2011 NFL Mock Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Get Risky with Da'Quan Bowers

2011 NFL Mock Draft Lands the Polarizing Da'Quan Bowers With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Mock Draft 2011 Pick No. 20: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

It must seem like light-years ago that Clemson DE standout Da'Quan Bowers led the nation in sacks with 15. He started this whole draft process as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the draft. But he has slowly but surely fallen down the draft board because of the questions surrounding the knee he had surgery on for a torn meniscus this winter.

MUST READ: 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Volume 2

Tampa doesn't need interior help, having gone with DT's in Rounds 1 and 2 last year. What they need is a pass-rushing force that can pressure the QB on a constant basis. Bowers was the No. 1 rated prospect coming out of his high school class and is still considered to have the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler. Bowers agent has insisted the knee is a complete non-issue at this point. 

The Bucs are convinced the knee injury will have no effect on Bowers NFL career as he fills a need and gets to stays in the sunny weather. Years down the road scouts and GM's will be kicking themselves knowing they passed up on a talent like Bowers.

-Eric Ball

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1. Carolina Panthers: Blaine Gabbert 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus 3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson 4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green	17. New England Patriots: Aldon Smith 18. San Diego Chargers: Muhammad Wilkerson 19. New York Giants: Anthony Costonzo 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Da'Quan Bowers
5. Arizona Cardinals: Cam Newton 6. Cleveland Browns: Von Miller 7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn 8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley	21. Kansas City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers 22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Solder 24. New Orleans Saints: Phil Taylor
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara 10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones 11. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt 12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan	25. Seattle Seahawks: Danny Watkins 26. Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith 27. Atlanta Falcons: Cameron Heyward 28. New England Patriots: Leonard Hankerson
13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith 14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget 15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan	29. Chicago Bears: Mike Pouncey 30. New York Jets: Rahim Moore 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Harris 32. Green Bay Packers: Adrian Clayborn

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