NFL Draft 2011: The Best Undrafted Players Available at Each Position

One the most important aspects of scouting in the NFL involves being able to find the next diamond in the rough. Of the many undrafted free agents, several names stand out.

Players like Noel Devine and Mark Herzlich weren't drafted, but they will likely find homes once free agency starts (eventually).

Other players may not be so familiar, but that doesn't mean they won't turn heads once training camp comes around.

One thing this list proves is the immensity of depth at running back, defensive line and defensive back.

Quarterbacks

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Scott Tolzien #16 of the Wisconsin Badgers stands on the field during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Pat Devlin, Delaware

Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M

Joshua Portis, California of Pennsylvania

Jeff Van Camp, Florida Atlantic

Ryan Colburn, Fresno State

Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin

Analysis

Probably the only two quarterbacks from this list that have any chance of making an NFL roster are Pat Devlin and Scott Tolzien.

Both Tolzien and Devlin were scouted as potential draftees, while Devlin at one point was even regarded as being a mid-round prospect.

Devlin, like Joe Flacco, played for Delaware, and he put up impressive numbers against lesser opponents. Scott Tolzien might have the upper hand on Devlin, since he has faced a lot of NFL prospects in his time at Wisconsin.

Teams like Arizona, Seattle, Buffalo and Miami will likely fish around in this pool of quarterbacks, after they all failed to upgrade at quarterback during the draft.

Running Backs/Fullbacks

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates after runing for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville

Graig Cooper, Miami

Noel Devine, West Virginia

Brandon Saine, Ohio State

Armando Allen, Notre Dame

Matt Asiata, Utah

Damien Berry, Miami

Derrick Locke, Kentucky

Vai Taua, Nevada

John Clay, Wisconsin

Shaun Draughn, North Carolina

Darren Evans, Virginia Tech

Mario Fannin, Auburn

Henry Hynoski (fullback), Pittsburgh

Analysis

This group is extremely talented for an undrafted running-back class.

Players like Graig Cooper, Noel Devine and Derrick Locke all possess game-changing speed, while backs like Brandon Saine, Vai Taua, John Clay, Darren Evans and Mario Fannin are big backs who will be able to take more of a workload at the next level.

With the NFL adopting a style of running back by committee, every team will be looking to find the next running-back gem.

The NFL's leading rusher, Arian Foster, was an undrafted free-agent pickup for the Houston Texans. 

Wide Receivers

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Dane Sanzenbacher #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs after a catch against Isaac Madison #6 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in Ne

Terrence Toliver, LSU

Mark Dell, Michigan State

Lestar Jean, Florida Atlantic

Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley State

Joe Morgan, Walsh

O.J. Murdock, Fort Hays State

Jock Sanders, West Virginia

Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State

Keith Smith, Purdue

Owen Spencer, NC State

Terrance Turner, Indiana

Marshall Williams, Wake Forest

Jimmy Young, TCU

Darvin Adams, Auburn

Armon Binns, Cincinnati

DeAndre Brown, Southern Miss

Tori Gurley, South Carolina

Jamel Hamler, Fresno State

Andre Holmes, Hillsdale

Jeffrey Maehl, Oregon

Jamar Newsome, Central Florida

Analysis

There are many receivers here who have talent. Some of them could have been regarded as great college players, and some have yet to reach their potential.

Players like Ricardo Lockette, Darvin Adams and Terrence Toliver were expected to be drafted, and they won't be free agents for long after a collective-bargaining agreement is reached.

One player to watch is Jamar Newsome out of Central Florida. I have had the chance to watch Newsome at UCF for the past two years, and he is an underrated player.

Newsome is a hard runner with a reliable set of hands. He is a receiver who lives off of broken tackles, making defenders miss, and yards after the catch. In the right NFL system, he would be a steal as an undrafted free agent. 

Tight Ends

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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)

Charlie Gantt, Michigan State

Cameron Graham, Louisville

Zack Pianalto, North Carolina

Weslye Saunders, South Carolina

Schuylar Oordt, Northern Iowa

Allen Reisner, Iowa

Collin Franklin, Iowa State

Preston Dial, Alabama

Analysis

The most likely player from this list to get picked up by a team is Weslye Saunders from South Carolina.

Saunders has decent blocking ability with his 270-pound frame, and he also has the ability to minorly contribute as a pass catcher.

The most raw prospect out of these players is Schuylar Oordt. He has the big body and the talent to be good, but unless he is properly developed into a receiver, he won't make it in the NFL.

The sleeper from this list is Collin Franklin. Franklin shows the ability as a pure receiving tight end. He is smooth in his route running, he has no wasted movements when he is running after the catch, and he has underrated hands.

Teams look for one thing when they look at which undrafted players to sign, and that is potential. As far as potential is concerned, Franklin could have the most potential of all of these players.

