Judged by the Quarterbacks

As it is in every NFL Draft, the marquee players are the quarterbacks. It doesn't matter if they are the highest rated players, or if they are expected to have the most successful careers. The quarterback is the face of the NFL, and when the draft comes around the quarterbacks are caught in the glare.

The 2010 NFL Draft had four quarterbacks that were the focus from the start. Sam Bradford was the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma, but he missed most of the 2009 season with a serious shoulder injury. Tim Tebow was the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida and a 2-Time National Champion, but was seen as a system quarterback with flawed mechanics.

Jimmy Clausen was the quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. That position shines in the spotlight like no other, and with his physical skills Clausen could not carry Notre Dame to the top of college football. Colt McCoy finished his career at Texas as the winningest quarterback in college history, but he came up short in the BCS National Championship, as he suffered a shoulder injury early in the game against Alabama and did not get his chance to win the title.

The questions started to fly as soon a the season ended. Bradford answered his during his pro day workout. His arm strength was there and the accuracy never went away. At the end of the day it was not a question as to whether St. Louis would select him #1 overall, but whether the would have him signed before the draft.

Tebow began working on his throwing motion and shortening his delivery. His pro day workout showed a more compact delivery, but many wondered if he would revert to his old ways under the pressure of an NFL pass rush. He seemed to convince many that he was on his way to becoming an NFL quarterback.

Clausen had an injury of his own to deal with in 2009, a toe injury that was still bothering him during his pro day workout. But his arm strength and accuracy was still there, and he had prospects of going high in the draft. McCoy showed off his arm strength during his pro day workout, and many were seeing his draft stock rise.

On draft day, Bradford was indeed the #1 overall selection by St. Louis. Washington was out of the quarterback derby when the traded for Donovan McNabb. The next teams looking for a quarterback were Cleveland and Buffalo. They both passed. Many were wondering how far down the first round Clausen would fall. Turns out it was a long way.

Denver pulled the big surprise by selecting Tebow #25 overall. Many had Tebow moving into the first round, but it was a surprise that Denver, who has Kyle Orton as the starter and who traded for Brady Quinn in the offseason, would take Tebow in the first round. They traded three draft picks to move back into the round, and in doing so placed even more expectations on the shoulders of Tebow.

Clausen fell into Round 2, going 48th overall to Carolina. Many feel that he may be in the best situation. He is with a team that has Matt Moore at the starting quarterback position, a strong running game, a playmaker in Steve Smith at wide receiver, and a strong offensive line. Clausen has a luxury of being able to wait and learn without the expectations that are being heaped on Bradford and Tebow.

McCoy had to wait until Round 3, going to Cleveland with the 85th overall selection. Mike Holmgren has come out and said that McCoy won't even play in 2010. He is taking the approach that he will be best served by sitting and learning. But if things are not working out for the Browns I wonder if his timetable will get moved up.

I believed going into the draft that Clausen had the best chance for success in the NFL, and I see that happening under the current circumstances of the four quarterbacks. But even with Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Eric Berry and others, the 2010 NFL Draft will be seen as a success or failure as the fates of the four quarterbacks develop over the years.

Draft Grades: Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns went into the 2010 NFL Draft and attempted to land the big fish on it's first cast. They tried to make a deal with the St. Louis Rams to trade up and take Sam Bradford with the 1st Overall selection. To do so would have gutted the depth of their draft board, and not making the deal is going to be better for them in the long run.

Cleveland passed on Jimmy Clausen to select Joe Haden with the 7th pick. In the second round they reached a bit to select T.J. Ward, a safety out of Oregon. The Browns then moved up take Montario Hardesty late in Round 2. Hardesty should provide depth in the running game behind James Harrison.

In the 3rd Round Cleveland got their quarterback in Colt McCoy. Mike Holmgren has come out and said that McCoy would not be playing in his rookie season, and it will benefit McCoy to do just that. As with Bradford and Tim Tebow, coming from a spread offense in college, it's going to take time to adjust to the pro game. With Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace on the roster, McCoy has the chance to have the best long-term results of the four quarterbacks.

A late round sleeper for Cleveland looks to be Carlton Mitchell, a wide receiver out of South Florida. At 6'3, 215, he provides a tall, athletic target and needed depth for the Browns receiver corps.

Draft Grade: B

The 3rd Quarterback off the Board

Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen will be the first two quarterbacks taken in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft. Since quarterback is the premier position in football, it is interesting that there is such little depth at the top of the position rankings. But it is looking more and more that Colt McCoy will be the third quarterback taken in the draft.

If you are looking for a quarerback who comes from a winning program, played in a BCS National Championship game, did not play in a pro style offense, took snaps out of the shotgun in a spread offense, and suffered a shoulder injury in his final season, you have your choice of players in Bradford and McCoy. I think it's strange that they are rated so far apart. McCoy is more mobile in the pocket, played a full four years and college and played under a spotlight that few quarterbacks ever have.

If you remember, McCoy started as a freshman taking over a team that went undefeated and was led by Vince Young to victory over USC in the BCS National Championship game. I don't believe you can measure how high the expectations were for McCoy. Although he did not deliver a National Championship, his Texas Longhorns finished with the same record as Bradford's Oklahoma Sooners in 2008 and beat them head to head. Only a loss to Texas Tech later in the season cost them a chance to play Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators for the National Championship.

McCoy did lead Texas to the BCS National Championship game in 2009, but an injury to his right shoulder cost him a chance to prove himself against the stout defense of Alabama. His recent Pro Day workout showed that his shoulder has healed, and he hit on all 45 passes. Now the question is: how high will McCoy go, and who will take him?

If Washington passes on Jimmy Clausen in the first round and takes Russell Okung, do they take McCoy with their pick in the second round? It may be a bit of a reach, but it will also be a good fit. McCoy could learn from Mike Shanahan while palying behind Jason Campbell. With a veteran quarterback in place he would not be rushed into the starting lineup, where Clausen would be if taken 4th overall. One knock against McCoy is his defeciency in reading defenses. Show me a quarterback who reads pro defenses right of college and I'll show you a freak of nature. There isn't a quarterback coming into the draft this year who is ready to play as much as Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez were the previous two seasons. McCoy may be a reach early in the second round, but some team is going to get a quality player who will be able to help them down the road.