2011 NFL Draft Projections: Ryan Whalen, Thomas Keiser, and Derek Hall

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft begins tonight. Here are a few more former Stanford standouts who could be taken by the end of the weekend.

Ryan Whalen: Whalen, a former walk-on, was Stanford's leading receiver in 2008 and 2009. He was poised for an even more productive 2010, but missed two games with an elbow injury and finished with 41 catches for 439 yards (less than half as many yards as he racked up the previous season). Whalen doesn't have elite speed, but he has really good hands. NFLDraftScout.comprojects that some team will make him a sixth-round selection. 

Thomas Keiser: I was bummed when Keiser announced that he was forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the draft, but I hope the decision works out well for him. The Before & After Duo of Chase Thomas Keiser and returning inside linebacker Shayne Skov would've been fun to watch in 2011. As Dave Fowkes points out, Keiser is a classic tweener in the NFL -- a hybrid linebacker/defensive end type with a proven ability to get to the passer. NFLDraftScout.com projects Keiser could be a seventh-round pick.

Derek Hall: Hall, who scratched and clawed his way to a starting role at right tackle before his senior season, earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors in 2010. NFLDraftScout.com says Hall will go in the sixth or seventh round. SB Nation's full mock draft has Hall going to Pittsburgh in the fourth round.

Chase Beeler and Andrew Phillips. NFLDraftScout.com doesn't think either offensive lineman will be drafted, but both players are potential late-round picks.