2011 NFL Draft: 10 Players Who Might Not Impress at the Combine
One week from today, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held in Indianapolis. Once there, star college players looking to make it in the NFL will showcase their talents for scouts and coaches alike.
One may go on and on about how Cam Newton (pictured at left) is a lock for the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and how he'll be the next great quarterback, but let's not jump the gun. Newton has just as much chance of becoming the next JaMarcus Russell as he does the next Peyton Manning. All it takes is one or two scouts to be unimpressed, and his 2011 NFL Draft stock can fall.
That being said, here are 10 players including Newton who might not impress too much at the Combine.
No. 10: John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
1 of 10
In terms of size, John Clay is pretty big for a potential NFL running back. At 6'1" and 255 pounds, he could possibly become a threatening, bulldozer power-back in a team's backfield. Still, there are risks.
Clay missed two games with a sprained knee last season. He came back for the Badgers' last game against Northwestern, but only managed four carries for seven yards. Keep in mind, he averaged close to five yards per carry for the regular season and Northwestern's defense isn't exactly elite.
That being said, unless his knee is 100 percent better, Clay is at risk of having a bad Combine. If that were to happen, it would truly be a shame, as teams may miss the boat on someone who has great potential to become a game-changer with his legs.
No. 9: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
2 of 10
In 2010, Nick Fairley was the leader of a dangerous Auburn Tigers defensive line that ultimately won a National Championship. He is extremely fast for his size, 6'5" and 298 pounds, and some scouts have compared him to New York Jets defensive end Trevor Pryce.
Still, there are some causes for concern. Despite his great talents in the pass-rushing game, Fairley's skills as a run-stopper are a cause for concern. Todd McShay of ESPN called him "hardly a tree trunk" in the run defense, and in order to be a top defensive tackle in the NFL, one must be able to quell the opposition's running game.
Fairley could easily improve those skills with time, but his current lack of run defense could hurt him in Indy.
No. 8: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
3 of 10
After a superb sophomore season that saw him throw 24 touchdowns to only nine interceptions, Blaine Gabbert regressed and came back down to Earth in his junior season. His interceptions stayed the same, but his touchdown total dropped to 16.
That isn't to say that Gabbert is a definite draft bust. In fact, many scouts have declared him to be the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year's class. Still, there are causes for concern.
He has the size at 6'5" and 235 pounds to be an elite QB in the NFL, but certain essential qualities just aren't there. The most notable of these is his lack of footwork.
With an average of only two yards per run in 2010, there is reason to worry about Gabbert's abilities outside of the pocket. With lots of blitzing linebackers in his future, it is important that he show improvement in that department at the Combine.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 7: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
4 of 10
Looking at Kyle Rudolph, one would assume that he was a defensive player and not a tight end, given his 6'6" height and 265-pound frame. A friend of mine who is a huge Notre Dame fan said this about him: "Looks like Tarzan, plays like King Kong."
There is no doubt that Rudolph has the potential to be an elite tight end in the NFL, but his health is a red flag. Last season, he missed the final seven games with a hamstring injury. The fact that it took him so long to come back (or not) from that type of injury is not going to sit well with scouts.
Unless he is now fully healed and running at full speed, Rudolph may not turn as many heads in Indy as he once did in South Bend.
No. 6: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
5 of 10
College football 2010 was the year of Cam Newton. He had an unbelievable season that saw him win both the Heisman Trophy and the BCS National Championship. Shortly after the latter accomplishment, he declared for the 2011 NFL Draft.
While Newton is a phenomenal athlete with both great throwing strength and unbelievable footwork, there is still the distinct possibility that he won't impress at the Combine.
Remember, 2010 was his junior season and the only year in his college career that he was a FBS starter. He had a great year, but also a strong offensive line and a great defense.
On top of that, reports surfaced earlier this season that he received money to play at Auburn. He was cleared of those accusations, but the potential character issues remain a concern.
Overall, I think Newton will have a good Combine. Still, with the ghost of JaMarcus Russell still looming, it's hard for me to put my official seal of approval on the big quarterback from the SEC.
No. 5: Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh
6 of 10
Scouts have said that Dion Lewis "runs with a chip on his shoulder." Ultimately, it is that chip that will bury him at the Combine next week.
Lewis declared himself eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft after his sophomore season, a year that saw his overall stats drop compared to those he accumulated as a freshman. This can be credited to the entire Panthers offense stumbling out of the starting gate, but that doesn't make his decision any less hasty.
Basically, after Dave Wannstedt was forced to resign as head coach at Pitt, Lewis entered the draft. He didn't give new coach Todd Graham a chance. What he should have done is play one more year, or perhaps redshirt Graham's initial season so that he could familiarize himself with the offense.
Instead, with that giant chip on his shoulder, Lewis is at the Combine with what experts are calling one of the most talented running-back classes of all time.
With people like Mark Ingram and Mikel Leshoure outshining him before the Combine even starts, Lewis has a lot of work to do if he wants to get some positive attention in Indy.
No. 4: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
7 of 10
Like his teammate Lewis, Jonathan Baldwin declared for the 2011 NFL Draft after an offseason that ended with his head coach resigning. Unlike Lewis, Baldwin's problem is not that he has a chip on his shoulder, but rather his overall skill.
His 6'5", 230-pound frame is pretty big for a receiver, and while that may seem attractive to some coaches, Baldwin is slower than his counterparts at the NFL level. He takes care of the ball well, but may have a hard time getting open against professional defenses.
His Combine potential is up in the air. He'll either do well or do badly. Still, with his off junior season haunting him and still fairly recent, don't expect him to impress at the Combine.
No. 3: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
8 of 10
As a player, Marvin Austin's skills are there. He's a defensive tackle and punishing run-stopper who could be a benefit to any team.
As an individual, however, there are greater concerns.
2010 was to be Austin's senior season. Instead of playing in each game and showcasing his talents, he was kicked off the team for NCAA violations. Currently, he is under investigation for receiving improper benefits and "academic cheating."
Given how he missed a year, rust is sure to be a factor in Austin's Combine performance. He has not practiced with a team in a long time, and has already raised flags with his personality and decision-making.
Unless he can get over himself and be willing to learn from his mistakes, his 2011 NFL Draft stock will fall tremendously after a shoddy Combine performance.
No. 2: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
9 of 10
Two years ago, people were saying that Jake Locker was the next great NFL quarterback. Instead of declaring for the draft, Locker opted to stay at Washington for his senior season.
Suddenly, the praise stopped.
In 2010, Locker had an extremely off year. His touchdowns dropped only slightly, from 21 to 17, but his yardage fell immensely, from 2,800 to 2,265. With that also fell his completion percentage.
As a result, many have gone on to say that Locker has the biggest bust-potential out of all the players entering the 2011 NFL Draft.
His senior season may just have been bad luck, but Locker still has a lot of work to do if he wants to turn heads in Indianapolis. He has a lot of talent, so let's hope he does.
No. 1: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
10 of 10
Like Kyle Rudolph, Ryan Williams missed a good portion of 2010 due to a hamstring injury. Only a sophomore, he chose to enter the 2011 NFL Draft instead of taking the offseason to rehab that injury and coming back with a bang in 2011.
Ultimately, he will regret this decision.
There is no doubt that Williams has talent, but his decision to rush back from this injury following an unimpressive 2010 will hurt him at the Combine. As good a runner as he is, he should have spent one more year at school to hone his skills.
He has the potential to be deadly, and now he's risking throwing it all away just for the sake of his own ego.
He has lots of top running backs to compete with, so let's hope for his sake that his decision doesn't come back to bite him.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
