BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Pick No. 60: New England Patriots Select Ras I Dowling, CB, VIrginia

Thanks to NYSteelersFan for taking care of this pick while I was out. Next up: The San Diego Chargers, represented by J Lee. - Michael B. -

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The Patriots continue their (in my humble opinion) great draft, and select corner Ras I Dowling from the University of Virginia 60th overall. Last year's first round pick, Devin McCourty, absolutely dazzled in his first year, collecting 7 interceptions, 17 deflected passes, and forcing two fumbles. Now they look to bolster their cornerback depth, as well as find a potential #2 to play opposite McCourty for years to come.

Ras I's coverage abilities combined with his size and experience make him a great pick for the Patriots. He can come in and play the slot behind Bodden and McCourty, and assuming he shows the abilities he showed for his first few years at Virginia, he may be able to allow the Patriots to get out from under Bodden's contract in time if the Pats choose to (something they have done in the past with corners). If the draft were to play out like this, the Patriots will debate this corner pick between Johnny Patrick and Doowling, and in my opinion will choose Dowling's potential for injury concerns over Patrick's potenial for off the field problems. Though neither is a huge concern to me, Patrick's worry me only a bit more given the circumstances. Plus, in terms of measurables, Dowling beats out Patrick in almost all categories as well.

Ras I Dowling -- CB University of Virginia

6'1" / 198 lbs. (combine)

4.37 - 4.42 Forty Yard Dash (Pro Day)

I'm going to rely on the fact that this player was discussed more on this site than maybe any other player in the draft, including Mike Pouncey, so I won't go over it any more than needed. 

The knocks on Ras I Dowling are few, but fair. He lacks top end speed (not straight line speed), andhas an injury history which caused him to miss most of his senior season. Considered a first round prospect he returned to school anyway, getting his degree in sociology in 3.5 years, graduating in December of last year. Ithink his speed concerns can be lessened early on with play in the slot, and proper match-up scheming. His injury concerns are buyer beware, there is nothing he can do about them.

Dowling is a good value here at 60th, and his potential outweighs that of any pass rushers available right now, in terms of being an immediate impact player who can see early playing time. I would look for New England to go pass rusher early in the third, as they have the 10th pick in that round. They could target Chris Carter, Dontay Moch, Jeremy Beal or even Sam Acho if he were still available. 

This is now the fourth team captain selected by the Patriots in this draft, which gives them a good group of young talented players who have been viewed as leaders amongst their peers in college. While it may not mean much to some, this is an attribute that should not be overlooked. I'll take as many past-captains as you'll give me personally. 

Patriots Draft:

17th Overall: Gabe Carimi -- Tackle / Wisconsin

28th Overall: Mike Pouncey -- Guard or Center / Florida

33rd Overall: Cam Heyward -- Defensive End / Ohio State

60th Overall: Ras I Dowling -- Cornerback / Virginia

BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections:

1. Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
4. Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns -- 'The Snow Cone Machine'A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
8. Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
10. Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
11. Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
12. Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
13. Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
14. St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
15. Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona
17. New England Patriots -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
18. San Diego Chargers -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
19. New York Giants -- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
21. Kansas City Chiefs -- Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
22. Indianapolis Colts -- Cameron Jordan, DL, California
23. Philadelphia Eagles -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. New Orleans Saints -- Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
25. Seattle Seahawks -- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
26. Baltimore Ravens -- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
27. Atlanta Falcons -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
28. New England Patriots -- Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
29. Chicago Bears --Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
30. New York Jets -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
31. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
32. Green Bay Packers -- Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

ROUND 2

1. New England Patriots -- Cameron Hayward, DE, Ohio State (33rd overall)
2. Buffalo Bills -- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame (34th overall)
3. Cincinnati Bengals -- Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State (35th overall)
4. Denver Broncos -- Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois (36th overall)
5. Cleveland Browns -- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois (37th overall)
6. Arizona Cardinals -- Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada (38th overall)
7. Tennessee Titans -- Andy Dalton, QB, Texas Christian (39th overall)
8. Dallas Cowboys -- Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor (40th overall)
9. Washington Redskins -- Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh (41st overall)
10. Houston Texans -- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas (42nd overall)
11. Minnesota Vikings -- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (43rd overall)
12. Detroit Lions -- Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina (44th overall)
13. San Francisco 49ers -- Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA (45th overall)
14. Denver Broncos -- Benjamin Ijalana, OL, Villanova (46th overall)
15. St. Louis Rams -- Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina (47th overall)
16. Oakland Raiders -- Stefan Wisniewski, OG/C, Penn State (48th overall)
17. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas (49th overall)
18. San Diego Chargers -- Leonard Hankerson, WR, University of Miami (50th overall)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh (51st overall)
20. New York Giants -- Mason Foster, LB, Washington (52nd overall)
21. Indianapolis Colts -- Rodney Hudson, G/C, Florida State (53rd overall)
22. Philadelphia Eagles -- Marcus Cannon, OG, Texas Christian (54th overall)
23. Kansas City Chiefs -- Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State (55th overall)
24. New Orleans Saints -- Robert Sands, S, West Virginia (56th overall)
25. Seattle Seahawks -- Brandon Burton, CB, Utah (57th overall)
26. Baltimore Ravens -- Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa (58th overall)
 27.  Atlanta Falcons -- Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky (59th overall)