Each year in Madden there are a number of teams that never really catch the attention of users. Whether it’s a lack of star power or a gaping hole at a key position, some teams hardly get off the team-selection page and onto the field. So with the 2011 NFL Draft set to begin Thursday, we here at Operation Sports decided to conduct a mock draft of our own to help these bottom-feeder franchises.

With a list of the least-used teams in Madden 11 (as provided by EA Sports), TD St. Matthew-Daniel, Jayson Young, Dustin Toms and Christian McLeod became video game general managers and made the picks they think will help these 12 lowly teams become more attractive to users in Madden 12.

1. Arizona Cardinals (TD) - Blaine Gabbert, QB (Missouri)
The Cardinals have one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, but given Arizona's pass-heavy playbook, Larry Fitzgerald's worth can't truly be realized without an accurate quarterback taking the snaps. Sadly, Kurt Warner isn't walking back through that door, but here comes Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert. Although he isn’t the big name Cam Newton is, Gabbert is more suited for the Cardinals’ passing game, and with a 4.62 40-yard dash, he is no slouch athletically either.


2. Seattle Seahawks (Dustin) - Cam Newton, QB (Auburn)
With questions surrounding Matt Hasselbeck's future with the team and Charlie Whitehurst's overall talent, the Seahawks are in need of a play-making quarterback. Newton may not posses the desired accuracy, but with an underwhelming receiving corp, short- to medium-range passes should be all you run. And you can't forget about Newton's speed and athleticism, the two things every Madden gamer wants in his quarterback. By drafting the former Auburn quarterback, Seattle will get better and acquire more users in Madden.

Cam Newton is heading to Seattle in our mock draft.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (Jayson) - A.J. Green, WR (Georgia)
The Jaguars have a problem with teams stacking the box and focusing on star running back Maurice Jones-Drew. A.J. Green's size, speed and leaping ability will give Jacksonville a deep threat on the outside who can open up space for Maurice Jones-Drew and tight end Marcedes Lewis. Last year's leading receiver, Mike Thomas, could then become the slot receiver where he could better utilize his speed -- and his 5-foot-8 frame would not be so much of an issue in that role, which is an added bonus.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Christian) - Julio Jones, WR (Alabama)
The Bucs already have a stud QB in the making in Josh Freeman, so now it's time to give him a devastating offensive weapon. The addition of the speedy Jones to a wideout corp already featuring the stellar Mike Williams means that the Madden 12 Bucs would be a force to be reckoned with on offense. I'm all about making offenses explode. Josh Freeman’s legs and power arm, coupled with the game-breaking abilities of Julio Jones at wideout (and returning kicks/punts), could make the Bucs scary fun to play with in this year's game.

5. Carolina Panthers (TD) – Patrick Peterson, CB (LSU)
The Panthers may not have a quarterback of the future, but we don’t know that for certain just yet. I’m not a big Jimmy Clausen fan, but I'm also not against him getting another crack at figuring out the whole quarterback thing. With that in mind, I’ll be looking for a defensive playmaker with this pick. In such a pass-heavy game, there’s nothing like having that shutdown corner. Patrick Peterson has safety size, great speed and good ball skills. Add that to the fact that he’s a dynamic punt returner, and the Panthers might just be getting a top-five cornerback in all of Madden 12.

Can Patrick Peterson be a top-five CB in Madden 12?

6. Buffalo Bills (Jayson) - Tyron Smith, OT (USC)
Buffalo's offense has consistently finished in the bottom of the NFL for a decade. The emergence of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Steve Johnson and RB C.J. Spiller give the Bills a trio of young, talented players to complement WR Lee Evans and WR Roscoe Parrish. But poor offensive-line play remains the Bills' major issue. Buffalo drafted right guard Eric Wood in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and selecting another top offensive lineman should give the team's young skill-position players more time to make plays.

7. Cleveland Browns (Dustin) - Robert Quinn, DE (North Carolina)
it was tough to pass on LB Von Miller and DT Nick Fairley here, but in Madden it always seems to come down to the speed of your defensive ends. Quinn not only has that speed, but the athleticism to go with it.

8. Houston Texans (Dustin) - Prince Amukamara, CB (Nebraska)
Houston is set on offense with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. Their front seven is anchored by Mario Williams, Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans. That leaves their secondary, considered the worst in the league, as a big gaping hole. Amukamara will bring his coverage skills from Nebraska and immediately help a team who gets scorched on the deep pass.

9. Detroit Lions (Jayson) - Von Miller, OLB (Texas A&M)
A year ago, Detroit's linebackers were the lone attraction on a talent-thin defense, but with Ernie Sims traded to Philadelphia and Julian Peterson cut from the roster, there are now two huge holes at outside linebacker. Texas A&M's Von Miller gives the Lions another do-it-all playmaker in their 4-3 scheme alongside MLB DeAndre Levy. Von Miller led the nation in sacks in 2009 and was the Butkus Award winner in 2010, making him the ideal addition to the young, up-and-coming Lions.

The cover athlete does get picked, just keep reading.

10. St. Louis Rams (Christian) - Leonard Hankerson, WR (Miami)
Since this draft is all about making a team attractive to use in Madden, and the Rams are severely lacking a number-one wideout, I just could not pass on selecting the 6-foot-3, 205 pound workhorse at this spot. In real life there's no way Hankerson goes to the Rams, but the possibilities of a young Bradford to Hankerson combination would have me scrambling to pick up the sticks and be the Rams in Madden 12. Hankerson has the potential to be a superstar, and the offensive punch of SJax, Bradford and Hankerson could be a defensive nightmare when facing the Rams online.

11. Miami Dolphins (Christian) - Jake Locker, QB (Washington)
Chad Henne is not the future under center in Miami, and the Dolphins are in dire need of a QB. In other words, hear me out on this one. I know Madden does not take into account off-the-field issues (Ryan Mallet), but in the Madden universe, Jake Locker has the potential to become a monster. He's big, has speed, has a rocket arm, and he loves scrambling out of the pocket to either run or pass. With this skill set, Brandon Marshall, the wildcat and a potent running attack led by Ronnie Brown, the Madden 12 Dolphins would have a ton of gamers using them. Mallett's pocket presence and arm may have Dolphins fans yearning for the days of Dan Marino, but Locker's Madden skill set has him looking like a steal at this pick.

12. Washington Redskins (TD) – Mark Ingram, RB (Alabama)
This was a tough one for me. Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith might be another Madden 12 gem with his combination of size, speed and pass coverage. Standing 6-foot-3 tall, he could be a much better version of the Dolphins’ Sean Smith. However, the Redskins are in desperate need of a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball and, quite frankly, a big name. At this point in our mock draft, there’s no bigger name than NCAA Football 12 cover athlete, Mark Ingram. He might not have that top-end speed that many Madden gamers covet, but I could easily see him having 94-rated acceleration along with great trucking attributes. Add that to a speed rating of around 85, and he should be a very effective between-the-tackles back in Madden 12. Most importantly, the Redskins will have an attractive name on the roster that should keep them off this list next season.