2011 NFL Draft: Power Ranking All 56 Early Entrants
A record 56 underclassmen announced their intention to decline their remaining NCAA eligibility and enter the 2011 NFL Draft
Some players on this list were not a surprise at all.
Some of these players' decisions left people wondering, "What are you thinking?"
Some will be selected in the first round.
Other may not be drafted at all, leaving them to become free agents.
The following is a power ranking of all 56 early entrants.
This is not a Mock Draft that necessarily forecasts the order that these players will be selected or in what round they will go.
This is listing ranks these 56 players in terms of their comparative skills and abilities in the NFL.
56. Nick Claytor
1 of 56
Georgia Tech
Offensive Tackle
6'6"
304 lbs
5.75 in the 40
Overcame back surgery prior to junior season.
May lack NFL-caliber agility.
55. Javes Lewis
2 of 56
Oregon
Cornerback
6'1"
201 lbs
4.57 in the 40
A 12-game starter in 2009, Lewis backed up safeties John Boyett and Eddie Pleasant in 2010
54. Zane Parr
3 of 56
Virginia
Defensive End
6'4"
281 lbs
4.79 in the 40
Good size, motor and agility.
Started in 11 of 12 games as a junior. Had 48 tackles (8 for loss, 2 sacks).
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53. DeAndre Brown
4 of 56
Southern Mississippi
Wide Receiver
6'6"
233 lbs
4.59 in the 40
Amazing combination of length, size and speed.
Brown was once thought of a "second coming of Randy Moss," but his production has dipped for three straight seasons.
After catching 67 balls for 12 touchdowns in 2008, he declined to 47 receptions and nine scores in 2009 and just 20 grabs with three touchdowns last season.
52. John Clay
5 of 56
Wisconsin
Running Back
6'1"
230 lbs
4.83 in the 40
Seventh in Wisconsin school history with 3,413 career rushing yards—third in school-history with 5.43 yards per rush.
His 41 career rushing touchdowns ranks fifth in school history, as does his 18 career 100-yard rushing games.
51. Jamel Hamler
6 of 56
Fresno State
Wide Receiver
6'2"
195 lbs
4.63 in the 40
One of the WAC's best receivers. Has average speed and athleticism.
Can go across the middle and make tough catches.
50. Darren Evans
7 of 56
Virginia Tech
Running Back
6'0"
227 lbs
4.56 in the 40
Had a monster year as a redshirt freshman. He rushed for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns to earn first-team All-ACC accolades and ACC Rookie of the Year honors.
He suffered a setback in the preseason of 2009, tearing his ACL in practice and thus missed the entire season.
Evans returned and led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns as the Hokies won the ACC title.
Ran for 854 yards and 11 touchdowns, starting nine games. For his career, he rushed for 2,119 yards and 22 touchdowns. His yardage total is the 16th-most in school history.
49. Sealver Siliga
8 of 56
Utah
Defensive Tackle
6'2"
305 lbs
5.35 in the 40
Honorable mention All-MWC and team captain.
Plays low, with a strong base. His agility, length and hustle are intriguing for team that runs a 4-3 and that is looking for depth on the nose.
48. Dion Lewis
9 of 56
Pittsburgh
Running Back
5'7"
195 lbs
4.56 in the 40
Rushed for 2,860 yards in just two seasons at Pitt.
Became the first player since Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick in 1999 to earn Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.
CollegeFootballNews.com Offensive Freshman of the Year.
47. Darvin Adams
10 of 56
Auburn
Wide Receiver
6'3"
185 lbs
4.56 in the 40
Length helps him take advantage of match-ups against smaller defenders downfield.
Gets up high to snatch passes out of the air, wins jump-ball opportunities down the sideline.
Finished the 2010 season as Auburn's leading receiver with 52 catches for 963 yards (18.5 yards per catch) and seven receiving touchdowns.
46. Jamie Harper
11 of 56
Clemson
Running Back
5'11"
233 lbs
4.53 in the 40
Strong, well-built player able to handle NFL punishment.
Had 1,277 yards in 291 carries and 11 touchdowns and 46 catches for 378 yards and three touchdowns in his Clemson career.
45. Tori Gurley
12 of 56
South Carolina
Wide Receiver
6'4"
216 lbs
4.53 in the 40
Good enough size and strength to break free from the jam at the line.
