Continuing on with our look at old draft classes, today we come to the class of 2010. This one was chock full of icons, with seven Pro-Bowlers in the top ten picks. Let’s dive right in.
First Pick – Sam Bradford – QB – St Louis Rams
QB Sam Bradford was taken by the Rams with the first overall pick of the 2010 draft. He spent four years in St Louis, earning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in his 2010 Rookie season.
In 2015 he was traded to the Eagles for Nick Foles as well as a fourth round pick and a fifth round pick. His time in Philly was short lived as he threw 19 TD’s and 14 INT’s in the 2015 season.
He was then traded to the Vikins for a first rounder in the 2017 draft and had a pretty successful first season in 2016. He played 15 games, threw 20 TD’s and just five INT’s. He also led the league for pass completion.
Bradford’s second season in Minnesota came to a premature end as he was diagnosed with wear and tear on his knee following two previous ACL injuries. He then moved to Arizona in free agency, lasting just two games before being replaced by rookie Josh Rosen as the starter.
Currently, he is a free agent in the NFL but has not retired. Although he hasn’t actually played for any team since leaving the Cardinals in 2018. It seems unlikely he will return to the league simply due to his extensive knee injuries.
Second Pick – Ndamukong Suh – DT – Detroit Lions
Ndamukong Suh has enjoyed quite a brilliant career in the NFL. He’s had a few teams, but is a five time Pro-Bowler, three time first team All-Pro, former NFL Defensive rookie of the year and was selected to the NFL 2010s team.
In the NFL, he’s represented the Lions – who drafted him – as well as the Dolphins, LA Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – who he currently plays for.
This next season will be his eleventh in the NFL.
Third Pick – Gerald McCoy – DT – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy is another success story from the early picks of this draft. Over the course of his ten year career in the NFL, he has become a six time Pro-Bowler and a three time first team All-Pro selection.
He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom he represented until 2018. He then had a year with the Panthers last season and has recently signed with the Dallas Cowboys as he prepares for the 2020 season.
Fourth Pick – Trent Williams – OT – Washington Redskins
Trent Williams is yet another success story from this class. Since being drafted by the Redskins he has gone on to become a SEVEN time Pro-Bowler, making it to the end of season celebration game seven consecutive times between 2012-2018.
He still plays for the Redskins and in 2020 he will play his eleventh season in Maryland.
Fifth Pick – Eric Berry – S – Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry had something of a rollercoaster ride in the NFL. It included him being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma with 2014, then returning for the 2015 season to play and earning the NFL Comeback player of the year award in the process.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times during his career and is a three time first team All-Pro safety. He was released by the Chiefs in March 2019 and hasn’t signed for another team since.
Sixth Pick – Russell Okung – OT – Seattle Seahawks
Russell Okung is another success story from this draft class as he has enjoyed a very decent career in the NFL up to this point. He is a two time Pro-Bowler and even has a Super Bowl ring – winning SB48 with the Seahawks.
After leaving the Seahawks, Okung played for the Broncos before moving to the Chargers for a few seasons. These days you’ll find him in Carolina gearing up for the new season.
Seventh Pick – Joe Haden – CB – Cleveland Browns
Cornerback Joe Haden has enjoyed a very decent career in the NFL since being drafted by the Browns in 2010. He is a three time Pro-Bowler, earning selections in 2013, 2014 and 2019.
These days, he plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers and will play his third season in the Steel City in 2020.
Eighth Pick – Rolando McClain – LB – Oakland Raiders
Rolando McClain has had an interesting time of it since being drafted by the Raiders in 2010. Between legal troubles, his house being burned down and going back to school – his off-field issues have been quite significant.
As for on the field, he represented the Raiders for three seasons and was waived in 2013 after a series of off-field incidents. He then joined the Ravens on a one year deal but announced his retirement having never played a down.
After that, he went back to college to try and get finish his bachelors degree. He was then traded to the Cowboys in 2014 as a seemingly revitalised player and became an integral part of the Cowboys defence.
McClain failed a drug test and was banned for the first four games of the 2015 season. Then, in 2016, he failed another test and was banned again – this time for ten games. During the middle of his ban, he failed ANOTHER test and was thus suspended indefinitely.
He was eventually reinstated in September 2019, three years later, but was immediately released by the Cowboys. In December 2019, he was once more given an indefinite suspension from the league – meaning his time in pro football is very likely over.
