NFL Draft: Bradford goes first, but Tebow steals the story

The Rams picked the Oklahoma Sooner Sam Bradford with their first pick of the 2010 Draft. The Oakland Raiders successfully passed on offense for the first time since MVP Rich Gannon led the team, by taking a ILB at #8. But the major story from the first round of the NFL Draft is that Tim Tebow was selected in the first round by Denver.

Denver is indeed in need of a QB, just holding onto Kyle Orton, but selecting Tim Tebow as the #2 QB at #25 overall in the first round is a shock. His #25 overall position is ahead of the Mel Kiper/Todd McShay 2nd-3rd round value. That's ahead of the player once hyped as the #1 pick, Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen. That's ahead of Colt McCoy. That's probably even just barely ahead of the days when coach Josh McDaniel's name comes up for those on the 'hot seat.'

But Tebow is a great kid. Anytime you listen to him, his upbeat attitude is infectious. It's near disgusting. Despite a killer hit taken by Kentucky's Defensive backs this season, he has a great head on his shoulders. Despite appearing in controversial Super Bowl commercials, you can't not like him. He's VERY well spoken, intelligent, a team player, big hearted, and that's coming from a guy who dislikes Florida nearly as much as the nation hates Notre Dame.

What remains to be seen is if all of Tebow's off the field bonuses can account for his on-field inaccuracies. But like a good recruiting class, you don't know how you've done for a few years with a QB. What remains to be seen is if he can replace the lowly Kyle Orton on the depth chart within the next few years. My guess, Tebow takes over like a Brady Quinn did in Cleveland last season - after the team is out of the playoff picture and doing a poor job when he does it. But if personality and character are any indication of talent, Tebow should be the next Payton Manning.