NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking the Top 10 NFC South Rookies to Watch in 2011

Heading into the 2011 season, the NFC South may be the toughest division in the entire NFL.

That’s right—the NFC South could be the toughest division in the entire league.

This division boasts three legitimate Super Bowl contenders heading into the 2011 season following the draft in Atlanta, New Orleans and Tampa Bay. Each team won at least 10 games in 2010, and they have all greatly strengthened their squads for a 2011 Super Bowl run.

Now that Cam Newton is in Carolina, the Panthers will be far more competitive in 2011 than they have been for years. He is the superstar Carolina needs at quarterback and will make it difficult for any team to cage these Panthers.

Newton is just one of the top 10 rookies to watch in the highly competitive NFC South. Which other rookies will join him on the list?

10. Martez Wilson, New Orleans Saints LB

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 250 lbs.

Career Stats: 222 tackles, nine sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.49

Bench Press – 23.0

Vertical Jump – 36.0

Broad Jump – 124.0

3 Cone Drill – 7.04

20-yard Shuttle – 4.28

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

Martez Wilson was one of my favorite linebackers in this class due to his versatility and athleticism. He was a steal in the third round for the Saints, as he has first-round talent and should have been selected in the second round.

Injury concerns caused him to fall to the third round, but this is the type of player New Orleans needs to get back on top. He has the versatility to play inside or outside linebacker, can attack the passer and can drop back in coverage.

His all-around abilities will prove to be invaluable in a division with Matt Ryan, Josh Freeman and Cam Newton. This is the type of player who can be disguised in coverage to disrupt Ryan's passes but also one who has the supreme athleticism to chase scramblers like Freeman and Newton around the field.

New Orleans desperately needed an athletic outside linebacker next to Jonathan Vilma, and Wilson fell right into its lap in the third round.

9. Jacquizz Rodgers, Atlanta Falcons RB

Height: 5’6”

Weight: 196 lbs.

Career Stats: 788 attempts, 3,877 yards, 46 touchdowns

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.64

Bench Press – N/A

Vertical Jump – 33.0

Broad Jump – 113.0

3 Cone Drill – 7.31

20-yard Shuttle – 4.26

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

When the Falcons traded up for Julio Jones, I said that he would complete their offense.

I spoke too soon.

When the Falcons landed the electrifying highlight reel known as Jacquizz Rodgers, they finally completed their offense.

Rodgers is a dynamic playmaker who doesn't have the build of a starting running back in this league but has the explosive skills to be the perfect lightning to Michael Turner's thunder. Together, they will create one of the deadliest one-two punches this league has to offer.

Atlanta has been searching for a third-down, change of pace back for years. Jerious Norwood consistently failed to be that player for the Falcons, but now they'll be soaring high with Rodgers.

He has very good speed, hands, elusiveness and vision. He will be a force on this offense as soon as 2011.

8. Sione Fua, Carolina Panthers DT

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 308 lbs.

Career Stats: 79 tackles, nine sacks, four interceptions, one forced fumble

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 5.28

Bench Press – 30.0

Vertical Jump – 24.0

Broad Jump – 101.0

3 Cone Drill – 7.54

20-yard Shuttle – 4.54

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

Ron Rivera came to the Carolina Panthers this offseason as the new head coach and immediately determined that the defensive tackle position was one of the weakest on the team. Disgusted by the poor production, he grabbed two defensive tackles in Terrell McClain and Sione Fua to bookend the third round.

Of the two, expect Fua to dominate frequently as a rookie. He has a good motor and has the talent to be a destructive force in this league. He is the clog Rivera is searching for up front. Like most defensive tackles entering the league, his skills need to be refined, but of all the defensive players drafted by Carolina, he will be the standout from the class.

7. Mason Foster, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 245 lbs.

Career Stats: 372 tackles, 11 sacks, four interceptions, six forced fumbles, one touchdown

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.75

Bench Press – 22.0

Vertical Jump – 31.0

Broad Jump – 110.0

3 Cone Drill – 7.14

20-yard Shuttle – 4.45

60-yard Shuttle – 12.26

Foster deserved to go in the second round, but the Buccaneers landed a gem in the middle of the third round. This is a very good football player who recently led the nation in tackles.

The Bucs needed another linebacker, one who can rush the passer if needed but who is a tackling machine for the remainder of his career. The NFC South prides itself on its running backs with Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Pierre Thomas and now Mark Ingram locking down the division. The Buccaneers need a strong linebacker with a great motor to counter their production, and Foster is the perfect fit for this team.

He is one of the best wrap-up tacklers in this draft and has the vision, instincts and strength to take down just about any back in the game. Look for Mason to be among the rookie leaders in tackles and tackles for loss.

6. Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 281 lbs.

Career Stats: 184 tackles, 19 sacks, one forced fumble

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.83

Bench Press – N/A

Vertical Jump – 33.0

Broad Jump – 113.0

3 Cone Drill – 7.3

20-yard Shuttle – 4.13

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

Tampa Bay's first-round selection Adrian Clayborn is one of the most determined and motivated prospects in the entire class. He was doubted for his Erb's Palsy condition, but he has not missed a game and will quickly become one of the motivational leaders in the locker room.

He has a great drive on and off the field, which every one of his teammates will thrive on. He has a knack for shredding blockers and attacking quarterbacks. He is the prime candidate for this team after grabbing Gerald McCoy with the No. 3 overall selection last year.

