NFL Draft 2011: 5 Players Whose Stock Will Rise at the NFL Combine

With the NFL Combine getting underway, many players are getting ready to show off their natural abilities. The NFL Combine will be showcasing the best young talent in America on their way to the NFL Draft.

Many players will be looking to impress scouts and general managers, but not all will succeed. 

With that, here are five players who will jump off the charts at the 2011 NFL Combine.

5. Tyron Smith OT, Southern California

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7: Tyron Smith #70 of the USC Trojans stretches before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. USC won 14-9. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Tyron Smith is probably the most athletic offensive tackle present at the NFL Combine. At 6'5" and 295 pounds, Smith is one of the quickest tackles in this class.

He was able to add 15 pounds to his frame since the end of the season, and even though he played on the right side at USC, he has all the tools needed to be a left tackle in the NFL.

Tyron will likely explode at the combine, showing off his speed, agility and quickness. The only question regarding Tyron will be if he can maintain that quickness after adding 15 pounds to his frame.

With the tackles in this draft all considered to be in a tight race for the top three spots, expect Tyron Smith to make a case as the No. 2 OT after the Combine.

4. Marvin Austin DT, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 7: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Marvin Austin was in the top 15 of most draft boards prior to the 2010 college football season. However, with his suspension, Austin did not appear in a game for the Tar Heels this season.

Despite that, Austin has everything that you look for in a DT.

In the 2009 season, Austin had 44 tackles for the Tar Heels and added four sacks. At 6'3" and 310 pounds, Austin can certainly throw his weight around, and North Carolina's ability to produce top-end talent on the defensive line has continued through the past few years.

Austin is very quick for a DT and also has solid strength. Austin's draft status has been affected by the fact that he has not been on a football field in a while; however, a dominant performance by him at the combine should propel his draft stock by 10-15 picks.

3. Jake Locker QB, Washington

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Jake Locker is one of those guys that absolutely must have a good combine to avoid a free fall at the 2011 NFL Draft.

Locker came into the year as one of the leading candidates for the No. 1 pick; however, he had a very poor year and his stock has slipped as low as the third round.

Locker possesses all the physical tools that you want in a QB: He has a strong arm and is very mobile.  However, at times, Locker's accuracy has been nowhere to be found.

The good news for Locker is that he is a guy that looks better in shorts and a t-shirt than he does in game settings. Locker is going to show off his speed and will likely be faster than a lot of the running backs at the combine.

Locker will also showcase his arm and show teams that he has the potential to be an NFL QB. Locker should also interview well, as he is one of the more mature QBs in the draft, especially compared to Ryan Mallett.

The combine likely will not secure a first-round selection for Locker, but anything is possible.

2. Cameron Newton QB, Auburn

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers points out the defense of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Simply said, Cam Newton is the talk of the town in Indianapolis this week. Scouts are drooling over the ability to watch Newton close up.

Newton is a physical monster and will be the QB most likely to stand out at the combine. With a rare blend of speed, strength and a cannon for an arm, Newton is going to explode at the combine.

With media members, including Gil Brandt, coming out and saying that they believe Newton will be the first overall selection at the NFL draft, the combine becomes even more important for Cam.

Everyone knows that Newton has the tools to be a successful NFL QB—the only question mark that really surrounds him is his decision-making abilities, due to the fact that he came from a spread offense.

However, Ryan Mallett is the only true pro-style QB expected to be drafted in the first two rounds, and there are a lot of question marks surrounding his maturity. 

With that being said, if teams want to draft a QB in the first round, they are going to be taking a QB from the spread offense who is most likely to adapt his game to the one that is played in the NFL.

That player is Cam Newton.

1. Robert Quinn DE/OLB, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Thaddeus Lewis #9 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

The second player on this list from the University of North Carolina and another one of the players that was forced to sit out the entire 2010 season due to suspension, Robert Quinn is an absolute freak of nature, athletically that is, and will be sure to stand out at the combine.

Mike Mayock recently reported this week that Robert Quinn could put himself in play for the No. 1 overall selection by the end of the combine. Mike Mayock isn't the only guy that is drooling over Quinn's abilities, as many analysts had him plugged in as a surefire top-three selection before his suspension.

Robert Quinn has very good acceleration as he is quick off the line and has solid top-end speed for a defensive end as well. Quinn likely added additional strength during his time off the field, spending a lot of additional time in the gym.

Quinn will dominate in drills that showcase his quickness and agility, including the shuttle and the three-cone drill.

With big combine performances out of both Cam Newton and Robert Quinn, expect these two names to be in the conversation with Nick Fairley and Da'Quan Bowers for the No. 1 overall selection.