2011 NFL Draft Results: 10 Day Three Prospects That Could Be Stars

With the 2011 NFL Draft now over, many have already decided on who are going to be stars from this draft class. You have the sure things like A.J. Green and Patrick Peterson, you have those who are great fits for their teams like Nick Fairley and Prince Amukamara and you have your laundry list of boom-or-bust prospects.

Most of the prospects presumed to be stars come in the first round or two. However, with how deep this round is, I can see many players from Rounds 4-7 become stars.

In 2010 there was Marc Mariani, the seventh-round pick who made a Pro Bowl, and seventh-rounder Marques Colston is the prime example used from 2006.

Here are ten players from day three that I see having the greatest chance to become stars in this league.

Sam Acho: 4th Round, 103rd Overall

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Cyrus Gray #32 of Texas A&M holds off University of Texas defensive end Sam Acho #81 during the second half at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/

It's not too often that I get to praise the Arizona Cardinals, but they got a huge steal in the fourth round, grabbing outside linebacker Sam Acho who was projected to be a second/third-round pick.

Acho is one of the smartest players in the draft, up there with Greg McElroy, and combining that with his playing ability, he should be able to contribute for many years. He should not have much trouble cracking the starting lineup and cementing himself on any roster.

Roy Helu: 4th Round, 105th Overall

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers dives for the endzone through the Colorado Buffaloes during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric F

Roy Helu is one of the most underrated running backs in this draft class, as he put up great numbers despite QB Taylor Martinez doing a lot of the running at Nebraska. On top of that, he was one of the more impressive backs at the combine in my opinion.

The Washington Redskins need a feature running back, and Helu should be able to contribute immediately, even if it's just splitting carries with Ryan Torain to start. He'll be a name we hear more of in the coming years.

Cecil Shorts III: 4th Round, 114th Overall

Pierre Garcon has turned into a great wide receiver under Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Having seen both Mount Union guys play in college, I know both have what it takes to be great.

It may be a tougher road for Shorts since he has David Garrard throwing to him, but there is an opening for a true No. 1 receiver, and I could see him becoming one for the Jaguars.

Casey Matthews: 4th Round, 116th Overall

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping that this ILB is even somewhat as good as his brother Clay Matthews, who has already become one of the best linebackers in the league.

Casey is still somewhat raw, hence being available in the fourth round, but the Eagles have the tools to turn him into a star. I could see him being almost as good as his brother in a couple years.

Marcus Cannon: 5th Round, 138th Overall

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

The New England Patriots had a pretty bad draft on Day 2, grabbing two running backs far higher than they should have and having a surprisingly lousy day. They fixed some of the damage with great Day 3 picks though.

Of those, the most notable is TCU guard Marcus Cannon, who fell from the second round to the fifth after a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He may not have a particularly long career, but he can easily be a five-seven year star guard and will be a steal for the Patriots.

Brandon Burton: 5th Round, 139th Overall

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver DeMarco Sampson #1 of the San Diego State Aztecs makes a catch over cornerback Brandon Burton #27 of the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. Utah won 38-34. (Photo by Steph

The Minnesota Vikings followed up the Patriots' selection of Marcus Cannon with a steal of their own in Utah cornerback Brandon Burton. Burton was projected as an early-mid third rounder with his upside, yet fell to the fifth.

Burton is a bit raw, but has all the tools necessary to be a great cornerback. He shut down first-rounder Jon Baldwin in college, so he can stop the playmakers and could easily be a longtime starter for the Vikings.

Chris Carter: 5th Round, 162nd Overall

The Pittsburgh Steelers usually have great drafts, even though they usually aren't flashy. Nonetheless, they managed to make a fifth-round steal in grabbing Fresno State linebacker Chris Carter.

Projected to be a third-round pick, the outside linebacker is used to the defensive end slot, but has the athleticism to be a great pass-rushing linebacker. If any team can make that transition easy for a player, it's the Steelers, so I could see him punishing quarterbacks for a long time.

Allen Bradford: 6th Round, 187th Overall

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: Running back Allen Bradford #21 of the USC Trojans carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. USC defeated UCLA 28-14. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

Unlike many others on this list, this was not a steal. In fact, he may have been a slight reach in the sixth round. However, USC running back Allen Bradford may be a perfect fit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bradford is a big guy at 240 pounds, yet has great speed despite his frame. A backfield of LaGarrette Blount and Bradford would be a very tough one to face, as both have no trouble blowing right through opposing defenders. Bradford could complement Blount or any other back for 10 years easily.

Tyler Sash: 6th Round, 198th Overall

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Tyler Sash #42 of Iowa runs with the football during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The New York Giants look to have a revamped secondary next year, grabbing two players who fell further than they should have. They selected Prince Amukamara with the 19th pick, and five rounds later, they grabbed Iowa safety Tyler Sash.

One of the best strong safeties in the 2011 draft class (though it was a weak group), Sash is a very aggressive player who can make interceptions when needed, but will be someone who is not afraid to make plays and take out opposing wide receivers. His aggressiveness will keep him around a long time.

Greg Romeus: 7th Round, 226th Overall

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LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 02: Adam Froman #9 of the Louisville Cardinals is sacked by Greg Romeus #91 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Big East Conference game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by An

The New Orleans Saints had one of the best drafts of any team. They were able to get a featured running back in Mark Ingram for great value, and were able to get a great defensive end in the 7th round, Pittsburgh's Greg Romeus.

He was the star of Pittsburgh's defense until he was injured, and that's when Jabaal Sheard, a second-round pick, stepped up. The only reason he fell as far as he did were all his injuries. If he can put the torn ACL and everything else past him, then the Saints will remain the gold standard for finding great seventh-round picks, as he should be a longtime starter.