It was a very telling point of the NFL draft when the Buccaneers, badly in need of a pass rusher at No. 20, selected Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn. Not that Clayborn was a reach, but that the Bucs chose him over Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers, who is sliding because of concerns over his surgically repaired knee.

Some people might be jumping off the Da’Quan Bowers bandwagon after a pro-day workout that could be viewed as subpar and the Clemson defensive end himself described as just “decent.” But NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock isn’t one of them.

Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers has yet to take the field to audition for NFL teams since having arthroscopic right knee surgery in January, making his workout Friday extremely important.

Is Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers‘ draft stock slipping because of questions about his recovery from knee surgery? There are at least rumblings of concern.

Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers wasn’t expected to particiate in on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, and those expectations were met Monday.

There’s no rest for the weary. We’ve reached Day 5 of the NFL Scouting Combine, and many of the draft’s top prospects along the defensive line and at linebacker will work out at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Panthers might be without a talent like Julius Peppers for only one season, if they decide Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers is their guy with the No. 1 overall pick in this April’s draft.

Who will go No. 1 in the NFL Draft? Michael Lombardi has issued an early mock draft, and he thinks the Carolina Panthers will go for Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers. Who else is on his list?

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock breaks down his list of top defensive ends available in the 2011 NFL Draft, a group he projects to have seven to eight first-round picks.