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2010 NFL Draft: 2 For 1


The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were initially criticized for drafting two defensive tackles in Rounds 1and 2. By the end of the fourth round they had acquired two wide receivers as well.

There is a very good chance that these four players will line up and play against the Cleveland Browns in Raymond James Stadium on opening day.

In retrospect, let's take a look at some of the teams who picked two players that play the same position on draft day between rounds 1 through 4 that may start or play on opening day.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Gerald Mc Coy and Brian Price - McCoy has outstanding quickness for a defensive tackle. He should be a disruptive run-defender and a productive pass-rusher. There’s a 100% chance that he will start for the Bucs.

Price moves very well for his size as well and has the potential to become a dynamic run defender. He can also make an impact rushing the passer. If Price does not start for the Bucs, he will definitely rotate with Roy Miller.

Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams - Benn's production suffered because of inconsistent quarterback play at Illinois.

He has the strength, athletic ability and hands to develop into an effective No. 1 wideout who can produce additional yards after the catch. Should be a starter.

Williams has been considered the third-most-talented receiver in this year's class.  Williams has great size, and above-average ball skills, and he could become a big-time playmaker for the Buccaneers. He has been considered as one of the steals of this draft. If he does not start, he will rotate with Reggie Brown, Maurice Stovall or Michael Clayton.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tyson Alualu - Is considered very active and explosive, with tremendous upper-body strength to quickly shed the block.

Although he does not have great initial quickness, he can beat blockers to the point of attack and penetrate to the pocket. Being the #10 pick in the draft, you would think that he would start.

D'Anthony Smith - Smith is considered to have above-average athletic ability and can move well laterally for his size.

Smith is also an above average pass-rusher with a wide assortment of moves. Look for Smith to rotate on the defensive line.

Denver Broncos

Demarius Thomas - Thomas brings size and speed to the wideout position and will be an immediate deep threat for the Broncos.

While at Georgia Tech, he came from a triple-option offense and is considered a bit raw as a route runner, but his size and ball skills provide him with great upside.

If his foot injury is healed, look for Thomas to start.

Eric Decker - Decker has a good combination of size and overall athleticism.

He is deemed limited in his ability to stretch the field, but he shows exceptional toughness and ball skills to become a solid possession receiver for the Denver Broncos.

If his foot injury is healed, look for Decker to rotate at the wide receiver position.

New England Patriots

Rob Gronkowski - The biggest concern with Gronkowski is his durability; he missed all of the 2009 season with a back injury.

If he can stay healthy, he has the potential to develop into a complete tight end. He has shown the ability to make plays down the seam, get open underneath and ward off defenders as an inline blocker.

If his back injury has healed, look for Gronkowski to rotate with Algee Crumpler and Aaron Hernandez.

Aaron Hernandez - Hernandez is considered one of the better pass-catching tight ends in this year's draft.

He will bring an immediate receiving threat to the Patriots' offense, while his best attribute is picking up additional yardage after the catch.

Look for Hernandez to rotate with Algee Crumpler and Rob Gronkowski.

Carolina Panthers

Jimmy Clausen - Clausen has the arm strength, size and confidence to develop into an effective opening day starter.

He doesn't have to worry about making the transition to an NFL offense, either, after playing for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame he is probably more game ready than any quarterback from this past draft.

Look for Clausen to compete for opening day snaps with Matt Moore and Tony Pike.

Tony Pike - Although Pike was chosen in the sixth round, I put him in this debate because he also has the opportunity to dress out on opening day.

The Panthers have Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen and Pike to compete for the starting quarterback position. Stranger things have happened during quarterback battles.

Look for Pike to dress out and be the third string quarterback.

Brandon LeFell - LaFell may have some of the biggest upside in this year's receiving class.

He has excellent size and does an outstanding job using his body to shield defenders from the ball.  He should be a great compliment to Steve Smith on opening day.

Armanti Edwards - Edwards played quarterback in college but will probably play slot receiver for the Panthers.

He has the athleticism and experience to conduct a Wildcat package, option or return specialist. Look for him to play on opening day.

Oakland Raiders

Edwin Veldheer and Bruce Campbell - At more than 6-foot-8, Veldheer may start at left tackle for the Raiders.

He has great upside to become a better-than-average NFL left tackle.

Campbell has elite potential as a right tackle or guard and was considered worth the risk in round four.

Although he is regarded as a unpolished prospect, he is a far better athlete than football player. He will dress out for opening day.

Baltimore Ravens

Ed Dickson - Dickson is considered one of the better pass-catching tight ends in this year's draft.

He has exceptional top-end speed to stretch the field with ideal body control and ball skills.