Decent 2010 stats: 44 catches for 465 yards and four touchdowns.
44. Will Hill
13 of 56
Florida
Safety
6'1"
207 lbs
4.64 in the 40
Legitimate NFL-caliber athlete. Prototypical combination of size, speed and leaping ability.
Has struggled with consistency throughout his career at Florida.
Was suspended for the first two games of the 2010 season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Cited his three children as a primary reason why he left Gainsville early.
43. Henry Hynoski
14 of 56
Pittsburgh
Fullback
6'0"
257 lbs
5.06 in the 40
Seldom used to carry or catch the ball. Primarily used as a blocking back or H-Back.
In 2010, Hynoski rushed 12 times for 33 yards and caught 25 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown.
42. Tom Keiser
15 of 56
Stanford
Linebacker
6'5"
244 lbs
4.84 in the 40
Earned first team freshman All-America honors by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News.
Versatility allows for him to move up to play some DE. Had 15 career sacks from his linebacker position.
41. Brandon Burton
16 of 56
Utah
Cornerback
6'0"
185 lbs
4.5 in the 40
Good speed, quick feet and length.
Second-team all-MWC in 2010. Led Utah and tied for fifth in the league. Had eight pass breakups and two interceptions, which tied for ninth in the MWC.
40. Jerrard Tarrant
17 of 56
Georgia Tech
Safety
6'0"
204 lbs
4.57 in the 40
Considered a a corner/safety 'tweener' by some.
Served as kick returner, running back a pair of punts for touchdowns in 2009.
Led the team with three interceptions in 2010, including a 33-yard touchdown return, with three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
39. Lawrence Guy
18 of 56
Arizona State
Defensive Tackle
6'4"
305 lbs
4.96 in the 40
Good size and physicality.
Routinely double-teamed at Arizona State because of a lack of supporting talent.
Statistics are solid—122 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 35 games.
38. Stevan Ridley
19 of 56
LSU
Running Back
5'11"
225 lbs
4.65 in the 40
Tough, powerful runner. Runs with good forward lean and leg drive. Never takes a snap off. Good pass blocker.
Rushed for 1,147 yards and scored 15 touchdowns for an offense that featured little passing prowess to keep defenders out of the box.
37. Tandon Doss
20 of 56
Indiana
Wide Receiver
6'2"
201 lbs
4.56 in the 40
During the 2010, Doss led the Big Ten and finished fourth nationally with 175.8 all-purpose yards per game.
He closed out the year with 63 receptions, 706 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, 1,016 kick return yards, 163 rushing yards and 49 punt return yards.
In 2009, he was selected first team All-Big Ten by the conference media and second team by the league's coaches.
Great hands and ability to concentrate in traffic.
36. Jacquizz Rodgers
21 of 56
Oregon State
Running Back
5'6"
196 lbs
4.59 in the 40
Sporting News National Freshman and Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year
One of only three running backs in conference history to earn first-team All-Pac-10 honors three times, and is sixth in conference history in rushing (3,877 yards).
35. Jordan Todman
22 of 56
Connecticut
Running Back
5'9"
195 lbs
4.4 in the 40
2010 Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
Third in career rushing at UConn with 3,179 yards and tied for third in rushing touchdowns with 31.
First UConn running back to rush for 1,000 yards or more in two seasons.
34. Jurrell Casey
23 of 56
USC
Defensive Tackle
6'1"
305 lbs
5.04 in the 40
Relentless. Excellent burst off the line and strength. Tough to move off the line.
Can shock the pass blocker with his initial punch and shows a variety of pass-rush moves.
33. Greg Little
24 of 56
North Carolina
Wide Receiver
6'2"
220 lbs
4.51 in the 40
Suspended for the entire 2010 season by the NCAA for maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an agent.
Exceptional size and speed. Has played RB and QB. Still developing as a route-runner.
Posted a team-high 62 catches for 724 yards and five touchdowns in 2009.
32. Shane Vereen
25 of 56
California
Running Back
5'10"
205 lbs
4.49 in the 40
Standout runner, receiver and returner for the Golden Bears.
More powerful than his frame would indicate. Runs low in short-yardage situations, lunging through the gaps to sneak through for first downs and at the goal-line.
Fifth in school history with 4,069 all-purpose yards. Had 551 kickoff return yards on 24 attempts.
