Does Da'Quan Bowers fit the Broncos?
by Stebbyfan92 on Feb 21, 2011 2:53 PM MST
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PrintAccording to a column written on bleacherreport.com, the Denver Broncos are leaning toward Da’Quan Bowers with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. It makes sense, considering John Fox’s very first draft pick as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers was superstar defensive end, Julius Peppers.
Now, any reasonable person (I consider myself to be somewhat reasonable in many aspects) would say that just because his first draft pick 10 years ago was a DE doesn’t mean that his first draft pick as the Broncos head coach. And I agree that connecting those dots is a bit of a reach, but I do not think that it would be a bad decision to do so.
The positives include the fact that at 6’4" and 275 lbs, Bowers is huge. He is a freakish athlete that can "run the hoop" around a tackle and can also overpower offensive linemen with a straight up bull rush. Normally, defensive linemen are proficient in one of these aspects but have to work to improve on the other. Like I mentioned, he is a giant man so regardless of his tackling ability, he already has a step-up on many rookie DEs in the run stopping column.
His first two years at Clemson weren’t stellar, but in his final season, Bowers recorded 16 sacks, 67 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. These stats are even more impressive considering he missed significant time in three games due to a leg injury.
The reason he would be a good choice for the Broncos is that they desperately need a playmaker on defense, as well as a pass rushing threat.
There aren’t many negatives with taking Bowers at No. 2 overall in this year’s draft, but the biggest issue that I can see is that the Broncos would be paying three defensive ends big-time money. As a rookie, Robert Ayers signed a 5-year, $18.34 million. This past year, Elvis Dumervil signed a 5-year extension worth $61.5 million (with $43.168 guaranteed). There’s no telling how much the No. 2 overall draft pick will make this year, due to the fact the NFLPA and the owners are currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. However, the past two picks at number 2, Ndamukong Suh to the Lions and Jason Smith to the Rams, earned $60 million and $61.775 million respectively. If there isn’t a change in the current rookie salary model, Bowers would get around $60 to $61 million with about $40 million guaranteed. That would be an amount in excess of $140 million just for the defensive end position. I don’t know for a fact, but I doubt any NFL team has ever allocated that much of their total player salary to one position, much less on the defensive line.
The risks of taking Bowers with the 2nd pick in the 2011 Draft don’t seem to outweigh the possible improvements to a defense that has numerous holes to fill. Besides, Bowers has been compared to Julius Peppers by several analysts and in no way would the Broncos be any worse off by taking a player with his type of potential.
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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I, for 1, would like to see Denver trade down and get Von Miller at 6 or 7...
and add another 2nd or 3rd and a 1st next year.
i legitimately don't think Miller makes it past 5.
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I think that could constitute a bet!
I love Miller’s leadership and athleticism but I don’t think he will go in the top 5…7-10 maybe.
Miller may not make it past Buffalo at #3
They have a desperate need for a real rush OLB/DE (no Aaron Maybin and Shawn Merriroids, I don’t mean you guys). From what I hear, Chan Gailey was enamored with him at the Senior Bowl. It also sounds like our FO is very impressed with him as well (Dennis Allen hinted at this in an interview).
I say if there’s any doubt at all that Dareus will be snagged up before we can trade down and get him, we need to go ahead and pull the trigger at #2. It wouldn’t be anywhere near the reach that Tyson Jackson was for KC a couple years back (you can’t say he was a bad pick – Pioli knows his 5 techs). Out of all the top 4 prospects, Dareus fits the mold of the type of player our FO looks for (intangibles, competitiveness, work ethic + a killer football player).
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
agreed, im assuming your thinking system
luckily im a bronco and a blazer fan
He's not great in run defense or in pass defense.... in other words like 80% of his responsibilites
A 3-4 team will use his elite skills in pass rush on like 80% of plays. We would use that skill set like 20% of the time. We would need him for run stuffing and pass coverage – regular linebacker stuff. This guy could play in a 4-3, he’s just not worth as much to us as a 3-4 team. He doesn’t cover like a first round linebacker. He doesn’t stop the run like a first round linebacker.
Bowers seems very risky, not that Fairley &.Dareus aren't, but at least we NEED DT's
I personally like the idea of taking a DT, LB, or CB over the DE spot. With Elvis returning, we know we have a proven pass rusher on one side, and Ayers will be returning to the position he excelled at in college. Should be a good chance for him to have somewhat of a new/fresh start.
I am not even sure if we should trade back, unless we have an opportunity to only move back a few spots (which is doubtful). Either way, we need to concentrate on positions that are glaring weaknesses, and I wouldn’t put DE in that category (at least not at the top or even the 2nd or 3rd weakest positions on our D)
Robert Ayers excelled at in college???
