2011 NFL Draft Results: The 3 Most Surprising Picks from Day 3

2011 NFL Draft Results continue to hit us NFL fans that are trying to make sense of it all. Day 3 features the back end of the all-important NFL draft.

This does not mean these rounds are devoid of talent. To the contrary, there are still some players that can make quite an impact at the next level.

There are some issues surrounding these players. Some have taken a slide in their stock because of off-the-field issues or questionable size. The land is rough in the fourth through seventh rounds, but there are still plenty of gems to be had.

Here are a few players that went much later than they should have because of certain question marks. These surprising picks could easily become stars in the next few seasons.

Let's take a look.

Minnestoa Vikings Take Christian Ballard at No. 106

Christian Ballard is an NFL starter. He has the size and talent to make a significant impact in the NFL. Most had him as high as a second-round pick.

Then came his positive drug result ahead of the draft. The idiocy cannot be defended. But I submit that the positive result for marijuana will be a non-issue going forward.

You can't deny how well this guy commands the line. The Viking took a shot, but only after 105 other names had been called. I hope the chip on his shoulder and humility of the test does him well.

Atlanta Falcons Take Jacquizz Rodgers at No. 145

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 04: Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the 114th Civil War on December 4, 2010 at the Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

I was very interested to see where Jacquizz would go in the 2011 NFL draft. Watching him in the Pac-10, I am well aware of what kind of motor this guy has.

Granted, he does not have a 40-yard dash time that will blow you away. But his quickness and evasive maneuvers cannot be denied. He may be small, but his talents at eluding defenders make his size mandatory.

Linebackers and linemen will need a microscope to find him. This was a great late-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons. I thought he would come off the board right away on Day 3. It took a bit, but the next Darren Sproles is going to Atlanta.

Green Bay Packers Take D.J. Williams at No. 141

D.J. Williams is small in stature, but not in talent. The tight end that is considered too small to matter in the NFL was blessed to be taken by the Green Bay Packers.

While he is questionable on the line as a blocker, the Packers will find that he is already ready to set blocks down field, and he makes a great receiver.

If there is any team that can get some use out of Williams, it's the Packers. Consider him a stocky receiver of the future for the Packers. He has hands that will catch many errant passes. Not that there will be many with Aaron Rodgers lobbing him balls.