Top 10 2010 Favorite NFL Draft Prospects

This is the fifth year I have done this list and for those first time readers this is not a list of the top 10 NFL Draft prospects, but rather a list of MY top 10 favorite players. Players I would want on my team, not necessarily just for their skills, but also for their passion, brains, and heart. This list will include likely first rounders, but also players that will likely get drafted in the later rounds. Before I go any further, MY top ten favorite players:

1. Nate Byham, TE, Pittsburgh
Dorin Dickerson probably received most of the acclaim and recognition last season at tight end for the Pittsburgh, but the Panthers had another solid NFL prospect in Nate Byham. Byham lacked Dickerson's numbers (49 catches, 10 touchdowns), but that was just fine with him. Byham was primarily used as a blocking tight end for the Panthers and did a heck of job doing it, even being picked first team All-Big East in 2008, despite only having 20 receptions. This season he made 2nd team, behind Dickerson. He is one of the top blockers in this year's draft and should get drafted sometime in the mid rounds because of that. What makes Byham's story so intriguing is the connection he has with his grandfather, Ron. As a widower/grandfather, Ron raised Nate as his mother struggled with drugs and alcohol. Despite being recruited by every program in the country, Byham chose to attend Pitt, primarily to be close to his grandfather. Watching Byham walk on the field during Pittsburgh's Senior Day was very emotional as he was accompanied by his mother and his grandfather.

2. Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
The heart and soul of a Cincinnati Bearcats team, Gilyard defines perseverance. In 2006, Gilyard had his scholarship revoked because of poor academics, and for six months lived nomadically in friends' houses and even in his car. During that time, Gilyard worked many odd jobs to raise enough money to reenroll in school. The rest you can say is history. Gilyard finished his career at Cincinnati as the most accomplished receiver in school's history. His senior season he had 87 receptions and 11 touchdowns. He also was a special teams demon in which he had two kick returns and one punt return for a touchdown. Gilyard should be an ideal slot receiver in the NFL. Gilyard has truly taken advantage of his second chance of playing football and should be drafted in the second round.

3. Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
There are tags NFL draft analysts like to use and one is "safest prospect in the draft." McClain is that prospect for me. The last time I gave an inside linebacker that tag was Patrick Willis, who also happened to be on my 2007 Favorite NFL Draft Prospects list. McClain is the protypical linebacker you want to captain your defense. He has the whole package: size (6-3, 258 lbs), speed (4.60 40), and football smarts. As the Butkus award winner, McClain led his dominant Crimson Tide defense to the national title. He is also the only true underclassman on this list (Toby Gerhart is a 4th year junior who is expected to graduate), but is already ready to dominate in the NFL. McClain has the size and versatility to be successful in either the 4-3 or 3-4 defense. He is already my preseason candidate for defensive rookie of the year.

4. Dexter McCluster, RB/WR/ATH, Ole Miss.
For years, the NFL was a league in which it was nearly impossible to get drafted if you were under 5-9. Now with the success of Darren Sproles, Bob Sanders, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Leon Washington, being small has never been more popular. Besides Dexter McCluster, other small prospects in this draft that have a chance at being drafted including Trindon Holliday (5-5), Brandon Banks (5-7), and Brandon James (5-7). However at 5-8 (5-9 generously), McCluster looks to be the first one of the 5-8 and under club to be drafted. McCluster is the ultimate playmaker as he rushed for 1,169 yards and 8 touchdowns, but also caught 44 receptions for 520 yards and 3 touchdowns. In 2009, McCluster's versatility was awarded with being named All-SEC first team as an all-purpose player, second team as a running back, and second team as a wide receiver. NFL teams probably will use him as a 3rd down receiving back, slot receiver, and in the wildcat formation. At 172 lbs, McCluster benched press 225 lbs 20 times, which was tied for the most at the Combine among receivers. Not bad for a small guy.

5. Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois
At 6-5, 305 lbs, Jon Asamoah is a force in the interior line. Asamoah also has the versatility to also play tackle. After Mike Iupati, Asamoah will challenge to be the second interior offensive lineman to be drafted. He projects to be drafted somewhere in the 2nd-3rd round. But what makes Asamoah such an intriguing prospect is as much as he has succeeded on the field, he has been just as successful off the field. Asamoah boasts a 3.82 GPA while majoring in Community Health. After football, Asamoah wants to pursue a Ph.D and work in the health field as he has learned so much from his father, Samuel, who has struggled with diabetes. His father finally received a kidney transplant, after receiving dialysis treatments up to three times a day. Asamoah was not highly recruited out of high school. He was only a two star prospect. Now he looks to be drafted in the first three rounds.