He had in sacks…1.0 his freshman year; 1.0 his sophomore year; 4.0 his junior year and 3.0 his senior year; thats a total of 9.0 sacks in 4 years or in 48 games, so no Ayers never excellled in college.
perhaps not in the sack dept.
but he was a daft run stopper, and he had many, many pressures / QB hits, which are sometimes more important than the sack (they lead to turnovers). Ayers also excelled at the Senior Bowl / combine, and he absolutely dominated many of the top OT prospects that year (he made more than a few 1st round OT’s look stupid).
Ayers has already proven to be our best run stuffer / edge setter – surely to God that means something (especially on a D like ours, who struggles mightily to stop the opposition’s ground attack).
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
by PaleHorse78 on Feb 22, 2011 6:53 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Ya, he's great against the rush, but...
then teams will run at Doom. Then on passing downs, teams will but more protection on Dooms side. Might not be a bad thing, if we can figure out when there running and when there passing.
solution?
get rid of Ayers?
BRIAN ORAKPO, 19.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles in 31 games
ROBERT AYERS, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumbles in 26 games
*both came from the same draft class
We don't have ahole at DE
We need depth.. and maybe competition for Ayers (depending on who you talk to), but we don’t have an immediate need for a new starting DE. We need a new starting DT.
I would say this
Ayers has not shown he can be an effective pass rusher, even in college he didn’t have amazing sack stats, Dummervil is not an everydown DE in a 4-3, he is too light and small to hold the point of attack, so I would guess he would play OLB on downs 1 and 2 and then be a rush end on obvious passing downs. Just because you have a guy like Ayers signed to contract, doesn’t mean you don’t address a weakness, if Ayers is nothing more than a average DE then we would be foolish to pass on a prospect that may become an elite DE just because of contract money (IMO).
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for the last time
ayers is NOT a pass rusher. he is a pocket collapsing run stuffer.
You can't win in this league with 53 choirboys, and the last time I checked, they weren't holding parades for 4-12 teams full of Boy Scouts.
can you provide a link to the Broncos saying that is what he was drafted for?
Cause when you draft a 3-4 OLB in the first round then you are most likely looking for a guy who can get to the QB.
Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.
by BroncoMath101 on Feb 21, 2011 7:28 PM MST up reply actions
People quicky forget that back when we ran a 4-3
Doom weighed about 265 lbs. He dropped weight to play the OLB/DE position.
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
Von Miller
I’ve herad he can play SAM in the 4-3. So picture this, 1st and second down you play the line with Ayers and Doom at the end spots. On third down and obvious pass situations you play Doom and Miller at the end spots and move Ayers to one of the tackle spots where he can use his bull rush (his best move) to collapse the interior of the pocket. Speed off the edges and power up the middle.
Maybe stupid but something to consider.
On a side note
Some sites have Von Miller rated as high as an overall prospect as Fairley and Peterson
not stupid at all
but not ideal. With a number 2 pick, were looking for ideal. In fact, if we go bowers, you just nailed our nickel and dime package scheme with those 3
luckily im a bronco and a blazer fan
Only if there is a rookie cap. Otherwise we are paying him entirely too much to cover and support the run.
4-3 LBs don’t get after the QB which is why Von is so highly coveted.
Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.
by BroncoMath101 on Feb 21, 2011 7:29 PM MST up reply actions
Marcel Dareus
Marcel Dareus fits what the broncos need most and should have been included in your poll . the broncos need help on the inside the most .I was browsing over at cat scratch reader last night and they have an interesting article about the price of a first pick overall . Anyway this is broken down by the cost of position quarterback being the highest followed by defensive end . I was very surprised that a defensive tackle came in at about eight million a year cheaper than defensive end .Now i don’t know the broncos Salary projections for next year . However to me if you have three players on the D line all rated in the top five of this draft is the one that will cost you eight million a year more is he that much better? If he is not then you go with the D Tackle of your choice. Now however we don’t know what effect a new cba will have on this draft class will it be subject to a rookie wage scale or will the rookie wage scale start with the 2012 draft class ? This Question I would think will have a bearing on what the broncos will do . I believe that the new cba if not signed by the draft will be retroactive back to the end of this contract year. I like 1Dareus 2 bowers 3 Fairly however I would take Dareus and put the other eight million to signing some much needed free agents .
by ultraclassic04 on Feb 21, 2011 4:39 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
+5,000
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
I think Ayers, Bannan, Williams, Thomas, and Dumervil are not bad for a stop-gap line. Needs to be upgraded, but not as urgently as safety and linebacker.