Ninth Pick – C.J Spiller – RB – Buffalo Bills
Despite earning a Pro-Bowl selection in 2012, C.J Spiller will likely be disappointed with his career. After leaving the Bills at the end of his rookie deal, he found a home in New Orleans on a four year deal – only to be released a year later.
He then had short lived spells with both the Seahawks and the Jets before joining the Chiefs, then getting released, then joining again, then getting cut again… In all, there were nine transactions from the Chiefs involving Spiller in less than a year. That was in 2017, and he hasn’t signed for another team since.
Tenth Pick – Tyson Alualu – DT – Jacksonville Jaguars
Tyson Alualu has enjoyed a solid, if not glamorous, NFL career since being drafted by the Jaguars in 2010. He remained in Florida with the Jags for the first six years of his career before moving to Pittsburgh in 2017 – where he still plays.
Perhaps the thing that Alualu can put his longevity in the league down to has been fitness. He’s missed just three regular season games in his entire NFL career – missing two in 2016 and one in 2018.
Other Notable Picks from the 2010 NFL Draft
Ryan Matthews – Running back Ryan Matthews was selected by the Chargers at 12. He enjoyed a six year career with the Chargers and Eagles, earning a Pro-Bowl selection in 2012.
Earl Thomas – Safety Earl Thomas has had a brilliant career since being drafted by the Seahawks at 14. He’s a Super Bowl champion (XLVIII), seven time Pro-Bowler and three time first team All-Pro. Thomas currently plays for the Ravens.
Jason Pierre-Paul – Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul was selected at 15 by the Giants. He is a Super Bowl champion (XLVI), two time Pro-Bowler and a 2011 first team All-Pro. Pierre-Paul currently plays for Tampa Bay.
Mike Lupati – Guard Mike Lupati was taken at 17 by the 49ers. He is a four time Pro-Bowler and a 2012 first team All-Pro. Lupati is currently a free agent.
Maurkice Pouncey – Center Maurkice Pouncey was selected at 18 by the Steelers – whom he still plays for now. He is an EIGHT time Pro-Bowler and a two time first team All-Pro. As well as that, he was selected for the NFL 2010s Team of the Decade.
Jermaine Gresham – Tight End Jermaine Gresham was selected at 21 by the Bengals. He played nine seasons in the league, earning selection to the Pro-Bowl on two occasions.
Demaryius Thomas – Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was selected by the Broncos at 22. He is a Super Bowl champion (50) and a five time Pro-Bowler. Currently, Thomas is a free agent but there are rumours linking him with a return to Denver.
Dez Bryant – Wide receiver Dez Bryant was selected at 24 by the Cowboys. He is a three time Pro-Bowler and a 2014 first team All-Pro. Currently, Bryant is without a team and has been since leaving the Saints in 2018.
Devin McCourty – Cornerback Devin McCourty was selected at 27 by the New England Patriots. He is a three time Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII) and a three time Pro-Bowler. McCourty has spent entire career with the Patriots, and is gearing up for his eleventh season in Foxborough this year.
Rob Gronkowski – Perhaps the greatest tight end of all time, Gronk was selected at 42 by the Pats. He is a three time Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII), four time first team All-Pro and five time Pro-Bowler. He was also selected to the NFL Team of the Decade and the NFL 100 Year Anniversary all time team. A true legend.
Sean Lee – Linebacker Sean Lee was selected at 55 by the Cowboys. He is a two time Pro-Bowler and a 2016 first team All-Pro. He currently still plays for the Cowboys.
Emmanuel Sanders – Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was selected at 82 by the Steelers. From his time in Denver he is a Super Bowl champion (50) as well as a two time Pro-Bowler. He currently plays for the Saints.
Geno Atkins – Defensive Tackle Geno Atkins was taken with the 120th selection by the Bengals, whom he still plays for. He is an eight time Pro-Bowler, a two time first team All-Pro and was selected to the NFL 2010s Team of the Decade.
Kam Chancellor – Safety Kam Chancellor was taken at 133 by the Seahawks. He is a Super Bowl champion (XLVIII) and a four time Pro-Bowler. He has not had another team since leaving Seattle in 2017.
Antonio Brown – Wide receiver Antonio Brown was selected by the Steelers with the 195th pick. He is a seven time Pro-Bowler, a four time first team All-Pro and was selected to the NFL 2010s Team of the Decade. He is currently without a team having been released by New England last season.
For more like this, visit our NFL section here. Meanwhile, follow us on Facebook for news and analysis right to your timeline.