Top 10 Sleepers for 2011 NFL Draft

Every year we spend all of our time talking about these first round draft picks and how tremendously gifted they are and we hardly even mention some of the late round guys who may not physically measure out as good or did not play for a big time schools. Yet, year after year there are late round rookies who make significant impacts on their teams.

So for this article, I am going to take a break from analyzing the first rounders, and I am going to take a look at some 4^th, 5^th 6^th and even some potential undrafted free agents of this upcoming NFL draft.

This is a list of my top 10 sleepers in the 2011 NFL draft. These players have stood out in film to me and I believe they have potential to be valuable to their future teams later on in the draft.

Please feel free to shot me any questions or comments clint@thefootballexpert.com

1. Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington
   Jones is an explosive runner who runs hard through the holes and doesn't shy away from hits. He is a homerun threat and has the ability to catch the football as well. He has a tremendous amount of potential for a late round RB. Injury and durability concerns will cause him to drop on draft day.
2. Shiloh Keo, S, Idaho
   Keo is the type of player any coach would love to have on their team. He is giving 110% everytime he steps foot on the field. You can tell he just simply loves the game of football. He made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl and the Combine and I believe that he would play any position and do anything for your football team. I think very highly of this young man.
3. Denarius Moore, WR, Tennessee
   Moore is a quick player who stands out in film to me. I don't think he is a number 1 WR, but in the later rounds of the draft I wouldn't hesitate to add him; he could turn into a playmaker.
4. Aldrick Robinson, WR, SMU
   Robinson has a decent 40 time and some impressive stats from last year but I don't really care about that. Watch film on him; you will notice him. He has good hands and knows how to get open. He will have good value in the middle to later rounds of the draft.
5. Alex Green, RB, Hawaii
   Green is a big back that can be a bruiser and catch the football; that is a rare combination. He brings a lot to the table and he will hear his name called in the middle rounds of the draft.
6. Stephen Burton, WR, Texas A&M
   Burton really opened some eyes at his Pro Day running a 4.38 at 224 lbs. Good thing for Burton he plays with that kind of speed. He also has the ability to make exceptional catches; he's got potential.
7. Cedric Thornton, DE/DT, Southern Arkansas
   Another product of a small school, Thornton really shines against lesser competition. There will be some question about how he fares against NFL offensive linemen, but he's got a lot of the physical tools to succeed. I would be interested in him later on in the draft; especially if I was running a 3-4 defense.
8. Andre Harris, RB, Northern Colorado
   Andre Harris is another big back that I believe has potential to make an early impact. Now, realistically, coming from a small school Harris has a lot to adjust to in the NFL. However, He's got the size, speed and strength and the running back position is the easiest to transfer from college to the NFL. I like this kid's potential.
9. Clay Nurse, DE, Illinois
   Nurse is a high effort and motor type of guy. He is a good pass rusher who has a great burst off the line of scrimmage. He obviously has some areas that need improvement, but he is a solid athlete that can bring leadership to any defense.
10. (Tie) Buster Skrine, CB, UT-Chattanooga
    Skrine has got the size and he certainly has the speed, but he need some serious improvement before he will see any serious game day action. He is a later rounder at best.
10. (Tie) Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio State
    Sanzenbacher is an underrated WR who I felt that I needed to add him to the list. He isn't very athletic, doesn't run that fast and doesn't has spectacular hands, but he isn't afraid to take big hits and always gives 100%. I really like that in a late rounder.