5 “Can’t Miss” Prospects In The 2010 NFL Draft
ByThere is a risk when you select any college player but these guys don’t make you think as hard - and you won’t lose your job as General Manager if you happen to select them in April.
1. Joe Haden CB, Florida - Haden’s ability in man coverage, press coverage and zone coverage are all extremely above average while his overall athleticism is off the charts. He was a record-setting quarterback in high school, breaking the Maryland state record for career passing yards while accounting for 80 touchdowns including four pickoff returns for touchdowns during his senior year. He is as much of a sure fire prospect as there is in this Draft and will contribute immediately to an NFL defense.
2. Ndamukong Suh DT, Nebraska - Suh was arguably the most dominant player that college football has seen in the past ten years. His ability to make plays against the rush and the pass, despite facing constant double teams, is incredibly intriguing to NFL scouts. There is no reason to believe that Suh will not make a seamless transition to the NFL game, where he will be asked to play a similar role.
3. Gerald McCoy DT, Oklahoma - McCoy is going to play hop scotch with Suh on the top of Draft Boards for the next few months and he is every bit the man Suh is physically. You can’t go wrong with either of these defensive tackles anchoring your line. They will be able to look at one another for motivation over the next decade and they will battle for the title of ‘most dominant defensive force’ over the next decade.
4. Rolando McClain LB, Alabama - From the moment McClain steps on the field for an NFL team he will make that team better because of his intelligence and ability to make his teammates better. Everybody on the dominant Alabama defense pointed to McClain as their leader, emotionally and mentally. McClain is looked to as a coach on the field and it doesn’t hurt that he packs an extremely high football IQ into a 6′4″ 260-pound frame that is built lead an NFL defense.
5. Mike Iupati OG, Idaho - There are two reasons Iupati is the lone offensive player on this list. First of all, skill position players are never a lock to be successful because they depend on the blocking of an offensive line or the accuracy of a quarterback in order to succeed. And while most great college tackles go on to great, good or at least decent NFL careers there is no exact equation to determine who will succeed at the next level. If they fail at the 
tackle position, they move to guard. It is a little bit more precise when a dominant interior offensive lineman moves to the next level. Unlike many of the talented linemen in this draft, Iupati has flown under the radar for most casual draft followers. But that’s what happens when you play in Idaho, even when you are 6′6″ and 330 pounds. Iupati can do it all from being a bulldozing run blocker to a stand up pass protector that keeps his QB upright. The team that drafts him will be able to plug him in on the line and be happy for the next decade as long as injuries don’t take their toll.
Five more guys whose futures look extremely bright regardless of where they end up:
Kyle Wilson CB, Boise State - In past Drafts, Wilson’s abilities and instincts would have garnered consideration as a top ten pick but in a deep draft that has everything you would want he gets lost. Wilson can return punts at an elite level and will make his presence felt in that area right away. He has the instincts to be a shutdown corner but that may be a few years and some coaching away.
Maurkice Pouncey C, Florida - Pouncey was an anchor on the Florida line for the past two years and is one of the most NFL-ready centers to come into the Draft over the past couple years, even as a junior. He will make an NFL team very happy from the time he steps onto the practice field to the time he snaps the ball in their opener.
Aaron Hernandez TE, Florida - As a playmaking tight end, Hernandez will take a lot of pressure off his QB and will make those plays early and often during his career. Don’t be surprised if Hernandez gives Florida their second straight Offensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL.
CJ Spiller RB, Clemson - He will make an immediate impact in the NFL returning kicks, one of the most underrated assets in football. He can also make plays catching passes out of the backfield and is a home run threat from every position he plays.
Derrick Morgan DE, Georgia Tech - Getting to the quarterback is key in the NFL and Morgan is the most proficient among the defensive ends in this Draft class at doing so. He might not make as much of an impact right off the bat as the guys above but he will pay off in the end.
