Without a pick in the top ten for the first time since 2006, the Demons opted to fill key forward spots with their first two selections. Top pick Lucas Cook didn't play a match in his first season but second and fourth picks Jeremy Howe and Tom McDonald both made appearances during the year.
Two of the players taken in the rookie draft, Daniel Nicholson and Michael Evans also made their debut during the year.
Tom McNamara was redrafted as a rookie with Melbourne's last pick in that draft after being delisted at the end of the 2010 season.
| Received | From | Exchange | |
| Pick 52 | Hawthorn | Kyle Cheney | |
2010 AFL National Draft
| Selection | Player | From | Games |
| 12 | Lucas Cook | North Ballarat Rebels | 0 |
| 33 | Jeremy Howe | Hobart | 100 |
| 50 | Troy Davis | Geelong Falcons | 2 |
| 53 | Tom McDonald | North Ballarat Rebels | * |
2010 AFL Pre-Season Draft
No selections
2010 AFL Rookie Draft
| Selection | Player | From | Games |
| 14 | Daniel Nicholson | University Blues/East Ballarat | 32 |
| 31 | Michael Evans | Marist Juniors/Claremont | 16 |
| 48 | Kelvin Lawrence | Rockingham Jnrs/Peel Thunder | 0 |
| 63 | Cameron Johnston | St Josephs/Geelong Falcons | 0 |
| 75 | Robert Campbell | Hawthorn/Box Hill | 0 |
| 83 | Tom McNamara | Melbourne | 1 |
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