2011 Bowl Predictions: Justin Blackmon and Players Who Will Improve Draft Stock

The college football bowl season can see a player have a game that shoots them from a low-end first-round draft pick, to a guaranteed top-10 pick. For a player like Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, having a huge game in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will shoot the dynamic wide receiver into the discussion as the first pick of the overall draft. 

Blackmon had a dominating season with the Cowboys in 2011. His 111 receptions, 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns placed the wide receiver in the top 10 of every major receiving category in the NCAA this year. 

With the top three teams in the 2012 NFL draft being the Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings, they all need a big-play receiver on their team. Blackmon could help whichever team takes him from day one. 

If Blackmon has a game where he has eight receptions, 205 yards and three touchdowns against Andrew Luck and Stanford, it will make a lot of teams question if the right move is taking Luck over Blackmon. 

Baylor Quarterback, Robert Griffin III 

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner has risen into the first round after his spectacular 2011 season. His 3,998 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and 192.3 passer rating was better than Luck’s numbers in those same categories this year.

However, if RG3 declares for the NFL draft, he will still be behind Luck as the best quarterback prospect in the draft. 

If RG3 can have his typical game of 333 yards passing, three touchdown passes, with another 50 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Washington Huskies, it will shoot Griffin III into the top 10 of the draft. 

With the skill sets that surround the Miami Dolphins or the Washington Redskins, they would benefit from the abilities of Griffin III. He would come in from day one and be able to excel on those teams with his big arm, and his ability to be able to use his speed to keep plays alive. 

Wisconsin Running Back, Montee Ball

Ball has forced his way into the late first round of the draft. His punishing rushing style, where he runs downhill from the start, would make him very successful in goal-line situations and as an every-down back. 

Ball’s final five games in the 2011 season saw him rush for over 200 yards twice, while rushing for over 150 yards four times. In each of those five games, Ball had two or more touchdowns, accumulating 14. 

If Ball can continue his hot streak against Oregon, having a performance of 165 rushing yards and three touchdowns leading Wisconsin to a Rose Bowl victory, it will shoot the talented running back into the middle of the first round to a team like the Arizona Cardinals. 

If these three players all enter the NFL draft this year, they are guaranteed first-round picks. However, with a huge performance in their bowl game, they will become must-have players at the draft. 

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