2011 NFL Mock Draft: Order Da'Quan Bowers and the Top Pass Rushers Will Be Taken

The 2011 NFL draft is less than two weeks away.  

Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert will be the focus of the first day because they play the most important position on the football field—the quarterback.  A pass rusher is the most important position on the other side of the football because they disrupt what the quarterback is trying to do.

In this article, pass rushers will be defined as 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers.

Could the next Julius Peppers or DeMarcus Ware be in this draft class?

Here is the order the top 10 pass rushers will be taken in the 2011 NFL draft:

10. Brooks Reed

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Defensive end Brooks Reed #42 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates after stopping the USC Trojans on the final play on December 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 21-17. (Photo by Ste

Stock Update: Brooks Reed's stock skyrocketed after he recorded the fastest 10-yard split at the NFL combine.  Some have compared him to Clay Matthews, but unfortunately, that's probably because of skin color.

With 3-4 outside linebackers like Reed so coveted, he may be gone before he can pair with Matthews in Green Bay.

Projection: 32nd overall to the Green Bay Packers

9. Akeem Ayers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Linebacker Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Stock Update: If you buy into Akeem Ayers' huge 40 time improvement, he could go about a half dozen picks higher than No. 24.

He's probably versatile enough to play pretty much any backer position in any scheme—3-4 teams must be wary though of his lack of experience as a pass rusher.

Projection: 24th overall to the New Orleans Saints

8. Justin Houston

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Justin Houston #42 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Some may project Justin Houston as a defensive end after weighing in at 267 pounds at his pro day.  With a 40 time of 4.57, I believe he has scheme versatility. 

Unlike Akeem Ayers, he has plenty of pass rushing experience because he played in a 3-4 defense at Georgia. 

Projection: 21st overall to the Kansas City Chiefs

7. Da'Quan Bowers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Yeah, Da'Quan Bowers stock has dropped that much.  After being projected as the first overall pick by many mocks, he's universally predicted to fall out of the top 10.

His knee is messed up, but he has too much potential to fall past the Buccaneers who are desperate for defensive end help.

Projection: 20th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

6. Cameron Jordan

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

Stock Update: Cameron Jordan dominated the Senior Bowl, the combine and his pro day.  He can play every position on the defensive line in any scheme minus nose tackle.

It would be a shocker if he fell past the Patriots at No. 17.

Projection: 17th overall to the New England Patriots

5. Ryan Kerrigan

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Dan LeFevour #13 of the Central Michigan Chippewas is tackled by Ryan Kerrigan #94 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 20, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Stock Update: At 274 pounds and not overly athletic, it would be a stretch to believe that Ryan Kerrigan could play in a outside linebacker 3-4 defense.  A 4.67 is still fast for a man his size though.

With his type of motor, it would be hard to imagine him busting.

Projection: 16th overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars

4. J.J. Watt

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates a sack against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 31-18. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Stock Update: J.J. Watt projects better in a 3-4, but he's athletic enough to play in a 4-3 as well.  At 290 pounds, he ran an impressive 4.78 at the combine.

He also did very well in drills at his pro day.

Projection: 12th overall to the Minnesota Vikings

3. Aldon Smith

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 7: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers is congratulated by teammates during the game against the Baylor Bears at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Aldon Smith is currently at an all-time high.  He failed to live up to expectations at the NFL combine, but he reportedly blew up at his pro day.

He's a freak athlete, so I wouldn't be totally shocked if he somehow sneaked into the top 10 on draft day.

Projection: 11th overall to the Houston Texans

2. Robert Quinn

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Robert Quinn of North Carolina runs through a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Stock Update: What's the big deal with taking a year off of football?  Robert Quinn just ran a 4.58 at his pro day.

He's only 20 years old and at 6'4", 265 pounds, he has no ceiling.

Projection: seventh overall to the San Francisco 49ers

1. Von Miller

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Jordan Jefferson #9 of the Louisiana State University Tigers throws under pressure from Von Miller #40 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C

Stock Update: Von Miller is probably the surest thing in the entire draft next to Patrick Peterson.

He owned everyone at the Senior Bowl and NFL combine after recording 28 sacks in the past two years. He could be taken as high as second overall to the Denver Broncos.

Projection: fifth overall to the Arizona Cardinals

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.