francisco), Jimmy Graham (#95 New Orleans), Geno Atkins (#120 Cincinnati), Kam Chancellor (#133 Seattle), Jonathan Dwyer (#188 Pittsburgh), Antonio Brown (#195 Pittsburgh)
Overall: This is one of the best draft classes in recent memory. Over half of the first round has made at least one pro bowl and we have several players (Suh, Ipuati, Berry) that are elite players. Even the later rounds turned out some of the top players (Geno Atkins, Kam Chancellor, Rob Gronkowski). Many of the top teams in the league right now can attribute their success to this draft.
