Health concerns swirl around Daquan Bowers.

Hold on to your laptop! Leading the charge to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in April is Auburn QB Cam Newton.

That means the new and hopefully improved Bucs pass rush could get to feast on some rookie meat.

All sorts of news on that today. Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, The Commish, explains in today’s draft buzz podcast.

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Remember, tomorrow is the Commish’s Inbox. So fire off your questions to him at commish@620wdae or on Facebook – Facebook.com/fairandjust.

Donald Penn's future bookend?

So what does Mark Dominik’s big board look like now? Remember, he said he’ll stay true to it during the NFL Draft.

Today, draft Guru Justin Pawlowski, The Commish of WDAE-AM 620, fires out his second ordered look at the top players in the draft. This is no mock draft – The Commish’s next one is coming this week — it’s a look at the top talents available.

Remember all of the exclusive JoeBucsFan.com draft coverage can be found here. 

 

1. Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU 

            6’1’’ – 219 lbs – 4.32

Commish’s Take: Great player with great measureables. Peterson might be the safest pick in the draft. 

2. AJ Green – WR – Georgia 

            6’4’’ – 211 lbs – 4.50

Commish’s Take:  Green is considered by many scouts to be the best receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson. 

3. Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama 

            6’3’’ – 319 lbs – 4.92

Commish’s Take:  Dareus is quickly becoming the safest defensive lineman in the draft.  He has excellent size and quickness. 

4. Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina 

            6’4’’ – 265 lbs – 4.70

Commish’s Take:  Despite not playing in 2010, Quinn is very explosive off the edge and had one of the fastest 10-yard splits at the combine.

5. Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson

            6’3’’ – 280 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:  Bowers led the nation in sacks, but health is becoming a major concern.  If Bowers proves to be healthy and has an excellent pro day, he might end up as the top player on the board and top player selected.

 6. Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn

            6’4’’ – 291 lbs – 4.87

Commish’s Take:  Fairley probably had more questions come up on him than Cam Newton at the combine.  Fairly is still a playmaker, but quickly becoming a boom or bust prospect.

 7. Julio Jones – WR – Alabama

            6’3’’ – 220 lbs – 4.39

Commish’s Take:  Jones turned in one of the best performances at the combine this year…all on a broken foot!!  He is a unique talent, but his health and concentration are concerns.

 8. Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M

            6’3’’ – 246 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take:  Miller is a terror off the edge and probably the most natural fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker in this draft. 

 9. Prince Amukamara – CB – Nebraska

            6’0’’ – 206 lbs – 4.43

Commish’s Take:  Amukamara showed off good speed at the combine and instantly saw his stock rise. 

10. JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin

            6’5’’ – 290 lbs – 4.83

Commish’s Take:  I think everyone knew JJ Watt was big and tough, but he showed off how great of an athlete he was at the combine.  Watt has a pretty special blend of size and athleticism.  He’s a great fit as a 5-technique in a 3-4 defense.

11. Cam Newton – QB – Auburn

            6’5’’ – 248 lbs – 4.59

Commish’s Take:  Despite poor throwing at the combine, Newton’s potential is still keeping him pretty high.  He might be a risk, but the reward might be worth it if he pays off.

12. Cameron Jordan – DE – Cal.

            6’4’’ – 287 lbs – 4.78

Commish’s Take:  Jordan continued his hot off-season that started at the Senior Bowl and continued it at the combine.  Jordan could play in any defense.

 13. Aldon Smith – DE – Missouri

            6’4’’ – 263 lbs – 4.78

Commish’s Take:  Smith is becoming the hot name on the defensive side of the ball in this draft.  He’s an athletic defensive end that can rush the passer with a hand in the ground or standing up from the linebacker position.

 14. Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri

            6’4’’ – 234 lbs – 4.62

Commish’s Take:  Gabbert did not throw at the combine, and despite reports of good meetings with teams at the combine, his downfield throwing has concerned me.

 15. Tyron Smith – OT – USC

            6’5’’ – 307 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:  Smith’s biggest obstacle at the combine was showing that he could bulk up.  He did just that, but did not do anything else.  His long arms and technique are quite impressive.

16. Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue

            6’4’’ – 267 lbs – 4.71

Commish’s Take:  There really is a lot to like about Kerrigan.  He might not be the flashiest player, but he was productive at Purdue, he’s a leader, he had great measureables, and he has an outstanding work ethic.

