NFL Draft 2011: Mark Herzlich and 4 Other Pro Bowl-Caliber Undrafted Free Agents
Every year, teams see a handful of undrafted free agents crack their roster and make a major impact for the organization at some point in their career.
Often, these are the hardest working players on the team, who forever have a chip on their shoulder for going undrafted.
In 2011, with the lockout, these undrafted free agents will have to wait even longer to make an impression on a team.
In fact, following this draft, we have quite a number of players who most specialists and fans alike believe should have been selected at some point.
We care most, though, about those players who could well make a Pro Bowl appearance during their career.
5. Nicholas Bellore, Central Michigan LB
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Nicholas Bellore is your classic run-stopping linebacker.
He has a knack for destroying ball carriers, despite also having a tendency to overrun them.
With better coaching, Bellore has the tackling ability to be a dominant force in the middle and rack up huge numbers of tackles.
In four seasons, he accumulated a whopping 471 tackles, five sacks, five interceptions and five forced fumbles.
Bellore's senior season was the one campaign in which he failed to record triple-digit tackles—rather, he posted 90 in all, while missing one contest.
If he can take down ball carriers at this pace in the NFL, he will without doubt earn a Pro Bowl selection.
4. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson S
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DeAndre McDaniel was one of my favorite safeties in this draft, so it's extremely odd to see him land in the undrafted pool.
This is a playmaking safety, more than capable in run support. He has the ability to absolutely light-up ball carriers—thanks to the addition of a chip on his shoulder, you just have to feel bad for any player he throws his body into.
This man has the size, strength, instincts and enough speed to track down running backs and receivers over the middle.
For his career, he posted 275 tackles, one touchdown, two sacks, four forced fumbles and 15 interceptions.
3. Kendric Burney, North Carolina CB
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This is a player that missed most of the 2010 season, yet still managed to haul in two interceptions to end the season, including the Music City Bowl triumph over Tennessee.
He is a quality tackler, accumulating 208 tackles during his four-year stay at UNC. More importantly, he amassed two sacks, 11 interceptions and three touchdowns.
This kid is a playmaker—put him in the right system and watch him thrive with his natural instincts at the cornerback position.
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2. Mario Harvey, Marshall LB
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Harvey is another quality linebacker and has the tackling ability to help get him that Pro Bowl honor.
While a bit undersized, this is a relentless player who will attack the ball carrier.
He has just two forced fumbles and one interception on his resume, but he also has 421 total tackles and 21 sacks.
Some players are just better on the field than off it—Mario is one of those players. If a team can grab a quality linebacker like this off the street, they’re in good shape.
1. Mark Herzlich, Boston College LB
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Herzlich had no business being undrafted.
This is one of the most determined men in the entire draft—maybe even the football universe.
After defeating cancer, he came back to the field to be a successful linebacker for the Boston College Eagles.
This is a highly intelligent, high-character player that can be a motivational leader in the locker room.
More importantly, he is an amazing football player, has great instincts and playmaking ability. He is a ball hawk at the linebacker position and always finds himself around the ball at the end of the play.
In four seasons at BC, he put up 314 total tackles, three sacks, seven forced fumbles, 11 interceptions and two touchdowns.
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