NFL Draft 2011: 10 Big Names That Could Fall All the Way to Day 3
One the most interesting aspects of the later rounds of the NFL draft is watching the big names that are selected one or two rounds later than you might have expected.
Despite being known prospects, NFL franchises have left these players on the board in the fourth round on day three. Each prospect has his own specific set of red flags attached to his name, and there is always a reason behind the fall.
Here are 10 high-profile prospects that very likely could still be waiting for their names to get called on day three of the draft.
Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State)
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Jacquizz Rodgers’ 5'6", 196 lb. frame will not doom him to an unsuccessful NFL career.
Rodgers has a great burst of speed and tremendous agility, which makes him a nightmare for defenders in the open field. Last season as a junior at Oregon State, Rodgers rushed for 1,184 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Jacquizz Rodgers could potentially carve out a great NFL career as a change-of-pace back or as a dangerous passing option out of the backfield.
Unfortunately for Rodgers, NFL franchises will not be drafting change-of-pace running backs in the first three rounds. Teams will be searching for prospects that can handle a full rushing workload, and potentially carry the ball 20-25 times a game.
Jacquizz Rodgers’ small stature prevents him from being an every-down running back. He will have to wait until day three, when teams will be willing to spend a pick to use him in a limited capacity. Jacquizz can bring great value to a franchise as a complementary tailback that has great speed, agility and pass-catching ability.
Teams will be more than willing to draft this undersized talent, but not in the first three rounds of the draft.
Kelvin Sheppard (LSU)
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Kelvin Sheppard was one of the leaders on a stingy LSU defense last season as a senior, along with cornerback Patrick Peterson and defensive tackle Drake Nevis.
Sheppard is a sure tackler that is consistently involved in the play as evidenced by his 218 tackles throughout his past two seasons at LSU.
Kelvin is not flashy, but he is an experienced prospect that is a proven competitor.
All of the qualities that I have just mentioned are fine, but Sheppard will still likely be a fourth-round pick.
Scouts feel that Sheppard has limited upside as a professional prospect. There are also complaints that while he is a solid all-around player, he does not have any one particular outstanding facet to his game.
These critiques have stunted Sheppard’s draft stock, and will most likely drop this proven playmaker to day three of the draft.
Titus Young (Boise State)
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Titus Young had an accomplished collegiate career at Boise State catching 25 touchdown passes throughout his four seasons with the Broncos.
Young is a high-character prospect that has good hands. Yes, Titus Young is a quality prospect for any team that finds itself in need of a wide receiver, but do not expect any franchise to pull the trigger on Young in the first three rounds though.
There are questions surrounding the Boise State product. One of the utmost concerns is if Titus’ skills can carry over to the NFL. He succeeded in a pass-happy spread offensive system with the Broncos. Nevertheless, there are concerns over whether the prospect can succeed in a more balanced offense. Titus' ability to create separation from stronger NFL cornerbacks will also be interesting to watch.
Titus Young will definitely be drafted and have an opportunity to silence all of his doubters. In all likelihood though, a franchise will not give Titus that opportunity until day three of the draft.
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DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma)
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As far as athleticism and speed go DeMarco Murray is a first-round talent. Unfortunately, there is an ample amount of risk attached to the athleticism Murray brings to the table.
Murray consistently dealt with injuries at Oklahoma that ranged from a dislocated right kneecap to a ruptured hamstring. This raises obvious concerns about DeMarco’s ability to stay healthy throughout a 16-game NFL regular season.
Murray also does not have the strength to match his jet quickness. He is at his best when he is in the open field or on the edge, but has trouble breaking tackles. His smaller 6'0", 213 lb. frame does not help him take on defenders.
DeMarco Murray is definitely worth a selection as a mid-round pick based on his outstanding athleticism and home run ability alone. Unfortunately, his extensive injury history and lack of interior-rushing prowess will push him to day three as a likely fourth-round pick.
Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)
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Tyrod Taylor came into Virginia Tech as a 5-star recruit, and many Hokies fans had high expectations for the dual-threat quarterback. By the time Taylor’s four years at the school were over, he had left no doubt in anyone’s mind as to the legitimacy of his talent.
Taylor has all the intangibles you love in a quarterback such as strong leadership skills and a high-character background with no off-field missteps. On the field, Tyrod Taylor is equally as dangerous as a runner as he is as a passer. Taylor showed remarkable development in his decision-making throughout his time at Virginia Tech. He only threw five interceptions compared to 24 touchdowns as a senior.
There are drawbacks to Taylor that will hold him back from being selected on one of the first two days though.