Offensive Line

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MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Tim Tebow #15 (R) and Carl Johnson #57 of the Florida Gators celebrate after Tebow threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy #9 in the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners during the FedEx BCS National Championship game at

Kyle Hix, Texas

Zachary Hurd, Connecticut

Carl Johnson, Florida

Jarriel King, South Carolina

Joshua Davis, Georgia

Adam Grant, Arizona

Richard Henry, Nebraska

Willie Smith, East Carolina

Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse

Justin Boren, Ohio State

Alexander Linnenkohl, Oregon State

Garrett Chisolm, South Carolina

Analysis

It really is hard to grade out undrafted offensive linemen. Some of these players were starters for several years, while others made the most of limited playing time.

Like all raw players, with the right coaching, anything can happen. Unless you heavily watch tape of any of these linemen, it cannot really be determined whether they exhibit good footwork, possess proper technique or have a tough mentality.

Linemen that played at bigger schools typically line up against NFL-caliber players.

Defensive Line

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Ian Williams #95 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish fires up his defensive teammates during warm-ups before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan de

Pierre Allen, Nebraska

Kentrell Lockett, Mississippi

Ian Williams, Notre Dame

Brandon Bair, Oregon

Ugo Chinasa, Oklahoma State

Martin Parker, Richmond

Cedrick Thornton, Southern ARkansas

Ryan Winterswyk, Boise State

John Graves, Virginia Tech

Sealver Siliga, Utah

Analysis

This is a mixed list between nose tackles, defensive tackles and defensive ends (both in the 3-4 and 4-3).

The most surprising player to not get drafted is Ian Williams out of Notre Dame. Williams tore his MCL during his senior season, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

While athleticism isn't Williams' forte, he is impressive as a gap plugger. Williams is a sufficient run-stopping player.

Southern Arkansas' Cedric Thornton, Boise State's Ryan Winterswyk and Nebraska's Allen Pierre would make nice additions to any team that needs depth on the line.

Like all undrafted free agents, these players have something to prove. 

Linebackers

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles tries to get the crowd going in the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defeat

Mark Herzlich, Boston College

Elijah Joseph, Temple

Nick Bellore, Central Michigan

Orie Lemon, Oklahoma State

Scott Lutrus, Connecticut

Adrian Moten, Maryland

Derrell Smith, Syracuse

Jeremiha Hunter, Iowa

Analysis

The most recognizable name on this list is Mark Herzlich.

After being diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma, Herzlich was forced to put his career on hold.

After an inspiring fight against cancer, Herzlich was able to return to Boston College for one final season in 2010.

It was all a fairy tale ending, except for the unfortunate circumstance that Herzlich went undrafted.

Herzlich will get a shot, and given what he has overcome in his life to this point, he will transition into the NFL leading by inspiration. When he finally sees the field in the NFL, he will have been to hell and back.

As for the rest, Nick Bellore, Scott Lutrus and Orie Lemon will likely be the front runners for this position. 

Defensive Backs

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: DeAndre McDaniel #2 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)

Kendric Burney, North Carolina

Mario Butler, Georgia Tech

Devon Torrence, Ohio State

Deunta Williams, North Carolina

Vance Cuff, Georgia

Joe Lefeged, Rutgers

Andrew McGee, Oklahoma State

Kevin Rutland, Missouri

David Sims, Iowa State

Niles Brinkley, Wisconsin

Deandre McDaniel, Clemson

Jeron Johnson, Boise State

Will Hill, Florida

Jerrard Tarrant, Georgia Tech

Nate Williams, Washington

Analysis

Perhaps the three most impressive players on this list are Deandre McDaniel out of Clemson, Joe Lefeged from Rutgers and Kendric Burney from North Carolina.

All three of these players were regarded as solid enough to get drafted, and now they all are in the same position.

These three defensive backs will be signed, and all will likely get a chance to see the field as special teams contributors.

The reward of these three players highly outweigh the risk. 

Punters/Kickers

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Kicker Kai Forbath #25 of the UCLA Bruins kicks the football during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. . The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins

Ryan Donahue, Iowa

Kai Forbath, UCLA

Chas Henry, Florida

Dan Bailey, Oklahoma State

Reid Forrest, Washington State

Joshua Jasper, LSU

Jacob Rogers, Cincinnati

Analysis

Kickers and punters come and go in the NFL. There is nothing saying that any of these players won't eventually be starters in the NFL, because some of them likely will.

Punters and kickers come from all over, not just the college ranks.

While these selected players will be the most highly touted, there isn't any rule against getting kickers and punters elsewhere.

Keep an eye on Dan Bailey, Chas Henry, Kai Forbath and Ryan Donahue.