Top 15 NFL Rookies From 2010

[BernietheKid]

Top 15 NFL Rookies From 2010
Eric Falk | January 11th, 2011

Best NFL Rookies in 2010

1. Ndamukong Suh DT, Lions – The Lions were starting to build a pretty good young team that just needed a couple more key players to start making some noise in the NFC North. After drafting Suh, they got plenty of noise. The defensive tackle out of Nebraska was a beast his rookie season racking up 10 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pick, and a trip to the Pro Bowl.

2. Sam Bradford QB, Rams – What are the chances that a team as bad as the Rams can turn around so quickly because of a rookie quarterback taken first overall? Pretty good if that rookie is Sam Bradford. He came in and took control of a below average offense (no offense Steven Jackson), and made them look respectable. If the Rams can bring in a few more weapons for Bradford to work with, they should easily win their division next year.

3. Maurkice Pouncey C, Steelers - Pouncey was a sight for sore eyes in Pittsburgh, who needed, and could still use, some help on the offensive line. He played so well he was selected as Nick Mangold’s backup for the AFC Pro-Bowl team. With any luck, Pouncey’s twin brother will fall to them in the upcoming draft.

4. Mike Williams WR, Bucs – With big names like Dez Bryant, Golden Tate, & Demaryius Thomas ahead of him, Mike Williams fell to the fourth round. The Bucs got one hell of a bargain, as Williams out performed all other rookie receivers. He scored 11 touchdowns for a solid Tampa Bay team that should be in the playoffs by this time next year.

5. Devin McCourty CB, Patriots – McCourty stepped into a New England defense that had a lot to prove this year and didn’t disappoint any of his critics. His transition from a stud at Rutgers to a rookie corner in the NFL went pretty smooth, grabbing 7 picks for a much improved Pat’s D.

6. Earl Thomas S, Seahawks – Earl Thomas wasn’t even the first safety taken in last year’s draft, but played like he’s a proven veteran. Starting every game for the Seahawks, he totaled 76 tackles and 5 picks. Thomas should be a top caliber safety in the NFL for years to come.

7. Roger Saffold OT, Rams - What a job Saffold did coming in and protecting Sam Bradford’s blind side. He started all 16 games for the Rams and was a big part of the success of Bradford and the Rams this year.

8. Carlos Dunlap DE, Bengals - Critics had their doubts about Dunlap going to the Bengals, especially after off field issues at Florida dropped his draft stock. He not only proved a lot of us wrong off the field, but ripped it up on the field with 9.5 sacks. The Bengals defense was down from last year, but it wasn’t because of Dunlap’s play.

9. LaGarrette Blount RB, Bucs- Blount wasn’t drafted because of his “punching” incident against Boise State, and had more issues with the Titans after they signed him as an undrafted free agent. The Bucs took a flyer on him, and in just 13 games he scored 6 touchdowns and broke 1000 yards without breaking any one’s noses.

10. TJ Ward S, Browns - The Browns traded up to get Ward in the second round, which many questioned after taking Joe Haden in the first round. He silenced everyone’s doubts by leading the Cleveland defense with an impressive 123 tackles, and he also added two interceptions.

11. Rob Gronkowski TE, Patriots - He may deserve a higher rating with the 10 touchdowns scored this year, but with Tom Brady as your QB and playing for the Patriots, it’s not even fair to the other rookies rated on this board.

12. Joe Haden CB, Browns – Haden only started 7 games for the Browns this year, but still ended up with 6 interceptions, a forced fumble, and 64 tackles. Having him and TJ Ward in the Brown’s secondary should give Cleveland fan’s plenty of highlights to look forward to.

13. Eric Berry S, Chiefs - Eric Berry had a solid rookie campaign for the surprising Chiefs this year totaling 92 tackles and also grabbing four interceptions. He was supposed to be the surest prospect in last year’s draft, and he didn’t disappoint, helping the Chiefs to a surprise playoff run.

14. Dez Bryant WR, Cowboys - Dez Bryant showed he’s got the talent to be a threat in the NFL, but he was hindered by injuries and an inconsistent Cowboy’s offense. We’ll see how much he improves his six receiving touchdowns, one punt return for a touchdown, and 45 receptions with a healthy Tony Romo and Jason Garrett in charge next year.

15. Mike Iupati OG, 49ers - The 49ers ivested a lot of money into their offensive line in the draft last year. Iupati was solid at left guard starting all 16 games, as did his other rookie line partner Anthony Davis.

Top 15 NFL Rookies From 2010 | 2011 NFL Draft

It's great to see two Browns in the Top 15.

Let's hope Heckert we get us two more this year!

[Vegasdogg]

Ward and Haden above Dez Bryant.

Dabrowns explained to me why Haden should be ranked ahead of McCourty. I bought his explanation and certainly would agree - Haden had 7 starts and McCourty 16, and both has similar stats.

[PlaygroundLegend]

Ur gonna make fun of me for coming to Dez's rescue but if he didnt get injured, he would've been waaay higher. He was a dominant force when healthy, not his fault he was injured, he will be better than mike williams

As for Ward and Haden, I definitely agree! Great picks! Especially Trauma Ward!

Go Browns!

[Vegasdogg]

Just busting your chops buddy. Dez was good.

[Danamal]

Knowing what we know now,
I take Haden and Ward without batting an eye.
Dez is a good receiver and barring injury will have a good career but given how poor our defense was and still is in some area's they were both great picks for our team and its needs.

[DaBrowns41]

I'm sorry, but Haden out produced McCourty who started all 16 games for NE. McCourty was great, but Haden was even better.

That's not me being a homer, that's me being realistic. In Haden's starts, he outplayed McCourty overall, and for Haden to be 6 spots lower than McCourty is ridiculous.

And from a production standpoint, give me Mike Williams slightly over Bradford.

[Enigmatic Evil]

I agree that Haden was ranked a little low for my preferences, I think he should have cracked the top 10 of that list at least.

Good to see TJ Ward getting some much deserved props. He was a force for us in the secondary when we needed one and was a big reason that our pass defense was improved in many aspects. We have a young core to the secondary and TJ Ward and Joe Haden will be a big part of that secondary, and the overall defense in the years to come as they continue to improve and get better every season.

[YtownBacker]

Sometimes rookie years are a bit deceiving. I like to see how they come out of their first offseason and see how much time they put in. I like to see if they will grow from this or get caught up reading too many of their press clippings and see their production fall off.