Senior Bowl 2011: 10 Players Who Hurt Their NFL Draft Stock in the Senior Bowl

Senior Bowl 2011: 10 Players Who Hurt Their NFL Draft Stock in the Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl is an annual opportunity for Seniors to make their mark on NFL scouts before the combine in a few weeks.

Some players seize the opportunity; others fold under the pressure. This list is 10 guys that didn't make the most of their chances.

They could still improve their standings in the NFL draft, but as of now, the Senior Bowl hurt these 10 guys the most.

Read on and please let us know what you think.

10. Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

HONOLULU - SEPTEMBER 2: Greg Salas of the University of Hawaii Warriors runs the ball during second half action at Aloha Stadium September 2, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Greg Salas posted some astonishing numbers during his senior season. He finished second in the NCAA with 119 receptions and first in receiving yards with 1,889. He also added 14 touchdowns.

However, despite the huge numbers, Salas is not considered one of the top receivers in this class. With a strong Senior Bowl performance, he could have moved up into the top three rounds of the draft. But with just one reception for two yards, his performance will have the opposite affect.

Before the Senior Bowl: Fourth-Fifth Round

After the Senior Bowl: Fifth-Sixth Round

9. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Running back Noel Devine #27 of the Under Armour South Team scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty

Noel Devine has been a home run threat for nearly his entire career. The only thing preventing him from being a highly thought of draft pick is his size. Devine is just 5'7" and 160 pounds—that is not ideal size for an every-down back in the NFL.

Devine could have helped his draft stock by showing the explosion that made him a star for West Virginia. However, the scat back managed just eight yards on seven carries. He did have a touchdown which helps, but his longest run was just three yards.

Before the Senior Bowl: Fifth Round

After the Senior Bowl: Sixth-Seventh Round

8. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up prior to playing the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Gabe Carimi won the Outland Trophy this year as the Nation's top offensive lineman. He has ideal size and build to be a prototypical left tackle in the NFL.

The only reason why the Senior Bowl hurts Carimi is because he was unable to play because of an ankle injury. If he would have played, that could have helped him jump up in an impressive offensive line class, however now, he could end up as the third tackle taken in the first round.

Before the Senior Bowl: Early to mid first round.

After the Senior Bowl: Mid to late first round.

7. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs throws a pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

After an outstanding career at TCU, Andy Dalton has shown he possesses all the skills necessary to be a good leader at the next level, but questions remain about his physical abilities.

Dalton could have made an impression this week if he was able to have a good game on Saturday. However, Dalton struggled for much of the game. He only completed three of seven passes for 22 yards. Not exactly numbers you would want to see from him.

Before the Senior Bowl: Third-Fourth Round

After the Senior Bowl: Fifth Round

6. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State

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LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 20, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

After a poor junior season, Kendall Hunter needed a big senior year to get back in the forefront of NFL Scouts minds. He did just that. His senior year, Hunter had over 1,500 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns.

Hunter could have moved up into the second round with a big Senior Bowl performance, however that didn't happen. Hunter had just two carries and no yards.

Before the Senior Bowl: Third Round

After the Senior Bowl: Fourth-Fifth Round

5. Titus Young, WR, Boise State

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Titus Young #1 of the Boise State Broncos runs for yardage around Chad Manis #18 and Justin Taplin-Ross #33 of the Utah Utes during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise St

Titus Young had a great week of practices leading up to the Senior Bowl. He and college teammate Austin Pettis both showed great speed and polish. It was good to see the success Young was having in practice.

Young was not able to continue that success into the actual game though. He finished with just two catches and had a bad offensive pass interference penalty.

Before the Senior Bowl: Second Round

After the Senior Bowl: Third Round

4. Roy Helu Jr., RB, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs past Liloa Nobriga #48 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-

Roy Helu Jr. had a good career at Nebraska. He improved his production in nearly every major statistical category including yards, average and touchdowns.

Helu is actually not one of the more sought after college running backs. He needed a great Senior Bowl performance to even get drafted. However, Helu finished with just three yards on two carries.

Before the Senior Bowl: Seventh Round

After the Senior Bowl: Undrafted

3. Colin Kapernick, QB, Nevada

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack throws the ball against Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Colin Kaepernick's name is all over the NCAA history books. He is one of the most celebrated mobile quarterbacks in college, but he also ran an offensive system that was tailor-made for his skill set. The biggest problem facing Kaepernick is that no NFL team runs the Pistol.

The Senior Bowl was going to give Kaepernick an opportunity to show he is more than a one-trick pony. However, Kaepernick completed just four of nine passes for 53 yards and threw the games only interception.

Before the Senior Bowl: Third Round

After the Senior Bowl: Fifth Round

2. DeMarco Murray, RB. Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

DeMarco Murray really asserted himself as a top all-purpose back this season. He is a threat running the ball, and he is a threat through the air. Murray had his best season as a senior, and it was due in large part to being healthy the entire season.

The Senior Bowl was the perfect opportunity for Murray to assert himself as one of the best running backs in this class. However, after a two-carry, -4-yard performance, it looks like the former Sooner is dropping in draft projections.

Before the Senior Bowl: Second Round

After the Senior Bowl: Fourth Round

1. 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 has been one of the most polarizing college football players in recent memory. Some people think he deserves to be a top-10 pick, others think he is a third rounder at best. Either way, all the experts agree that Locker has talent, that's not a question. His decision making is the question.

Locker had a chance to cement himself into the first round with a solid Senior Bowl performance. However, Locker had an average day. To be honest, he wasn't that bad, but it almost seems like the expectations were too high on Locker. I still think he is going to make a good pro quarterback.

Before the Senior Bowl: Mid to late first round

After the Senior Bowl: First-Second Round