At #2 it makes most sense to get a DT. But I’d prefer we trade down, get a linebacker, and then get DT and Safety (and either a tight end or whatever OL position we need) in the 2nd and 3rd round.
Nice post, nice assessment.
I am against trading down more than a couple of spots unless another team completely blows their wad. As of now, I am solidly on board with Bowers for the #2, unless something changes.
Da Quan Bowers, Nick Fairley or Marcell Dareus, take your pick they can all fit our needs.
The problem with drafting is, which one fit the need the most. Bowers may just be the next Julius Peppers, we won’t know until he starts his career. The problem I see and well as the author of this post is, we already have Doom and Ayers and there ain’t no #2 going to sit the bench or be a backup. With that said, either Ayers or Doom would sit the bench. Think thats going to happen? I don’t and it isn’t logical…Ayers and Doom will OK in their new roles.
That boils down to Fairley and Dareus. Dareus isn’t a #2 pick at this pick by any draft geek I’ve seen so what do we do reach for a #6-9 player? Fairley is graded out higher at either #1 or 2 depending who you read. Obvious you want the best player on the board at the point of draft, right? #2 is nearly impossible to trade out of especially in this draft where no QB is considered $1 or 2…Not even Cam Newton at this point. Heck, Corey Liuget is almost as good as Dareus (ah oh *&%$$#) in my observance…Dareus isn’t even in the top 10 at DraftTek where they have him slightly above JJ Watts. As a matter of fact I would rather have JJ than Dareus but we don’t have the pick at the right time. Who knows, when it’s all said and done…Mu Wilkerson may overtake them all…
For the bottom line for the nth time, if Carolina takes Bowers we’ll take Fairley or vice versa.
Agreed 100%. All 3 of those guys would fit perfectly with the Broncos and immediately help our defense.
But I disagree about Dareus not being a top 3 pick. In fact I would be very surprised if the Bills pass on him. Mayock also agrees that Dareus has just slightly less upside than Fairley and that his technique is much better. His new prospect rankings actually have Dareus at #1 above Fairley.
He has said Denver should really consider him at #2 and I personally think he won’t make it past the Bills at #3 if they decide not to take Newton. Of course this is Mayock’s opinion but of all the draft analysts his is one of the few I really respect.
Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.
by BroncoMath101 on Feb 21, 2011 7:38 PM MST up reply actions
Just in case anyone has forgotten.....
…Maylock also thought that Robert Ayers was the cats meow….he felt that he was by far the best option at DE/OLB. My question is…..is he? If we put him back at his ideal possition, DE in a 4-3 will he excell. Could we possibly find a way to put Dumervil at a linebacker position in a 4-3 and have De’Quan and Ayers be a powerhouse DE duo?
Broncos forever.....bring on the season.
true and I'm not taking him as gospel but I respect his opinion. Everyone gets talent evaluaton wrong at times even NFL scouts and GMs
but in this case I agree with him about Dareus.
Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.
by BroncoMath101 on Feb 22, 2011 6:24 AM MST up reply actions
J-DOG
Mayock also said that Ayers full potential wouldn’t be reached until about year 3 or so. He said when analysts look back on that draft a few years later, Ayers will be one of the top dawgs.
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
I have seen Dareus mocked as high as 3, so picking him at 2 is not a stretch.
I don’t know if you have seen him play or not, but I have and I definitely disagree with your assessment of him. I don’t think JJ Watt is the same caliber as Dareus, but that is not a very solid opinion as I have only seen him play once so I can’t be definitive in that statement. I do however, agree with your bottom line.
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To be honest wih you both...
I only watched a couple of Bama games (Arkansas and Florida?) In the Ark game I watching Mallett and Williams more and didn’t really notice Dareus to much. I can’t find to many highlights on him to make a better assessment. My one and only arguement between him and Fairley is this…Fairley helped the Auburn Tigers win the National Championship while Dareus watched it at home…I’ve listened to Fairley speak and play and he has impressed me enough to take him, dirty plauer or not.
Alabama won the National Championship the year before
and Dareus was definitely a big part of that one.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
~Dr. Seuss
"If there is anything more important than my ego around, I want it caught and shot NOW!"
...Zaphod Beeblebrox-Intergalactic President
"If you didn't know, now you know"
Dareus was the mvp of game...
"I'll be your huckleberry" - Doc Holiday
"Im here to do a great (expletive) job" - Rob Ryan when introduced to media as DC of cowboys
Bowers has just had knee surgery, way too risky for #2
If you insist on drafting a DE with that selection then go for Robert Quinn from UNC. Had he not been ruled ineligable in 2010 he would probably be the #1 draft choice right now. Sure he had problems taking considerations from agents but that is a youth mistake. He is as fast as Bowers was before surgery, perhaps has a faster first step than Bowers, (so I have read) and at 6’5" 268 has plenty of size for DE and will easily get larger!
