2011 NFL Draft: 15 Solid Players Flying Under the Radar
As the NFL season reaches it’s final four, the majority of the league is already thinking about the moves they must make to be playing in late January next year.
The easiest way to do this is through the draft. A team may sign two or three players in free agency, but they pick up around seven players in the draft, and it’s seven guys that are full of potential. It’s also seven guys that are entirely unproven.
As we read and listen to every player’s “upside” and “intangibles” we will also hear about overrated prospects that lack “proper technique” or have “character issues”.
The hardest players to find are the underrated ones. Did they have a bad senior season? Did they get arrested their sophomore year? Do they play for a no-name school?
These are just a few reasons a player can fall down the draft board. Yet the above issues can all be forgotten.
Plenty of stars in the NFL were unheralded in college. Here are a few potential candidates for this year’s draft.
15. Cedric Thornton DT
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He’s got the size, (6’4, 300 lbs) and the ability to get to the QB. He uses his superior strength to bowl over opponents and has decent quickness as well for a defensive tackle.
He would be a late round steal for a team willing to let the Southern Arkansas alum to develop.
14. Robert Housler TE
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The tight end has good size (6’5, 215 lbs), and great hands. He is a dangerous threat once he catches the ball due to his above average speed and natural athleticism. He needs to improve his blocking by bulking up and Housler will be penalized by the fact he played for Florida Atlantic.
He had 629 yards and four TDs his senior season and is a player that could really improve his draft status with a solid combine.
13. Jimmy Smith CB
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The biggest reason he will fall in the draft isn’t Smith’s fault. The 2011 corner back class is loaded and Smith is going to fall to the second or third round because of it.
He almost skipped his senior year but decided to enhance his coverage skills at Colorado. Smith should be able to contribute right away.
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12. Jurrell Casey DT
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He has the appropriate bulk (6’2, 290 lbs) and strength to fit into a 4-3 defensive scheme as the nose tackle. Casey has shown excellent ability to plug gaps and get off the blocks quickly to make plays.
His motor is consistently running and that's a great attribute for a very gifted athlete. Casey is an excellent run defender and should be a solid NFL prospect.
11. William Rackley OL
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He’s a four year offensive line starter from Lehigh who earned First-Team All-Patriot League conference honors after each of the past three seasons, Rackley plays with superior leverage, keeping his feet spread wide and his shockingly long arms stretch-out to control the opponent.
A team with a pick in the fourth round will be happy to have a guy like Rackley.
10. Pat Devlin QB
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Do we have the next Joe Flacco?
This QB from Delaware has a live arm, and his mechanics are flawless. You can tell he is well coached. He is very mobile and has great pocket presence.
He’s got the prototypical size (6’4, 220 lbs) and threw 20 TD passes to only two INTs. He protects the football well and will only drop down the big board because of the school he went to.
Throwing a fouth or fifth round flyer on a guy like this is going to make one NFL team very happy.
9. Adrian Robinson LB
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Robinson has very good size and plays bigger then his listed size of 6’2, 225 lbs.
He does an excellent job of using his hands to shed blockers and looks has outstanding leverage at the point of attack.
He has a plenty of moves to get penetration and is very physical. Robinson is a smart defender and a great choice for a team looking for a linebacker in the third or fourth round.
8. Ben Ijalana OL
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The beastly 6’4, 320 pound O-lineman is one of the premier non-D-1 prospects in the upcoming draft.
He didn’t start playing football till he was 14 so he’s a bit raw, but the combination of long arms and quick feet make him one of the most desirable options at tackle in the entire draft.
He can really help himself with a stellar performance at the combine.
7. Luke Stocker TE
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The 6’6, 255 lbs tight end enjoyed his best season yet for the Volunteers in 2010, setting career marks in receptions (39) and receiving yards (417).
He finished his career in Knoxville tied for first all-time in school history in games played with 52.He is fast and a huge target for a QB.
Expect him to be a second of third round pick.
6. Nate Solder OL
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Colorado’s Solder is a former tight end that possesses a unique combination of athleticism and light feet, a big plus for an offensive lineman. Solder is still developing, both physically and mentally, and is far from a finished product. This will cause him to slip a bit in the draft.
If a team can be patient with Solder…he will repay them in a big way down the line.
5. Pernell McPhee DT
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McPhee has seen his stock drop quite a bit after a disappointing 2010 season of production. He only accumulated two sacks and 32 tackles.
But he has the excellent speed and versatility to have a productive career in the NFL. He may not be able to contribute right away, but spending a third to fourth round pick on McPhee is a solid investment.
4. Kyle Hix OL
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Hix has only played right tackle in his career, which makes him less valuable on draft day.
However, I expect him to blossom at the next level due to his consistency and work ethic. When your 6’7 and 325 lbs, the NFL will find room for you.
3. Dion Lewis RB
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The Pittsburgh running back was a victim of lack of team success. The Panthers failed to meet expectations and his draft stock has suffered because of it.
Lewis was still able to rush for over 1,000 yards and has ideal speed for an NFL back. He is extremely quick and will be a deadly weapon for whoever drafts him.
2. Andy Dalton QB
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How is a QB that guided his team to an undefeated season be so under the radar?
That’s the predicament that the TCU QB finds himself in. He amassed 2,857 yards on a outstanding 66 percent completion percentage. He tossed 27 TDs with only six INTs. He scored another five TDs with his feet.
The numbers are there and the leadership and winning is as well. The problem is he doesn’t wow scouts with his physical frame and he doesn’t have a single trait that really jumps off the page.
I think a QB that is solid in all phases is better than one that has two great attributes and two red flags. Dalton has just as much of a chance to succeed in the NFL as does Ryan Mallett.
1. Jeremy Beal DE
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I’m not too sure why Beal has been flying so far under the radar. In his senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners he had 72 tackles (18 for loss) and nine sacks.
The 6’3, 270 lbs frame is going to have to bulk-up, but every other part of his game screams of a great NFL defensive end.
His speed and quickness off the block is going to really impress scouts at the combine. Beal will be watching his stock rise by the day as we creep closer to April's draft.
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