Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford was taken by the St. Louis Rams with the top overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Bradford ended the season as only the third rookie quarterback to start all 16 games and throw for over 3,000 yards.
2010 NFL Draft Top Ten
Bradford was the first of four consecutive players selected from Big 12 conference schools in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions chose Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh second overall, while Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams went third and fourth, respective, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. The Kansas City Chiefs rounded out the top five with Tennessee safety Eric Berry.
The top 10 was rounded out by:
- Seattle Seahawks – Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
- Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
- Rolando McClain – (LB, Alabama)
- C.J. Spiller – (RB, Clemson)
- Tyson Alualu – (DT, Cal)
In all, 30 players were selected from the Big 12. A total of 49 were picked from the SEC.
Notes from the 2010 NFL Draft
In all, 255 players were selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, 33 of which were cornerbacks. A total of 30 defensive ends, 29 linebackers, 27 wide receivers and 25 defensive tackles were also selected.
Several future Pro Bowlers were selected after the first round, including Dexter McCluster, T.J. Ward, Rob Gronkowski, Zane Beadles, Daryl Washington, NaVorro Bowman, Jimmy Graham, Alterraun Verner, Geno Atkins and Aaron Hernandez.
“Mr. Irrelevant” was wide receiver Tim Toone, who was taken by the Detroit Lions with the 255th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
A number of notable players signed as undrafted free agents following the 2010 NFL Draft, including wide receiver Victor Cruz, running backs Joique Bell, LeGarrette Blount and Chris Ivory, tight end Logan Paulsen, and cornerback Sam Shields.
The 2010 NFL Draft was the last before the rookie pay scale was instituted in 2011.
Download: 2010 NFL Draft