2011 NFL Draft Results: Top 5 Fourth-Round Steals and Busts

The first three rounds of the draft are full of potential Pro Bowlers and Hall of Famers. That is not to say the mid to late rounds do not have the same talent, but the fourth round is when coaches and general managers start selecting players to round out their teams to become championship contenders.

This is when the draft becomes far less about the big board, the list of elite and heralded talent. Instead, we start to see teams grab players who best fit their system. Although we can sit here and say some teams reached on players, they have to start picking the players they thoroughly researched and placed on their watch lists.

This year’s we saw players with second-round talent, high character and great work ethic fall to the fourth round of the draft for teams. Which gems did general managers pluck from this fourth round of the entertaining 2011 NFL draft?

Bust No. 5: Jordan Cameron, USC TE to Cleveland Browns

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PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Jordan Cameron #84 of the USC Trojans leaps to catch a ball over Delano Howell #26 of the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. Cameron lost control of the ball on the way back down

I like this pick by the Browns, and I want to see Jordan Cameron succeed. Still, there is a strong possibility this basketball player turned NFL star could flame out.

Every team is trying to find the next Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, former basketball players who know what it takes to go up and grab the ball.

Cameron has the versatility to play tight end and wide receiver but has the natural ability to become the next great tight end. Still, we’ve seen elite athletes flame out in the league because they couldn’t truly grasp the game.

Steal No. 5: Casey Matthews, Oregon LB to Philadelphia Eagles

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats is hit by linebacker Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks as he throws a pass in the third quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon.The Ducks

Casey Matthews is one of the most underrated players in this entire draft. He was the driving force behind the Oregon Ducks defense. Like his brother Clay of the Green Bay Packers, he has a fantastic work ethic, good speed, a nonstop motor and always finds himself around the rock at the end of the play.

The Eagles land a great football player who will be able to help immediate on defense and special teams. Matthews has great instincts and will be a major factor throughout his career. General managers will look back and ask themselves how they missed out on this stud.

Bust No. 4: Alex Henery, Nebraska K to Philadelphia Eagles

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 30: Alex Henery #90 of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers looks on during the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl against University of Arizona Wildcats on December 30, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Cornhuskers def

Alex Henery is facing a ton of pressure.

He was deemed the best kicker in the draft and was selected in the fourth round. Not only was this a poor decision by Andy Reid to begin with, as there was no need to draft a kicker in the fourth round, Henery will also most likely have to follow in the footsteps of David Akers, one of the better kickers in the history of the league.

We’ve seen highly touted kickers stumble in their careers (Mike Nugent) after being selected so high.

Steal No. 4: Colin McCarthy, Miami (FL) LB to Tennessee Titans

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MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Linebacker Colin McCarthy #44 of the University of Miami Hurricanes celebrates a defensive play against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Orange Bowl on September 20, 2007 in Miami, Florida. Miami won 31-17. (Photo by Al Messerschmi

Colin McCarthy is a top-five inside linebacker in this class. He is a tackling machine despite being a bit undersized. He has a knack for getting to ball carriers, which is exactly what Tennessee needs. He fills a hole for the Titans on defense, who need to improve their rush defense in the strong AFC.

I had him penciled in as a lock for the third round with his underrated abilities. Tennessee was smart enough to snatch him up when it could.

Bust No. 3: Chris Prosinski, Wyoming DB to Jacksonville Jaguars

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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: Tim Cornett #35 of the UNLV Rebels is tackled by Chris Prosinski #24 and Marqueston Huff #14 of the Wyoming Cowboys during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium November 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cornett had four touchdowns in UNLV

With other quality defensive backs on the board, the Jaguars selected a player who wasn’t even invited to the combine.

Prosinski gained momentum heading into the draft following his stellar pro day. Still, he smells like a reach selection here, and it is doubtful he will develop into a quality starting defensive back.

He should make a difference on special teams. Although special teams is an important phase of the game, Jacksonville needs starters, and there were plenty of starting quality defensive backs still to be had.

Steal No. 3: Tandon Doss, Indiana WR to Baltimore Ravens

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Brandon Saine #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to make a tackle on Tandon Doss #2 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a kickoff return at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Doss is a top-10 receiver who could have been drafted at the tail end of the second round. He does not have great speed, but he has very good hands and size. He lands in Baltimore, where he can play in the slot and become a great possession receiver for Joe Flacco.

Baltimore needed young, talented wide receivers to complete its, offense and it landed a top-10 receiver in this draft in the fourth round. With fellow rookie Torrey Smith streaking up sidelines and Anquan Boldin commanding the most attention, Doss actually has a chance to be the second- or third-leading receiver in receptions as a rookie in Baltimore.

Bust No. 2: Brandon Hogan, West Virginia CB to Carolina Panthers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera of the San Diego Chargers looks on against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL Game at Qualcomm Stadium on November 23, 2008 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Image

Hogan is a talented cornerback. His appearance on this list has absolutely nothing to do with his ability on the field, but more his inability off the field. He has been a troublemaker off the field, having multiple run-ins with the law.

Hogan needs to get his head on straight before we can call him a quality selection here by the Panthers.

Steal No. 2: Christian Ballard, Iowa DE/DT to Minnesota Vikings

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Broderick Binns #91 of the Iowa Hawkeye's celebrates a second quarter safty with Christian Ballard #46 in front of Dennis Landolt #73 of the Penn State Nittnay Lions on September 26, 2009 at Beaver Stadium in State Colle

Ballard was a potential late first-round selection three months ago, but his stock dropped as other defensive linemen's rose. His stock dropped mightily due to character concerns, but he has the work ethic to be an extremely productive player, which is why I do not understand how this sure first- or second-round talent was not drafted at least in the early third round.

He is a very good tackler and has a knack for getting through offensive linemen to the quarterback. He lands in a great destination in Minnesota, which desperately needs depth on the defensive line. He can play defensive tackle or defensive end, which makes him an even greater value pick in the fourth round.

Bust No. 1: Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington RB to Oakland Raiders

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ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 18: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks during a press conference on January 18, 2011 in Alameda, California. Hue Jackson was introduced as the new coach of the Oakland Raiders, replacing the fired Tom Cable. (Photo by Justin Sul

Speed kills—just ask the Oakland Raiders. Their decisions to go with players based on their 40-yard dash times have completely set the franchise back since appearing in the Super Bowl in 2002-2003.

Jones has bust written all over him, like most “home run threats” before him. It shouldn’t shock anybody that he lands in Oakland. He does join a fantastic backfield with Darren McFadden and an improving offensive line, but this will most likely end in disaster.

Steal No. 1: Sam Acho, Texas DE/OLB to Arizona Cardinals

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Defensive end Sam Acho #81 and Kheeston Randall #91 of the Texas Longhorns celebrate a sack of quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first quarter of the Citi BCS National Championship game at the Rose

Sam Acho highlights the fourth round. He is the type of player that gives every ounce of his body on the field. He is a very good tackler and will give Ken Whisenhunt versatility for his defense. The Cardinals needed a pass rusher, which eluded them in the first three rounds. They sat tight and landed a pure steal.

Acho is an even better person than he is a football player. He does a ton of community service and will become an instant fan favorite in Arizona. This is the type of high-character person with a great work ethic that every team wants in its locker room.

Acho is a second-round talent that should have been drafted in the third round.