2011 NFL Draft
Big Names, Low Picks
- Ten Freak of Nature
Prospects
- Ten Great Value Picks
- Ten Big Names Who'll Go
Late
- Ten Unknowns You Must Know
Ten huge college football names that will be
taken late in the draft, or not at all.
1. QB Greg McElroy, Alabama 6-2, 220
There’s no questioning his smarts, just missing out on becoming a Rhodes Scholar, and he’s mega-tough, but he doesn’t have a great arm and he has limited tools. A great leader who happened to be a perfect fit for a national title team, he was great at being a game manager - and not in a bad way - keeping the mistakes to a minimum. There’s nothing there to think he can be a regular starter, but he could have a good career as a reliable backup.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round
2. QB Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech 6-1, 217
Height, height, height. Other than Drew Brees, find a current NFL quarterback who struggles to measure past six feet tall and is a success. Taylor is a very tough, very good leader who runs extremely well, and he improved in a big way from when he came to Virginia Tech as nothing more than a pure athlete. He’s the type of high-character quarterback who would be a great main man for a franchise, but he simply doesn’t have NFL quarterback skills. No, he’s not a receiver.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round
3. WR Jeff Maehl, Oregon 6-1, 190
There’s no NFL talent whatsoever, he too slow in the 40, he’s too thin, and he can’t lift a weight, but he’s a decent athlete who cuts well and has phenomenal hands. Always open – ALWAYS open – and always coming up with the big play needed, everyone will want him for the practice squad. While he’s not big and looks like he should get shoved around, he gets into the second level well and he finds the holes. On the right team he could become a quarterback’s best friend.
CFN Projection: Free Agent
4. RB John Clay, Wisconsin 6-1, 230 (Jr.)
While he got in better shape to up his stock, he’s a hamburger away from ballooning up again with way too much bad weight. However, even though he played with a spare tire, he brought peerless power and stunning breakaway speed for a player of his size as one of the nation’s most productive backs over the last few years. With his style, though, he was beaten on and always seems to have issues with his ankles and knees. Fumbles were a problem for a time, and if he can’t hang on to the ball as a short-yardage back, he won’t last long. He’s worth drafting for his power, but he’ll only work if he keeps his weight down to under 250.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round
5. OLB Mark Herzlich, Boston College (ILB) 6-4, 244
Before having to undergo his battle with cancer he was considered a sure-thing top ten pick and possibly the No. 1 overall prospect going into the 2009 season. While he’s a player to root for and he’s as hard a worker as any linebacker in the draft, he lost something in the fight. The weight room strength is there and he’s always going 100 miles per hour on the field, but he doesn’t have anywhere near the same speed or quickness he used to. On character and want-to, he can play on an NFL defense and be a good run defender and a productive part-time starter, but he’s not nearly the special player he once was.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round
6. RB Roy Helu, Jr., Nebraska 5-11, 219
There’s something missing. He’s a big back with blazing speed, and he’s one of the few true home run hitting backs in the draft. With great moves, nice wiggle, and with a one cut and gone burst, the measurables are all there. However, what he isn’t is powerful and runs way too softly for a player of his size. He’ll come up with a big game – like he did against Missouri in 2010 – and then he’ll disappear. There’s a great chance he could be far better as a pro, but he has to show he can be consistent.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round
7. QB Taylor Potts, Texas Tech 6-4, 216
It’s not saying much, but Potts is expected to be the best pro prospect out of all the recent stat-sheet fillers from Texas Tech. He has excellent size and an accurate arm, and he knows how to spread the ball around. However, he’s not going to put the ball on a line down the field and needs to be in the right system. The raw tools are better than they might appear, but he’ll have a tough time being anything more than a backup.
CFN Projection: Free Agent
8. RB Stevan Ridley, LSU 5-11, 225 (Junior)
A strong, powerful back who provides a thump, he managed to be the only thing that consistently worked for the painful LSU offense. Always working and always coming up with positive yards, he’s a physical producer who’ll come up with a few extra inches after getting stopped. While he’s not speedy and he’s not going to hit any home runs, he’ll be a good complimentary back if there are other fast options to play around with. While he doesn’t do anything at a high level, he’ll be strong enough a runner to get a long look in a backfield.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round
9. TE D.J Williams, Arkansas 6-2, 245
While he’s a bit too small to be an elite NFL tight end, he’s an elite pass catcher who makes up for his shortcomings with impeccable character and by sucking in every throw he can get a hand on. The Mackey Award winner, he was an overrated college player but has enough talent, quickness, and toughness to become a very good No. 2 tight end option. Think Aaron Hernandez but with better blocking skills.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round
10. RB Noel Devine, West Virginia 5-7, 179
It was a bit of a stunner that he came back for his senior year, and then he struggled and went from being an intriguing NFL role player type to being an afterthought. Insanely strong for his size, he should be able bring a little bit of power and he’s quicker than his workouts show. Size is a big issue, even after putting on close to 20 pounds in a hurry over the last few months, and he times slowwwwwww. He fumbles too much, has a hard time staying healthy, and doesn’t have the raw skills. However, he should have some worth as a versatile backup and a kick returner.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round
- Ten Freak of Nature
Prospects
- Ten Great Value Picks
- Ten Big Names Who'll Go
Late
- Ten Unknowns You Must Know