NFL Free Agency: Top 10 Rookies Who Will Go Undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft

LeGarrette Blount, Sam Shields: it happens every year.

NFL front offices watch film and attend workouts for months evaluating college prospects.  Scouts even follow players pretty much year round.

Still, impact players like Blount and Shields slip through the cracks and go undrafted, but still manage to help a football team as a mere rookie. 

Some of the following players you may not have heard of, but you definitely will soon enough, unless the UFL signs them first.

Here are the top 10 rookies who will go undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

10. Donald Bruckman (HB, UTEP)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Donald Buckram #3 of the UTEP Miners runs for a touchdown past Shakiel Smith #49 and Chinonso Echebelem #24 of the Tulane Green Wave at Louisana Superdome on November 7, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by R

Donald Bruckman is an explosive back with lightning quickness.

Injuries destroyed a promising senior campaign, but his junior season he rushed for 1,420 yards with 16 touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry.

He has the ability to catch passes well out of the backfield, and if healthy, he could make an impact as a change-of-pace back his first year.

9. Stephen Skelton (TE, Fordham)

Skelton...Fordham...sound familiar?  

Stephen Skelton is Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton's brother.

At 6'5", Stephen has the height you want in a receiving tight end. He possesses great ball skills and has the ability to get a few extra yards after the catch.

He's not going to be much of a blocker at the next level weighing 245 pounds, but he does have the potential to gain weight.

Skelton could provide a nice security blanket for a quarterback his rookie season.

8. Chris Matthews (WR, Kentucky)

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Chris Matthews #8 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs for a touchdown after a reception during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Ge

At 6'5" and 218 pounds, Chris Matthews has the size to be a solid possession receiver at the next level.

He doesn't have great speed, but he can get down field and is dangerous as a vertical threat.  Matthews is a physical wideout with good ball skills.  

All those skills combined give him the opportunity to become a nice security blanket/red zone threat early.

7. Anthony Gaitor (CB, FIU)

Anthony Gaitor plays bigger than his 5'10", 178-pound frame.

He's a solid athlete with good man-to-man coverage ability.  His ball skills are going to give him a chance to get on the field though.

Gaitor probably won't be anything more than a nickel in the NFL, but with the league becoming more and more pass-happy, nickels often now get starter's minutes.

6. Courtney Smith (WR, Southern Alabama)

Courtney Smith has good size at 6'4" and 223 pounds.

He's a smart player and fluid athlete.  He had trouble with drops at the Senior Bowl though, so his stock has dropped this offseason.

If he can regain his confidence, he'll be able to create mismatches with his size.

5. Korey Lindsey (CB, Southern Illinois)

Korey Lindsey has some nice corner size at 6'0" and 190 pounds, but he could afford to gain some weight.

He's not the strongest guy and isn't going to be a force in the running game.

What Lindsey is though, is a playmaker who's great at getting his hands on the football. He'll probably be more of a zone corner at the next level, but he could force some turnovers for a football team.

4. Lester Jean (WR, Florida Atlantic)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 21: Lester Jean #80 of the Florida Atlantic University Owls avoids a tackle by Dontae Reed #6 of the Memphis University Tigers in the New Orleans Bowl on December 21, 2007 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The

Lester Jean is just another wideout with great size at 6'3" and 215 pounds.

He doesn't have jaw-dropping speed, but he's lanky and can run away from defenders.  Jean's quickness is also very impressive for a man his size.

Many young receivers struggle to beat press coverage early in their careers, but Jean won't have that problem with his agility.

3. Graig Cooper (HB, Miami)

Doug Benc/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Graig Cooper #2 of the Miami Hurricanes looks for room to run while taking on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami defeated Georgia

Graig Cooper looked like a sure second, potential late first-rounder with a dominant senior season, but a torn ACL instantly derailed those dreams.

Cooper is a very talented runner and receiver.  He's doesn't necessarily have breakaway speed or punishing power, but he's patient, quick and has great vision.

A knee at 100 percent could result in Cooper eventually challenging for a starting job in 2011, but he should get his touches at the very least.

2. Weslye Saunders (TE, South Carolina)

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ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 12: Weslye Saunders #88 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Weslye Saunders has all the physical tools to start in the NFL.  He's a solid athlete with phenomenal size at 6'5" and 270 pounds.

He was kicked off the South Carolina football team for lying to NCAA investigators though, and Saunders also just had foot surgery April 1.

He's a raw prospect. His route-running could use improvement, and his hands need a little work, but if Saunders can put his past behind him—which he seems humbled and determined to do—he could turn into a major steal.

1. Anthony Sherman (FB, Connecticut)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Anthony Sherman #49 of the Connecticut Huskies stiff arms Tom Wort #21 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona.

Now, Anthony Sherman isn't going to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and you probably won't even hear about him unless he's on your team.

Sherman is a powerful lead blocker, and he is also a special teams fiend.

He will without a doubt make a roster and get playing time right away.  The only reason he won't get drafted is because teams have been shying away from using the traditional, battering ram fullback.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.