2011 NFL Scouting Combine: The Top Prospects #21-32

The NFL Scouting Combine continues today and more than 300 college football players from around the country will be in Indianapolis for the seven day event. The Combine is an opportunity for NFL teams to get an upclose and personal look at the in-coming draft class.

The Combine is where a player can make a name for himself and make a big jump in the draft. But for some players, the Combine is not always in their best interest. A bad performance at the Combine can cause a player's stock to drop and cost them millions of dollars in the pros.

After the Combine is complete, 2011 NFL Mock Drafts will get shuffled around and players will rise and fall depending on how they performed. Before all the 40-yard dashes are run and all the weights are lifted, here's an in-depth look at the #21-32 2011 NFL draft prospects.

Editor's Note: Click on the prospect's name to read their positives/negatives

21. Kansas City Chiefs -- Corey Liuget, DL, Illinois

22. Indianapolis Colts -- Derek Sherrod, OL, Mississippi State

23. Philadelphia Eagles -- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

24. New Orleans Saints -- Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

25. Seattle Seahawks -- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

26. Baltimore Ravens -- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

27. Atlanta Falcons -- Marvin Austin, DL, North Carolina

28. New England Patriots -- Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College

29. Chicago Bears -- Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin

30. New York Jets -- Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA

31. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida

32. Green Bay Packers -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

Chicago Bears give Lovie Smith two-year extension

After taking the Chicago Bears to the NFC Championship game this past season, Lovie Smith was rewarded today with a two-year contract extension.

Smith was entering the final year of his contract, he will now be under contract through 2013.

Since joining the Bears in 2004, Smith has won three NFC North titles and has a regular season coaching record of 63-49 and 3-3 in the postseason.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Oakland Raiders place franchise tag on Kamerion Wimbley

The Oakland Raiders continued shoring up its roster Thursday by placing the franchise tag on linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Wimbley, who turns 28 in October, will make around $10 million in 2011.

Wimbley led the Raiders with nine sacks and also had 58 tackles while starting all 16 games.

Miami Dolphins place franchise tag on Paul Soliai

The Miami Dolphins gave defensive lineman Paul Soliai a huge pay raise today by placing the franchise tag on him. The team had been working on long-term deal but hadn't made enough progress, which led to the franchise tag.

Soliai, who turns 28 in December, will now make more than $12 million for 2011. That's quite a raise considering he made only $467,000 last season.

7 intriguing players at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is upon us and hundreds of NFL hopefuls are in Indianapolis today preparing to be analyzed, scrutinized and disected in every way possible. For a lot of these athletes, this will be their last opportunity to prove they belong in the NFL.

Of the approximately 300 players attending the Combine, there are seven players who intrigue me the most. They are all big name players who stand to gain - or lose - a lot this week in Indianapolis.

Jake Locker, QB, Washington

After a disappointing performance at the Senior Bowl, Locker is looking to prove to scouts that he belongs in the NFL. Locker has been working with former NFL quarterback Ken O'Brien on his mechanics and has reportedly made a lot of progress. But that will be put to the test on the field in Indianapolis. Locker will excell at the interview portion of the Combine, but he needs a near perfect performance on the field to get teams interested in him again.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
I'm not sure there is anything Mallett can do to help his sagging approval rating. No player in this draft class has fallen further than Mallett has. Questions concerning possible drug use and attitude problems have surfaced and some experts are puishing him down draft boards. Once considered a potential top 10 pick, Mallett is now projecting to be a second-round, maybe even third-round pick. He has a ton of talent, but I'm not sure there is anything he can do to sway opinions at this point. His best option this week is to be honest and transparent with teams, it might cause someone to take a chance.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
In a draft class filled with athletic quarterbacks, Kaepernick needs to prove this week that he's unique. Kaepernick showed during the Senior Bowl that he can move the pocket and make plays with his feet. What he needs to do at the Combine is show he can play within the pocket and throw with accuracy. He's a smart kid so I expect him to do well during interviews. Scouts love his upside and a strong performance could convince a team to spend a second-round pick on him.

Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
After missing all of last season due to suspension, Quinn will look to prove at the combine that a year off didn't hurt his game. He's as physically gifted as any defensive lineman in the draft and could jump into the top 5 with a lights out performance at the Combine. The hardest challenge for Quinn will be convincing teams that his academic cheating allegations in college are not a reflection of who he is. If he can impress teams during the interview portion of the Combine, Quinn's name might join the #1 overall pick conversation.

