NFL Draft 2011: 10 Players Who Lowered Their Draft Stocks at the NFL Combine

The NFL Combine serves as an opportunity for players to better their draft status and prove to scouts they have what it takes to compete at the next level. 

However, it also stands as a place where some players completely flop. They get to the combine and under perform, which gives scouts no choice but to look past them.

When you are trying to get drafted and earn as much money as possible, having teams eliminate you from their boards is not what you want to do. 

With that said, the list of players that will soon follow certainly will be drafted, they just didn't help their cause at the Combine. In no particular order, here are 10 guys who lowered their draft stocks.

10. Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Linebacker Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks watches the action from the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game

Casey Matthews may come from a NFL breed, but his stock dropped a little after the combine. Where he will be selected in April have may changed as a result his performance in his workout.

Matthews is a solid inside linebacker, and teams hope he can be as good as his brother. The potential is there, it just may take him a few years to get there. At the combine, Matthews aggravated a recurring shoulder injury during the bench press.

This injury has stuck with him since his freshman year, and because of that teams are a bit weary on taking the former Oregon Ducks star, nobody wants to draft a player that constantly gets hurt.   

9. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Danny Amendola #20 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is tackled by Ras-I Dowling #19 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the Gator Bowl at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam

Many people believe Dowling would a lock for the first round, but injuries have caused his stock to fall. NFL teams consider everything before selecting a player, including health concerns.

Dowling did not help himself at the Combine, because of an injury he sustained. He was running the 40-yard-dash at a good speed, until he pulled up with a hamstring injury at the end.

That injury kept him from competing in other drills, and left teams wondering if Dowling will be a liability in the NFL.  

8. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Running back Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers at Cowboys Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The little guy from Oregon State needed to have a strong showing at the combine to prove to scouts he could be a running back in the NFL. Unfortunately for Rodgers, he fell short. 

Rodgers is listed at 5'6 196 pounds, meaning he would get crushed in the NFL unless he could fly past massive lineman. Rodgers needed a solid 40-yard-dash time to blow scouts away and make them forget about his size. 

He posted a 4.64 time, which ruined his hopes of getting drafted in the earlier rounds. It will be a big gamble for a team to select him, but one team will take that risk. Rodgers cost himself a good deal of money by running a slow 40. 

7. Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the North Team passes over South Team defenders during second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Im

Stanzi was viewed as quarterback you could get in the mid rounds that could develop into a starter someday. Now, Stanzi will be lucky if he's taken in the fifth round. 

His combine performance was not great. Stanzi needed to stand out if he wanted to leap frog the long list of good quarterbacks available in the draft. But he fell flat and did not impress during his throwing session. 

Stanzi was inaccurate and often missed his targets. I still think he has great potential if drafted by the right team. He's a guy who still needs some work and development, and it showed at the Combine. 

6. Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

A while ago, it was believed that Baldwin would be a late first rounder. Now, it's clear he still needs work running routes, and is likely he will be selected mid to late second round. 

He's a big guy, at 6'4" 224, which scouts love. At the combine however, Baldwin fell down on one of his routes and just looked sloppy out there. Baldwin lost a great deal of money by being knocked out of the first round talks as a result of his disappointing performance.. 

5. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Cody Green #17 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers slips past Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric Fran

At the Combine Smith displayed his attitude problems. He had a good workout and was in the top 10 of corners for the 40-yard-dash as well as bench press. But when asked a few questions, Smith was not very bright in his answers. 

He was asked how he felt about being compared to Nnamdi Asomugaha, and he told reporters that he liked it. Smith then followed that up by telling them he believes he has better ball skills than Nnamdi.

Maturity and attitude now becomes an issue when debating to draft him or not. He has talent, but surely screwed himself a little bit by answering questions so poorly. Coming across as arrogant is not a good idea when so many eyes are on him.

4. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Nick Fairley of Auburn looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Fairley cost himself a possible No. 1 overall selection by showing up at the combine smaller and thinner than expected. 

Many believed he was over 300 pounds and close to 6'5". That would make for one massive defensive tackle that could terrorize opposing lineman in the trenches. However, Fairley checked in at 6'3" 291 pounds. Yes, he slimmed down so he could run faster and show his agility and movement in all the drills, but it may have cost him from being the No. 1 pick. 

Fairley could easily gain more weight, but then how agile will he be? He isn't quite the monster we thought he was, and because of that he slips down on a few spots on the draft boards, costing himself millions of dollars.  

3. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs pulls in this touchdown reception against Demond Washington #14 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Green really didn't need to do much at the combine, but he chose to display his skills anyways. He was out-shined by Julio Jones in the shorts and t-shirt game. However, football is not played in that attire; Green's skills are best shown on the field with pads. 

However, scouts take the combine very seriously, and the fact that Julio Jones dominated in Indianapolis with a sore foot tells teams he is a competitor.

To me, Green is the best receiver in the draft, but he may have cost himself millions of dollars by being shown up by Jones.  

2. 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

Ryan Mallett had a great throwing session, but everybody already knew this guy could make all the throws. Scouts were more concerned about his character problems and alleged drug use.

Mallett was standoff-ish with the media and eluded them with his answers. His interviews didn't go too well and teams were left wondering if he was mature enough to be a QB in the NFL.

Mallett has the skill set to step in right away, but that alone won't help you survive in the NFL. He needs all the intangibles and the smart brain to be able to make good decisions. After the combine, teams are unsure if he is capable of that.  

1. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Newton put on a show for everyone with his great physique and exceptional athletic ability. However, teams already knew he could run and jump with the best of them. What they were more concerned about is how well he can throw the ball. 

Newton impressed scouts in his media day workout, which started the build up of all the hype surrounding him. He could have decided not to throw at the combine and just wait for his pro day, where he would be much more comfortable. 

Newton went 11 for 21 and missed some crucial throws. He also had some rough interviews with teams and the media. Newton will still be drafted rather high, but he may not be the first QB drafted.  A poor showing at the combine could have lost this athletic kid millions of dollars.