2011 NFL Combine: 20 Players With the Most to Gain This Week
The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine is upon us and as players begin arrive in Indianapolis the excitement begins to mount.
There is no larger job fair in game of football and every player invited is looking to make an impression on NFL franchises.
Nobody wants to perform poorly in front of so many judging eyes but there are certain players that need to have good weeks to save some stock while others can truly elevate themselves to new levels.
Some of the biggest names have a few question marks that can be answered and these players not only have the most to lose, but also the most to gain.
Others simply can take good stock and elevate it even higher with a good showing.
There is no shortage of intrigue at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine and here is a look at 20 players with the most to gain this week.
20. Cameron Jordan, DE, California
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The Cal senior defensive end took a step into the spotlight at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama and got teams very excited.
During that week he showcased the ability to be almost unblockable during practices with his athleticism, size and length.
He still has some developing to do as a true pass rusher, especially in his moves, but he's given teams a reason to consider him in the early-to-mid first round.
Jordan will also be an intriguing interview for teams and that could play a large role in the final evaluations of his draft stock.
Here, in Indianapolis, they will get an opportunity to see his size up close and if he makes the most of the opportunity he could solidify his place within the top 20 of the Draft.
19. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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The Illinois defensive tackle has seen a steady rise of his Draft stock since season's end.
At 6'3", 300-pounds, Liuget has solid size for the position and is one of many players battling for the No. 3 defensive tackle spot in the class.
Not many people have seen as much of him as the other players so this will be a big opportunity for him.
His quickness inside and overall ability to disrupt plays is what makes him special and he was very productive for the Illini in 2010.
If he wants to solidify himself as one of the top defensive tackles in this class than he will get no better opportunity than this.
18. Jordan Cameron, TE, USC
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Just looking at the picture on the left you can see the type of player Jordan Cameron is.
He is not talked about much, is a former basketball player but has the size at 6'5", 235-pounds, to be a successful weapon in the NFL.
Cameron is another example of former hoopsters trying to make it in the NFL at the tight end position and his performance and the combine could go a long way to helping his cause.
His time at the East-West Shrine Game showed a more polished set of skills than many expected in the passing game and now we can get some numbers to quantify his athleticism.
The NFL Combine is no stranger to athletic tight ends lighting it up.
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17. Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech
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The 5'11", 185-pound cornerback is another one of those Virginia Tech cornerbacks with great ball skills and speed.
Carmichael is in a group of players at the cornerback position looking to separate from one another and the Combine will likely be the best opportunity.
The biggest asset Carmichael possesses is his speed and there is no better place to show that than on the turf in Indianapolis.
He's reportedly capable of running sub—4.3 but if he cracks the sub—4.4 barrier it will be a big boost to his stock.
A 5'11" cornerback running in the 4.3 range will certainly get the attention of every team.
16. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
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The "U" product is one of the cornerbacks vying for a spot behind Patrick Peterson of LSU and Prince Amukamara of Nebraska.
Harris has good size at 5'11", 195 pounds, great agility and good football knowledge.
Miami is known to have playmaking corners but the biggest question on Brandon Harris will be his straight line speed.
He's a physical player that has some questions about his all-around game despite a productive career at Miami; a solid Combine can ease some of these concerns.
15. Christian Ballard, DT, Iowa
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The 6'4", 298-pound defensive tackle is one of the faster rising prospects in the Draft.
At one point people were talking about him as a sleeper and now he has become a potential second round pick.
He's got great athleticism, runs really well and projects as potential five-technique in the NFL.
If he wants to prove his stock deserves to be elevated, the Combine is the place to do it.
14. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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Jimmy Smith has gotten a lot of publicity as of late and now it will be time for him to prove it is real.
He's got great size at 6'2", 205-pounds, and uses it to be a physical player at the line and on the move.
We know how big he is and how physical he can be but teams will want to see his speed and quickness at the Combine.
His 40-yard dash among other workouts (20-yard shuttle and three-cone drill) will be crucial in evaluating him for the next level.
If he is to truly be the No. three cornerback on the board than the Combine will be the place for him to do it.
13. Shane Vereen, RB, California
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Shane Vereen can often be forgotten amongst the running backs following Cal's 2010 season but he has the potential to be a real player.
At 5'10", 205-pounds, Vereen has the size capable enough to work in all-phases of the game and his straight-line speed will be play a big factor in where he is Drafted.
After Mark Ingram there is much debate as to who the next running back is and while Vereen is not up there yet, he could move himself further up with a good showing in Indianapolis.
He's a capable receiver out of the backfield and it will be a big boost if he posts good numbers in the speed categories.
12. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
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The Virginia Cavalier had an injury-plagued season and was ranked much higher at the start of the season.
He has elite size at 6'2", 201 pounds, is a capable player in run support and has demonstrated good top-end speed on film.
Cornerbacks can benefit or be hurt by straight line speed more than any position in the game and Dowling's time will be very important for him.
He will also have to show a return to form in all other drills and could be a huge benefactor from a positive showing in Indianapolis.
11. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
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The Temple Owl has a lot going for him right now an a big showing in Indianapolis could really help solidify his potential late first round stock.
