NFL Draft 2011: 10 Players Most Likely To Be Overdrafted

With the 2011 NFL Draft fast approaching, mock drafts are entering hyper-drive in attempt to solve the riddle that is the first round. The draft season running from January-April is a time where All-Star games and 40 times can make or break a players stock. Yet the biggest mistake one can make is to over value the pre-draft buzz while overlooking one's overall body of work. This is not to say talent can not be unearthed during the draft season, but only after careful consideration of the players tape.

Here is a look at the 10 players most likely to be overdrafted:

1. QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri - Top quarterback in the draft, but more of a good than a great prospect. Has excellent physical tools but fails to wow on tape. Background in the spread and struggles throwing downfield will slow his development.

2. QB Cam Newton, Auburn - There is no denying Newton's rare physical gifts, but spotty passing in workouts shows he has a lot of work ahead of him transitioning to the pro game. Good runner but his powerful style will not translate as well to the pro game, and he is not known for his ability to make throws on the run. The amount of smoke surrounding off-field and leadership concerns is a concern at top 10 money.  

3. DT Phil Taylor, Baylor - Dominating performance at the Senior Bowl has resulted in a meteoric rise into the first round (popular pick at 21st overall to the Chiefs). Yes, he carries his weight well and is an excellent athlete for a NT, but was an inconsistent performer at Baylor who has work ethic concerns. I like his upside and potential as a nose tackle, but more of a 2nd-3rd round talent who is getting pushed up by the lack of nose tackle candidates. 

4. OT Nate Solder, Colorado - Solder is a converted tight end with quick feet and the athleticism to develop into a quality left tackle. Unfortunately, the key word is "develop", as Solder is easily the rawest of the top tackle prospects in the draft. Teams drafting him should not expect an immediate impact.

5. RB Mikel LeShoure, Illinois - Looks the part of a Stephen Jackson type back at 230 pounds but is not as powerful a runner as his size would suggest. Has a tendency to bounce plays outside rather than run through traffic. Also is not overly impressive as a receiver or blocker. 

6. G/C Mike Pouncey, Florida - Pouncey does not make this list because he is a bad prospect but rather because he is not the elite prospect his brother was a year ago.  Has great bloodlines, can make blocks down the line and has the versatility to play all three interior line positions, but is not the dominant performer you expect from a first round guard.

7. DE/OLB Aldon Smith, Missouri - Smith is an intriguing athlete who will be drafted more on potential than production. Has drawn comparisons to DeMarcus Ware, Julian Peterson and John Abraham but is very raw technically, has an inconsistent motor (esp. in pursuit) and may lack the lower body strength to succeed in a 4-3. Tremendous ceiling but has the look of a boom or bust prospect.

8. DE/DT Christian Ballard, Iowa - A better athlete than a football player, Ballard looked tremendous in one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl yet fails to distinguish himself on tape.  

9. CB Aaron Williams, Texas - Looks the part at 6'0, 195 but does not always play up to his measureables. Moves well in coverage but is not overly explosive and does not play as physical as his size would suggest. May not be the best Texas corner in the draft, and there are some who say Williams would be better at free safety.   

10. QB Andy Dalton, TCU - Where is the round one and two buzz coming from? Dalton is a solid game manager who avoids mistakes (27:6 TD:INT ratio in 2010) and possesses great intangibles but has very average tools and comes out of a simple offense with few reads. Has a chance as a developmental West Coast quarterback but does not excite as a future starter.

Note: My apologies for overloading this list with quarterbacks, but the combination of a lockout and the number of teams with needs at the position reaching will be more prevalent than at any other position. 

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on Twitter: nfldraft101