2011 NFL Draft: 10 Prospects Whose Stock is Plummeting
Eight weeks of football have been played in the NFL.
For scouts and general managers, the offseason and NFL Draft are just around the corner. With only seven weeks of college football left, we take a look at those players whose NFL Draft stock is falling as we near the home stretch toward the offseason.
10. Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi
1 of 10
Powe started the season hot and looked like a potential first-round pick.
His play has leveled off as of late, pushing him back to where we had him before the season: right in the middle of round two.
Powe does offer value as a nose tackle in the 3-4 defense. With the popularity of the 3-4, Powe could push his stock back up with a strong offseason.
9. Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska
2 of 10
Paul has been hot at times this year (see: Oklahoma State game).
But in other spots, he completely disappears (see: Iowa State). Paul is too inconsistent to be considered a real threat at the NFL level.
The 2011 NFL Draft is full of receivers with more consistency and equal physical skills.
8. Jake Locker, QB, Washington
3 of 10
You will hear and see reports about Locker as a player whose stock is rising, and others that say he has fallen to the late first round.
The truth: Somewhere in-between.
Locker came in to 2010 needing to show improved accuracy before he could be considered the No. 1-overall player. Something he has not done.
Without a better showing this season, Locker will find himself drafted in the Tim Tebow range (20-25) come April.
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7. Brandon Saine, RB, Ohio State
4 of 10
We found it mind-boggling that some Web sites had Saine listed in their top 50 before the season.
Saine’s not as fast as listed, doesn’t show great balance or vision and has seen his production fall off greatly.
What he does have going for him is back-breaking speed. In space, Saine can be a threat.
However, he is better listed at 150 instead of 50.
6. Greg Little, WR, North Carolina
5 of 10
There was a time when Little looked like a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
A former running back, Little showed promise as a receiver/return man in 2009, but was an unfinished product. Missing all of 2010 does nothing to help Little’s stock.
The best possible move for Little would be hiring a very savvy agent and attempting to play at the Senior Bowl.
5. Mike Pouncey, OG/OC, Florida
6 of 10
Pouncey moved to center to replace brother Maurkice before the 2010 season—a move that will end up costing him at least one full round in the NFL Draft.
Mike has been terrible in snapping the ball, but he also looks weak and uninterested at times. A move back to guard may help, but Pouncey does not look strong enough for the NFL.
4. Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State
7 of 10
NFL scouts biggest worry with Jones is not his motor, toughness or instincts; it is his lack of size.
In games against Northwestern this year, Jones has been invisible. Many fear his lack of size is causing trouble getting through traffic to make plays.
With the 3-4 defense being the more popular choice of defensive coordinators right now, Jones may find himself falling to day three of the draft.
3. Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
8 of 10
Brown was regarded before the season as one of the most talented corners to ever play for Mack Brown at Texas.
High praise for any player.
Brown has failed to live up to even modest expectations. His play as a punt returner has cost Texas at least one win, while his play at cornerback has been pedestrian all season.
There are serious questions about his ability at the next level.
2. Marvin Austin, DT, UNC
9 of 10
While Austin was, at one point, our No. 1 overall player, losing his entire senior season after accepting cash and gifts from an agent has caused his stock to crash.
Austin will be a scratch on some draft boards for character concerns alone. Austin needs to focus on repairing his image, as well as showing up in shape for workouts this offseason.
1. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
10 of 10
A poor game against future NFL right tackle Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin has us re-evaluating Heyward.
His lack of burst and unimpressive pass-rushing skills have us removing Heyward from our top 10. With more film being broken down, expect NFL general managers to find that Heyward lacks the speed, burst and moves of a top defensive end.
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