Cameron Jordan, DE, California
In a draft that is loaded with exceptional defensive ends, Jordan is a bit of a wildcard. He shot up draft boards after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl and is projected to be a mid- to late-first round pick. What Jordan needs to do is solidify his spot in the first round. He likely won't move ahead of Da'Quan Bowers or Quinn, but being the third best DE in the draft could land him in the top 10. What hurts (or helps) Jordan is he's the perfect fit for a 3-4 defensive. Not many teams in the NFL run a 3-4 defense, so his suitors are limited. With that said, if a team that runs a 3-4 is interested in Jordan, they will make a move to get him. What Jordan needs to do at the Combine is sustain the Senior Bowl buzz and prove he's worth a top 15 pick.        
  

J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Much like Jordan, Watt is currently in that second-tier group of defensive ends. He's not considered an elite talent like Bowers or Quinn, but he is drawing rave reviews from scouts. Watt can help himself at the Combine by showing teams he's improved his technique and footwork. He's only played the defensive end position for a couple of years so he's still learning. If he shows improvement it will signal to teams that he's coachable. I expect Watt to do extremely well during the interview portion of the Combine, as he is a high character guy. There is a lot of positive momentum on Watt's side right now and a strong performance at the Combine will solidfy his spot in the top 15.

Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
at 6'5" and 230 pounds, Baldwin is a monster at wide receiver. But despite his size, he's absent from most first-round draft boards. The concern about Baldwin is his passion and character. Some scouts worry he doesn't have a strong work ethic. Baldwin can prove those scouts wrong at the Combine by showing improvement in his route running and an ability to seperate himself from defenders. Also, a blazing fast 40-yard dash time by Baldwin could raise eyebrows and make teams ake another look at the Pitt receiver.

2011 NFL Draft: New England Patriots targeting A.J. Green?

The hot rumor heading into tomorrow's NFL Scouting Combine is the New England Patriots are eager to move up in the draft and take Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green, that's according to ESPN's NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.

The move makes sense for a number of reasons. First, the Patriots have two first round picks, #17 from Oakland in the Richard Seymour trade and their own pick at #28. The team is in a great position to leverage those picks and move up into the top 3. And expect teams to be willing to trade those high picks for multiple picks because this draft has a lot of depth, but few no-brainer, impact players.

Second, the Patriots wide receivers are getting older. Wes Welker will be 30 in May and Deion Branch turns 32 in July. They need some young legs in their receiver corps. Also, they need a player with size on the outside, who can stretch the field. Flexing tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski is effective, but they aren't fast enough to clear out defenders.

Third, Green is by far the best wide receiver in the 2011 draft class. He would be an instant upgrade at the position and he wouldn't cost as much as a high-priced free agent like Sidney Rice.

If the rumors are true, the Patriots are smart in their thinking. Green is a playmaker who will do very well with Tom Brady throwing to him.

List of NFL teams that have used 2011 Franchise Tag

Today is the last day NFL teams can use their franchise or transition tag on potential free agents. However, we still don't know if either tag will be anything when a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is reached between the NFL and NFL Players Association.

While NFL teams are starting to use their franchise tags, the player's union argues without a CBA - which expires on March 3, 2011 - the franchise tag would no longer exist.

As the two sides crawl to a CBA resolution, here's a list of the players who have been franchise or transition tagged.

Baltimore Ravens -- Haloti Ngata, DL

Carolina Panthers -- Ryan Kalil, C

Cleveland Browns -- Phil Dawson, K

Indianapolis Colts -- Peyton Manning, QB

Jacksonville Jaguars -- Marcedes Lewis, TE

Kansas City Chiefs -- Tamba Hali, LB

Miami Dolphins -- Paul Soliai, DL

Minnesota Vikings -- Chad Greenway, LB

New England Patriots -- Logan Mankins, OL

New York Jets -- David Harris, LB

Oakland Raiders -- Kamerion Wimbley, LB

Philadelphia Eagles -- Michael Vick, QB / David Akers, K (transition tag)

Pittsburgh Steelers -- LaMarr Woodley, OLB

San Diego Chargers -- Vincent Jackson, WR

Jacksonville Jaguars place franchise tag on Marcedes Lewis

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis today, that's according to News 4 in Jacksonville, FL.