Clayborn will lead one of the better defensive lines in the league in 2011 and will be a disruptive force for the remainder of his career.

5. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints RB

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 215 lbs.

Career Stats: 572 attempts, 3,261 yards, 42 touchdowns

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.62

Bench Press – 21.0

Vertical Jump – 31.5

Broad Jump – 118.0

3 Cone Drill – 7.13

20-yard Shuttle – 4.62

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

The No. 1 running back in this class, Mark Ingram lands in a fantastic situation to begin his career. He is the perfect complement to Drew Brees and the Saints' aerial attack.

He is one of the angriest runners in the history of the game. He has great footwork, balance, power and deceptive speed. With his low center of gravity, he can push the pile and power through would-be tacklers with his strong legs.

The Saints needed a power runner who can pass-block and catch out of the backfield. Ingram possesses every ability Sean Payton is looking for in a featured back. Expect Ingram to dominate the carries but also be kept fresh with Pierre Thomas, Christopher Ivory and, for now, Reggie Bush assisting him in the backfield.

4. Da’Quan Bowers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 280 lbs.

Career Stats: 150 tackles, 20 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble

Pro Day Results

40-yard Dash – 4.92

Bench Press – 22.0 (Combine)

Vertical Jump – 34.5

Broad Jump – 09'02"

3 Cone Drill – 6.98

20-yard Shuttle – 4.57

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

Talk about the potential steal of the century...

In January, Da'Quan Bowers was a potential No. 1 or No. 2 overall selection. His troublesome knee, poor workouts and one-hit wonder tag caused his stock to slip dramatically. With Bowers falling all the way to the second round, the Buccaneers were able to grab the one player with the biggest chip on his shoulder in the entire draft. There will not be a more determined player to prove every team wrong in this draft.

Bowers heads to a great, young team that desperately needed a defensive end. They grabbed a top-10 end in Adrian Clayborn in the first round, which is even better for Bowers. Now on a defensive line with Clayborn and Gerald McCoy, it will be impossible for offensive coordinators to focus on stopping Bowers.

He will have every opportunity to dominate this league with his potentially elite pass-rushing ability. He has the size and strength to shred blockers and the game speed to close in on quarterbacks. The Buccaneers have built one of the NFL's best young defensive lines in one calendar year.

3. Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints DE

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 287 lbs.

Career Stats: 161 tackles, 17 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.78

Bench Press – 25.0

Vertical Jump – 31.0

Broad Jump – 117.0

3 Cone Drill – 7.07

20-yard Shuttle – 4.37

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

After being embarrassed by Marshawn Lynch in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, New Orleans needed to find a quality defensive end who can not only rush the passer, but also wrap up. They landed a late-first round steal in Cameron Jordan.

Jordan has the versatility to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense and is one of the most NFL-ready players in this entire class. He has the ideal strength, speed, instincts and high football IQ to dominate this league and anchor this declining defense.

He will quickly become a leader in this locker room and help lead the Saints back to the top of the NFC South. He is the new cornerstone for this defense with his ability to be a top-10 player in this draft.

2. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers QB

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 248 lbs.

Career Passing Stats: 2,908 yards, 30 touchdowns, seven interceptions

Career Rushing Stats: 1,586 yards, 24 touchdowns

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.59

Bench Press – N/A

Vertical Jump – 34.0

Broad Jump – 126.0

3 Cone Drill – 6.92

20-yard Shuttle – 4.18

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

Of course Cam Newton blesses our list. This is the superstar Carolina has been praying for. He will sell jerseys, tickets and hope to every Carolina fan out there. With him leading this team, everybody will know that the Panthers have an opportunity to win each and every game.

The spotlight will be brightest on Newton for the remainder of his career. He is the superstar everyone wants to see on the field whether he succeeds or fails in the league. We will always be talking about Cam Newton, the football player and icon.

He has incredible physical gifts, but his late-game heroics are what make him such a high commodity for this league. He is a winner and will have everyone checking the updates for Carolina games this season and for the rest of his career.

1. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons WR

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 220 lbs.

Career Stats: 179 receptions, 2,653 yards, 15 touchdowns

Combine Results

40-yard Dash – 4.39

Bench Press – 17.0

Vertical Jump – 38.5

Broad Jump – 135.0

3 Cone Drill – 6.66

20-yard Shuttle – 4.25

60-yard Shuttle – 11.07

Although everyone wants to see what Cam Newton will do in Carolina, Atlanta's Julio Jones will make the biggest impact of any rookie in this division. He lands on the perfect team for his abilities. He gets to play opposite a top-five wide receiver in today's league in Roddy White. Together, they form one of the best receiving tandems in the league, and one that is not afraid to run-block for Michael Turner.

As teams focus on stopping White, Jones will destroy No. 2 cornerbacks in single coverage. He will shake any No. 2 cornerback in this league and will be wide open underneath the coverage. He will rack up receptions and yards from Week 1 for the rest of the season.

Julio is one of the strongest receivers in this draft with blazing speed and supreme athleticism. He will fight for every ball with his toughness, competitive nature and strong hands. More importantly, he will fly by most cornerbacks to stretch the field, and with Matt Ryan's arm strength and accuracy, Jones will haul in a ton of deep balls.

Julio Jones in Atlanta is extremely dangerous for the rest of the NFL. This is a No. 1 receiver who will serve as a No. 2. Teams cannot afford to double-team him because they have to worry about a superior receiver opposite him. Expect him to be your rookie league leader in receptions and yards.