Tim Bowens, a player some NFL general managers and scouts regarded as a long shot, is the 1994 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bowens, a defensive tackle from Mississippi whom the Miami Dolphins picked with the 20th choice in the first round of the draft _ and were criticized for doing so _ collected 41 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 98 sports writers and broadcasters. He beat cornerback Antonio Langham of Cleveland, who had 28, and another tackle, Bryant Young of San Francisco, who got 21 votes. "We drafted him with the hope he would come in and help us, give us some size and strength up there," Dolphins coach Don Shula said. "He's done all of those things. We've been much stronger against the run with him in there, and he's working very hard on the pass rush." Bowens did so well plugging holes against the run that Miami had its best rushing defense since its championship years. "It's a great reward," Bowens said, "but right now all I have is Kansas City on my mind, the playoffs, and getting to the big dance. It's nice, for a guy like me who worked so hard to get it." Bowens started only seven games at Mississippi, and his workouts didn't overwhelm many personnel people. But Dolphins assistant coach Joe Greene liked what he saw, and who should know defensive linemen better than the Hall of Famer? "The people here had the courage to make the call," Greene said. "That's the bottom line." NFL draft order Here is order for the first round of the 1995 NFL draft (x-tied, will resolve with coin flip; y-playoff team). Super Bowl champion will select 30th and the runner-up 29th. 1. Carolina 2. Jacksonville 3. Houston 4. Washington 5. Cincinnati 6. Los Angeles Rams 7. x-Seattle tie. x-Tampa Bay 9. New York Jets 10. Atlanta 11. Minnesota from Denver through Atlanta 12. Philadelphia 13. New Orleans 14. Buffalo 15. Indianapolis 16. Arizona 17. New York Giants 18. Los Angeles Raiders 19. y-Chicago 20. y-Kansas City 21. y-Green Bay 22. y-Detroit 23. y-Miami 24. y-New England 25. y-Minnesota 26. y-Cleveland 27. y-San Diego 28. y-Pittsburgh 29. y-Dallas 30. y-San Francisco