NFL Draft 2011: Buffalo Bills Clear Da’Quan Bowers?

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NFL Draft 2011: Are Teams Souring On Bowers Too Soon?

The talk of the town recently has been the growing concern over the health of Da’Quan Bowers’ knee.

It seems that one week Bowers’ knee is ok and that he could be selected towards the top of the draft while other weeks his knee would not be able to hold up and he is tumbling down draft big boards.

“We understand earlier this week Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers had a great meeting with the Buffalo Bills and the team doctor cleared his surgically repaired knee,” states TFY Draft Insider.

These conflicting reports have made it difficult on teams scouting Bowers heading towards the draft. For most organizations it may be best to move past him. Following last week’s scare that he might need microfracture knee surgery, it seems that Bowers could once again be on the rise after being cleared by Buffalo Bills doctors and at Indianapolis.

“Bowers… didn't even have to undergo another X-ray or MRI because the physical exam went so well, the source said. Stability was good and there was no swelling in the knee. Bowers underwent surgery in January to repair a small tear in the right meniscus. He didn't work out at the combine in February and then postponed his Pro Day several weeks until April 1. A relatively slow 40 time -- 4.9 -- and some rustiness during drills led to rumors that Bowers might need another procedure, possibly even microfracture surgery. But one team examining him lately said the knee looked great, and the re-check in Indy could boost his draft stock again,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

In my latest mock Bowers fell all the way to No. 20 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We have heard rumors that he may not make it past the Tennessee Titans at No. 8 and that the Detroit Lions like him at No. 13.

At this point after concerns heading into the offseason that Bowers may have been a one-hit wonder it would be best for most teams in search of a safe player to look elsewhere because there are too many concerning surrounding the potentially elite pass-rusher. The one thing we do know, that although Buffalo has cleared Bowers he will not be in the Bills uniform in 2011—Bowers is too much of a risk to take.

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