NFL Draft 2010: Rating the Top 10 Quarterbacks Available in the Draft

The 2010 NFL Draft will boast several quarterbacks who could be starters or even stars at the next level, though some of these prospects are either Juniors coming out a year early (Bradford, Clausen) , or Seniors who have not played in pro style offenses (McCoy, Tebow). Still, for NFL teams like Washington, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Cleveland and St. Louis, there should be enough talent in this year's draft for each team to find their quarterback of the future. Here then is a list of the top 10 quarterbacks available in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)

Despite injuries curtailing his Junior season, this former Heisman Trophy winner rates high on virtually every team's list of best quarterbacks available this draft. Bradford should easily go in the first round of the 2010 NFLDraft, possible as high as the 4^th (Washington) or 7^th (Cleveland) pick overall. As accurate as any quarterback available, the 6-4 Bradford has good decision making abilities, a quick release and enough arm strength to succeed in the NFL.

Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)

Like Bradford, Clausen is a Junior coming out early. Though he has not gotten as much pre-draft hype as Bradford, Clausen shows nearly the same level of skill. While he may prove a little less accurate than Bradford, Clausen still completed 68% of his passes last season, and had an excellent touchdown to turnover ratio (28-4). Able to move well in the pocket, Clausen also has decent arm strength, and good leadership skills. And the fact that he played in a pro-style offense in college, should play significantly in his favor come draft day. Clausen should go in the first or second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Colt McCoy (Texas)

McCoy is coming off a highly successful college career, and had a decent showing at his pro day, which may have improved his chances to get drafted in the first two rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft. Intelligent and mobile, McCoy can throw on the run. Highly accurate with decent arm strength, Colt has been a consistent winner at both the high school and collegiate level, and there is no reason to believe he doesn't have the makeup to succeed in the NFL. Look for him to go in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Tony Pike (Cincinnati)

Physically imposing at 6-6, 215 lbs, Pike has gotten his fair share of attention from scouts even though he has not been surrounded by an appropriate amount of hype. Able to make all the throws, Pike is an accurate passer with good mobility. On the negative side, he doesn't always read coverage well and he has had a history of injuries the past few seasons. Still, he has worked under center more than Tebow and may be less of a risky pick than the Florida quarterback.

Tim Tebow (Florida)

Where Tebow will go in the 2010 NFL Draft remains a mystery. Team's like Cleveland and the Patriots have been looking over the Florida standout as of late, though how high they are willing to take him remains to be seen. There is little doubt that Tebow has the arm strength and the leadership skills to play quarterback at the next level, but given the system he played in and his poor mechanics (which he has been working on), Tim may slip a few rounds come draft day.

Jonathan Crompton (Tennessee)

Crompton has an NFL caliber arm and had a strong pro day showing in front of every NFL team, which may make up for the fact that he missed out on being invited to the 2010 NFL Combine. Crompton is coming off a successful season at Tennessee in which he passed for over 2,400 yards while rushing for over 800 more. Though he may take a bit of time to develop at the next level, some NFL team will most likely gamble on him by the third or fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

John Skelton (Fordham)

A big time passer from a small school, Skelton broke most of Fordham career passing records during his college career. The 6-6, 240 lbs quarterback has both the right size and the arm for the position, and after Joe Flacco's (from Delaware) success last season, you can bet an NFL team will roll the die on Skelton by the middle to late middle rounds of the draft.

Jevan Snead (Ole Miss)

Snead is a Junior who probably would have benefited from one more year in school. Still, there is little doubt that he has an NFL caliber arm, and according to Gil Brant (from NFL.com) Snead had a strong pro day showing. Currently projecting to go in the betweens round 4 and 5, Snead may take a few years to develop into an NFL starting quarterback.

Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan)

LeFevour is an accurate passer who enjoyed an impressive college career throwing for close to 13,000 yards and over 100 touchdowns in the past four seasons. Having said that, his arm strength is average, and he has trouble throwing on the run. He also struggled throwing the deep ball at his pro day workout. Still look for teams to take a chance on him somewhere in round 5 or 6 of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Zach Robinson (Oklahoma State)

Another standout quarterback out of the Big 12 this year, Zach Robinson has the mechanics, intelligence and arm strength to succeed at the next level. Not as accurate as most of the top quarterbacks in this years crop, Robinson will need some time to develop into an NFL caliber quarterback.

Sources:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/melkiper/index

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football;