He still needs to develop as a run-blocker but would definitely contribute in the passing game. He will share snaps with Todd Heap.

Dennis Pita - Pitta is a savvy zone-beater who should develop into a dangerous red zone threat for Joe Flacco on opening day.

He will be a part of the Ravens tight end rotation.

Will Teams Double Their Pleasure?

There you have it. Seven teams who doubled their 2010 Draft Picks at the same position for various reasons.

It would be a shock if any of these players do not dress for opening day for their respective teams. (Minus injury)

I feel most of them will start or have considerable playing time to start the season.  Out of these rookies, which team will have the most participants on opening day?

Pictures from this article can be seen at: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/386973-2010-nfl-draft-2-for-1

Poll
Out of these rookies, which team will have the most participants on opening day?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
106 votes
Carolina Panthers
1 votes
Oakland Raiders
2 votes
Jacksonville Jaguars
1 votes
Baltimore Ravens
0 votes
Denver Broncos
1 votes
New England Patriots
0 votes

111 votes | Poll has closed

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The Truth is

The Bucs need the players more…

by CelticPride on May 2, 2010 2:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow, 100% to the Bucs.

It’s like all the voters are homers or something…

5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.

by chuckyforpres on May 2, 2010 3:34 PM EDT reply actions  

Not really

It’s realism. The threshold of quality needed to contribute to this team is lower than that for other teams.

by Sander on May 2, 2010 3:46 PM EDT reply actions  

94% nahh this wasn't biased haha.

In reality we have more wholes to fill then the other teams listed.

by Tim Harper on May 3, 2010 4:08 PM EDT reply actions  

Votes reflect the truth.

Myron Lewis is our nickel back barring some disaster.
McCoy and Price are playing immediately.
Odds are both wideouts start as well, at worst at least 1.
Watson should see snaps as our 5th LB behind Ruud, Black, Geno and Crowell, and sometime at DE.
Grimm will be on special teams at worst.
Bowden will play on opening day too.
So thats at least 7 to 8 guys who we are gonna see suited up on Opening Day pitching in.
Most of our draft picks are at positions where the learning curve isn’t that steep, so they can get up to speed a lil faster and contribute on Day 1.

by Joe Grizzly on May 3, 2010 7:20 PM EDT reply actions  

Not sure that both Wideouts will start.

They will see ample playing time, but we still have a long way to go to see if they start. While we are fresh off the draft it is easy to beleive these guys will win out in competition, that’s not usually the case.

My best comparison would be to the 2008 draft of the Redskins. They drafted both Harris and Kelly in the 2nd round. Neither have really won a starting position or panned out.

I’m not saying Williams and Benn won’t pan out, but we have to be cautious optimists.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by MNeilson on May 3, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Both of them have been hampered by injuries

so it’s not a completly fair comparison. However both had a ton of hype and showed loads of promise in their first offseason. Skins fans expected to see both of them start or at least be productive. None of which has happened.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by MNeilson on May 3, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, It's the skins-

Until last year, when have they ever taken the draft seriously?

I don't have a Sig!

by 4QB on May 3, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Huh?

Nothing clever to put here.

by MNeilson on May 4, 2010 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

We hope.

We have nothing thus far to say that with certainty though. It definitely gives us hope at that position. Surely what they did in high school has NO bearing on what they can do in the NFL. I hope that’s not what you were trying to say.

Nothing clever to put here.

by MNeilson on May 4, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

Pretty sure he is saying

that their talent level in high school was better than the talent level of the other receivers right now. So 18 year old Arrelious Benn > current Michael Clayton

"Football is not a game but a religion, a metaphysical island of fundamental truth in a highly verbalized, disguised society, a throwback of 30,000 generations of anthropological time." ~ Arnold Mandell

by LeeCaz on May 4, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

It was supposed to be a joke. I think.

"Football is not a game but a religion, a metaphysical island of fundamental truth in a highly verbalized, disguised society, a throwback of 30,000 generations of anthropological time." ~ Arnold Mandell

by LeeCaz on May 4, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Dag Gummit.

Sorry. Thats two jokes that have been lost on me in the last day on here.

Nothing clever to put here.

by MNeilson on May 4, 2010 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think it left with your man card.

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on May 5, 2010 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

Surely I held on to my sense of humor longer.

I lost my man card about 3 years ago.

"I'm not saying this is a blowout, but updated NBA schedule has ' * - if necessary' next to Games 3 and 4." John Hollinger

by MNeilson on May 5, 2010 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

I'll run it by the committee, but it doesn't look good.

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on May 5, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

Wideout learning curve

can make or beak you as a player , neither wideout has to start to be effective . Starting either 1 is added pressure on that player

by keysersoze19 on May 4, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

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