2011 NFL Free Agency: Stock Watch for Top 16 Undrafted Free Agents

When talk of the NFL lockout ending comes up, the first thing people mention is free agency, but too many are overlooking the importance of undrafted free agency and how this will impact the 2011 NFL season.

With many talented rookies waiting to hear from NFL teams, and many NFL teams doing their research on undrafted players, the market will be chaotic once the lockout is lifted and undrafted free agency begins.

Who are the top players NFL teams will target? We're glad you asked.

Joe Lefeged, Safety, Rutgers

Joe Lefeged was a surprise omission from the 2011 NFL draft, but he will not last long on the open market once free agency begins.

Lefeged has a good combination of size and speed. He was also a productive college player and has the skill set to make a nice transition to a special teams or depth role on an NFL roster.

Cedric Thornton, Defensive Tackle, Southern Arkansas

The big body from Southern Arkansas had Division I talent but did not see himself drafted during the 2011 lottery.

When given a chance to sign with any team in the NFL once free agency begins, he will be much sought after as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme.

Look for Carolina and Denver to both be interested in his services.

Kendric Burney, Cornerback, North Carolina

Although slightly undersized at 5'9", Burney is a physical competitor and fiery tackler in the open field. He will is an ideal candidate for the Cover 2 defense or in a man system that asks him to support the run and cover a slot receiver he could really stand out.

One big flaw in Burney's game is that he ran just 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Burney will rank as one of the best undrafted free agents on the market.

Jeron Johnson, Safety, Boise State

Few college defenders know how to lay the wood like Jeron Johnson.

Johnson was a surprise as an undrafted player, his talent would indicate he was at least a mid-round pick. He is still a very raw player who is developing the instincts and habits of an NFL safety, but he could make a great impact as a rookie on special teams and at strong safety.

Put in a system where he can play up against the run and attack the ball, Johnson could have a big impact.

Darvin Adams, Wide Receiver, Auburn

Had Darvin Adams been a player in the late 1980s, he would have been gobbled up by teams running the West Coast offense looking for a possession receiver.

Fast-forward 25 years and he saw himself go undrafted through seven rounds of the 2011 NFL draft.

Adams lacks elite speed and moves in the open field, but he is a savvy route runner with consistent hands.

DeAndre McDaniel, Safety, Clemson

Before the 2010 college football season began, it looked like DeAndre McDaniel would be a top 75 pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

McDaniel has the size to be an impact player as an in the box safety, but his lack of speed will really limit what he can do in terms of coverage.

McDaniel would be best in a system like the Pittsburgh Steelers or San Diego Chargers run.

Derrick Locke, Running Back, Kentucky

Derrick Locke was an accomplished runner and receiver for the explosive Kentucky Wildcat offense, but that was not good enough to see him drafted.

Locke is small for an every down back, but his speed and lateral quickness will make him attractive to NFL teams looking for a No. 3 running back who can develop into a quality third-down player.

Mark Herzlich, Linebacker, Boston College

Mark Herzlich may be the most well-known of all the undrafted free agents available.

An All-American at Boston College before cancer took his 2009 season, Herzlich has amazing instincts but lacks the speed to be an impact player in the NFL.

As sad as it is, Herzlich will really struggle to carve out a career in the NFL unless his speed comes back.

Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Wide Receiver, Iowa

Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has the talent to play in the NFL. He is a polished route runner with good size and dependable hands.

It was his off-field issues and eventual suspension from Iowa that led to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos not being drafted during the 2011 NFL draft.

Look for DJK to receive consideration from teams running the west coast offense. St. Louis and Cleveland make the most sense.

Ian Williams, Nose Tackle, Notre Dame

Ian Williams lacks the natural athleticism and strength to become an every down player at the NFL level, but he does offer some potential as a rotational player at nose tackle in a 3-4 defense.

Williams could definitely surprise, many nose tackles before him have entered the NFL as undrafted free agents and then put on weight and learned the technique needed to dominate.

Nick Bellore, Linebacker, Central Michigan

The instincts are there when you turn on film of Nick Bellore. It is his lack of speed and athleticism that really concerns NFL teams.

Bellore would struggle to drop back into coverage on passing downs and would be a liability in getting to the flats to cover tight ends. Where he really excels is in stopping the run between the tackles on first and second down.

Pierre Allen, Defensive End, Nebraska

Nebraska's Pierre Allen looked good enough at the Senior Bowl that most assumed he would be drafted. He wasn't.

The first team All Big-12 selection in 2010 has the size and speed to be plugged in at defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, most likely on the right side as a pass rusher.

Allen would be very tempting for a team like the Cleveland Browns or Denver Broncos who are converting from a three to four-man front.

Noel Devine, Running Back, West Virginia

Noel Devine was simply too small to find himself drafted in the 2011 NFL draft, but that does not mean he cannot find a home in the NFL as a role player or return man.

Devine is very similar to other scatback-style return men, and he does have the speed and agility to make moves in the open field. It will all be a matter of keeping him healthy at 160 lbs.

Pat Devlin, Quarterback, Delaware

All through the process leading up to the 2011 NFL draft, I was leading the charge in the "Pat Devlin Overrated" camp.

And guess what? NFL teams agreed.

Devlin turned out to not be the next Joe Flacco (no surprise) as he was touted by talking heads in the media.

What Devlin can do is come in to an NFL camp and work his tail off to earn a practice squad or No. 3 quarterback spot.

Brandon Bair, Defensive End, Oregon

Big bodied defensive ends with the size to play in the 3-4 defense are in need around the NFL these days, which is why it's easy to say that Brandon Bair will be in high demand once the undrafted free-agency period begins.

Bair was a good college player on an underrated defense, but at 26 years old, he is a little older than most NFL rookies and that could be a reason for his drop on draft boards.

He will find employment in the league as soon as the lockout is resolved.

Deunta Williams, Free Safety, North Carolina

At one point, we had Deunta Williams rated as a first-round pick over at New Era Scouting. Once the season began, his stock fell slightly, and then just kept falling, until we had him ranked as a fifth-round prospect.

NFL teams had him even lower. Williams wasn't drafted in seven rounds of the draft.

He will be a priority free agent once teams can sign free agents. He does have NFL-level speed and skills, it's just getting consistency that has been the issue.