NFL Draft 2011: 10 Possible First-Round Prospects No One Is Talking About
Starting the week after the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft is always a source of much debate, prognostication and entertainment. Experts banter on TV about who will go where, and inevitably, the Oakland Raiders take Darrius Heyward-Bey at number seven and screw it all up.
However, all this pondering and predicting makes for some exciting moments for the young future players of the NFL. Players like Heyward-Bey get to feel the true rush that the Draft should have for them. The sheer excitement of being picked earlier than expected can be one of the most exciting off the field moments in a player’s career.
This excitement sadly is lost on the higher draft picks, especially the number one overall pick. In the past, the first pick wouldn’t be used on a player unless he had already signed with the team making the pick. No team wants to waste the first overall pick. However, that robs the players and fans alike of the excitement of waiting to see who that first pick will be.
With that in mind, we at Bleacher Report bring you the top 10 players who—like Heyward-Bey—could jump the projections into the first round and stun NFL fans of every team.
10. John Moffitt – Wisconsin (G/C)
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John Moffitt is not the kind of guy you would want to run into in a dark alley. At 6’5” and 323 pounds, he is a slab of a man. He is also a very strong interior lineman who could be targeted by many teams.
He was instrumental in Wisconsin’s run to the Rose Bowl, and even though they lost, he could win big April 28th if a couple of the planned first round picks fall through.
9. Austin Pettis – Boise State (WR)
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Barring any difficulties adjusting from his traditional blue turf, Austin Pettis will be a solid receiver in the NFL. He has great hands, has good straight-line speed up the middle of defenses and could be a big name player for a number of teams.
Pettis made 71 catches this season for 951 yards and 10 TDs, bringing his career totals up to 229 receptions for a total of 2,838 yards and 39 TDs.
He would probably see more action as a third receiver out of the slot, but could still produce well enough for a late first round pick. At 6’3” and 201 pounds, he is also a big, strong target coming into a league looking for a new class of elite receivers.
8. Christian Ponder – Florida State (QB)
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Christian Ponder is one of the more underrated players going into this draft. He threw for almost 7,000 yards in his career with 49 TD passes on 30 interceptions in a tumultuous ACC. He was also the MVP of the Senior Bowl just a few short weeks ago.
Yes, he is shadowed by an injured elbow, but he has shown the ability to play and hang tough. Also, with the offseason to heal, he could be a good choice for someone looking for a poised passer who could grow into a franchise QB role.
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7. Colin McCarthy – Miami(FL) (ILB)
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In almost every draft prediction this year, there are no inside linebackers being chosen in the first round. That surprises me, considering that a player like Colin McCarthy would be a steal in the second or third rounds of this year’s draft.
McCarthy had another very solid year at Miami(FL), improving once again on last year’s numbers. He capped off the season in Miami’s loss to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl with 14 tackles, six of those solo tackles.
He is a good size for a young linebacker at 6’2” and 240 pounds and would be a great addition to many teams’ interior defense.
6. Ryan Mallett – Arkansas (QB)
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Why Ryan Mallett isn’t more highly projected is still shocking. In effectively two seasons at the starting position, Mallett amassed 8,388 yards at a nearly 60 percent completion rating.
The real amazing stat, though, is the combination of his 69 TD passes with only 24 interceptions. That’s an average of more than two touchdowns per pick, a very impressive number in against the pick hungry defenses in the SEC.
I understand ranking Newton higher than Mallett if even on the basis of his Heisman alone, but if given the choice, I would take Mallett over Blaine Gabbert or even maybe Jake Locker any day of the week.
5. Robert Quinn – North Carolina (DE)
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If you look at Robert Quinn’s 2010 stats, you will find yourself wondering why he would even be drafted at all. However, even with his yearlong suspension, the 6’5” 270 pound junior will still be one of the most explosive pass rushers in the coming years of the NFL.
He did get suspended—as so many others have—for accepting “gifts” due to his status on North Carolina’s football team, but teams don’t need to worry about whether or not he has a good head on his shoulders.
He may need some extra work in the spring and summer to get back into the mental status for football, but look for Quinn to possibly jump the draft as teams realize that he is still the superior choice at his defensive end position.
4. Jacquizz Rodgers – Oregon (RB/WR)
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To start off, we all know that Jacquizz Rodgers will not be a wide receiver in the NFL. He is much too small to match up with cornerbacks on the outside of any defense.
On the other hand, what any team would get with Jacquizz is a small, fast, power packed running back who is also a great passing target out of the backfield.
Rodgers will need to beef up a little and work on his pass blocking to be considered an all down back, but he could be an instant injection of offense to any team in the league who needs a Darren Sproles-like explosive player.
3. Titus Young – Boise State (WR)
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Titus Young is another WR from Boise State who could jump the rankings and go in the first round.
At 5’11” and only 170 pounds, the concern is that he may be too small for most teams, but don’t be fooled. Young can go up and get it with the best of them, and when he gets the ball in his hand, he not only hangs on, but can burn safeties and corners alike with his legs.
Don’t expect him to move too high, but would need to be taken around 25th at lowest, as if he falls farther, the main team looking for a WR in the first round is the Chicago Bears. The Bears would like Titus, but will be looking for a bigger target, someone more like his teammate Pettis.
2. Kyle Rudolph – Notre Dame (TE)
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Tight end is another position that has been ignored in the first round of most mock drafts, but Kyle Rudolph could make many teams reconsider.
Rudolph is a big tight end at 6’6” and 265 pounds, but he can still run with speed down the field and make defenses pay if they don’t respect him.
He is coming off a season ending injury to his hamstring, but for teams who miss out on their offensive tackle or wide receiver picks, he could be a good last minute choice who can both seal blocks on the edge and run good routes as a check down receiver for many QBs.
1. Martez Wilson – Illinois (ILB)
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Martez Wilson is a name many people haven’t heard, but soon will be hearing a lot. He is a smart, agile and well sized inside linebacker from the University of Illinois.
Wilson had a breakout year in 2010 with 111 tackles, including 46 solo tackles and four sacks. He also forced two fumbles and had one interception in a very blue collar Big Ten/Eleven/Twelve.
Wilson is also a great size for a linebacker at 6’4” and 250 pounds and understands and reads offenses very well. He can confuse offensive lines in well-designed blitzing schemes and could be a Ray Lewis or Brain Urlacher type leader on any defense in the years to come.
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