2011 NFL Draft News: Robert Quinn and Da’Quan Bowers Hold Respective Pro Days

The long anticipated workouts of Robert Quinn and Da’Quan Bowers have finally passed, and it seems like a new leader among the defensive ends in this year’s draft has emerged.

While Bowers finished the season with outstanding numbers and played half the season on a partially torn meniscus, reports from his pro day were not especially radiant. Bowers reportedly ran a 4.85 and 4.92 in the 40 yard dash, and had an average workout, though it appeared as though his knee was fine. Bowers also checked in at 276 pounds, only 12 pounds heavier than Robert Quinn.

Miami defensive line coach Bryan Cox had some choice words for Bowers when he was doing some drills, saying “I’m stiff and I can do it. If you can’t then you must be real stiff.” There were also reports that Bowers was timed as high as 4.99 in the 40 yard dash by some scouts, which would be a real detriment to his draft stock.

Still, Bowers only has to prove himself to one team, and he has eight private workouts lined up with top ten squads. Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt was spotted at the workout, as well as Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff and Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix. There are reports that teams have dropped him off of their board completely because of his knee issues.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn drew absolutely rave reviews from his pro day with fellow Tar Heels Marvin Austin and Greg Little. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said Quinn displayed “rare and elite skills” and compared him to Dallas Cowboys’ All Pro DeMarcus Ware.

Quinn checked in at 264 pounds and improved all of his numbers from the Scouting Combine, including running a 4.58 second 40 yard dash (4.7 range at combine).

“From a measurable perspective, I think the kid has rare and elite skills for a defensive end in the NFL,” Mayock said of Quinn.

“To me the bottom line is that what this kid does as well, or better, than anyone I’ve seen in the last couple of years is he’s got an ability to get up the field, bend, dip and get to the quarterback,” added Mayock.

These are excellent marks for a guy who missed the whole 2010 season because he was suspended by the team for the entire year. Quinn is a long-armed pass rush specialist who was absolutely dominant his sophomore year at North Carolina. He has as high a ceiling as any player in this draft, and could be poised for a shot way up on teams’ boards.