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Russ Lande
Sporting News
There is risk in drafting any college prospect. Even though NFL teams devote hundreds of man hours grinding game film and investigating players' background, even the best of general managers still miss on picks.
Here is a look at the top boom-or-bust prospects at each position in the 2011 NFL Draft:
Offense
QB Cam Newton, Auburn. He has elite physical talent to make big plays as a runner or passer. However, he must learn to play under center and learn how to read defenses while dropping back. He also has a history of off-field problems. He either will become the next Ben Roethlisberger or the next Vince Young.
RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas State. A big, strong back at 6-2, 228 pounds, Thomas consistently gains yards after contact. But if he can’t prove he has the quickness to get through the hole before it closes, he won’t ever be more than a backup.
FB Stanley Havili, Southern Cal. He is a good ballcarrier and a gifted receiver, but at 6-0 and 227 pounds he lacks ideal bulk for a fullback.
WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt. He is tall at 6-4 and thick at 228 pounds, and he has the leaping ability and strength to be a dominant in the red zone. But he lacks speed and isn’t always aggressive going after the ball.
TE Jordan Cameron, Southern Cal. He showed impressive route-running ability and excellent hands at the Combine, but he was primarily a backup at USC—16 career catches—and it’s always risky to draft a player who wasn’t a college starter.
OT Nate Solder, Colorado. He’s a rare athlete with long arms. However, he doesn’t play like a top-level athlete often enough and looks an awful lot like Robert Gallery when he came out of Iowa.
Success and talent can carry a player a long way, as it has with Cam Newton. But off-field problems can be a red flag for teams in the NFL draft. (AP Photo)
G John Moffitt, Wisconsin. A hard-nosed prospect, Moffitt can move opposing linemen and anchor against bull rushers. However, he is a limited athlete who lacks the quickness and speed to pull or slide well as a pass blocker.
C Rodney Hudson, Florida State. He is an excellent athlete who dominated college defensive tackles. But he played in the 280s at FSU, and though he has bulked up to 299, he might not maintain that.
Defense
DE Aldon Smith, Missouri. A quick, athletic end, Smith flashes the ability to be a dominant pass rusher. He’s inconsistent, though, off the snap and tends to play high, limiting his ability to rush the QB and play the run.
DT Phil Taylor, Baylor. He is massive at 6-3, 334 pounds, strong and athletic enough to become a dominant nose tackle. But before 2010 he had trouble keeping his weight under control, and there is concern he could revert to his old ways.
OLB Dontay Moch, Nevada. He is an elite athlete but at 6-1, 248 pounds lacks the size to play end and hasn’t proved he can be effective as a full-time linebacker.
ILB Brian Rolle, Ohio State. He flies all over the field making impact plays. At 5-10, though, he lacks the size to take on big blockers and can be eliminated from plays too easily.
CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado. Smith has an excellent combination of height at 6-2, long arms, speed and ball skills but has a long history of off-field problems.
S Quinton Carter, Oklahoma. He definitely looks the part of an NFL safety and has displayed the toughness to be a physical hitter and tackler. But his athleticism doesn’t always show up on the field.
Sporting News
There is risk in drafting any college prospect. Even though NFL teams devote hundreds of man hours grinding game film and investigating players' background, even the best of general managers still miss on picks.
Here is a look at the top boom-or-bust prospects at each position in the 2011 NFL Draft:
Offense
QB Cam Newton, Auburn. He has elite physical talent to make big plays as a runner or passer. However, he must learn to play under center and learn how to read defenses while dropping back. He also has a history of off-field problems. He either will become the next Ben Roethlisberger or the next Vince Young.
RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas State. A big, strong back at 6-2, 228 pounds, Thomas consistently gains yards after contact. But if he can’t prove he has the quickness to get through the hole before it closes, he won’t ever be more than a backup.
FB Stanley Havili, Southern Cal. He is a good ballcarrier and a gifted receiver, but at 6-0 and 227 pounds he lacks ideal bulk for a fullback.
WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt. He is tall at 6-4 and thick at 228 pounds, and he has the leaping ability and strength to be a dominant in the red zone. But he lacks speed and isn’t always aggressive going after the ball.
TE Jordan Cameron, Southern Cal. He showed impressive route-running ability and excellent hands at the Combine, but he was primarily a backup at USC—16 career catches—and it’s always risky to draft a player who wasn’t a college starter.
OT Nate Solder, Colorado. He’s a rare athlete with long arms. However, he doesn’t play like a top-level athlete often enough and looks an awful lot like Robert Gallery when he came out of Iowa.
Success and talent can carry a player a long way, as it has with Cam Newton. But off-field problems can be a red flag for teams in the NFL draft. (AP Photo)
G John Moffitt, Wisconsin. A hard-nosed prospect, Moffitt can move opposing linemen and anchor against bull rushers. However, he is a limited athlete who lacks the quickness and speed to pull or slide well as a pass blocker.
C Rodney Hudson, Florida State. He is an excellent athlete who dominated college defensive tackles. But he played in the 280s at FSU, and though he has bulked up to 299, he might not maintain that.
Defense
DE Aldon Smith, Missouri. A quick, athletic end, Smith flashes the ability to be a dominant pass rusher. He’s inconsistent, though, off the snap and tends to play high, limiting his ability to rush the QB and play the run.
DT Phil Taylor, Baylor. He is massive at 6-3, 334 pounds, strong and athletic enough to become a dominant nose tackle. But before 2010 he had trouble keeping his weight under control, and there is concern he could revert to his old ways.
OLB Dontay Moch, Nevada. He is an elite athlete but at 6-1, 248 pounds lacks the size to play end and hasn’t proved he can be effective as a full-time linebacker.
ILB Brian Rolle, Ohio State. He flies all over the field making impact plays. At 5-10, though, he lacks the size to take on big blockers and can be eliminated from plays too easily.
CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado. Smith has an excellent combination of height at 6-2, long arms, speed and ball skills but has a long history of off-field problems.
S Quinton Carter, Oklahoma. He definitely looks the part of an NFL safety and has displayed the toughness to be a physical hitter and tackler. But his athleticism doesn’t always show up on the field.
