2011 NFL Draft Results: Top 15 Biggest Draft Free Falls

With endless speculation leading up to the NFL draft, there is sure to be a group of players who are not chosen where they were expected. In fact, every draft is full of players who remain on the board long after they thought they'd be chosen.

This draft is no exception. The 2011 NFL draft had 15 players who fell like a rock.

Da’Rel Scott, RB Maryland

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Da'Rel Scott #23 of the Maryland Terrapins carries the ball in the first half against the Boston College Eagles on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

After clocking in with the fastest time at the NFL Combine, more than one scout was talking about Da’Rel Scott as an early to mid-draft pick.

Speed, however, is not enough to get you into the top half of the draft. With concerns about his ability to find holes in the line and avoid tacklers, Scott fell all the way to the seventh round. The New York Giants grabbed Scott.

The Giants will have a good reserve back in Scott and one of the best grabs in the seventh round. 

Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Blaine Gabbert, #11 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, holds up a jersey during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Several mock drafts had Blaine Gabbert being chosen early, some even choosing Gabbert over eventual first overall pick Cam Newton.

Instead, Gabbert slipped down to 10th, having quarterback Jake Locker chosen before him. No need to worry for Gabbert: the Jaguars traded up to grab Gabbert, convinced he can be their franchise quarterback.

Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes bobbles the ball against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Jimmy Smith was expected by many to go early or middle of the first round.

Instead, Smith was left on the board until the 27th pick, being scooped up by the Baltimore Ravens.

Nick Fairley, DT Auburn

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Nick Fairley, #13 overall pick by the Detriot Lions, holds up a jersey during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Initially considered the most talented player in the 2011 draft, Nick Fairley was slated to go in the top three. Finishing 2010 with 12 sacks made him one of the most potentially dangerous defensive threats on the board.

Teams began to question Fairley’s consistency, however. Fairley was grabbed 13th overall by the Detroit Lions, which could be a steal if those questions are proved unwarranted.

Aaron Williams, DB Texas

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Aaron Williams was originally slated to go in the first round. As the draft approached, though, Williams fell down to the late first and eventually to the second.

By the time he was chosen in the second, many people were saying even that was too high of a pick for Williams.

Andy Dalton, QB TCU

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs looks to pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Andy Dalton was slated to go in the middle or late first round by many NFL writers.

Although many teams were looking for quarterbacks, Dalton was forced back to 35th overall with several teams unsure of his ability to transition to the NFL.

Virgil Green, TE Nevada

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Virgil Green #85 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and Okechukwu Okoroha #27 of Boston College fight for the ball during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Green came down with

Virgil Green was considered a solid tight end going into the draft. Many teams had him slated to go in the third round.

After a knee injury, though, teams became very apprehensive.

After a long wait, Green was finally picked up 204th overall by the Denver Broncos, a team finally willing to risk a pick on a player with a potentially serious injury.

Prince Amukara, DB Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Cornerback Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers breaks up a pass intended wide receiver Wes Kemp #8 of the during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska

Originally slated to go early in the first round, the New York Giants were surprised to find Prince Amukara available with the 19th pick.

Many teams had their doubts about Amukara, considering him too unpolished for the NFL. The converted running back had the talent, he just was not ready for the pros.

With a bit of coaching, the Giants will have a good, quick back in Amukara.

Torrey Smith, WR Maryland

Nearly every mock draft had Torrey Smith going at the 26th spot of the 2011 NFL draft. With his ability to grab high passes and his soft hands, he seemed like a lock for the first round.

Instead, the Baltimore Ravens were elated to find him still available at the 58th spot in the draft. Smith will not disappoint, bringing pure athletic ability with him to Baltimore.

Marvin Austin, DT UNC

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 7: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Throughout Austin’s career, he was considered to be a great pick, expected to go in the first round.

After being kicked off of the North Carolina football team for accepting illegal benefits, Austin spent his entire senior year out of football.

The Giants were willing to take on this risky pick, swooping in with the 52nd pick to grab Austin. If he is able to stay out of trouble, the Giants will be glad they did.

Chris Carter, DL Fresno St

Chris Carter was selected by many to go in the third round. With 11 sacks last season, scouts had Carter ranked as one of the better pass rushers in the 2011 draft.

Instead, Carter fell to the bottom of the fifth round, being chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 162nd overall pick.

Akeem Ayers, LB UCLA

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Linebacker Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

When Akeem Ayers left UCLA early for the NFL draft, many people had him slated to go in the middle of the first round. In fact, some said that anyone in the lower half of the first round would be lucky to get a shot at Ayers.

These people were wrong.

Ayers was chosen by the Titans 39th overall, almost falling all the way to the middle of the second round.

Justin Houston, OLB Georgia

Justin Houston was, without a doubt, one of the most talented linebackers in the 2011 NFL draft.
Houston had 20 sacks in his career at Georgia, 10 of those coming in his junior year and was considered by many a potential star in the NFL.

Unfortunately, legal trouble and a failed drug test stood in the way of Houston. Instead of going in the first round, Houston fell all the way to the third, being snapped up by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston calls these “dumb mistakes.” If he is able to get past these troubles, this is quite a third-round steal.

Da’Quan Bowers, DE Clemson

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bowers is one of the biggest free falls of the NFL draft. Originally slated early in the first round, a knee injury left many teams with doubt, allowing Bowers to fall to the 51st overall spot, being grabbed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If this knee injury is less serious than many believed, the Buccaneers have scored a great aggressive defensive end. If not, the other teams get to say “I told you so.”

Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas

When the NCAA season ended, Ryan Mallett was slated to go in the first round.

After skipping out on a visit with the Carolina Panthers, though, many teams began to doubt Mallett’s seriousness and willingness to work. This combined with rumors of his on-campus antics pulled Mallett off of many draft boards.

After waiting a full day, the New England Patriots drafted Mallett in the third round. With Mallett, the Patriots have a natural passer who is a very able backup, and possible successor, to another quarterback who was drafted later: Tom Brady.