31. Robert Sands
26 of 56
West Virginia
Safety
6'4"
217 lbs
4.53 in the 40
Two-time first-team All-Big East play-maker. Collected 53 tackles in 2010, including 34 solo stops, 1.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
For his three-year career, he registered 151 tackles, including 88 unassisted tackles, 1.5 sacks and 10.0 tackles for loss. He forced two fumbles, one fumble recovery, six interceptions and eight pass breakups.
30. Martez Wilson
27 of 56
Illinois
Linebacker
6'4"
250 lbs
4.42 in the 40
First-team All-Big Ten honors with 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Great size, length and speed.
Gap-attacking defender who uses his length to bring down most backs in the hole.
29. Jonathan Baldwin
28 of 56
Pittsburgh
Wide Receiver
6'4"
228 lbs
4.49 in the 40
Exceptional size, length and speed.
Two-time first-team All-Big East performer, finished the 2010 season with 53 catches for 822 yards and five touchdowns.
His career receiving yardage total of 2,337 ranks sixth all-time at Pitt, while his receptions total of 128 ranks eighth.
28. Tyler Sash
29 of 56
Iowa
Safety
6'0"
211 lbs
4.62 in the 40
Ranks fifth in Iowa career interceptions with 13. Holds Iowa career record and ranks fourth all-time in the Big Ten Conference with 392 interception return yards.
Underrated speed. Always looking for run keys from two-deep position. Closes to the ball quickly.
27. Ryan Williams
30 of 56
Virginia Tech
Running Back
5'9"
212 lbs
4.59 in the 40
Record-breaking year as a redshirt freshman.
Rushed for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns to earn first-team All-ACC accolades and ACC Rookie of the Year honors.
Missed several games in 2010 due to a hamstring injury.
26. Rahim Moore
31 of 56
UCLA
Safety
6'0"
202 lbs
4.58 in the 40
Good instincts and overall athleticism. Classic ball hawk.
Led the country with 10 interceptions in 2009.
Named 2010 first-team All-America by The Sporting News.
25. Mikel Leshoure
32 of 56
Illinois
Running Back
6'0"
227 lbs
4.56 in the 40
Thick upper- and lower-body build. Very strong runner who is difficult for one defender to bring down.
Finished his career tied for sixth on the Illinois career-rushing list with 2,557 yards, just ahead of former-Illini greats and current NFL running backs Pierre Thomas (2,545 yards) and Rashard Mendenhall (2,539 yards).
24. Ryan Mallett
33 of 56
Arkansas
Quarterback
6'7"
253 lbs
5.37 in the 40
Might be the most intriguing quarterback available in the 2011 NFL Draft.
One of the most strong and accurate passers in the Draft.
Size has positives (vision) and negatives (agility and quickness).
Has 7,493 career passing yards. His 158.1 career passing efficiency ranking is the third-highest in SEC history
23. Torrey Smith
34 of 56
Maryland
Wide Receiver
6'1"
204 lbs
4.41 in the 40
Good size, speed and burst off the snap.
Ability to extend and pluck the ball out of the air. Long arms and good body control.
Can make the difficult reception of a poorly thrown ball.
22. Marvin Austin
35 of 56
North Carolina
Defensive Tackle
6'2"
309 lbs
4.84 in the 40
Suspended for the entire 2010 season by the NCAA for maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an agent.
Nice initial burst off the snap.
Good upper- and lower-body strength to hold up at the point of attack.
More than adequate strength to pull down ball-carriers while being occupied by blockers.
21. Randall Cobb
36 of 56
Kentucky
Wide Receiver
5'10"
191 lbs
4.46 in the 40
Jack-of-all-trades skill set. Made the All-SEC Freshman team as a quarterback in 2008.
Moved to receiver as a sophomore, where he was All-SEC as an "all-purpose performer," averaging almost 140 yards per game in offense and kick/punt returns.
In 2010, Cobb pulled down 84 catches for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns, not to mention an additional 424 yards rushing with five touchdowns and 955 combined yards returning punts and kicks.
20. Justin Houston
37 of 56
Georgia
Linebacker
6'3"
270 lbs
4.62 in the 40
Former defensive end. Became a stand-up pass rusher in Georgia's new 3-4 scheme in 2010.
