Da'Quan Bowers Is Worth The Risk For The Buccanners

Before Nick Fairley was considered to be the leading candidate to be selected with the number one overall pick, that position was held by Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. Teams were very impressed with Bowers athleticism and top 10 level talent as well as his relentlessness to get into the opposing backfield. However, concerns began to arise about a worsening knee problem that Bowers has had since January of 2011. The questions began when Bowers had to miss the NFL combine as a result of having knee surgery on a torn meniscus. It got even worse for Bowers when teams learned that he may need additional surgery on the knee. Bowers stock began to plummet from out of the top 10 to out of the first round.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a steal by selecting Bowers with the 51st pick in the NFL draft. They got a top 10 talent 19 picks into the second round. Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Mark Dominik saw too much potential in Bowers to pass on him despite the questions over his knee. He said about Bowers, "Bowers has a good combination of speed to power, natural strength and length, and he’s physical. He’s the kind of guy that was obviously voted as team captain, so leadership was part of it. I know we’ve had a lot of texts the last five to ten minutes from former guys and players that we have on this football team that are fired up... We feel that the value of this pick is too strong for me and this organization to pass up. I think everybody felt the same way. Everybody thought that he was obviously a top 10 talent.”

Da'Quan's agent Joseph Flanagan said that there are absolutely no signs of arthritis in Bowers knee and that he will not need another surgery. Bowers said, “My health is fine, my knee is fine. It’s 100 percent. I’m still rehabbing every day just to make sure everything’s on time and on point, but there are no further issues with my knee." Dominik is hopeful that Da’Quan’s knee will continue to heal. He said, “Well right now, the idea behind it is ideally rehabbing and continuing to rehab, like he’s been doing. That’s what he’s done since he had his surgery and he had his pro day. He’s been rehabbing since then and is going to continue the rehab process until we’re comfortable putting him on the football field. When that day comes, we will absolutely put him on the football field.” Bowers led college football last season with 15.5 sacks and will be looking to continue to get to the quarterback in Tampa Bay.