2011 NFL All-Undrafted Team

[JonJon]

http://www.draftseason.com/2011-nfl-all-undrafted-team/

2011 NFL All-Undrafted Team


Article by: Jeff Roemer
The gilded promise and furious excitement of the 2011 NFL Draft came and went two weekends ago at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. At the conclusion of seven rounds, 254 college football players heard their names called, forever etched in NFL Draft history. But what of the scores of talented players that were not selected? For many years the draft lasted 12 rounds; then it was reduced to eight, before the modern setup of seven was established in 1994. With so few rounds, and the inexact chaos of projecting amateur players to professional success, there always remain a bounty of talented and ultimately successful NFL-ers to secure after the lottery ends.
In that regard 2011 is no different but the present discord of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the NFL Players’ Association puts this year’s undrafted crop in a precarious holding pattern. No undrafted player can be contacted or negotiate a contract until an agreement is in place and the work stoppage ceases. When that will occur is anyone’s best guess. The unfortunate byproduct therein is the longer this limbo period persists, the less value these undrafted free agents (UFAs) will present for prospective signing clubs. By definition these players are always a long, or at least longer, shot to make a club in a normal preseason. These odds are exacerbated by any potential missed development time if the summer months – which usually include minicamps, OTAs, and the typical duration of the preseason schedule – do not see a new CBA ratified.
To underscore the impact this overlooked crop of players can have, ESPN Insider Chris Mortensen reminded the industry during the draft that 23 former undrafted players dotted the 2011 Pro Bowl rosters. Even after acknowledging that not all the very best players participate in that exhibition, due to various reasons, it is still a very illustrative testament to their importance in the league. Let us hope that the two sides can get their acts together, so that the NFL has its best access to all of the available talent on time.
With all of this being written, below is my immediate post-draft take on some of the best players whose rights were not secured by one of the 32 teams during Draft weekend.

Read full article here

 

[JonJon]

A few players that caught my eye:

Quarterbacks
Name: Taylor Potts School: Texas Tech Height: 6’4” Weight: 220 lbs. My grade: mid-6th
Unlike the other recent progeny of Texas Tech quarterbacks, it is not fair to simply label Potts a system QB. As a senior in 2010 he successfully adapted to new offensive coordinator Neal Brown’s more diverse attack following the traditional Air Raid system under Mike Leach. Potts does not have elite arm strength or athleticism but he is a good fit as a developing backup for NFL teams that run the West Coast offense. He is a good height and exhibited the ability to make sharp decisions and quick, accurate throws. He went 15-9 as a starter with a career passer rating around 140, a 66.3 completion percentage, and 62 touchdowns to 25 interceptions. NFL comparison(s): Kyle Orton, Marc Bulge

Wide Receivers
Name: Terrance Toliver School: LSU Height: 6’4” Weight: 215 lbs. My grade: mid-4th
Toliver not being drafted will prove to be a huge oversight by the industry when someone snaps him up as a free agent and he develops from there. In a woeful passing offense the last two seasons, he posted two 40-50 catch campaigns with 14-yard averages; and for his career produced a TD every 10.5 receptions. He will need some nuance work like route running but his size and athleticism give him the ceiling of at least a number two. At the combine he ran a quality forty (4.52) for his size but really set himself apart with a 4.03 short shuttle and 6.48 three-cone drill; the latter two speak to his ability to separate from coverage and create after the catch. NFL comparison(s): Mike Williams (Buccaneers), Blair White, Malcom Floyd

Linebackers
Name: Mario Harvey School: Marshall Height: 5’11” Weight: 255 lbs. My grade: 6th
Yet another mystifying oversight in the NFL Draft; Harvey has the measureables, instincts, and tape to make a team very happy on special teams and as a developmental middle linebacker. After reportedly running in the 4.3s during his time in Huntington, he fashioned a 4.46 at his pro day, along with 27 bench reps of 225 lbs., and a 4.19 short shuttle. He impressed during the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game and his tools (quickness, strength) show up on film. Harvey posted three straight 100+ tackle seasons to finish his career with 420 total, 36.5 for loss, and 21 sacks. NFL comparison(s): Al Wilson

Name: Anthony Walters School: Delaware Height: 6’0” Weight: 205 lbs. My grade: 6th
One of the best corners at the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) level, and part of an elite secondary on the best defense in the country, Walters is an excellent conversion to free safety at the NFL level due to his size, explosion, and coverage skills, where his slightly below average speed will not be challenged as often. There will likely be an adjustment period while Walters learns the angles and reads from centerfield, as opposed to a corner, but he can probably provide depth on the outside and certainly be a quality special teamer along the way. NFL comparison(s): Shan Schillinger

 

[DFWJC]

Yeah. That was surprising that Tolliver was not picked.

 

[brymatt94]

Living in El Paso, I was a huge Donald Buckram fan. You have to love his junior year stats. He runs hard. If only he wasn't injured his senior year.

 

[jobberone]

All those mentioned are interesting players to me.

 

[JonJon]

It must suck to be some of these guys though. If this where any other year, they would pretty much have teams. But the longer this lockout goes, the chances of them getting picked up goes down because with limited time, teams will probably hang on to what they already have.

 

[tm1119]

I definitely wanted Harvey in the late rounds. He has good linebacker size and runs in the 4.4's. That cant be taught, and would have been a worth a late round project.

Mario Harvey, Pat Devlin, Jerrell Powe, and Deunta Williams are all musts to bring into camp for me. I would have been happy taken any of them over our last 3 picks in the draft.

 

[BAT]

Donald Buckram and Mario Harvey.

 

[Dawgs0916]

Donald Buckram, Copperas Cove HS