The 2010 NFL Draft was a pivotal moment for several Florida Gators stars who had dominated college football under Urban Meyer. Three Gators were selected in the first round that year: cornerback Joe Haden (No. 7 to the Cleveland Browns), center Maurkice Pouncey (No. 18 to the Pittsburgh Steelers), and quarterback Tim Tebow (No. 25 to the Denver Broncos). Over a decade later, we can look back with the benefit of hindsight and reassess how these players should have been drafted based on their NFL careers.
The Original Draft Order
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Joe Haden (No. 7, Cleveland Browns) – A shutdown corner in college, Haden was the first defensive back taken in 2010.
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Maurkice Pouncey (No. 18, Pittsburgh Steelers) – A versatile and athletic center, Pouncey was seen as a long-term anchor for an offensive line.
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Tim Tebow (No. 25, Denver Broncos) – The most polarizing player of the draft, Tebow was a two-time national champion and Heisman winner but faced skepticism about his NFL potential.
Now, let’s redraft these Gators based on their actual NFL production, longevity, and impact.
1. Maurkice Pouncey (Originally No. 18) – New Top Pick
If teams knew then what we know now, Maurkice Pouncey would have been the first Gator off the board—and possibly a top-10 pick. Pouncey became one of the best centers of his era, making nine Pro Bowls and earning two First-Team All-Pro selections over his 11-year career, all with the Steelers. He was a model of consistency, anchoring Pittsburgh’s offensive line through multiple playoff runs, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2010.
Pouncey’s durability (despite a few injury setbacks), leadership, and elite play make him the clear top choice in a redraft. Centers rarely go in the top 10, but Pouncey’s career justifies it.
2. Joe Haden (Originally No. 7) – Still a High First-Rounder
Joe Haden lived up to his draft stock, even if he wasn’t quite a perennial All-Pro. He was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Browns before rejuvenating his career with the Steelers. Haden was a reliable No. 1 corner for most of his career, totaling 29 interceptions and 101 pass breakups over 12 seasons.
While not quite in the “elite shutdown corner” tier like Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman, Haden was a very good starter for a long time. In a redraft, he likely still goes in the top 15, just not ahead of Pouncey.
3. Tim Tebow (Originally No. 25) – A Late-Round Pick in Hindsight
Tim Tebow is the toughest evaluation. His college greatness didn’t translate to the NFL, but his brief moments of success (like the 2011 playoff win over Pittsburgh) keep him from being labeled a complete bust. However, his limitations as a passer made him unplayable as a long-term starter.
In a redraft, Tebow would not go in the first round. Some team might still take a flier on him in the third or fourth round due to his leadership and athleticism, but his actual NFL career—16 games started, 47.9% completion rate in Denver, and a short-lived stint with the Jets—proves he wasn’t worth a first-round investment.
How the 2010 Draft Class Shook Out
Looking beyond just the Gators, the 2010 first round had some major hits (Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Trent Williams) and misses (Sam Bradford, Tyson Alualu). Pouncey stacks up as one of the best players from the entire draft, while Haden remains a solid starter-level pick. Tebow, meanwhile, is remembered more for his cultural impact than his on-field production.
Final Redraft Order for Florida’s First-Rounders
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Maurkice Pouncey (Top 10 pick) – Elite longevity and accolades.
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Joe Haden (Mid-first round) – Very good but not transcendent.
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Tim Tebow (Day 3 pick) – A backup/QB project, not a franchise guy.The 2010 draft class shows how hard it is to project NFL success. Pouncey exceeded expectations, Haden met his, and Tebow fell short. If teams could do it over, Pouncey would be the crown jewel of Florida’s first-round trio, while Tebow’s draft position would plummet. Haden’s steady career keeps him in the first round, just not as high as he went originally.
This exercise reinforces how unpredictable the draft can be—even for players from a dominant college program like Florida.
