2011 NFL Mock Draft: Which Studs Have Worked Their Way Into Round 1?
With the 2011 NFL draft almost a month away (Thursday April, 28), the NFL season is in limbo.
There is talk of the players boycotting the event and having their own draft ceremonies with the help of the former players union.
While I don’t want to get into that for this article, I do believe that the students coming into the NFL shouldn’t be dragged into this mess.
This article consists of the top 10 players who have improved their stock since the end of the NCAA football season into potential first-rounder status.
Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
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Miami University has been a powerhouse in the past, but one thing that has never changed has been the quality they put into their players.
Hankerson is a prime example of the type of player Miami is proud to have had in its program.
He was a team captain and a good leader on and off the field. He would fit nicely with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in New England.
His size, at 6’3”, is perfect for the NFL, and having 73 catches, 1,156 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns last season for the Hurricanes shows he can carry the load throughout a season and in the biggest of games.
Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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While ESPN doesn’t have him going in the first round, I’d bet my bottom dollar that he makes it.
He is probably the best safety in the draft, and in three years at UCLA, he started every single game.
Not only is he a good coverage safety, he is a good leader. Moore was named captain of the defense for the 2010 season for the Bruins.
ESPN ranks him as the 31st best prospect and the best safety in the draft. I can see Chicago taking Moore with the 29th pick in the 2011 draft.
Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
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The Canadian-born Danny Watkins played only two seasons at Baylor and only started playing football in 2007.
The relatively new player has already started every game in two years at Baylor, and at 6’4” and 310 pounds, his size translates well to the NFL.
Watkins’ rise to fame culminated in college when he started the Senior Bowl at offensive tackle.
With an impressive showing at the combine, his stock is slowly rising, and he may sneak in the back end of the first round. Look for the Steelers to go after Watkins at the end of the first round.
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Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona
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While ESPN has Brooks Reed going to the Green Bay Packers with the 32nd pick in the draft, many believe his stock is rising fast.
He was injured during the 2009 season, and it took him awhile to get back into his game. Last season for Arizona, Reed had 47 tackles and seven sacks to help show that he was a legitimate player.
While Reed played defensive end at Arizona, if the Packers draft him, they will move him to outside linebacker with Clay Matthews. Talk about pressure off the edge!
Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova
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While Villanova isn’t known for their football program, they have had some major stars come out of their program.
Just ask Brian Westbrook.
The Philadelphia Eagles, who drafted Westbrook, may be in a position to take the lineman with their first-round pick.
Ben Ijalana is a superior talent that was buried on a non-FBS team with the Wildcats.
Iljalana could be a top prospect if he faced the same opponents the other top players have faced. He is the right size at 6’3” and 317 pounds and started every game in this three-year career at Villanova.
Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
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The Maryland Terps have a wide receiver that was under the radar but is starting to make a big splash in the draft talk.
Torrey Smith might not be the tallest at just over 6'0'', but his speed is excellent.
The main reason his stock is rising besides his stellar numbers in college and his physical attributes is his leadership ability.
ESPN reports that Smith is humble, respectful and a person of great integrity and that he has been an excellent person for the team and the school.
Aaron Willimas, CB, Texas
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The Atlanta Falcons will be looking to improve their defense, and Aaron Williams would be a good pick for the secondary.
Williams is ranked 33rd in the ESPN player rankings and the fourth-best defensive back.
I feel that he is undervalued, and his stock will rise every time people get to see him play.
He can play zone or man coverage and is a smart player who would make a great addition to a team looking for defensive help long term.
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn isn’t the biggest prospect. His stock may have even fallen when his height and weight registered under 6’3'' and 281 pounds, accordingly.
Where Clayborn makes up for his lack of size is his work ethic and relentlessness.
In his four-year college career, he registered 192 total tackles, 19 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
Clayborn is the 21st-ranked prospect on ESPN’s list of top prospects, and ESPN’s Todd McShay has him going 24th overall to the New Orleans Saints, where I agree he would be a good fit.
Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
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Another gem hidden in the smaller football schools in southeast Pennsylvania is Muhammad Wilkerson of Temple.
While you may have never seen him play, ESPN ranks him as the 17th-best prospect and the fifth-best defensive end in the country.
Wilkerson is just over 6’4” and weighs in at a hefty 315 pounds. All reports have him as a hard worker who could put more weight on if needed.
His stock has risen so high that I have him going to Jacksonville with the 16th overall pick.
Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
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Florida Gators senior Mike Pouncey will be a first-round draft pick next season, and his stock is rising by the day.
He has started 32 games for the Gators and has shown good quickness in his hands and feet.
One of the biggest reasons his stock is rising is the success of his brother, Maurkice, at center for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
People know they train together and are very similar in their style and work ethic, so expect him to continue to climb in the first round. I could see him going as high as 12th to the Minnesota Vikings.
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