Lewis, a first round pick in 2006, had has best season as a pro in 2010, leading the team with 10 touchdowns. He also caught 58 balls for 700 yards.

Lewis' franchise tag salary is expected to be around $8 million in 2011. The Jaguars are reportedly interested in signing Lewis to a long term deal.

Lewis will turn 27 in May of 2011.

2011 NFL Draft: Telling moves by Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos?

The two teams atop the 2011 NFL draft board made significant moves today that could impact the draft. The Carolina Panthers, who hold the first overall pick, placed the franchise tag on center Ryan Kalil. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos signed cornerback Champ Bailey to a new four-year contract. Both decisions could change the teams' strategy on draft day.

For the Panthers, the decision to franchise tag Kalil means 24-year-old defensive end Charles Johnson, who had 11.5 sacks in 2010, will become a free agent. If Johnson leaves Carolina, the Panthers may look to draft a defensive end with the first pick. If that is the case, DE Da'Quan Bowers from Clemson would be the favorite to go first in the draft, replacing current favorite Auburn's DL Nick Fairley. There is an outside shot DE Robert Quinn from North Carolina could jump up draft board after the combine.

As for the Broncos, re-signing Bailey to a long-term deal likely takes CB Patrick Peterson of LSU out of the picture as a possible #2 pick. Also, with Fairley back in the picture, the Broncos may target him to shore up their interior defensive line.

Of course, complicating all of this is the expiring Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The current CBA is set to expire after March 3, 2011 and until a new deal is reached, free agents will be forced to sit and wait for a new CBA.

The NFL draft is April 28-30, 2011.

Denver Broncos re-sign Champ Bailey

The Denver Broncos weren't going to let Champ Bailey test the free agent market and today they signed the Pro Bowl cornerback to a four-year deal.

John Elway, the Broncos' new chief of football operations, announced the move on Twitter.

Bailey, who turns 33 in June, will reportedly make between $43 million and $47 million over the next four years. The deal makes Bailey the second highest paid cornerback behind New York Jets Darrelle Revis.

Last season, the Broncos ranked near the bottom of the league in most defensive categories.

Carolina Panthers place franchise tag on Ryan Kalil

The Carolina Panthers will reportedly make their Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil one of the highest paid offensive linemen in football, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network.

The Pnathers slapped the franchise tag on the fourth-year pro. Kalil is one of the NFL's best centers and will make around $10 million in 2011.

The Panthers' decision to franchise Kalil means defensive end Charles Johnson and running back DeAngelo Williams will both become free agents.

Cleveland Browns put franchise tag on Phil Dawson

With the NFL franchise tag deadline looming on February 23, 2011, the Cleveland Browns have reportedly used their franchise tag on kicker Phil Dawson, that's according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and the Cleveland Leader.

Dawson, who is 36-years-old, made 23 of 28 field goals in 2011 and all 28 of his extra points.

The 12-year veteran has been with the Browns his entire career.

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: The Top Prospects #11-20

The NFL Scouting Combine is this week and more than 300 college football players from around the country will converge on Indianapolis for the seven day event. The Combine is an opportunity for NFL teams to get an upclose and personal look at the in-coming draft class.

The Combine is where a player can make a name for himself and make a big jump in the draft. But for some players, the Combine is not always in their best interest. A bad performance at the Combine can cause a player's stock to drop and cost them millions of dollars in the pros.

After the Combine is complete, 2011 NFL Mock Drafts will get shuffled around and players will rise and fall depending on how they performed. Before the first 40-yard dash is run, or the first vertical leap is attempted, here's an in-depth look at the #11-20 2011 NFL draft prospects heading into this week's NFL Combine.

Editor's Note: Click on the prospect's name to read their positives/negatives

11. Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri

12. Minnesota Vikings -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin

13. Detroit Lions -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

14. St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

15. Miami Dolphins -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

16. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

17. New England Patriots (from OAK) -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

18. San Diego Chargers -- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

19. New York Giants -- Tyron Smith, OL, USC

20. Tampa Bay Bucs -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Carolina Panthers reportedly won't franchise tag DeAngelo Williams

It appears running back DeAngelo Williams' days are numbered in Carolina, this after the Panthers reportedly decided not to use their franchise tag on the six-year back.

League sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Williams will become an unrestricted free agent and could potentially leave the Panthers.

Williams, who turns 28 in April, was sidelined much of 2010 with a foot injury. He managed only 361 yards and one touchdown last season.

According to ESPN, the Panthers will tag either center Ryan Kalil or defensive end Charles Johnson.

Tim Tebow: The odd man out for the Denver Broncos?

Could Tim Tebow be on the way out in Denver? According to the NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, Tebow is "a man without much support in Denver" now that Josh McDaniels is gone.

With a new regime, which includes new head coach John Fox and former Broncos great John Elway, now leading the Broncos, Tebow's status is very much in question. Despite starting the final three games of the 2010 season, Tebow hasn't convinced the new Broncos brass that he's the long-term solution at quarterback.

If you've listened to the Broncos talk this offseason, it sure sounds as if Kyle Orton will remain the starter for another season.

2011 NFL Scouting Combine: The Top 10 Prospects

The NFL Scouting Combine is this week and more than 300 college football players from around the country will converge on Indianapolis for the seven day event. The Combine is an opportunity for NFL teams to get an upclose and personal look at the in-coming draft class.

The Combine is where a player can make a name for himself and make a big jump in the draft. But for some players, the Combine is not always in their best interest. A bad performance at the Combine can cause a player's stock to drop and cost them millions of dollars in the pros.

After the Combine is complete, 2011 NFL Mock Drafts will get shuffled around and players will rise and fall depending on how they performed. Before the first 40-yard dash is run, or the first vertical leap is attempted, here's an in-depth look at the top 10 2011 NFL draft prospects heading into this week's NFL Combine.

Editor's Note: Click on the prospect's name to read their positives/negatives

1. Carolina Panthers -- Nick Fairley, DL, Auburn

2. Denver Broncos -- Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

3. Buffalo Bills -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

4. Cincinnati Bengals -- AJ Green, WR, Georgia

5. Arizona Cardinals -- Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

6. Cleveland Browns -- Marcell Dareus, DL, Alabama

7. San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

8. Tennessee Titans -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

9. Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

10. Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Baltimore Ravens reportedly ready to cut Willis McGahee

The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly planning to release RB Willis McGahee, that's according to a report in The Baltimore Sun.

McGahee, who will turn 30 October, is due a $6 million salary in 2011. According to the paper, the move will likely happen after a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached.

McGahee rushed for a career low 380 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Ravens.

Minnesota Vikings place franchise tag on Chad Greenway, Sidney Rice's return uncertain

The Minnesota Vikings will use their franchise tag on linebacker Chad Greenway, according to the team.

The franchise number for linebacker should bring Greenway's salary to close to $10 million in 2011. All indications are Minnesota will try and work on a long-term deal with Greenway after a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached.

The Vikings still must decide what to do with free agent Wide receiver Sidney Rice, who was believed to be a candidate for the franchise tag. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports the Vikings have no plans to use its transition tag on Rice as of right now.

Minnesota Vikings players reportedly planning lockout practices

Last week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman said he planned on organizaing team events if there is a lockout. Now another team, the Minnesota Vikings, plan to do the same.

According to a report in the Pioneer Press, three Vikings players said they will get together for practices during a lockout. During a lockout, the players wouldn’t be able to get any coaching from the staff.

In the Pioneer Press article, Vikings second-year quarterback Joe Webb said, “We almost have to be our own coaches.”

For teams like the Vikings, who have a new offensive coordinator, the offseason is crucial to learning a new offense.

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement is scheduled to expire after March 3, 2011.

2011 NFL Draft: Video of Brandon Burton

2011 NFL Draft: Video of Christian Ballard

2011 NFL Draft: Video of Kyle Rudolph

2011 NFL Draft: Video of Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

2011 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

On Wednesday, February 23, 2011, over three hundred college football players will participate in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. The seven day event is opportunity for the athletes to show their skills on and off the field.

Every NFL head coach, top executives and team physicians will be on hand to evaluate the nation’s top college football players eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft, which is April 28-30, 2011.

A stand-out performance at the NFL Combine can propel a player into the first-round and into millions of dollars. As the players prepare for their big week in Indianapolis, here is The Source's latest mock draft.