Emerged as one of the most feared pass rushers in the SEC in 2010. He had 67 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and finished second in the conference, behind Auburn's Nick Fairley, with 10 sacks.
Named All-SEC First Team by Associated Press, SEC Coaches, Phil Steele, and Rivals.com.
19. Akeem Ayers
38 of 56
UCLA
Linebacker
6'3"
254 lbs
4.81 in the 40
Excellent size and athleticism.
Good burst off the snap as a stand-up and hand-down rusher.
Earned second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Was also a first-team All-Pac-10 selection.
18. Brandon Harris
39 of 56
Miami
Cornerback
5'10"
191 lbs
4.46 in the 40
Named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back) twice in his career (2009, 2010).
Played in 39 games and started 32 in his three seasons at Miami, recording 132 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions, five forced fumbles, two sacks and 28 pass break-ups in his career.
17. Aaron Williams
40 of 56
Texas
Cornerback
6'0"
204 lbs
4.55 in the 40
His size makes him a prototypical outside corner.
Reads routes well and starts to close when receivers throttle down.
Named to Nagurski Trophy and Thorpe Award watch lists. Named second-team All-Big 12 by the league's coaches, the Associated Press and the San Antonio Express-News.
16. Kyle Rudolph
41 of 56
Notre Dame
Tight End
6'6"
265 lbs
4.78 in the 40
Runs like a receiver, stretching the field vertically and pressing safeties and linebackers before stopping on square-in.
Has the size to be an effective in-line blocker.
Totaled 28 catches for 328 yards and three touchdowns in 2010 due to season-ending hamstring injury.
15. Mark Ingram
42 of 56
Alabama
Running Back
5'9"
215 lbs
4.62 in the 40
2009 Heisman Trophy winner. Alabama's career leader in rushing touchdowns.
Possesses the ideal frame and running-style for running between the tackles.
Reliable receiver out of the backfield.
Ingram missed the first two games of 2010 with a knee injury, and then rushed for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns in the remaining nine games.
14. Muhammad Wilkerson
43 of 56
Temple
Defensive Tackle
6'4"
315 lbs
4.96 in the 40
2010 first-team All-MAC honoree.
Potential to be very explosive off the snap.
Overwhelmed college tackles with size and strength, then chased down quarterbacks with his length and nimble feet.
13. Corey Liuget
44 of 56
Illinois
Defensive Tackle
6'2"
298 lbs
4.97 in the 40
Stout defender who plays with a strong base. Penetrates into the backfield with quickness.
His hustle and ability to stay low make him difficult to escape within or outside the pocket.
Recorded 63 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks in 2010.
12. Aldon Smith
45 of 56
Missouri
Defensive End
6'4"
263 lbs
4.74 in the 40
A knack for getting to the quarterback.
Missed three games in 2010 with a fractured right fibula.
Returned with a big splash, snagging a big interception in the Tigers' upset over then-No. 1 Oklahoma. He finished the season with 48 tackles, 10 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks.
Uses his long, strong arms to wrap up quarterbacks and ball-carriers in the backfield.
11. J. J. Watt
46 of 56
Wisconsin
Defensive End
6'5"
290 lbs
4.81 in the 40
2010 AP and SI second-team All-American, consensus first-team All-Big Ten.
Flashes quickness off the snap and willingness to pop and knock back opponents. Flashes strength to shed blocks and bull through double teams.
Led team in TFLs, sacks, quarterback hurries, forced fumbles and blocked kicks. Second on team in tackles, pass breakups and passes defended. Tied for sixth in school history with 21.0 tackles for loss in single season, 91 TFL yards ranks seventh.
10. Nick Fairley
47 of 56
Auburn
Defensive Tackle
6'4"
291 lbs
4.84 in the 40
Consensus All-American in 2010 and was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.
Recorded 60 tackles, including a school-record 24.0 tackles for loss, with 11.5 quarterback sacks in 2010.
Explosive initial burst off the snap to penetrate gaps. Very good hand strength to rip through blocks. Good strength for the pull-down and trip-up tackle.
9. Tyron Smith
48 of 56
USC
Offensive Tackle
6'5"
307 lbs
4.91 in the 40
Should be the first offensive lineman drafted.
2010 All-Pac-10 first team.
Good strength, mobility and balance.
Quick off the snap and can catch and turn his opponent away from the play.
Not yet 21-years-old, so still plenty of time to develop.
