2011 NFL Mock Draft: Which BCS Bowl-Bound Players Are First Rounders?
2011 NFL Mock Draft: I'm no Mel Kiper or Todd McShay, but that doesn't mean I can't attempt to put together my own draft board.
We've obviously got a ways to go until next April, and plenty of things could change between now and then.
But there are plenty of college football players who already look like first-round locks.
What about possible BCS-bound players though? Will their success at the college level translate to success in the pros?
Well, I'm here to debate that.
Let's take a look at 25 possible BCS bowl-bound players who could be selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
25. D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
1 of 25
It's a little unclear what position D.J. Williams will play in the NFL.
Is he a tight end? Is he a fullback? What about H-back?
Whatever he is, he'll be playing on Sundays.
24. Demarcus Love, OT, Arkansas
2 of 25
Demarcus Love doesn't get the publicity that left tackles usually get, but he's proven to be a versatile offensive lineman.
Love has played strong-side guard and tackle during his career at Arkansas.
23. Ryan Broyles, WR/KR, Oklahoma
3 of 25
We've all seen NFL drafts when there is a boatload of wide receivers taken in that 20-32 range.
Now, Ryan Broyles isn't the type of WR/KR prospect that Dez Bryant was, but he's a solid one nonetheless.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
22. Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech
4 of 25
Rashad Carmichael doesn't grade out all that great among NFL scouts, but he's had a solid career at Virginia Tech and the end of the first round tends to be pretty unpredictable.
Remember when the Saints took Patrick Robinson last year?
I could see something similar happening with Carmichael.
21. Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh
5 of 25
Greg Romeus was headed for a possible top-20 selection in next year's draft, but back surgery earlier in the season almost completely killed his chances of that happening.
If he's healthy though, this guy is exactly what you look for in a defensive end.
20. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
6 of 25
Terrelle Pryor has said he's staying at Ohio State for his senior year, but you and I both know that college kids can change their minds in an instant.
I only have Pryor this low because of his uncertain status.
Otherwise, he'd be a lock on this list because 32 teams aren't going to pass on a guy with his potential.
19. Jared Crick, DT/DE, Nebraska
7 of 25
When you line up next to Ndamukong Suh for most of you college career, it's easy to be overlooked.
But Jared Crick is one heck of a presence on the defensive line.
18. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
8 of 25
You never know what a team might do late in the first round (Tim Tebow, anyone).
And although Christian Ponder hasn't put up gaudy numbers at Florida State, he's highly regarded among NFL scouts as a good pro prospect.
17. DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
9 of 25
A poor man's Adrian Peterson? Not quite.
But DeMarco Murray has had a solid career at Oklahoma, racking up more than 3,500 yards and 49 touchdowns.
He'll get a look in the first round depending on how he performs at the combine.
16. Chimdi Chekwa, QB, Ohio State
10 of 25
Chimdi Chekwa has more than just an awesome name.
The Ohio State cornerback was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award and has 42 tackles and three interceptions on the season.
15. J.J. Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin
11 of 25
J.J. Watt is a nice defensive lineman prospect, whose size will allow him to play either end or tackle at the NFL level.
He's recorded 11 sacks the last two seasons to go along with more than 100 tackles.
14. Rodney Hudson, OG, Florida State
12 of 25
Rodney Hudson is an undersized offensive lineman (6'2", 282 pounds), but size isn't as important at the guard position as it is as tackle.
Hudson has proven to be a very good blocker throughout his career, especially this season when he helped pave the way for Florida State to rush for more than 200 yards in four straight games.
13. Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
13 of 25
Travis Lewis isn't the first outside linebacker prospect from Oklahoma who you will see on this list.
But he is certainly the Sooners' biggest tackling machine.
Lewis is just a junior, but he already has more than 320 tackles and seven interceptions for his career.
12. John Moffitt, OG, Wisconsin
14 of 25
John Moffitt doesn't play a sexy position, but offensive guard is an important one nonetheless.
The main problem with Moffitt's draft status though is his age. He's already 24 years old.
11. Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
15 of 25
At 6'3", 263 pounds, Jeremy Beal is huge for a linebacker prospect.
Beal is a strong outside pass rusher who's racked up 20 sacks and three forced fumbles over the past three seasons.
10. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
16 of 25
Ryan Williams entered the season as a future first-round lock, but his stock has fallen a bit thanks to the three-back rotation at Virginia Tech.
Still, his production can't be denied, and he has all the makings of a stud running back.
If he enters the draft, Williams will most likely crack the first round.
9. Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
17 of 25
Jon Baldwin is no Larry Fitzgerald, but he's pretty damn good.
Baldwin is huge for a wide receiver, and he's produced for a less than stellar Pittsburgh team throughout his career.
He should be the third or fourth-rated wideout in the entire draft.
8. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
18 of 25
Cameron Heyward's a little light for a defensive end, and his production isn't great (only three sacks this season).
But he's a defensive player from Ohio State.
You know someone's taking a shot on him in the first round.
7. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
19 of 25
That Joe Thomas guy was pretty good at Wisconsin, and he's pretty good in the NFL.
Sense the sarcasm? By that, I really mean that he's one of the best in the business.
And although Gabe Carimi isn't quite up to Thomas' level, he's one of the best offensive tackle prospects in this year's class.
6. Marcus Cannon, OG, TCU
20 of 25
Marcus Cannon plays offensive guard, so he gets about as much praise as the equipment manager.
Don't overlook this guy, though. He's a stud interior lineman for one of the nation's best offenses.
5. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
21 of 25
There are tons of questions about Cam Newton's character, but he's a better passer than Michael Vick was at this stage and a more complete quarterback than Tim Tebow.
I'd argue that he actually has more upside than Vince Young, who was chosen with the No. 3 overall pick in 2006.
If he decides to come out early, there's no doubt some team will take a chance on him.
4. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
22 of 25
Ryan Mallett won't be the first quarterback taken, but he'll be a surefire first-rounder.
It's hard not to love the guy's production at Arkansas, his skills behind center and his huge stature that dwarfs most NFL quarterbacks.
3. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
23 of 25
If you've ever watched Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson broadcast an Auburn game, you know they love Nick Fairley.
And with good reason.
Fairley has 10 sacks this season and is the kind of disruptive defensive tackle that is so important in the NFL.
2. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
24 of 25
It'll be a hot debate leading up to the draft to decide which cornerback is better: Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara.
Either way, they're both going in the top-10 and should be shutdown NFL cornerbacks for years to come.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
25 of 25
The biggest lock on this list, Andrew Luck is the early favorite to be the No. 1 overall selection next year.
Luck possesses all the attributes scouts drool over, from good size to the ability to run a pro-style offense.
In all likelihood, he won't fall out of that top spot.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