(Editor's Note: 2011 NFL Mock Draft updated February 20, 2011)

1. Carolina Panthers -- Nick Fairley, DL, Auburn

2. Denver Broncos -- Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

3. Buffalo Bills -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (up from #8)

4. Cincinnati Bengals -- AJ Green, WR, Georgia

5. Arizona Cardinals -- Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M (down from #3)

6. Cleveland Browns -- Marcell Dareus, DL, Alabama

7. San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (up from #10)

8. Tennessee Titans -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (down from #5)

9. Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (down from #7)

10. Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (up from #16)

11. Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri

12. Minnesota Vikings -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin (up from #17)

13. Detroit Lions -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (up from #23)

14. St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

15. Miami Dolphins -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

16. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (down from #12)

17. New England Patriots (from OAK) -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (down from #9)

18. San Diego Chargers -- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

19. New York Giants -- Tyron Smith, OL, USC

20. Tampa Bay Bucs -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

21. Kansas City Chiefs -- Corey Liuget, DL, Illinois (new addition)

22. Indianapolis Colts -- Derek Sherrod, OL, Mississippi State

23. Philadelphia Eagles -- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (down from #13)

24. New Orleans Saints -- Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

25. Seattle Seahawks -- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

26. Baltimore Ravens -- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland (new addition)

27. Atlanta Falcons -- Marvin Austin, DL, North Carolina

28. New England Patriots -- Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College

29. Chicago Bears -- Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin

30. New York Jets -- Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA

31. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida

32. Green Bay Packers -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

Click here to see The Source's previous 2011 NFL Mock Draft published on February 14, 2011

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kyle Rudolph

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame (6'6" 260 lbs.)

Positives: He's very athletic with good size and speed. He runs excellent routes and does a great job of seperating from defenders. He has very good hands and can make tough catches. He's an above average run blocker.

Negatives: He needs to add muscle and get stronger. He has durability concerns, including injuries to his shoulder in 2009 and hamstring in 2010. 

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Danny Watkins

Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor (HT: 6'3" 310 lbs.)

Positives: He has good strength and plays with good leverage. He's a very good run blocker and does a good job of pulling and getting to the second level. He has solid arm extension and packs a solid punch. He's very physical and plays with a mean streak.

Negatives: He's 26-years-old, which makes him the oldest rookie in the draft. He needs to work on his passing blocking. He has a tendency to stand upright and get knocked backwards.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mark Herzlich

Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College (6'4" 245 lbs.)

Positives: He's a physical player who plays with a lot of intensity. He's an instinctual player and has a knack for always being around the ball. He's a sure tackler and delivers big hits.

Negatives: He has a tendency to tackle too high. He's not very fast and will struggle to keep up with NFL Tight ends. He comes with health concerns after battling cancer last year.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jonathan Baldwin

Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh (6'4' 225 lbs.)

Positives: He has great size and speed. He ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He's 6'4" and does a great job of going after jump balls. He has above average hands. He's a solid runner after the catch and has big play making ability.

Negatives: He's not a very good route runner. He's not very strong and has trouble at times getting off press coverage. He has a questionable work ethic. He has some character concerns, including a disorderly conduct and harassment charge in 2009.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jeron Johnson

Jeron Johnson, Boise State (5'10" 215 lbs.)

Positives: He has above average speed for a safety. He played all four years at Boise State and finished his career with 328 tackles and eight interceptions. He plays physical and can deliver big hits. He has fluid hips and changes direction very well. He has the speed to stay with most NFL tight ends.

Negatives: He needs to get stronger. He sometimes gets blocked out of plays too easily. He has a tendency to freelance a bit and get caught out of position, especially in zone defense.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Joe Lefeged

Joe Lefeged, Rutgers (5'11" 210 lbs.)

Positives: He's the fastest safety in this draft class after running a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He plays physical and doesn't shy away from hits. He has pretty good instincts and does a good job of diagnosing plays. He's a strong special teams player, including a solid kick returner.

Negatives: He doesn't change direction very well and despite his speed, he doesn't cover a lot of ground. He's not a sure tackler and has a tendency to get taken out of plays. He only had two interceptions during his college career.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deunta Williams

Deunta Williams, North Carolina (6'2" 205 lbs.)

Positives: He covers the field very well. He has good instincts and always seems to be around the ball. He has pretty good hands, which led to 12 career interceptions at UNC. His footwork is above average and he has enough speed to play man coverage.

