NFL Combine 2011: The Top 10 Sleepers To Watch in Indianapolis

The NFL Combine, while it may not be as exciting at the Draft in April, it is a key stepping stone both in the lives of the athletes, as well as the many teams looking to bolster their teams with young talent.

What players are flying under the radar? What players will need to make the most noise in the upcoming weeks in Indianapolis?

A sleeper could be defined by someone who you may have missed, or in some cases, even over looked at sometime. Sure, we've all made mistakes. Just ask the other 31 NFL teams who passed on a guy out of Michigan University named Tom Brady.

Brady, a sixth round pick back in 2000, had six quarterbacks drafted ahead of him before being taken by the New England Patriots with the 189th overall pick. The rest is history.

Will we see another Tom Brady in this year's draft class? There is only one way to find out so we don't miss him—we must evaluate every talent that we see at the upcoming 2011 NFL Combine.

Here now are the Top 10 sleepers from the Combine that fans and owners alike should watch closely.

10. Cameron Heyward (DT) Ohio State

Projected to go between the lower half of the first or beginning of the second round, Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward is someone to be on the look for at the upcoming Combine.

Setting career highs this past season with 48 tackles, four sacks and an interception, Heyward could be a key find for a team that missed out on Nick Fairley or even Cameron Jordan at the Draft. At 6'5'', 288 pounds, he is the type of pass rusher that can make a claim to stay as a potential first-round draft pick with a good workout in the upcoming weeks.

Hoping to progress nothing but forward for Heyward.

9. Christian Ballard (DE) Iowa

I can't think of a guy who could bring more energy to a team than defensive end Christian Ballard. The former Hawkeye recorded 43 tackles and three sacks this past season, and could really stand out at the Combine fairly soon.

Ballard at 6'5'', 290 pounds, is a player who could make an impact right away in the NFL. The upcoming Combine could even bring him up the draft board closer to the first round.

8. Brandon Burton (CB) Utah

Cornerbacks could very easily fly under the radar—former Utah Ute Brandon Burton certainly doesn't hope so. At 6'0'', 185 pounds, Burton led Utah with eight broken passes this past season, which was also good for fifth in the entire league.

In just two years as a Ute, he managed to put up 101 career tackles (51 in 2010) and three interceptions (2 in 2010) in 37 games at Utah.

Even though he may not have the high-end experience like some of the other cornerbacks who are Draft eligible, Burton could sneak his way into the first round with a good Combine session.

Don't count him out just yet.

7. Benjamin Ijalana (OT) Villanova

The Villanova star may have missed the Senior Bowl due to an injury this past January, but there is simply to much to like about Benjamin Ijalana for him not to go unnoticed.

At 6'4'', 320 pounds, Ijalana was the focal point of the Wildcats offensive line during his four years at Villanova—a line that in 13 games in 2010 gave up just 24 sacks.

There may be better offensive tackles looked upon differently at the Combine, but it certainly doesn't mean Ijalana won't try to stir up the pot as a legitimate sleeper to watch for in the upcoming weeks.

6. Jonathan Baldwin (WR) Pittsburgh

A potential second-round pick by some, former Pittsburgh receiver Jonathan Baldwin has the goods to become one of the best wideouts in the NFL fairly soon. At 6'5'', 230 lbs, it's hard not to notice the overall stature of big No. 82 just looking at him.

Baldwin may not have had the biggest and most explosive season from a wide receiver, but he still managed to have a respectable 2010 season—53 receptions for 822 yards and five touchdowns. He had his best season back in 2009, where he racked up over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, becoming a First Team All-Big East player.

If there was any guy who could prove the scouts wrong at the Combine, it's Baldwin, who could also climb into the first round when it's all said and done.

5. Andy Dalton (QB) TCU

Andy Dalton had one of the best seasons a quarterback could have in 2010, leading TCU to a 13-0 record and a win in the Rose Bowl in January. The 6'3'', 220 pound former Horned Frog passed for 2,857 yards in  2010, throwing 27 touchdowns with just six interceptions in only 13 games.

He was named the MWC Offensive Player of the Year the past two years and owns a career quarterback record of an astounding 42-7. Dalton threw for over 10,000 yards in his career at TCU, throwing for 71 touchdowns and owning a career 166.48 passer rating.

What makes Dalton even more attractive is his three MVP awards in four career bowl games, something most college quarterbacks can't put on their resume.

As a sleeper, will the TCU standout make a bigger name for himself at the Combine?

I absolutely think so.

4. Ryan Williams (RB) Virginia Tech

A running back could be hard to find in this upcoming Draft class. Former Virginia Tech Hokie Ryan Williams is someone to keep a close eye on at the Combine.

In just two seasons at Virginia Tech, the 5'10'', 200 pound Williams rushed for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in 400 attempts in his career. What makes the halfback an interesting prospect to watch is that he rushed for just 477 yards in 2010 due to injury.

Williams did set the ACC single season rushing touchdown record as a freshman back in 2009, when he rushed for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns in 13 games with the Hokies.

While Williams still will come into the Combine as a sleeper, this very well could be a make or break opportunity for the once highly touted rusher. 

3. Cecil Shorts III (WR) Mount Union

Yes, Mount Union is a Division III school. So what?

Just ask former Purple Raider and current Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon how life is in the NFL. I have a feeling he would tell you it's just fine.

A three-time All-American, Cecil Shorts III led Mount Union with 63 receptions this past season, totaling 1,106 yards receiving and adding 17 touchdowns in just 11 games. The 6'2'', 210 pound wideout also managed to pull in a total of 4,705 yards and 63 touchdowns over the course of his four year career as a Purple Raider, going over 1,000 yards receiving three consecutive years.

Shorts currently is projected to fall anywhere after the third round on draft day, but he could realistically climb the boards with speed being his most lethal weapon.

2. Greg Salas (WR) Hawaii

Another receiver that could make some noise in Indianapolis is former Hawaii Warrior Greg Salas. The 6'2'', 220 pound California native led the entire NCAA this past season with 1,889 receiving yards.

In 14 games, Salas brought in 119 receptions and 14 touchdowns, breaking his previous career high by six scores. His four years on the island should not go unnoticed, racking up a total of 26 touchdowns and over 4,000 receiving yards in his college career.

Sure, we all know of the top receivers in the draft like A.J. Green and Julio Jones, but don't be surprised if Salas claims just as much attention both at the Combine and in the NFL.

Definitely remember his name.

1. Jacquizz Rodgers (RB) Oregon State

Now here's a name you probably won't ever forget.

Former Oregon State standout running back Jacquizz Rodgers is the top sleeper to watch for at the upcoming Combine. Not only did the 5'7'', 195 pound halfback rush for over 1,184 yards in 2010, but rushed for 14 touchdowns in just 12 games as well.

Rodgers in three seasons with the Beavers has rushed for 3,877 yards on 788 attempts, also adding 46 touchdowns. His best season came as a sophomore where he scored 21 touchdowns and put up over 1,400 yards rushing.

The former Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and a member of the 2010 AP All-American First Team, Rodgers will look for more recognition at the Combine, where his explosiveness can very well elevate him to higher grounds.

Look out Aaron Rodgers, there's a new Mr. Rodgers in town—one that's a fast track to the NFL.