NFL Draft 2011 Update: Are the Broncos Still Interested in Da'Quan Bowers?

by Troy Hufford on Apr 25, 2011 11:15 AM MDT in 2010 NFL Draft - Denver Broncos

If you were paying attention to the pulse of the NFL Draft a few months ago, one name that you would see near the top of the charts was Da'Quan Bowers.

What happened to the guy?

In short, injury concerns. Todd McShay reported that some team officials he has been in communications with described Bowers as "a ticking time bomb". It wasn't in reference to his talent exploding on the scene, it was in reference to his penchant for suffering injuries. There is some concern that it's only a matter of time before he is sidelined for a significant portion of time or suffers an injury that debilitates his ability to be a successful NFL player.

When the 2011 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday at 8 pm, where is Da'Quan Bowers going to fall?

Todd McShay thinks he'll be drafted somewhere in the top 20, but he was projected top 5 a few months ago, even after his surgery. What has changed since February? According to NBC Sports, he may need additional microfracture surgery.

It's obvious why a guy like Ryan Mallett is plummeting down the boards. Between Brandon Marshall calling him "the hip Matty Ice", allegedly being involved in drugs, and not showing up to a meeting due to illness (despite the fact that guys like Mark Schlereth insist there are no sick days in the NFL), Mallett is raising a lot of character concerns, with many believing that he won't be dependable enough to lead an NFL offense.

Bowers, on the other hand, has not had any apparent character concerns He was considered a top 5 NFL prospect just a few months ago, despite his injury concerns. But here we are, 3 days from the draft, and with another potential surgery on the horizon, Bowers has dropped 15 spots in most mock drafts.

Does this mean that his appeal to teams with top 5 picks has vanished? Not necessarily. The guys who make up these mock drafts do not have an opportunity to draft NFL players. The guys who do hold 2011 NFL Draft picks are keeping their big boards close to the chest.

With all that said, are the Broncos still interested in Da'Quan Bowers with the second overall pick? Probably not. If they were able to trade down from that pick into the 5 through 15 range, I could see it happening, though. With an injured player, taking a chance with a top 15 pick is rare. Taking a chance with the 2nd overall pick, however, is unheard of.

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I've seen mocks that have him drop all the way into the low 20s

I feel bad for the kid but if his knee is really that bad he might start being mocked into the second round. Mocks clearly don’t mean anything, and I think that he’ll go in the 13-20 range. But can you imagine if he fell to us at 36? You almost have to take him purely on value.

An unlikely scenario, but stranger things have happened.

by HBobbyT on Apr 25, 2011 11:21 AM MDT reply actions

For the position he plays, the mirco farcture surgey is a huge warning sign

To be an effective end he will need explosion and power in his legs, if there is a need for a micorfarcture surgery then he won’t play in 2011 guarenteed, which basically puts him a year behind and you still have to pay the guys millions and hope he can somehow return, I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls out of the 1st round entirely, unless a team like maybe Indy says we can sit this guy a couple of years and then have a replacement for Freeny when he retires or loses his speed.

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by Broncoman on Apr 25, 2011 11:29 AM MDT reply actions

I don't see him falling outside of 20

But I don’t feel Denver needs him, we have three great to good DE’s already in Doom, Ayers and Hunter. While Ayers and Hunter aren’t great, Ayers is more comfortable in the 4-3 and Hunter has shown he can succeed in the 4-3. All three are young, and all three have the ability to get to the QB. I just don’t see Bowers being worth it for only a small upgrade, if any at all, at DE.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 25, 2011 11:29 AM MDT reply actions

Agreed.

I’m comfortable with our edges. For anyone who says otherwise, look at the game film against the Titans. CJ is one of the best edge runners in the league and he was constantly having to cut back inside. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much of a presence inside, but we were able to at least hold him to a mediocre day.

The ignorant redneck formerly known as kentuckybronco.

by Troy Hufford on Apr 25, 2011 11:36 AM MDT up reply actions

Exactly

I was pretty amazed during that game at how well we contained him. With a solid DT like Dareus to clog the middle with Vick and hopefully another rookie or FA, I can’t wait to see what kind of pressure we can get from the sides.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 25, 2011 11:49 AM MDT up reply actions

Well not so fast

To me Bowers is a big risk, a one year wonder, and that knee scares me, if Marcell Dareus is there, you take him, end of story. We need a run stopper. We’ve gone to long without one, maybe two.

by Wallace Clemons on Apr 25, 2011 5:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Oh I don't want Bowers

I want Dareus, and I don’t think we even need a DE in this draft at all, we are young at stacked at that position, if Ayers retransitions well.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 25, 2011 5:41 PM MDT up reply actions

As a Clemson Tiger at heart, and as much as I would find it neat for a Clemson Tiger to be a Denver Bronco, we need sure picks and can’t afford to take a chance especially with such a high pick. We need to improve on D and improve in a major way…..Daquan….get better and best of luck…and if it don’t work out ….we will welcome you with open arms in the Valley

Henderson-Sports 06
MFFL & Caniac

by Henderson-Sports 06 on Apr 25, 2011 6:27 PM MDT reply actions