NFL Combine 2011 : Ryan Mallett and 10 Players Who Need a Strong Performance

Ryan Mallett has been slipping down draft boards (often into the second round) lately due to speculation of leadership and character issues.

But, with a strong performance at the NFL Combine, he can show off his big arm and make everyone remember why he was a projected first round pick in the first place.

If he can come into Indianapolis and show that he can make throws most NFL starting quarterbacks can't make, there will be a team who will ignore the recent rumors and select the Arkansas QB in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

He's not the only one who can improve his draft status with a big showing at the Combine. Here are 10 players who can move into the first round with a strong performance in Indy. 

10. Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance against the Northwestern Wildcats during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated

Mark Ingram is the top running back in the 2011 NFL Draft, but after him, the second position is up for grabs.

Coming off a year in which he ran for 1,697 yards and 17 touchdowns, LeShoure could be the guy to fill that slot.

If he shows the same mix of speed and strength he showed at Illinois this season, he could jump into the bottom of the first round.

The Green Bay Packers might want to take a look at this guy as a back-up in case Ryan Grant can't stay healthy.

9. Marcus Cannon, OG, TCU

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

Cannon is one of the top guards in this year's draft.

But, experts can't agree on where he will be taken.

It's been projected that he will be taken from as early as the end of the first round all the way to as late as the third round.

A high number in the bench press and a decent 40-yard dash time might propel him to the bottom of the first round.

8. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 15: J.C. Brignone #70 and Derek Sherrod #79of the Mississippi State Bulldogs get ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Sherrod is no Nate Solder or Gabe Carimi or Anthony Castonzo, but he's a very solid OT.

If he has a good showing at the Combine, and more offensive tackles are taken in the first round than expected, Sherrod could very easily sneak into the first round in the 27-32 range.

He's talented enough that it's possible he could pass a couple of the other tackles on many teams' draft boards.

7. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles throws for a first down during a game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Ponder has the intelligence to be selected in the first round, but the big question is: Does he have the physical tools to be a first round quarterback?

Fortunately, there's a place where he can show scouts he deserves to be picked that high: the NFL Scouting Combine.

If he can show he has an NFL-caliber arm and a good pocket presence, it's not unreasonable that he could be selected ahead of Ryan Mallett and possibly even Jake Locker if one or both of them have bad showings.

6. Jeremy Beal, OLB/DE, Oklahoma

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Defensive end Jeremy Beal #44 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with the Big 12 Championship Trophy after the Sooners beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 23-20 at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by

Beal had nine sacks for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2010.

He has a lot of raw athleticism and pass rushing ability that makes him a tempting choice in the NFL Draft.

Unfortunately for him, he is entering the draft in a year where there are more first round pass rushers available than ever before.

Therefore, he's going to need to have a huge combine to sneak into the bottom of the first round. He'll need to show he's a better fit for teams than guys like Akeem Ayers and Justin Houston.

5. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Austin is a first round pick in terms of talent, but not in terms of attitude and character.

The most important part of the Combine for him will be the interview sessions.

He's going to have his work cut out for him to prove his troublesome days are behind him.

4. Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

There are plenty of teams in this year's draft that need help in the secondary.

So, it's not unreasonable to think that a guy like Williams could sneak into the end of the first round with a strong showing at the Combine.

A team like the Pittsburgh Steelers should certainly take a long, hard look at him with the 31st pick.

3. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 10: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes picks up the loose ball which was knocked out of the hand of quarterback Colt McCoy of the Texas Longhorns as he rolled out in the second quarter on October 10, 2009 at Darrell K

Smith has been projected as a mid-to-late first round pick, but he'll need to perform well at the Combine to solidify that ranking.

Teams covet speed at the cornerback position, so he'll need to prove that his 6'2" frame can bump-and-run with the speed of an NFL receiver.

If he can't do that, he'll probably fall into the early second round.

2. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases after quarterback Matt McGloin #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The biggest concern with Heyward is that he never really put up huge numbers at Ohio State.

In his best season, 2009, he only posted six sacks. In 2010, he only posted 4 sacks.

He's going to have to figure out if he's a pass rushing end or a 4-3 defensive tackle.

We'll have to see what kind of shape he's in at the Combine.

1. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty

Mallett is going to have to have a very strong Combine in every area in order to solidify his first round talents.

He'll have to effectively silence the rumors of his poor leadership and off-the-field issues.

Besides having good, honest interviews with teams, he's going to have to dazzle scouts with his arm strength.

He's the player who has the most to lose at the NFL Combine.