2011 NFL Draft: Da’Quan Bowers, Combine, No. 1 Pick?

Will Da'Quan Bowers Work Out At The NFL Scouting Combine?

One of the top prospects for the No. 1 overall selection, Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, had arthroscopic knee surgery following his team's bowl game and is jeopardy of missing the Combine.

Bowers, a 6'6", 280-pound defensive end prospect that led the country in sacks as senior with a partially torn lateral meniscus according to reports that initially surfaced on Draftinsiders.net, could wait and work out at Clemson's Pro Day rather than risk a less-than 100 percent effort in Indianapolis at the end of the month.

He is one of several players in the running for the No. 1 selection of the Carolina Panthers and could be the replacement they have been looking for since the departure of former No. 1 pick, Julius Peppers.

Other options at No. 1 include LSU's Patrick Peterson, Georgia's A.J. Green, Auburn's Nick Fairley, and possibly even a quarterback such as Missouri's Blaine Gabbert or Auburn's Cam Newton.

If Bowers does miss the Combine it will unfortunately put a lot of pressure on him to put up solid numbers at his Pro Day. The senior finally put things together as a senior after a mediocre first three years at Clemson and teams will want to quantify some of the things they have seen on tape.

It is not going to hurt Bowers if he does not workout, but it is an interesting story to keep an eye on. 

If not selected at No. 1 overall Bowers might have to wait a little bit to hear his name called with his floor likely at No. 6 overall to the Cleveland Browns; Nos. 2-5 could all pull the trigger as well though.

For more on the 2011 NFL Draft check out: 2011 NFL Mock Draft Hub: Latest Mock Drafts.