With the Third Pick in the 2011 Dawgs By Nature Mock Draft, the Buffalo Bills Select...

With the third pick in the 2011 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the Buffalo Bills select...

Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

This selection and write-up was made by discoinferno083:

The Bills were among the worst rush-defenses in the league last year and also struggled to generate an effective pass rush. NT Kyle Williams emerged as a phenomenal defensive talent, and Bowers has the potential to play alongside Williams as a force on the D-line. The Bills releasing Marcus Stroud also leaves the gap open for their selection of Bowers. Buffalo simply need to improve on defense, and Bowers should help the process.

[Patrick] Peterson was also an intriguing option here, but the Bills have a decent secondary, so Bowers became the choice. Several Bills sites consider Bowers to be a "no-brainer" pick if available.

In terms of impact this year, I am giving Bowers a 6 out of 10. Bowers will likely earn a staring position, but the Bills as a team have many holes to plug. Bowers has decent talent, but may take some time to adjust to the NFL and hit his full potential. Playing alongside Williams will be a huge benefit, but Buffalo is a team that also is notorious for injury/depth issues.

I see Bowers finishing the season in the 5-8 sack range.

For as bad as the Broncos were at stopping the run, the Bills were even worse. With the yardage they gave up per game, it's amazing they were able to win as many games as they did. Whether it be Marcell Dareus (who was already taken) or Da'Quan Bowers who falls to them, either pick addresses the biggest need Buffalo has right now. I think it was the right decision not to take a quarterback here since Buffalo has so many other positions they should address first, and I think Fitzpatrick should be given another shot before making such a high investment.

The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock next (email has been sent to macdowellm03).