He's got great size at 6'5", 303 pounds, is very powerful inside and is a versatile player with potential to make plays on the outside or inside of the defensive line.
The ever-growing need for five-techniques in the NFL makes him a hot commodity.
If he wants to assure NFL teams that he is real and capable of being a player than the Combine is the best chance for him.
10. Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy
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The small, speedy wide receiver missed out on an opportunity to showcase his talents to NFL teams at the Senior Bowl due to injury and now is more important than ever for him to rise to the occasion.
At 5'9", 195 pounds, he is not going to dominate the opposing cornerbacks in front of him with anything but speed and thats all the NFL teams want to see from him.
He's demonstrated good quickness as well and the drills in Indianapolis will give him a chance to really showcase how quick he can be.
Jernigan projects as a slot receiver at the next level and could make himself one of the top prospects as an inside receiver with a great showing.
9. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
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The Notre Dame prospect went down with an injury early in the season that forced him to miss the rest of the season and now he needs to prove he's still very capable of moving the way he did before.
He's got great size at 6'6", 265 pounds, and possesses tremendous ball skills.
Rudolph has very good top-end speed for the position, is a willing inline blocker and causes a huge mismatch for opposing defensive players (safeties and linebackers).
His Combine times and performance, along with how well he moves, could be a big boost to his Draft stock.
8. Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton
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The massive defensive tackle was a big school prospect at South Carolina before being dismissed from the program.
He took his game to Hampton and has become a serious player with potential to rise high in the Draft.
Ellis is good off the line with great explosion and is very, very strong.
His workouts will not be the only important part of the Combine, his interview process could be even more impactful.
He will have to explain his problems at South Carolina as well as if he can handle the NFL lifestyle and maintain a healthy form.
7. Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Moore is the only safety in the class who could potentially find his way into the first round.
At Indianapolis, with marginal competition, he will simply have to prove that he is the solid, playmaking safety we have seen so far.
He's got height at 6'1" but is a bit slender at 197 pounds.
The Bruin excels in that centerfield role with great range and overall athleticism.
He can do a little of everything well and if he puts up good numbers it could elevate his value into the late first round.
6. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
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A disappointing, injury-plagued 2010 season has dimmed the star of Ryan Williams a bit but if he is going to regain some of that shine he had in 2009 it will have to be at the Combine.
He's 5'10", 211 pounds, and has shown great patience, burst and production inside.
Williams' health will be a concern to some but his quick running style and potential in the NFL will make him one of the most heavily scrutinized players in Indianapolis.
If he puts up good numbers, especially in the 40, teams will have to consider him a possibility late on day one (I am not a fan of the first round running back) or early in day two.
He has the potential to benefit as much as any other player.
5. Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC
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He missed the entire season because of violating NCAA rules and naturally he will have to atone for that.
Robert Quinn is one of the best pure pass rushers in the Draft and he has great overall athleticism and speed.
His Combine numbers will be very important as he needs to show he's been staying in shape during the time off the field but he will also need to excel in interviews.
Quinn has had the luxury of his former coaching staff singing his praises and all he needs to do maintain what is already a rather high draft stock.
If he really impresses, both in meetings and on the field, he could be be a top five pick.
4. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
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Drake Nevis was one of the most productive and disruptive players in all of college football this season; he lived in opposing backfields.
The biggest knock on Nevis has been his small stature, really small.
He is listed as 6'0 1/2", 290 pounds, but a lot of people have been amazed at how small he really is in person.
The Combine process hides nothing and Nevis will be on display for all to see.
The production and tape is there for a player that could grade out somewhere near the top of the second round but he will have to showcase the abilities that make him so; Nevis has a lot riding on the Combine.
3. Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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A terrible lack of production in 2010 has really but a damper on Jonathan Baldwin's Draft stock in 2010.
Since the season ended though, his freakish athletic ability and size has started to gain momentum just in time for the Combine.
He's 6'5", 235 pounds and could reportedly run in the sub—4.4 second range.
Baldwin has all the ability in the world and the size to dominate opposing cornerbacks but exactly how fast can he be?
His interviews will also be an important factor, but if he does a solid job in meetings and puts up the type of numbers he is capable of, he could sneak back into the bottom of the first round.
2. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Cam Newton, again, really?
Yes, Cam has a little bit of everything going on in this Draft.
First, he's already won over a lot of people by opting to fully participate in Indianapolis (me included) and stands above all other quarterback prospects at this point.
Newton's overall ability to perform under pressure will rise up once again and we should expect nothing less than a stellar performance.
His interview process will be important but we should not doubt Newton there either.
There is always a lot to lose at the top, but Newton still has room to go up and his time in Indianapolis will likely boost him up.
1. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
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The UNC Tar Heel missed the entire season, and is considered immature with a lot to prove.
His ability on the football field, however, is undeniable.
Austin ranges anywhere from a second-to-fifth round Draft pick in my mind and will simply have to prove to NFL teams that he has learned from his mistakes.
Obviously his workout numbers will be important but his interview process can make or break Draft stock.
If he lives up to everything, he has the most to gain.
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