8. Julio Jones
49 of 56
Alabama
Wide Receiver
6'3"
220 lbs
4.34 in the 40
Could be the most complete receiver in the draft. Proved his toughness by playing through various injuries over his career.
Willing to run routes across the middle and take a big hit to make the catch.
Started 40 games in his three-year career and was able to leave his mark on the Alabama record books, exiting with the single-season record for yards (1,133) and receptions (78).
He finished second in career (2,653) yards and receptions (179).
7. Da'Quan Bowers
50 of 56
Clemson
Defensive End
6'3"
280 lbs
4.84 in the 40
Ready-made strong-side NFL defensive end because of his strength as a run-stopper.
Has explosive strength on the edge, bringing his full force in his hand punch to the chest of overmanned college tackles on bull rushes and when shedding blocks.
Second on Clemson team in tackles (63), and led in tackles for loss (24), sacks (15.5) an quarterback pressures (17). His 24 tackles for loss resulted in 150 lost yards for Clemson's opponents.
6. Robert Quinn
51 of 56
North Carolina
Defensive End
6'4"
265 lbs
4.62 in the 40
Suspended for the entire 2010 season by the NCAA for maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an agent.
Can explode off the snap and fly by offensive tackles. Opponents have to gameplan around his burst off the edge.
Good use of hands to pop the offensive lineman and shed the block.
Arrives with a bang as a tackler. Forced eight fumbles in only two seasons.
In 2009, Quinn ranked first in the ACC and 15th in the country in tackles for losses with 19.0 and was second in the league and 16th in the nation in sacks with 11.0.
5. Blaine Gabbert
52 of 56
Missouri
Quarterback
6'4"
234 lbs
4.61 in the 40
Won 18 games in his two years as the starting quarterback for Mizzou, including 10 wins in 2010, which represented only the fourth 10-win season in 120 years of MU football history.
In 31 career games at Mizzou, Gabbert threw for 6,822 yards, which is fourth-most in MU history, while his 40 career touchdown passes ranks as third-best in school history.
His career pass efficiency rating of 132.59 is also the second-highest in Mizzou history.
Has a solid NFL arm giving him the capability to stretch the field horizontally and vertically.
Quick release. Makes plays outside the pocket and able to pick up more than a first down on the run.
4. A.J. Green
53 of 56
Georgia
Wide Receiver
6'4"
211 lbs
4.48 in the 40
Second in school history with 23 touchdown catches and third with 2,542 receiving yards.
As a freshman, Green led the Bulldogs with 56 receptions for 963 yards and eight scores in earning the conference's Freshman of the Year and second-team All-SEC from the league's coaches.
Long arms, big, soft hands and excellent body control.
Terrific jump ball threat and has the straight line speed to work the deep part of the field.
3. Patrick Peterson
54 of 56
LSU
Cornerback
6'0"
219 lbs
4.31 in the 40
A consensus All-America in 2010. Was also the Southeastern Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year in 2010.
In 39 games, Peterson recorded 135 tackles, 22 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
As a return specialist, he finished with 418 punt returns yards and two touchdowns to go with 932 kickoff return yards.
2. Cam Newton
55 of 56
Auburn
Quarterback
6'5"
248 lbs
4.56 in the 40
Named first-team AP All-America and the AP Player of the Year. Won the Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien Award and the Mawell Award. Named 2010 Walter Camp Football Foundation First Team All-American and 2010 AFCA Coaches' All-America Team.
Became the first player in SEC history and the eighth different player in NCAA history to reach totals of 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in a single season.
Passed for 2,874 yards and 30 touchdowns (against only seven interceptions) and rushed for another 1,473 yards and 20 scores.
Plenty of arm strength to make all of the NFL throws. Needs to continue to develop in learning to read coverage.
Possesses rare overall strength, size and speed.
1. Marcell Dareus
56 of 56
Alabama
Defensive End
6'3"
319 lbs
4.93 in the 40
Dareus burst onto the national scene with his MVP performance in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game against Texas.
All-SEC First Team in 2010, Dareus required double teams on almost every play from opposing offenses and finished the season with 34 tackles, 11 for a loss, and 4 1/2 sacks.
A powerful defensive end who can also slide inside in passing situations.
Tremendous pass rusher who can play the run as well. An ideal fit inside in a 4-3 scheme.
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