Negatives: After a promising start to his college career, his production slipped his senior season. He was also suspended four games for accepting illegal gifts from an agent. He's not a great tackler and sometimes plays too out of control. He's coming off a broken leg suffered during the Music City Bowl.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Shiloh Keo

Shiloh Keo, Idaho (5'11" 220 lbs.)

Positives: He's a physical player who has good speed and size. He's a four-year player at Idaho and intercepted 11 passes during his career. He was also a tackling machine, amassing 323 tackles at Idaho. He is a solid tackler and welcomes contact. He has the ability to make plays on the ball in the secondary. He plays with good energy.

Negatives: He doesn't have great speed and struggles with faster receivers. He doesn't change directions very well and plays stiff. He needs to do a better job of diagnosing plays faster. He comes with character concerns after being charged with a misdemeanor battery charge in 2009.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaiquawn Jarrett

Jaiquawn Jarrett, Temple (5'11" 200 lbs.)

Positives: He played all four years at Temple, intercepting nine passes during his career. He plays bigger than he is and is a good hitter. He's a good tackler and can play near the line of scrimmage or back in coverage. He has good speed and as the ability to stay with tight ends down the field.

Negatives: He has a tendency to get out of position and miss plays. He will need to add strength and weight at the next level. His footwork isn't solid and doesn't change direction all that well. He struggled covering the field as a single safety in pass coverage.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tyler Sash

Tyler Sash, Iowa (6'0" 215 lbs.)

Positives: He's very good in run support and like contact. He plays the ball very well and intercepted 13 passes at Iowa during his three year career. He can play on the line of scrimmage or back in coverage.

Negatives: He has good, not great speed. He's weak in man-to-man coverage defender. He doesn't change direction well and plays stiff.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: DeAndre McDaniel

DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson (6'0" 215 lbs.)

Positives: He was a four-year starter at Clemson, with 15 career interceptions. He has good speed and does a solid job at closing the gap when the ball is in the air. He's very good in run support and doesn't shy away from contact. He has good hands.

Negatives: He has a tendency to get caught out of position. He doesn't have great speed. He's not very fluid. He comes with some character issues, including an arrest for assaulting his girlfriend in 2008.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Robert Sands

Robert Sands, West Virginia (6'4" 220 lbs.)

Positives: He has good speed for a player his size. He has the ability to match-up with the league's tall receivers. He has good feet and changes direction very well. He's a good tackler and has the ability to make big hits. He is always around the ball.

Negatives: He has a tendency to take bad angles in run support. He needs to work on his coverage skills. He's not very fluid. He gets caught out of position too often.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Quinton Carter

Quinton Carter, Oklahoma (6'0" 210 lbs.)

Positives: He plays with a physical presence and can deliver big hits. He has good awareness and anticipates plays very well. He does a good job of locating the ball and has good enough hands to make interceptions.

Negatives: He has a tendency to freelance too often and misses coverages sometimes. He's not the surest tackler. He's not very fluid.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Rahim Moore

Rahim Moore, UCLA (5'11" 205 lbs.)

Positives: He has the ability to make plays in the secondary, with 14 career interceptions at UCLA. He has good speed and does a good job of keeping plays in front of him. He does a solid job of reading plays and making tackles. He has quick feet and changes direction extremely well.

Negatives: He needs to add weight and strength. He needs to work on his man-to-man coverage skills. He's not a big hitter and won't add much in run support.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mason Foster

Mason Foster, Washington (6'1' 245 lbs.)

Positives: He's always around the ball. He recorded 162 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2010. He has decent size and speed. He plays with a good motor and has a great nose for the ball. He's a heavy hitter and doesn't miss many tackles. He has a solid burst and get away from blockers. He has a strong work ethic and high football I.Q.

Negatives: He has a tendency to get out of position. His coverage skills are below-average. He doesn't have an arsenal of pass rushing moves.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Greg Jones

Greg Jones, Michigan St. (6'0" 240 lbs.)

Positives: He was a four-year college starter and recorded 465 tackles at Michigan State. He's a solid leader and has a high football I.Q. He's a very good tackler and does a solid job of blitzing. He has a good burst and can rush off the edge. He's very active and does a good job in coevrage. He's durable, never missed a game in his four-year college career. He's a hard hitter.