He is only 6'1" and does not have the ideal height you would like to have in an NFL quarterback. Tyrod will have to make the transition to more of a traditional NFL offense. He will also need to show a firm understanding of when to pass and when to tuck it and run.
Tyrod Taylor is a decorated collegiate star and one of the top athletes in the draft. Too many questions surround the quarterback though for a team to take him in one of the first three rounds.
Ahmad Black (Florida)
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Ahmad Black was a constant in Florida’s secondary during the past few seasons in Gainesville.
Black played some of the best football of his Gators career as a senior registering 109 tackles and five interceptions. He was one of the biggest hitters in the college game, and some of his hits are cringe-inducing.
Still, with everything there is to like about Ahmad Black there are definite drawbacks to his game.
At 5'9", 185 lbs. Black has small size for a safety on the NFL level. Also, he had an unimpressive performance at Florida's pro day that was punctuated by a sluggish 40-yard dash time of 4.75 seconds. This poor combine showing has dampened some of the momentum that Ahmad was enjoying after his strong senior season at Florida.
Ahmad Black is a proven football player that successfully competed at the highest level in the collegiate game. Black will not be watching the picks roll by in the seventh round, but concerns about his size and speed mean that he will be watching anxiously on the beginning of day three.
Greg Romeus (Pittsburgh)
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It seems like a lot longer than 18 months ago that Greg Romeus was considered the top pass rusher in the Big East and a definite future first-round pick.
Unfortunately, Romeus has had to deal with some devastating setbacks since then. He tore his ACL in Pittsburgh’s 2010 season opener against Utah, which effectively ended his senior campaign. Greg’s injury has killed a lot of the sizable draft buzz that he once had.
Romeus also suffered a back injury that did nothing to help his rehabilitation.
These injuries truly are a shame. Greg Romeus was once one of the premier pass rushers in the country. During his sophomore and junior campaigns Romeus accumulated 15 sacks and 94 tackles. At 6'5", 270 lbs., Greg has an unbelievable build coupled with a quickness that allowed him to get after the quarterback.
I use the past tense because it is uncertain just how effectively Romeus can recover from the aforementioned torn ACL injury. Greg Romeus will be watching on day three and waiting for the team that will take on the baggage of his injury-riddled past.
Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma)
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Jeremy Beal produced in a big way for head coach Bob Stoops throughout his four years at Oklahoma. Beal tallied an astounding 27 sacks and 192 tackles throughout his past three seasons at the school.
Beal has good size for the position at 6''3", 263 lbs. During his time at Oklahoma he showed all the skills you would want in a dominant pass-rushing defensive end. A first- or second-round landing spot in the draft was looking more and more probable for Jeremy, until the combine rolled around.
Beal performed poorly in all of the positional drills, and ran a 5.16 40-yard dash that was the slowest of all the defensive ends that participated. This disastrous combine performance has caused Jeremy’s stock to plummet. The prospect’s athleticism and explosiveness that were once so highly regarded have come into question.
Unfortunately for Beal, his horrid 40-yard dash time and all-around poor combine performance will most likely equate to a third-day selection.
Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State)
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Kendall Hunter was a prime-time performer at Oklahoma State in head coach Mike Gundy’s wide-open spread offense. Hunter had arguably his finest season last year as a senior rushing for 1,548 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Kendall Hunter has a great burst of speed and can really make plays in the open field. The other aspect that sticks out about Hunter’s game is his impressive ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Hunter is experiencing the same problem as Jacquizz Rodgers though, in that his small size is a major cause for concern. At 5'7", he is one of the smallest prospects in the running back pool. With his small size come questions about Hunter’s durability and whether he will be able to handle a sizeable NFL rushing workload.
Kendall Hunter has the skills to make an impact in the league, and has proven himself over the course of his college career at Oklahoma State. Despite that, no team will take a chance on Hunter until day three.
Terrence Toliver (LSU)
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There was a considerable amount of buzz surrounding Terrence Toliver going into the 2011 season, but he did not have the breakout season that some expected him to have. Toliver only caught 41 passes for 579 yards and five touchdowns.
Toliver has great size for the position at 6'3". He has shown glimpses of being an elite wide receiver, but he has never put the total package together.
There is definitely a high ceiling to Terrence Toliver’s football skill set. NFL teams love potential, and Terrence Toliver certainly has a lot of potential.
With that being said, Toliver never put up outstanding numbers at LSU. He has not done enough on the field to warrant a spot in the first three rounds of the draft.
Toliver will be selected on day three, but he has the physical tools and ability to be a first-round draft pick.
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