NFL Draft 2011: 10 Small Players Teams Can't Overlook
Numbers are the name of the game when it comes to the NFL Scouting Combine—which is happening this week—or the NFL Draft—which is just weeks away.
Being a physical prototype has become increasingly vital to draft stock, as athletes are seemingly getting faster, stronger and, most notably, bigger.
Sometimes being short can mean having to over-perform in combine workouts, as well as in games, to get anyone to be a believer.
That might be the case for the 10 guys on this list.
Here are 10 small players who cannot be overlooked in this year's draft.
Mario Harvey, Marshall
1 of 10
Listed Height: 5'11"
For a linebacker, Marshall's Mario Harvey is considerably small.
However, nobody can count out Harvey's motor or tenacity. The Thundering Herd's heart and soul during the 2010 season, the undersized Harvey compiled 142 tackles during his senior campaign.
He's a beast at getting into the backfield to terrorize offenses, and he uses his short stature to his advantage when flying around and under blockers.
Harvey is very similar to former Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran.
Jock Sanders, West Virginia
2 of 10
Listed Height: 5'6"
As the shortest player in this year's draft, it's hard to leave Jock Sanders off this list. But he might be the most questionable of the little guys when it comes to transitioning to the NFL.
Sanders played a primarily screen-oriented offense at West Virginia, and he also saw time as a tailback change-up to fellow shorty Noel Devine.
What makes Sanders so likable, if a potential starting receiver position doesn't seem like a possibility for him, is the fact he's actually physical.
Sanders could become a valuable special teams player and no one can deny his quickness and agility. He could become an impact player by returning punts, kicks or even gunning.
As a receiver, the closest comparison you might give him is Santana Moss, but he could turn out to compare to Falcons returner and special teamer Eric Weems.
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
3 of 10
Listed Height: 5'7"
Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers burst onto the college football landscape thanks to a standout performance to help upset USC in 2008.
He's entering the NFL Draft early, which is justified by the fact he has 3,877 career rushing yards in three seasons of college experience.
Rodgers is a sneaky runner who makes most of his plays happen in the backfield with quick cuts and precise decision making.
He's easily the closest thing you are going to get to the next Warrick Dunn.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Jeremy Kerley, TCU
4 of 10
Listed Height: 5'9"
He may not be a household name, but there were a few reasons Texas Christian was so good in the past few seasons, and receiver Jeremy Kerley was one of them.
Kerley made his living as a solid wide receiver and an impact special teams player, as well as in a utility role during his senior season in Fort Worth.
He was a late bloomer, but he finished 2010 strong with 55 receptions and 10 touchdowns. Kerley has great agility and he has potential to be a great special teams player. He could very well work into a wide-open passing offense, such as New England's.
He's a poor man's DeSean Jackson when it comes to athletic ability, although he's not quite as fast.
Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State
5 of 10
Listed Height: 5'7"
Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter never let height become a factor during his career with the Cowboys. Hunter played a major part in making the Oklahoma State program a national competitor again, rushing for 4,181 career yards and scoring 37 career touchdowns.
He combines a solid, quick change-of-direction ability with short, slashing cuts and a surprising amount of power. Hunter is definitely not afraid of contact and his low center of gravity helps him in that area.
Being a tiny running back from Stillwater, it's easy to compare Hunter to Barry Sanders. However, Hunter compares to a shorter version of former Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno as an elusive tailback who's inviting to contact.
Derrick Locke, Kentucky
6 of 10
Listed Height: 5'8"
One of the more overlooked players in the draft, former Kentucky Wildcat Derrick Locke is packed full of explosiveness.
He carried the ball for a modest 887 yards in his final season with the Cats, including 10 touchdowns, but you have to realize that he shared the backfield with 424, 293 and 254 yard rushers.
While he may appear to be another Warrick Dunn clone, especially with the quarterback facemask, Locke is no doubt a Chris Johnson type of player.
He may not be of the same caliber, but he's a straight-line runner who immediately finds the fastest angle to the next 20 yards and hits it with a wild burst. He's a reliable pass catcher as well, and he has been clocked running under a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.
Noel Devine, West Virginia
7 of 10
Listed Height: 5'7"
Noel Devine didn't have an amazing senior season at West Virginia, but he still finished his four-year career with 4,317 yards and 29 touchdowns.
He's lightning quick and undoubtedly a huge weapon for any offense. However, running between the tackles will be a foreign concept for Devine at the next level.
Many question his ability to hold up as a true running back, but any team that gets Devine will have a game-changing weapon.
He's the Darren Sproles of the 2011 class.
Randall Cobb, Kentucky
8 of 10
Listed Height: 5'10"
Mr. Do It All, Randall Cobb was one of the most prolific offensive weapons in SEC history and he made the otherwise-hapless Kentucky Wildcats a potential giant killer each-and-every week in SEC play during his tenure.
Cobb, who played quarterback, running back, receiver and punt returner with the Cats, compiled 84 receptions for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as 424-yards rushing (7.7 yards per carry) and five touchdowns during his junior year.
He's entering the draft as a receiver prospect, but Cobb just flat out needs to be on the field as much as possible. He's a potential great at punt returner and he could fit very well into a gadget offense, such as Pittsburgh's.
Easy comparison here: Antwan Randle El.
Ahmad Black, Florida
9 of 10
Listed Height: 5'9"
Known for making one of the most bone-crushing hits of the last decade in college football, Florida safety Ahmad Black has plenty of hard-hitting ability and a nose for the ball to make up for his small stature.
He has a great feel for what opponents' passing games are trying to do, always getting to the ball and making interceptions. He also tackles like a linebacker.
Call it a stretch, but I can't help comparing this guy to whatever result would come from a lab experiment involving a healthy Bob Sanders and Ed Reed.
Jerrel Jernigan, Troy
10 of 10
Listed Height: 5'9"
Troy State's Jerrel Jernigan never really became a household name during his career as a Sun Belt football player, but had he been on any other team, he might have been a considered an annual Heisman dark horse.
Jernigan received for 822 yards and rushed for 322 yards with the Trojans in his senior season.
He's one of the more exhilarating prospects in the draft class. He combines quickness and physicality to create a completely unique player profile. He takes first contact well, usually staying on his feet, and he also splits defenses with great speed. He's great at improvising and working for the extra tough yards. He has a knack for making those "effort" plays that wow you.
Jernigan is a fantastic after-the-catch receiver and he will be a draft steal for whoever gets him.
I honestly can't give a player comparison for receiver, but his running style kind of reminds me of Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. He's kind of his own genre at the moment, and that should turn some light bulbs on in scouts' heads.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
