2011 NFL Draft: Da'Quan Bowers, Nick Fairley and the Top 10 Pass Rushers of 2011
Da'Quan Bowers is the cream of the crop when it comes to pass rushers.
But, he might not be around when it's your favorite team's turn to pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
He and Nick Fairley have been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks for quite awhile now.
This draft class has quite a few guys with first round talent who can get after the quarterback.
From Bowers to J.J. Watt to Justin Houston, this draft won't leave your team in need of a pass rusher.
Here are the top 10 pass rushers in the 2011 NFL Draft.
10. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
1 of 10
As I've said in some of my mock drafts, finding a picture of Temple football to use is nearly impossible.
So, here's a picture of Wilkerson's coach, Al Golden, who will be coaching the Miami Hurricanes this fall.
Anyway, Wilkerson was a beast for the low-profile Owls. He racked up 10 sacks in 2010.
It's always nice to have a big defensive tackle who can rush the passer effectively as well.
9. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
2 of 10
Watt only had seven sacks in 2010, but he faced a lot of double teams.
He will need to work hard to be effective in the NFL, but with the energy he brings to the table, I don't see that being a problem.
He won't lead your team in sacks, but he could develop into a great No. 2 pass rusher.
8. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
3 of 10
Clayborn should have ended up higher on this list, but he had a horrible 2010.
He amassed only four sacks for the disappointing Hawkeyes last season.
But, he has the potential to do better.
Let's not forget, he had 11 sacks in 2009.
I'd bet on that Clayborn showing up in the NFL.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Aldon Smith, OLB/DE, Missouri
4 of 10
Smith is the most athletic player on this list.
He's fast, strong, tall and relentless.
If he can fine tune his raw skills into efficiency in the NFL, he'll do great things.
He's versatile enough to rush the passer from anywhere on the field.
6. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
5 of 10
Quinn had to sit out all of last season because of the mess that was the Tar Heels' last season.
But in 2009, Quinn had 11 sacks for UNC.
And, based on his performance at the NFL Combine, the year off didn't affect him much from a talent standpoint.
He'll be terrorizing QBs in the NFL for years to come.
5. Ryan Kerrigan, OLB/DE, Purdue
6 of 10
Kerrigan impressed scouts with how athletic he was at the combine.
He showed he can play both OLB and DE.
Plus, he has 25 sacks in his last two seasons at Purdue, so he's a guy many NFL teams would like to pick.
He'll go in the top 20.
4. Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
7 of 10
Houston came on strong for the Bulldogs last season, recording a career-high 10 sacks.
If he's used properly in the NFL, he can be a star.
His best fit would be an OLB in a 3-4 defense, where he could start in a standing position to chase down the QB.
3. Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
8 of 10
In 2009, Miller had a whopping 17 sacks.
In 2010, that number fell to 11.
But, with 28 sacks in the past two seasons, he clearly has a nose for the quarterback.
And, he can stop the run, too. He'll fit in well with whatever team selects him in the top 10.
2. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9 of 10
Fairley had 12 sacks for the BCS Champion Auburn Tigers last season.
From a defensive tackle, that's amazing.
Fairley needs to be a DT in a 4-3 defense in the NFL.
If he finds the right situation, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Pro Bowl after his rookie season.
1. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
10 of 10
Bowers had 16 sacks for Clemson in 2010.
He has all the makings of a star.
He's talented enough to go No. 1 overall, but he's been battling an injury this offseason that has prevented him from working out for scouts so far.
His knee is improving, and if he can work out for the Panthers before the draft, he might end up being the No. 1 pick.
Still, though, he's the best pass rusher in this year's NFL Draft, whether he works out or not.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
