2011 NFL Draft Results: DaQuan Bowers and the Top 5 Second-Round Steals, Busts
Each year the NFL draft is littered with elite talent, the next superstars gracing our collector cards, wallpapers, fantasy teams and favorite players list.
The second round is becoming almost just as important as the first round as elite talent is still to be had. There are more than 32 first-round talents in each draft, which makes a few general managers look like draft day geniuses and the rest like draft day idiots.
This year, elite talent fell to the second round due to character and injury issues, a reach in the first round, and simply too much talent overall in this draft.
This round was highlighted by trades and of course, Da’Quan Bowers. Which side of the fence will he end up on—draft day steal or future bust—and who joins him?
Steal No. 5: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State RB to Miami Dolphins
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Miami trades up for a player I suggested they land in the draft to improve their team in Daniel Thomas.
Tony Sparano’s main objective is to run the ball, run the ball and then… maybe throw it. But he’d rather run it.
After securing the offensive line with the versatile Mike Pouncey, the No. 1 interior lineman in this draft, they traded up into the second round to grab their next superstar—and rest assured Miami fans, Thomas will be a superstar.
He is my No. 3 running back in this class and perfectly fits their gritty, tough-nosed, smash-mouth style of play. He is a power back with very good speed and the ability to be a check down option for Chad Henne.
A perfect fit for the Dolphins.
Bust No. 5: Akeem Ayers, UCLA OLB to Tennessee Titans
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Ayers began the offseason as a potential top-15 selection, but his draft stock steadily decreased throughout the draft process. Despite, quality athleticism and talent of a top outside linebacker in the class, many question his dedication and how he will do in run support.
Although I think he is an excellent linebacker with great sideline-to-sideline speed, coverage skills and ability to rush the passer—if he fails to apply himself and play at full speed in the NFL, he will be a major bust.
I hope for his sake, and the Titans’, that his fall into the second round is an eye opener and that he begins to turn it up a notch heading into his rookie season.
Steal No. 4: Mikel Leshoure, Illinois RB to Detroit Lions
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Mikel Leshoure was my No. 2 running back in this class. After securing a complement for Calvin Johnson in Titus Young, Detroit moves back into the second round to secure their complement for Jahvid Best.
Leshoure may be the safest running back in the class with his overall speed, power, vision, ball security and durability.
Although Best will most likely be deemed the starter, I expect Leshoure to make noise quickly and prove that he is the back that will receive the bulk of the carries. Leshoure completes this potentially elite young offense and will prove to be the more valuable runner as soon as his rookie season.
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Bust No. 4: Torrey Smith, Maryland WR to Baltimore Ravens
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Torrey Smith is one of my favorite stories from the draft. He played college ball at Maryland and gets to stay in the state to play with the Baltimore Ravens. Touching.
Yet despite his top-notch speed and ability to get deep in the coverage, playing alongside a fantastic receiver in Anquan Boldin and a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback in Joe Flacco, he could very well flame out in the league.
Smith reminds me all too much of Donte Stallworth—a player who relies too much on his deep threat potential and not enough honing the other areas of the art of playing receiver.
Steal No. 3: Brandon Harris, Miami (FL) CB to Houston Texans
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The Texans had the worst secondary in the league last year and you really can’t even blame injuries for it. The secondary was hurt by the lack of pass rush, but the entire unit was just terrible and lacked talent.
Brandon Harris is my No. 4 cornerback who has first-round talent. Up until the last week or two heading into the draft, he was a lock to be selected in the first round. Somehow, he falls all the way to the end of the second round. Surely, as bewildered as I was, the Texans made the wise move to trade back into the second round to land one of the bigger steals in the entire draft.
From Day No. 1, Brandon Harris will be the most talented cornerback on the team.
Bust No. 3: Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson DT to Washington Redskins
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I have a bad feeling that this could end up like the Albert Haynesworth experiment. No, not because of Jenkins’ character and maturity, but simply based upon talent. Haynesworth was not the right fit for the Redskins’ defense, and I don’t think Jenkins will be the piece needed.
He gained momentum heading into the draft, but there were better defensive tackles on the board. After trading down throughout the draft, this was a prime opportunity for Mike Shanahan to trade down and land Jenkins in the third round, or simply select a better tackle in the second.
Steal No. 2: Brooks Reed, Arizona DE/OLB to Houston Texans
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Although just my No. 7 defensive end in the draft, Brooks Reed is my No. 25 overall prospect in the entire class.
He has the potential to develop into an elite talent ala Clay Matthews, who he is often compared to—and not just because of the hair style. Reed is a fantastic pass rusher who has the versatility to play defensive end or outside linebacker. Wade Phillips will make him a star as a unleashed Reed on opposing quarterbacks.
He is one of the safest players in the draft in my eyes with his high character, elite work ethic and non-stop motor on the field.
For a team that desperately needed to improve its defense, the Texans did the best job of any team in the entire draft.
Bust No. 2: Jonas Mouton, Michigan LB to San Diego Chargers
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A pure reach pick in the definition of a reach pick. Mouton was not even in my top 10 at linebacker and could have been had much later in the draft. He is a fine tackler but not worthy of the second round San Diego in which the Chargers reached.
He will not have the impact at linebacker they need. He will surely upgrade their special teams, but there were top-level linebackers in Dontay Moch and Maston Foster still on the board there. The draft is about value and there was no value in this pick.
Steal No. 1: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Bowers is the No. 1 steal because of his elite potential as a pass-rusher. Four months ago, he was the potential No. 1 overall selection. His knee injury caused 32 teams to pass on him at one point in the draft.
Yet if his knee holds up, as some doctors reportedly predict, he will be the clear-cut No. 1 steal in the draft. Even better, he heads to a team building a quality defensive line to take a ton of pressure off his shoulders—and his knee.
Bowers now has the biggest chip on his shoulder with his free fall during the draft and constant scrutiny the past few months—a monster could be unleashed upon us—if he’s healthy…
Bust No. 1: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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How could Bowers be the No. 1 steal and the No. 1 bust? Simple. The knee concern.
There is a reason Bowers fell all the way to the middle of the second round, which meant that every single team—including the Bucs—passed on him at one point in the draft because they don’t want any part of his knee injury.
He is being pegged as a one-contract player who may need microfracture surgery. For that, teams completely crossed him off their list. If his knee is shot, he is clearly the biggest bust in this round with his Pro Bowl potential.
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