Kentucky senior running back Derrick Locke's strong showing at the Senior Bowl could help him in the 2011 NFL Draft, but his lengthy injury history could offset any ground gained.

In 2010, despite missing four contests, Locke rushed for 10 touchdowns and posted 100-yard outings in 50 percent of his games played. He caught 34 passes last year and 31 in '09.

Strengths

• Speed (official 4.37-second 40-yard dash)
• Very good hands
• Skilled route runner

• Injury-prone talent

  Runs harder than his size suggests
• Kickoff return experience (two career touchdowns)
• Agile with quick feet - can cut and go with the best of them
• Stood out at the Senior Bowl
• Willing blocker

Weaknesses

• Size (5-foot-8 1/4, 188 pounds)
• Major injury concerns - tore his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in 2008; has missed time three years running 
• Doesn't hold up well as a blocker against larger defenders
• Struggles to gain yardage after initial contact

Expected draft placement

Locke should be drafted no earlier than the late fourth round and shouldn't fall out of the sixth.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets have shown interest in Locke.