NFL Draft 2011: 10 Prospects Whose Stock Is Falling
Once November rolls around, the upcoming NFL draft the following spring becomes a major topic of discussion.
Well, since then, the prospects have been through their final college season, the Senior Bowl (for those that were seniors), the NFL combine and their university's pro days.
Stocks have risen, fallen and/or remain unchanged.
For those that have improved, they've only enhanced their chances in the eyes of the scouts.
For those that have dropped, well, take a look...
Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
1 of 10
Received negative reviews for his combine interviews, underperformed in position drills and skipped out on workouts prior to the combine.
What more do you need to know?
In addition to Jimmy Smith, there are other players with just as much talent as him (if not more).
When players get to this point in their football careers, it comes down to character and mental toughness (intangibles, if you will).
What can a player do to separate himself from the pack and stand out?
Well, Smith has not done that; therefore, we see a drop in his draft stock.
Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
2 of 10
In addition to not wanting to talk about the rumors of his drug use, Ryan Mallet did so in a cocky/immature matter.
Had he come out and said that the rumors weren't true from the start, then maybe his draft stock wouldn't be falling.
But since he has refused to discuss it, it only makes the skeptics even more hesitant.
With that, there's no wonder why we see the Arkansas QB's stock dropping.
His skills on the field are without a doubt impressive, but the NFL is a completely different game than college football.
Intangibles such as integrity are just as important as physical skills, so come draft day, that may be what hurts Mallet in the end.
Nonetheless, he will still get drafted, so as long as there's a 2011 NFL season, Mallet can definitely prove skeptics wrong.
Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
3 of 10
Unlike the first two players mentioned, Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers has a physical condition.
In the blog of senior writer Clark Judge of CBS Sports, Bowers reportedly has to have his knee re-examined.
Now, although he hurt the knee during the season, Bowers played through it and then had surgery after the season.
Because of that, Bowers did not participate at the combine and declined to participate in Clemson's pro day in order to have his own.
Should he perform well at his own pro day, then he could rise again, but let's wait until we see him in action.
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Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
4 of 10
He's been knocked for his size, toughness and not using his hands.
Most believe that he's survived based on natural talent.
In the NFL, he's definitely not the prototypical nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme, but he would be perfect for the 4-3.
And although his stock has slipped a bit, if he falls any further, it won't be much.
Expect him to be a top-10 or top-five pick, but if he drops, it will most likely be because of his size.
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
5 of 10
Make no mistake about it; Alabama RB Mark Ingram is a beast who will definitely go in the first round.
Whoever drafts him will be getting a solid RB that can pound through the middle as well as outrun the secondary.
The problem is that it's just Ingram's luck to be in a defense-heavy draft where most of the top picks, well, need defense.
However, it is also a blessing in disguise, as it will make him stand out more at the RB position.
With that said, chances are he'll have to wait until after the top 10, but then again, it could be worse.
Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA
6 of 10
Did he come out too early?
That is one of the questions facing UCLA FS Rahim Moore.
After a stellar sophomore season with the Bruins where he led the nation with 10 picks, Moore's play decreased in 2010.
The thing is, most free safeties are not usually in man coverage like Moore, so they can't say the ball wasn't thrown his way enough.
Plus, being a free safety means he's a more versatile DB and should be positioned more so to get interceptions.
Had he stayed to finish out college, Moore could have been a top-10 draft pick, but instead, he may have to wait until the second or even third round.
Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
7 of 10
In an article by Russ Lande of Sporting News, Pittsburgh WR Jon Baldwin's NFL draft stock is dropping.
At the Pittsburgh Panthers pro day, Baldwin, according to Lande, looked like this:
"He is a big receiver with a tight upper body and almost zero quickness or acceleration off the line or out of breaks. He lacks zero elusiveness running after the catch, too."
Well, for a report from someone that was present at that pro day, there's not much else to say.
Also, Baldwin practically threw Pitt QB Tino Sunseri and former head coach Dave Wannstedt under the bus after being asked if he was coming back for his senior season.
Then throw in A.J. Green from Georgia and Julio Jones from Alabama, and Baldwin easily goes overlooked.
Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State
8 of 10
In an NFL 4-3 scheme, Michigan State ILB Greg Jones may be a bit undersized.
However, if he wishes to remain as an ILB, then the 3-4 scheme might suit him better because of his speed.
Or, if he's willing to move to the outside in a 4-3 front, where he could become a pass rusher.
In any event, Jones has excellent intangibles as a leader and influence amongst his teammates.
With that said, he should go in the second round, but because of his size, he may drop to the third.
Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
9 of 10
After struggling at the combine, Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi may be on the outside looking in come draft weekend.
Now, despite a good showing at the Senior Bowl, the combine proved to be anything but as Stanzi missed WRs all over the place.
Maybe the pressure of the draft/combine got to him, but he still has solid talent nonetheless.
Slated to be a third or fourth-rounder, Stanzi may have to wait until the fifth or early sixth despite a better pro day.
Ahmad Black, SS, Florida
10 of 10
For only being 5'10" and 184 lbs. Black did not show his speed and explosiveness at the combine.
At the Florida pro day last week, Black didn't show much improvement either.
His 40-yard dash remains in the mid-4.7-second range; however, he does have decent quickness.
As a safety, both are key, and having a good 40 time also shows catch-up speed if he initially gets beat in man coverage.
The quickness does help more for zone, but since the combine, other players at his position have proven better.
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