Why draft another injured first rounder?
Kansas Bob
Pretty funny
You declare Bowers medically questionable with a small knee injury but give a pass to Robert Quinn who has had far more serious medical concerns. I’ll let you look that up on your own. By the way, I like both players.
Small knee injury???
He had part of his menesca removed. Once that starts tearing it continues until it isdepleted.
What “medical concerns” are you referring to with Quinn?
Personally I would take Quinn anyway!, in 2009 (the last season Quinn played) his performance smoked Bowers!
Kansas Bob
I like both players....
Yes, small knee injury. It is not a major surgery. Last year, an NBA player had the same procedure done and returned a week or two later. Stephen Paea had the same thing done a few weeks ago and is already running. Compared to torn ACL, etc. it is a small knee injury.
becasue he played injured and still had 15.5 sacks w/injured
And because he has a recent track record of sucess, while the other we haven’t seen play in a year…
"I'll be your huckleberry" - Doc Holiday
"Im here to do a great (expletive) job" - Rob Ryan when introduced to media as DC of cowboys
soooo, you don't think that a number 1 overall HS player can play??????
So its all a fluke huh? 08 was a true freshman, who as a true freshman dominates? 09 wasnt the greatest years vs. the pass, but if you watch verse the run he’s elite as a DE. So u tell me are you looking at stats and making these assumptions? or have you really watched him????
"I'll be your huckleberry" - Doc Holiday
"Im here to do a great (expletive) job" - Rob Ryan when introduced to media as DC of cowboys
by DatdudeDubb on Feb 21, 2011 11:32 PM MST up reply actions
I agree
he is my second choice to Dareus.
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
Wow, #1 HS player! How many of them is worth the #2 draft choice in the NFL draft???
I am not saying he is going to be bad, I am saying I wouldn’t take him #2 having 2 knee surgery already and being pretty much a one year wonder! I would draft Paea with the second choice either! In fact I would draft the NBA player someone mentioned with the second choice either.
Denver made a mistake drafting Middleton ( DB some years back) after an injury, made a mistake drafting Thomas after an injury now lets do it again with the second choice in the entire draft!!!! How many times must Denver repeat this mistake.
BTW, swg777, what “medical concerns” are you speaking about with Quinn? Please update me on that one?
Kansas Bob
Above post should read "I wouldn't draft Paea with the second choice either!": Typo error
Kansas Bob
Ummmm, Kansas Bob, have you ever played FB do you kno...
how many players have surgery after the season. I played HS, D-1 College FB and played one year of professional (arena) and I had one surgery but prolly should have had 3 surgeries and I was considered durable. Now he plays a position that is high impact and played through most of those injuries. Now if he was QB, WR, CB, S i would be worried but DL, LB, OL RB it is natural for you to have nagging injuries that will require surgery…cmon KBoB..
"I'll be your huckleberry" - Doc Holiday
"Im here to do a great (expletive) job" - Rob Ryan when introduced to media as DC of cowboys
by DatdudeDubb on Feb 22, 2011 10:20 AM MST up reply actions
FYI Yes I did play football and that is one of the reasons I have a artificial knee
Kansas Bob
Your missing the point...
Im not saying because he was #1 overall hs he deserves to be #2 overall pick but the talent has been there so its not as if its a fluke, he just happen to come together during his junior year. Thats all, he’s an elite talent. Its just like watching a 1st round draft pick eventually evolve into a pro bowler after 2 or 3 years in the league, sometimes the light doesnt go off until a certain time. All elite talents arent stars from the beginning they take time i.e Elway. It took him some time….Patience my young padawon j/k j/k
"I'll be your huckleberry" - Doc Holiday
"Im here to do a great (expletive) job" - Rob Ryan when introduced to media as DC of cowboys
by DatdudeDubb on Feb 22, 2011 10:24 AM MST up reply actions
Wow
Cant believe how close the poll is. Of course I probably shouldn’t be surprised, I would be happy with any of the tree.
My 2 cents
I don’t think any of it matters so long as 3 of our top 4 picks are spent on defense. Maybe a TE, RB, or O-lineman in there. The options at each of our positions may be sweet every time we pick, since it’s a d-line and DB heavy draft. We won’t know until hindsight beckons, so should be exciting regardless.
Y’know, unless they go do something completely unexpected like taking A.J. Green or a QB or something.
Napoleon McDaniels
by RockyMountainHigh on Feb 23, 2011 4:45 AM MST reply actions
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