Negatives: He plays so fast that sometimes he misses tackles. He has a tendency to take bad angles. He has difficulty staying with athletic tight ends. He gets fooled by misdirection plays too often. He's a little slow recognizing and reacting to plays.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kelvin Sheppard

Kelvin Sheppard, LSU (6'1" 250 lbs.)

Positives: He has good size and speed. He was very production his junior and senior including: 226 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions. He's a solid tackler and doesn't miss many tackles. He's a leader on the field and does a good job running the defense. He's a durable player.

Negatives: He has a tendancy to get fooled by misdirection plays. He plays too high and does a poor job of getting off blocks. He's not much of a blitzing linebacker. He needs to work on getting better depth in zone coverage.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Casey Matthews

Casey Matthews, Oregon (6'0" 230 lbs.)

Positives: Being the brother of Green Bay Packers standout linebacker Clay Matthews will help his draft status. Casey has a lot of the same skills as his older brother including very good closing speed when pursuing quarterbacks. He plays with good body control and has quick feet. He's pretty good in coverage and has enough speed to cover most tight ends. He's solid against the run and has great instincts. He's a hard hitter.

Negatives: He's not the fastest player at linebacker and he'll need to add weight. He has a tendency to play out of control and misses too many tackles. He gets fooled too often by misdirection plays.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Quan Sturdivant

Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina (6'1" 240 lbs.)

Positives: He was a tackling machine during his college career (310 total tackles). He has very good speed, fast enough to cover NFL tight ends. He gets good depth in zone coverage and plays with good instincts. He does a good job of playing in traffic and always seems to be around the ball. He has loose hips and changes directions very well for a player of his size.

Negatives: He lacks dominating strength. He has a tendency to hit too high and tackle with his arms. He's not a blitzing linebacker and struggles with getting off blocks. He has some character concerns including a marijuana arrest before the 2010 season.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bruce Carter

Bruce Carter, North Carolina (6'3" 240 lbs.)

Positives: He has good speed and strength. He's a good tackler and has solid football instincts. He has good footwork and does a good job at getting depth in zone coverage. He has the ability to rush off the edge and get to the quarterback. He's hard worker and has a high football I.Q. He will be able to contribute on special teams immediately.

Negatives: He's a little slow recognizing plays. He's not a heavy hitter and has a tendency to arm tackle. He needs to work on his blitzes up the middle. He had ACL surgery in December.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Martez Wilson

Martez Wilson, Illinois (6'3" 250 lbs.)

Positives: He had a very good senior season which included 112 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles. He has very good speed for a linebacker and does a good job getting off blockers. He's a physical player who likes to throw around his weight. He's a smart player who can play multiple positions. He will be able contribute right away on special teams.

Negatives: He has a tendency to overrun plays and miss tackles. He takes bad angles sometimes. He doesn't play with high energy. He comes with character concerns. He was suspended one game in 2008 for violating team rules and missed most of that season after recovering from a stab wound sustained during a bar fight.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Buster Skrine

Buster Skrine, Chattanooga (5'9" 185 lbs.)

Positives: He's a speedy corner who plays bigger than his size. He ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and runs well with the ball after interceptions. He has pretty good hands and solid footwork. He also has the ability to return kicks and punts.

Negatives: He's shorter than the average cornerback. He missed too many tackles and has a tengency to out-muscled by bigger receivers. He's a little tight in the hips and relies too much on talent instead of technique. His speed makes him intriguing, but he'll be a project in the NFL.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Brandon Burton

Brandon Burton, Utah (5'11" 190 lbs.)

Positives: He has good size and is pretty athletic. He is quick and doesn't shy away from contact. He plays the ball very well and is solid at timing his jumps. He has fluid hips and turns well in coverage.

Negatives: He has a tendency to get out-muscled on plays. He sometimes stands too high in is backpedal and gets caught flat-footed. He over-pursues too many plays and and finds himself out of position often. He lacks the instincts of a shutdown cornerback.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Curtis Brown

Curtis Brown, Texas (5'11" 185 lbs.)

Positives: He plays fast and has good instincts. He stops and starts with ease and has very fluid hips. He's a good leaper and plays taller than he is. He has a high football I.Q. and is a leader.

Negatives: He misses too many tackles and is not a very physical player. He doesn't have great recovery speed and isn't much of a game-changer. He'll fit better in a zone defense scheme.