2011 NFL Draft: 10 Prospects No One Is Talking About

To the left is a picture of Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley. Going into the 2011 NFL Draft, Fairley is one of the most talked about players.

Now there are numerous other players who are talked about way too much (Cam Newton, I'm looking at you) and you just can't seem to look at a mock draft or ESPN segment discussing the draft without seeing their faces.

Here are the 10 players no one is talking about heading into the 2011 NFL Draft.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks to pass 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)

One of the major reasons why Colin is not talked about much going into the NFL Draft is because he played in the pistol offense.

Granted, that has a good effect on quarterbacks in having to learn a different offense and a different sort of style.

According to some reports out of the Senior Bowl, Kaepernick was looking decent and turning critics into believers after the second day of practice. Unfortunately, his Senior Bowl performance might have hindered his status.

Kaepernick is a great quarterback, never throwing more than seven interceptions in a season, but he never threw more than 22 touchdowns.

I'm normally a huge believer in quarterbacks coming out of a pure college system like a Colt Brennan or Graham Harrell. I guess with some people, you lump Tim Tebow in there too.

Not a great list of names I just threw out, but Kaepernick deserves a look. He's mobile and can work on his passing. Look at Michael Vick. Until this year, he was basically a pure runner (not saying Colin is anywhere near Vick). Anything can happen, really.

Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Herzlich #94 and Thomas Claiborne #78 of the Boston College Eagles lead the team out on the field before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachuse

On draft day, Herzlich will most likely drop and for one reason only. Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer) back in 2009. He missed the entire season while undergoing chemotherapy.

He will most likely be talked up as a feel-good story, but he is also a dominant player. If Herzlich didn't have his health issues and didn't miss an entire season, he'd probably be the best available linebacker, no question.

Herzlich was dominant in 2008 with 110 tackles, two-and-a-half sacks and two interceptions. His 2010 campaign, unfortunately, came with rust, racking up only 65 tackles, no sacks and four interceptions.

Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #84 of the Texas Longhorns runs for a touchdown against Quinton Carter #20 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 17, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Safeties won't come off the board until the second round. Just based upon pure stats, Carter should go in the first. I'm not saying he will, but he definitely should.

Carter's stats this season looked almost identical to Herzlich's in 2008. He had 96 tackles and four interceptions last year for the Sooners.

Carter needs a good look from some teams. He should be picked up early. I think he has a tremendous future ahead of him.

Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

Who are the top wideouts coming out this year? A.J. Green and Julio Jones. That's been beaten so much into our heads. They're great all-around receivers, no doubt.

Torrey Smith is a great receiver too. He has speed to burn and if you give him room he'll make you pay.

Last year Smith averaged 15.7 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns and 1,055 yards receiving.

After Green and Jones go, Smith should be the next receiver taken.

Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

It's pretty much his name that puts him here.

I think he is one of the better linebacker prospects in the draft because of his name. His family is made up of great defensive players (including Packers linebacker Clay Matthews).

He's like his brother, an overachiever and an animal who is hard to control at times. But he makes himself known on the field. Each time, you have to be aware of where he is.

Matthews will be a solid mid-round pickup for whichever team drafts him. It would be cool to see him land in Green Bay with his brother.

Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Quarterback Christian Ponder #7 of the South Team passes over defensive lineman Pierre Allen #95 North Team during the fourth quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.

He was named MVP of the Senior Bowl and he is now only starting to get his name tossed around a little bit.

The one problem with him is that he can't throw a deep ball. His arm strength is just one huge question mark. Not only that, but he also makes a lot of sloppy mistakes turning the ball over.

Not to tear him down. He still has great size for a quarterback (6'3", 227 lbs) and he can hit short and intermediate routes. He's a work in progress.

Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple

Wilkerson has got great pass-rushing abilities.

He was solid for Temple this season, racking up 70 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and nine-and-a-half sacks.

Wilkerson was dominant this season and he is a sleeper waiting to be picked.

Some mock drafts have him going in the first round. Anything is possible. He is a solid defensive tackle with great size (6'5", 305 lbs). Don't sleep on Wilkerson.

Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the North Team passes over South Team defenders during second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Im

Stanzi is your prototypical quarterback: a pocket passer who knows how to run the pro-style offense.

Ricky has had help with Shonn Greene as his running back for a year, but he had his best season in 2010 as a senior. Stanzi threw for 3,004 yards, 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

However, Stanzi scares easily when pressured and he hasn't been able to perform in some clutch situations.

After Newton, Gabbert, Mallet and Locker, you really don't have to look far. Stanzi is your next best option at quarterback.

Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

Much like Matthews, Pouncey gets here because of his name.

Pouncey's brother, Maurkice, is the starting center on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although he won't be suiting up for the Steelers in the Super Bowl, Maurkice is one of the better centers in the league and has been phenomenal. 

Mike is solid too, guarding for Tim Tebow and John Brantley while at Florida. He has great blocking skills and he should be looked at carefully by many NFL teams. I think he could become one of the better guards in the NFL if he shares any DNA with his brother.

Alex Henery, K, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 13: Alex Henery #90 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers kicks an extra point against the Kansas Jayhawks during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Kansas 20-3. (Photo by Eric Francis/

OK, OK, I'm going to get a lot of hate for this, but here goes.

Yes, I put a kicker here. He's only missed two kicks the last two years in 44 attempts. He has a career long of 57 yards: 57! If you're the New York Jets, boot Nick Folk out and sign this kid. 

In his college career, he went 74 of 80. That's a 92.5-percent kicking percentage. That's a solid kicker. Not to mention he has only missed one extra point his entire career. When you think about it, 193 of 194 is really good.

He deserves to be up here, as he has a great leg and he is very reliable.