2011 Senior Bowl: 10 Players Who Proved They Were 1st Round Locks for NFL Draft

It's rare in any profession to have one week after you finish your education to square off with a huge chunk of your future professional competition to determine your pay grade.

That was exactly the scenario for many future NFL players last week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

Plenty of seniors opt not to participate in an effort to protect their draft stock. Others play to improve theirs or to just back it up.

Here are 10 players that made sure they would be drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft with their performances last week.

10. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

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ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: Drake Nevis #92 of the Louisiana State University Tigers tackles Washaun Ealey #24 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Yeah, I know Drake Nevis withdrew from the Senior Bowl at the last minute, so technically he didn't use the week of practices to improve his stock.

But it was addition by subtraction in Nevis' case. On the cusp of the first round, Nevis will now benefit from Oregon State's Stephen Paea's misfortune.

Paea tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee on the first day of practice. Injuries this close to the draft scare scouts, and this makes sure that Nevis goes ahead of Paea.

9. Allen Bailey, LB, Miami (Fla.)

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive lineman Allen Bailey #57 and linebacker Colin McCarthy #44 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrate after scoring a safety against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort

There are two general attributes that NFL prospects aspire to have: athletic ability and skill. If a player only has one, it is preferred that it is athletic ability. Coaches feel they can teach technique.

Miami DE/LB Allen Bailey has plenty of athletic ability and showed it by overpowering offensive linemen on several plays. However, he lacks actual pass rush moves.

That said, coaches and scouts are awed by Bailey's power and speed. He's into the very late stages of the first round.

8. Anthony Castonzo, OL, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Boston College Eagles congratulates teammate Montel Harris #2 after Harris scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles on October 3, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Che

Before the Senior Bowl practices, Anthony Castonzo was known as an offensive tackle. But after taking reps at guard, he's shown versatility.

Castonzo was already in the first round as a tackle, but now that teams can also look at him as a guard prospect, it opens up more doors. Versatility and a strong week proved to scouts that he's worth a high pick.

7. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 15: J.C. Brignone #70 and Derek Sherrod #79of the Mississippi State Bulldogs get ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Derek Sherrod's most known attribute—his size at 6'6", 305 lbs.—was backed up. But Sherrod struggled with his footwork early in the week, getting beaten by faster defensive linemen.

Sherrod steadily improved and ended up with a nice game. He did a great job of damage control and ended up just about where he started. Even if Sherrod drops a little bit, he's still a lock for the first round.

6. Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (Fla.)

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson #86 South Team scores a touchdwon against the North Team during the second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gar

Leonard Hankerson had the best week of anyone in terms of improving draft stock.

He showed not only size and strength but also the ability to use it effectively. He displayed good hands and a quick burst.

With Notre Dame's Michael Floyd and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon returning to school, Hankerson was already in the first-round mix. Now he's in for sure.

5. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Gabe Carimi didn't play in the actual game due to an ankle injury suffered on Thursday. But after a strong week of practice, a minor injury holding him out of the game may have been the best thing that could have happened to him.

All Carimi did was impress all week long, and he avoided any potential embarrassment. He just cemented his first round status.

4. Cameron Jordan, DL, Cal

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

Cameron Jordan entered the week of practices as a physically gifted player, but no one knew what position to project him at. Is a defensive end or a defensive tackle, or a little bit of both?

The week of practices gave coaches a chance to toy with Jordan's abilities, and he played well wherever he was put.

Jordan showed great skill in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes and improved scouts' confidence in picking him.

3. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Dan LeFevour #13 of the Central Michigan Chippewas is tackled by Ryan Kerrigan #94 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 20, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Scouts already had Ryan Kerrigan rated highly before the week started. He didn't do anything flashy and didn't bolt up the draft board. He just proved scouts right.

He showed tremendous work ethic throughout the week, never taking a play off. Kerrigan's array of pass rush moves and overall attention to detail are what make him a great prospect.

2. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

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BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 04: Brian Orakpo #98 of the Texas Longhorns rushes against Nate Solder #78 the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 4, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. Texas defeated Colorado 38-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Nate Solder did get beat a couple of times in the Senior Bowl, but his week overall was dominant. He's a bit inconsistent but has great mobility to go along with his elite size. He's 6'8".

Solder had one of the better weeks and lived up to expectations. He might just be the first offensive lineman taken come April.

1. Von Miller, LB/DE, Texas A&M

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Jordan Jefferson #9 of the Louisiana State University Tigers throws under pressure from Von Miller #40 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C

Von Miller spent the week looking like an NFL tutor for all the other seniors. He was truly a man among boys, blowing offensive linemen up like inconvenient traffic cones.

Miller impressed with lateral quickness and instincts as a linebacker. Then he showed multiple pass rush moves as a defensive end that featured both quickness and power and decisiveness.

Miller just made sure he is a top 15 pick.