NFL Draft 2011: Dontay Moch & the 10 Biggest Freak Athletes in This Draft Class

Football is one of the few sports where you can take a freakish athlete and throw some pads and a helmet on him and his athleticism doesn't quite translate into production on the field.

There are several "combine freaks" in the 2011 NFL draft class, and many of them may not work out at the next level.

Certainly, these "freaks" are amazing athletes and could very well be some of the best track and field athletes in the world, but that doesn't mean they're great football players. 

Based on the each player's size, combine results and playing style at the college level, I have compiled a list of the 10 biggest freak athletes in the 2011 NFL draft. 

Will any of these "freaks of nature" become NFL stars? They certainly have the athleticism, but only time will tell.

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.

Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers looks to pass the ball during the 2010 SEC Championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Ima

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 250 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.59

Vertical Jump: 35.0

Three-Cone Drill: 6.92

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.18

Broad Jump: 10'6"

When have you ever seen a quarterback that's as fast as a running back, as tall as a tight end, as strong as a linebacker and still has that rocket arm?

Auburn's Cam Newton is the ultimate example of a freak of nature. 

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, who is one of the most unique passers in the NFL, had a stellar college career at Florida and played fairly well as a Bronco his rookie season in 2010. Newton may not be on the same level as Tebow, but he's one hell of an athlete.

Success in the NFL? No.

Shane Vereen, Running Back, California

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears warms up for their game against the Stanford Cardinal at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

NFL Combine Results

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 210 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.50

Bench Press: 31

Vertical Jump: 34.0

Shane Vereen out of Cal is one of the most powerful backs in the 2011 draft.

Vereen has nice size at 210 lbs. and is built to break many arm tackles and force defenders to use a low center of gravity to bring him down.

He usually doesn't run through people; he slips past their arms and is usually dragged down by multiple players due to his great upper body strength—31 reps of 225 lbs. at the combine. 

Success in the NFL? Yes.

Virgil Green, Tight End, Nevada

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 250 lbs. 

40-Yard Dash: 4.64

Bench Press: 23

Vertical Jump: 42.5

Three-Cone Drill: 6.90

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.40

60-Yard Shuttle: 11.63

Broad Jump: 10'10"

Nevada's Virgil Green may be the second coming of Antonio Gates, but even more explosive and elusive. 

Green is literally a freak—at 250 lbs., he somehow manages to jump 42.5 inches vertically, which translates into amazing jump ball ability.

For a tight end, he's got stellar speed with a 4.64 forty—a nice complement to his decent strength and power.

Success in the NFL? Yes.

Edmond Gates, Wide Receiver, Abilene Christian University

NFL Combine Results

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 192 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.37

Bench Press: 16

Vertical Jump: 40.0

Broad Jump: 10'11"

Edmond Gates is one of the most athletic and fastest wide receivers in this draft class.

He's got a great burst and very quick off the line of scrimmage. At the combine, he lit up the show with a stellar 4.37 forty time with amazing jump abilities.

Success in the NFL? No.

DeMarcus Van Dyke, Cornerback, Miami

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 176 lbs. 

40-Yard Dash: 4.28

Bench Press: 5

Vertical Jump: 33.5

Three-Cone Drill: 6.97

Broad Jump: 10'1"

DeMarcus Van Dyke may be the perfect example of a freak athlete that will not translate into NFL production.

Granted, Van Dyke has amazing speed at a 4.28 forty time and can keep up with any wide receiver in the league, but he's got such a small frame. He may be only suited for special teams.

Success in the NFL? No.

J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 290 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.84

Bench Press: 34

Vertical Jump: 37

Three-Cone Drill: 6.88

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.21

Broad Jump: 10'

Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt is one of the more dynamic players in the 2011 draft class.

Watt was a standout pass rusher and run stopper in the Big Ten. If Watt played basketball, he'd be an athletic "big man." He's got great speed and is very explosive off the ball and has great power.

Success in the NFL?: Yes.

Martez Wilson, Linebacker, Illinois

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Martez Wilson of Illinois works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 250 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.49

Bench Press: 23

Vertical Jump: 36

Three-Cone Drill: 7.04

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.28

Broad Jump: 10'4"

Martez Wilson is probably one of the most athletic inside linebackers in the 2011 draft class. 

Wilson has great speed at a 4.49 forty-yard dash time—which is great for tracking down running backs.

Due his amazing speed, he tends to over-pursue frequently.

Success in the NFL?: Yes.

Stephen Paea, Defensive Linemen, Oregon State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

NFL Combine Results 

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 303 lbs.

Bench Press: 49

Oregon State's Stephen Paea is like the Incredible Hulk—his strength is unreal. 

At the NFL combine, Paea bench-pressed 225 lbs. an amazing 49 times. Many scouts believe it's due to his short arms. Either way, Paea is a powerful defensive lineman.

Success in the NFL?: Yes.

Robert Quinn, Defensive End / Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Robert Quinn of North Carolina runs through a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 265 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.70

Bench Press: 22

Vertical Jump: 34.0

Three-Cone Drill: 7.13

Broad Jump: 9'8"

UNC's Robert Quinn will be a very productive freak athlete in the NFL.

Quinn, who's a whopping 265 lbs., has great speed and strength, which enable him to be a defensive end in a 4-3 defense and defensive end and outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

Versatility is always a plus when you're scouting a player—especially when that player is a freak of nature.

Success in the NFL?: Yes.

Dontay Moch, Defensive End / Outside Linebacker, Nevada

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Dontay Moch of Nevada runs a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 250 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.44

Bench Press: 21

Vertical Jump: 42.0

Three-Cone Drill: 7.09

Broad Jump: 10'8"

At last, the ultimate freak athlete of the 2011 NFL draft class: Nevada defensive end / outside linebacker Dontay Moch. 

What 250-lb. man can run a 4.44 forty-yard dash and jump an amazing 42 inches off the ground? Moch can, and I'm sure not too many other people can.

Some say that the vertical jump is the best test to see who is more athletic—in this case, Moch's stellar 42.0 is untouchable at his position, which declares him the ultimate freak athlete.

Success in the NFL? Yes.