2011 NFL Draft
Freaks of Nature
- Ten Freak of Nature
Prospects
- Ten Great Value Picks
- Ten Big Names Who'll Go
Late
- Ten Unknowns You Must Know
Ten players, besides Cam Newton and Julio Jones,
who have otherworldly skills. Among some of the
best athletes in the world, these prospects
stand out.
1. WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt 6-4, 228
A receiver who’s built like a tight end, he has the look and the bulk to be an Andre Johnson-type size-wise, and he’s physical enough to use his size well. However, he’s not nearly as fast as a top-shelf target needs to be, isn’t all that quick, and has a knucklehead streak that’ll turn off some, but he’s a great athlete, can jump out of the stadium, and has enough pure football talent to be a potential superstar. One of the toughest calls in the draft, he could be a Pro Bowl talent if he wants it and if he turns into a workout warrior who takes to coaching. If he doesn’t bring the effort, which is a legitimate concern, he could be maddeningly inconsistent.
CFN Projection: Second Round
2. WR Greg Little, North Carolina 6-2, 231
A high school superstar who could’ve gone anywhere and was a major coup for North Carolina, Little is a tremendous athlete, freakishly strong, and great at using his size to beat people up as a blocker. Smooth as glass, even though he doesn’t look like it body-wise, he runs well, isn’t afraid to take a shot across the middle in the name of another yard, and has all the skills to be a great slot receiver. He’s not all that tall, isn’t a blazer, and has an attitude for good and bad, but it’s all there to be a very productive, very good player for a long time.
CFN Projection: Second Round
3. OLB Dontay Moch, Nevada 6-1, 248
He might not be all that big and he can’t be a defensive end, but he’s a peerless athlete. Von Miller might have a good burst and Bruce Carter, when healthy, might be as fluid as they come, but no one in this draft moves like Moch, who blew up a 42-inch vertical leap and ripped off a 4.46 at the Combine; he uses the wheels well as a tremendous closer on the quarterback. He’s a willing run stopper who’ll try to hold up against the run, but his money will be made as a playmaker into the backfield. Now he needs to be more creative and has to figure out how to hone his craft after spending his career destroying WAC opponents by simply being faster and more athletic. Get a good block on him and he’ll stay hit, but he’ll spend most of his time flying around blockers.
CFN Projection: Third Round
4. WR Edmund Gates, Abilene Christian 5-11, 192
On the plus side, he’s still scratching the surface. On the negative, he’s going to be 25. The former basketball player has all-world speed and can blow past anyone, but he’s not just going to be a track guy playing football. With a great attitude and high character, he’ll do what’s needed to be better and work on the little things. He is hardly polished, is too old, and isn’t big, but he’s a special athlete and he should be a home run hitter who thrives as a No. 3 deep threat who can exploit single coverage.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round
5. DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State 6-1, 303
Prospects who destroy the weight room at the NFL Combine rarely work out well as real, live players, but Paea should be the exception. One of the strongest players to ever enter the NFL, he threw 49 reps of 225 up like he was benching a broom. A true nose with quickness to go along with his strength, he can also work in a 4-3 without a problem. He can beat up centers and can rip into the backfield with a variety of decent moves, but he needs to keep developing. While he might not be a franchise anchor, he won’t be heard from for long stretches, and he won’t go to Hawaii every year, he’ll always bring the effort and he’ll be a productive lineman for a decade.
CFN Projection: Second Round
6. CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado 6-2, 211
Very big, very athletic, and very fast, Smith has the tools that scouts dream about. He measured even bigger than expected at the Combine, flashed a 4.44 in the 40, and threw up 24 reps on the bench. While his future is as a safety with his size and range, he’s going to be a corner right away thanks to his measureables. Smooth as a three-day beard with the working definition of tight hips, he doesn’t cut well and doesn’t look quite as fluid as you’d like for a corner. While he’ll be great against the bigger, fast receivers, he’ll have problems against the jitterbug-quick targets he can’t get his hands on. Again, his future is brightest as a free safety, but he should be solid right away no matter where he plays if, and it’s a big if, he keep his attitude in check and can absorb an NFL playbook. He’s not exactly in the running for the Rhodes Scholarship.
CFN Projection: Second Round
7. SS Robert Sands, West Virginia 6-4, 217 (Jr.)
One of the most interesting prospects in the draft, he’s huge, long, and very cut. There’s almost no fat on him and he’s able to use his frame and look as an intimidating force. A major-league hitter, arguably the best among the 2011 defensive backs, he blows up anyone with the ball, but that’s not always a plus. He tries for the highlight reel hit way too often and has the attitude that makes him want to be showy when making the routine play would do. Not strong enough, he has to hit the weight room hard to hold up better against the run. Still raw, he needs time and coaching, but the upside it limitless.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round
8. TE Virgil Green, Nevada 6-3, 249
The tight end star of the Combine, he made jaws drop with his special athleticism highlighted by a 42” vertical and a 10’10” broad jump. The 4.56 40 wasn’t bad, either. While he’s not all that big and he’s not going to beat anyone up, he’s such a great athlete and he’s such a strong pass catcher that he could be the focal point of a passing game. He could be scratching the surface on what he can become now that he’ll be a part of a pro-style attack, but he’s more of an H-Back than a true tight end. He won’t be for anyone.
CFN Projection: Third Round
9. SS Jeron Johnson, Boise State (SS) 5-10, 212
Athletic and tough, he has the raw tools and ability, helped by 23 reps on the bench, to be a solid strong safety. He moves well and he’s built for the position with a thick frame and a compact hitting ability. Experienced, he was a regular over the last four seasons for the strong Bronco secondary and was ultra-productive. While he’s a big hitter, he’s going to knock himself out of games. He didn’t at Boise State, but he might be too physical for his own good. Yes, he’s athletic, but he’s not going to do too much against the pass.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round
10. CB Chris Culliver, South Carolina (FS) 6-0, 199
Speed, speed, speed, speed, speed. In a draft class full of decent runners, Culliver takes it to another level timing in the sub-4.4s while flying through the ball drills at the Combine. He’s built well and has the strength and leaping ability to make scouts drool, he has to prove he can put it all together on the field. Talent-wise, he’s not really an NFL corner and he’s not really a safety with mediocre tackling skills and poor ball instincts. Always banged up, he’ll be a regular in the training room. Someone will be fired up to have him and he’ll impress in practices by flying all over the field, but he’ll be disappointing when the lights go on.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round
- Ten Freak of Nature
Prospects
- Ten Great Value Picks
- Ten Big Names Who'll Go
Late
- Ten Unknowns You Must Know