Rose Bowl 2012: NFL Draft Stocks That Will Soar with Big Performances

There are a few players in a position to turn strong Rose Bowl performances into millions of dollars in the next NFL draft. 

The following Oregon and Wisconsin players are all locks to go in the draft. However, they can greatly enhance that stock by erasing some questions posed by scouts with strong performances in the "granddaddy" of all bowl games today. 

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

Montee Ball is a powerful runner that is going to consistently turn out positive gains. There is no doubt that he will be a valuable addition to NFL backfields. 

However, his lack of speed is likely going to relegate him to a second or third-round selection—unless he can take over the Rose Bowl. 

Scouts will first and foremost look to see him dominate in ways they know he can against elite competition. That means Ball has to find the holes and consistently churn out positive yards after first contact. 

That won't be enough to push Ball into late first or early second consideration though. To do that, he needs to prove that he is capable of breaking off a game changing big run against a speedy defense. He also needs to be a solid pass protector, and would serve himself well to add a few catches out of the backfield. 

This would show scouts that Ball is absolutely a three-down back in the NFL. 

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

James is polar opposite of Ball. There is no doubting his speed or playmaking ability. However, the concern is that James will not be able to hold up and excel at between the tackle running on the next level. 

These concerns currently have him being projected as a second or third-round selection. 

If James wants to push that projection up a round, he has to churn out some tough yards between the tackles against a stout Badger defensive line. 

James is not going to be able to power through these lineman, but he can prove that he can find cracks and slip through them in tight quarters. He needs to hit holes with violence and keep his legs churning to prove that he won't get pushed back at contact. 

He can also do what he does best, and that is provide some highlight worthy runs with his jaw dropping speed and quickness. A couple of game changing plays on a huge stage are always going to impress teams. 

Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin

Wilson's biggest obstacle to being a high draft pick is something he will not be able to overcome, and that is the fact that he is only 5'11". This has the accomplished and athletic QB relegated to fifth-round status. 

While he isn't likely to grow during the Rose Bowl, he can prove that he has the tools to overcome his lack of height. 

Wilson rarely makes big plays while standing in the pocket. He typically is shifting to one side or the other, or completely leaving the pocket to find passing lanes. 

If Wilson can show a good feel for the pocket and hit some timing routes through passing lanes while standing still, scouts will have an easier time signing off on his lack of size. 

Still, there is only so much Wilson can do to ease minds over his lack of height. More than anything, he just needs to dominate. He needs to be accurate with his passes, electric with his feet, and display a dogged determinism that will not allow his team to lose.