Broncos Draft – Countdown To No. 2: #5, Da’Quan Bowers

Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers runs the 40--yard dash during an NFL pro-timing day at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. on Friday, April 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Anderson Independent-Mail, Mark Crammer)

The 2011 NFL Draft is now less than a week away and unless they trade down, the Denver Broncos will be selecting second overall.  We’re counting down the top seven prospects to be selected by the Broncos with their first pick.

Number five: Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers (pronounced DAH-QUAN Bowers).  A 6-4 foot, 277 pound defensive stud, Bowers is considered one of the top prospects in this years draft.

A bit of a one-year wonder, Bowers recorded 67 tackles, 16 sacks and one forced fumble as a junior in 2010.  In his previous two combined seasons, Bowers only recorded four sacks, causing many scouts and analysts to wonder: what took so long for it to click for him?

Another young prospect (21), Bowers was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season, Bowers was one of the most disruptive pass rusher and run stuffing defensive end in college football in 2010.  Bowers did not participate in the NFL Scouting combine field drills, but did do 22 bench press repetitions.  He is projected to be a high pick in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.

My opinion:  Bowers is a very high risk player, he is coming off knee surgery and only had one productive season.  On the flip side, Bowers is a fast, powerful pass rusher and is a very versatile player.

Likelihood of him being drafted second overall: Fairly possible.  The Broncos may take a chance on Bowers, and some sources say they’ve had their eye on him for quite some time.  However, there are four more prospects that are more probable candidates.

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