NFL Combine 2011: Cam Newton, Nick Fairley & 10 High Risk-High Reward Prospects

We're just a couple days away from learning a lot more about the top NFL prospects. The NFL Combine is a place to either help or hurt your draft status. 

There are a several guys that have to do really well in their events, and other guys are so good that they can skip out on some events. 

These high-profile players could potentially be some great NFL players someday or just be another group of what could have been. Every year there are players that belong in the risky pick category, but they have the chance to be elite players. 

Is it worth it to take such a gamble on these players? Here are 10 high risk-high reward NFL prospects.  

10. Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida

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MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Mike Pouncey #55 of the Florida Gators reacts after a play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Pouncey is regarded as the top guard in the draft. He can also play the center position, but in the NFL he is a better fit at guard. 

He falls on this list because he could end up playing like his twin brother, who had a Pro Bowl year. Or he could be a complete bust and never be as good as Maurkice. 

He has the size and skills that translate well to the NFL. Just look at how great Maurkice was. However, there is the risk that only one of these twins has what it takes to be in the NFL. 

9. Cameron Jordan, DE, California

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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)

In a draft class filled with great defensive lineman, Jordan has been steadily climbing up draft boards. A lot of people are in love with his 6'4", 287-pound frame. Is he receiving too much hype? 

Jordan is praised for his versatility. He has the ability to play in the 3-4 or 4-3 schemes. However, it's risky to take a player that isn't perfectly geared towards just one particular defense.

He has the skill to play in either defense, but there's always that chance he ends up on the wrong team and flops. Jordan is a risk to draft because he could be one of those players that is being given too much hype. 

However he does have the prototypical NFL build. The question is, will he perform well? That's a chance some team will have to take.

8. Jimmy Smith, DB, Colorado

Smith is another player gaining a lot of hype and rising up on the draft boards. There are a number of teams that are in need of help in the secondary. 

With the exception of Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, there wasn't any defensive back worthy of a pick until late first round-early second round. That is, until Smith started getting a lot of buzz. 

Smith falls on this list because he has the size and skills to be a strong DB one day. But is he worth it to take in the mid first round? A desperate team may take the risk in picking Smith and hope it turns out well. 

7. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers sacks Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks in the fourth quarter of the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ph

The 300-pound defensive tackle was a dominant force in the 2010 college football season. He owned the front line and disrupted play after player. 

Fairley is, however, viewed as a dirty player. Some teams like that in a guy, and others just won't have it on their team. Fairley is a dangerous pick because he could cause problems down the road.

Teams tend to avoid the big time divas, especially when they're one of the top prospects in the draft. It's too big of a risk to draft a player like that in the top five. However some team will take that chance because Fairley has tremendous skills. One team will look past the character and focus just on the play.  

6. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mark Ingram had a breakout sophomore year. He won the Heisman Trophy and later helped his team win the National Championship. The year of 2010 was a bit different for Ingram. He hit a bit of a setback and his numbers just weren't the same. 

Ingram has excellent skills carrying the ball, and with his vision, he has the potential to be a great NFL running back. Ingram is viewed as the top back in the draft. However, there is that chance Ingram doesn't do well. It is the NFL we're talking about.

The competition is bigger and stronger; he may not be able to adjust to the new style of play or all the big hits he will be taking. He runs with a purpose and that is why some team will take the risk and draft him somewhere in the teens.  

5. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

Jones has bust written all over him. However, with his size, there is a chance he could be something special in the NFL. 

He's strong enough to play right away and contribute. However, the only sure thing is his blocking. We know he can run, but can he be counted on to catch the ball all the time? Jones is being considered as a top 15 pick, meaning he better be a complete package. 

Catching the ball consistently is something Jones has been working on. He has gotten better, but when he gets into real NFL play, can he come through? That's a gamble some team will inevitably take. 

4. Jake Locker, QB, Washington

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Locker has the skill set to be an NFL quarterback someday, but can he overcome the negativity? Locker has been getting dumped on this entire season. All we have heard about is that his stock continues to fall. 

Locker will need to have an impressive combine. He falls onto the list because he has what it takes to play the position of an NFL team one day. However, can he mentally play the game? He could overthink everything and then never pan out. Or he could turn it around and be a star.

You don't really know with this guy, which makes him nothing more than a giant question mark. 

3. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Mallett is the ideal size for an NFL quarterback. He's big and strong, which excites a lot of people. However, Mallett is a very risky option for quarterback. He could be a star or just another QB bust. 

His decision-making concerns several people, which is why his stock has fallen. But with so many teams in need of a quarterback, some team will draft him and hope he turns out well.

The reward is possible, but does it outweigh the risk? That's something every team will need to ask themselves before drafting Mallett. 

2. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers throws a pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by

There's always a risk teams take when drafting a quarterback. Is he going to be their future or serve as a career backup guy? Gabbert is a guy you hope will be your future. 

He is believed as the top quarterback prospect by some, which means he better be the real deal. People have Gabbert going in the top five of the draft.

He has the size and skill, but what about the x-factor? As with most players, we won't really know until he hits the field of play. Until then, we're left to debate if he's the total package.

Can he come in and start right away? Because that's what a top five pick should be able to do. Gabbert is questionable in that area, which makes him perfect for this list.  

1. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers throws a practice pass before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

There's a reason the last four guys have been quarterbacks. They are the biggest risks in the NFL draft. They have the most potential to be a big time player or a big time bust. 

Newton just so happens to be the biggest risk of them all. No other player poses a bigger question mark than Newton. His size, speed, strength and overall athletic ability are blowing the minds of several NFL scouts. Newton has excellent potential to be one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. 

It's also possible that Newton will be a bust and never turn into an elite QB. He still has a lot to work on in the passing game, which worries some.

The questions that surround Newton make him a very risky pick. But because of his athleticism there will be a team that gambles on Newton.