NFL Draft 2011: Top 10 Players From The San Francisco Area

The 2010-2011 season wrapped up last night as Cal's own Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers defeated Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25. As the Packers bring back the Lombardi trophy to "Titletown, USA," the other 31 teams are gearing up for the 2011 NFL Draft.

Let's take a look at the top prospects from the San Francisco area, and where they might get drafted.

Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

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 out of Cal is the ninth rated defensive end according to Scouts Inc. At the Senior Bowl, he measured the biggest hands out of every senior, at 11-and-one-fourth inches. At 6'4", Jordan is extremely big and fast coming off the edge, and can also play on the inside.

According to scouts at the Senior Bowl, Jordan is one of the top five-technique guys in the entire draft class. 

Look for a team such as the New England Patriots to grab Cameron Jordan (they have the 17th overall pick). He will provide youth and depth to an aging Patriots line, giving them a dangerous and young front seven.

Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Owen Marecic #48 of the Stanford Cardinal rushes against the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Former Stanford coach and current head coach of the 49ers Jim Harbaugh recently called Owen Marecic "the perfect football player." Current Stanford coach David Shaw said that he is one of the fastest players he has ever seen at anticipating the snap, giving him a leg up on his competition when blocking. A strong and athletic fullback, Marecic paved the way for Toby Gerhart to become a Heisman trophy finalist two seasons ago.

Marecic is the No. 1 fullback prospect according to ESPN Scouts Inc. Look for a team such as the Philadelphia Eagles to pick Marecic, as they are in the market for a blocker for LeSean McCoy. Another team of interest could be the Minnesota Vikings, where Marecic would team with backup Gerhart as well as Adrian Peterson to create a dangerous Vikings backfield.

Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Ryan Whalen #8 of the Stanford Cardinal in action against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Despite an injury during the 2010 season, Whalen was quarterback Andrew Luck's favorite target. In both 2009 and 2010, Whalen averaged more than 10 yards per catch, which shows his big play ability. 

While he does not project to be a No. 1 receiver, Whalen could provide depth to a receiving corps as a slot receiver. He rarely drops the ball, which makes him a great spread-offense slot receiver.

Miami could be in the market for a slot receiver a la Devon Bess.  

Sione Fua, DT, Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Sione Fua #92 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he sacked Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Fua is rated the 15th overall defensive tackle prospect in this year's NFL Draft. Standing at 6'2", 207 pounds, Fua can clog the middle in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. 

While he does not receive a lot of publicity, Fua can be considered Stanford's best defensive player. He finished the 2010 season with 24.0 tackles, with three tackles for loss.

Look for Fua to be drafted in the middle rounds by a team looking for depth along the defensive line, such as Arizona, Seattle or Cleveland.

Shane Vereen, RB, Cal

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears in action against the Stanford Cardinal at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Vereen decided to leave Cal after his junior season to enter the 2011 NFL Draft. He has very good speed, with the ability to beat the defender to the edge if they do not get a great angle on him. He is a very patient runner and will wait for blocks to be set up for him before finding the right hole.

He brings to mind runners such as Ronnie Brown, with speed and strength.

He projects as a third or fourth round draft pick.

Mike Mohamad, MLB, Cal

Mike Mohamad plays with a certain intensity on the field. He has been the heart of the Cal defense for the past few years. He is always looking to hit someone, and he has a nose for the ball with six career interceptions.

There are some doubts about his ability to play middle linebacker at the next level, as he has a problem with over-pursuing routes.

Look for Mohamad to be drafted in the later rounds or be signed as an undrafted free agent.

Chase Beeler, C, Stanford

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal calls the signals as Chase Beeler #72 prepares to snap the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 25, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Stanford defe

Beeler made a smooth transition from left guard to center in 2009, earning second team All-Pac-10 honors. He anchored a line that allowed the fewest sacks in the entire Pac-10 Conference.

Beeler could be had in the middle-to-late rounds, and Chicago could be in the market for a backup lineman who is versatile enough to play multiple positions.

Derek Hall, OT, Stanford

Derek Hall earned All Pac-10 Honorable Mention following the 2010 season. He, along with Beeler, anchored the line that allowed the fewest sacks in the Pac-10. 

However, he may lack the size necessary to start in the NFL. 

Look for Hall to be drafted in the mid-to-late rounds as a depth guy along the offensive line.

Tom Keiser, DE/OLB, Stanford

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

STANFORD, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Kyle Reed #7 of San Jose State Spartans fumbles the ball as Tom Keiser #94 of the Stanford Cardinals defends during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium on September 20, 2008 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsoh

Tom Keiser probably could have benefited from one more year of college experience before declaring eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft. However, he is quick off the edge, with 15 sacks in 25 career games. He was on the preseason watch for the Nagurski Award, which is given to the top overall defensive talent in all of college football.

Keiser, if drafted, will likely go in the later rounds, as he is not a definite OLB or DE. With some experience, he can develop into a very solid depth guy coming off the edge.

Duke Ihenacho, S, San Jose State

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 05: Running back Stafon Johnson #13 of the USC Trojans runs into safety Duke Ihenacho #2 of the San Jose State Spartans on September 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC won 56-3. (Photo by Ste

Duke Ihenacho out of San Jose State projects to be the 14th best safety in the 2011 draft class according to Scouts Inc. He is extremely durable and "can extend arms and snatch the ball out of the air," according to ESPN. 

A positive quality of Ihenacho is his knack for finding the ball, as he always hunts to strip the ball from the ball carrier. 

Ihenacho will most likely be drafted, probably in the fourth or fifth round. He needs a few more years of development, but with some training, could become a strong backup safety.