 17. Muhammed Wilkerson – DT – Temple

            6’4’’ – 315 lbs – 4.96

Commish’s Take:  Wilkerson is rising quick. He can play in any defense.  His size and athleticism will become more and more intriguing to NFL front offices as we near the draft.

 18. Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College

            6’7’’ – 311 lbs – 5.23

Commish’s Take:  Castonzo might have the best potential at left tackle of any offensive lineman in this draft.  Castonzo showed off great athleticism in the position drills at the combine, but his lower body strength is still a concern.

 19. Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin

            6’7’’ – 314 lbs – 5.27

Commish’s Take:  I really like Carimi as an offensive tackle.  He’s big, mean, and physical.  Unfortunately, I’m not sure he’ll be quick enough to play left tackle in the pros.

 20. Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado

            6’2’’ – 211 lbs – 4.46

Commish’s Take:  Smith seems more and more like Aqib Talib to me.  He has all the talent in the world, but character concerns will drop him on draft day.

21. Martez Wilson – LB – Illinois

            6’4’’ – 250 lbs – 4.49

Commish’s Take:  It’s tough to find a better blend of size and speed in any draft.  Wilson needs to bulk up his lower body, but he is loaded with talent. I really like the way Wilson gets to the quarterback when he blitzes and refuses to be blocked.

 22. Mike Pouncey – OG – Florida

            6’5’’ – 303 lbs – 5.28

Commish’s Take:  Pouncey’s starting to rise up and should be the top interior lineman drafted.  I just wouldn’t let him do shotgun snaps.

 23. Corey Liuget – DT – Illinois

            6’2’’ – 298 lbs – 4.99

Commish’s Take:  Liuget has good balance vs. the run and pass.  He isn’t elite, but could be very solid inside for a long time.

 24. Justin Houston – DE/OLB – Georgia

            6’3’’ – 270 lbs – 4.68

Commish’s Take:  Everything I’ve seen from Houston has him using his speed around the edge.  I’ve never seen an inside move from him.  Everyone I’ve talked to about him has said the same thing.  It’s tough to only rely on speed off the edge in the NFL unless you have elite speed. Right now, Houston doesn’t have elite speed.

25. Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama

            5’9’’ – 215 lbs – 4.62

Commish’s Take:  I had to move Ingram down because I just can’t draft a running back real high unless I know he’s an elite player.  I know Ingram’s game isn’t speed, but a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash is hard to swallow from a top 10 pick.  With so many running backs having success as late picks or undrafted free agents, I’m considering removing all running backs from my 1^st round board this year. 

26. Christian Ponder – QB – FSU

            6’2’’ – 229 lbs – 4.65

Commish’s Take:  As expected, Ponder was very good in the interview process at the combine.  Ponder was also one of the best throwers at the combine displaying excellent accuracy.  I am concerned about his elbow and arm strength, but his leadership, work ethic, and accuracy seem to be winning out.

 27. Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa

            6’3’’ – 281 lbs – 4.83

Commish’s Take:  More red flags came out at the combine on Clayborn.  First, we found out that Clayborn suffers from Erb’s Paulsy which effects one side of his body.  We then found out that Clayborn’s right arm is shorter than his left arm which forced him to only play right end at Iowa.  I still think Clayborn had good enough tape to get 1^st round consideration.

28.  Phil Taylor – DT – Baylor

            6’3’’ – 334 lbs – 5.20

Commish’s Take:  Taylor’s the top nose tackle in this draft.  His mean streak might be a turnoff to some, but I love it coming from a nose tackle.

29. Nate Solder – OT – Colorado

            6’8’’ – 319 lbs – 5.05

Commish’s Take:  Solder is a converted tight end still learning to be an offensive lineman.  He has potential to be a starting left tackle in the NFL.

30. Jake Locker – QB – Washington

            6’2’’ – 231 lbs – 4.59

Commish’s Take:  Locker is back in the top 32, but for how long.  Accuracy is still a major concern for me, but his mental makeup, athleticism, and arm strength are very good.  There will be plenty of teams in the 2^nd round looking to trade back into the first round for one of these QBs.

31. Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA

            6’2’’ – 254 lbs – 4.80

Commish’s Take:  With so many linebackers running well this year at the combine, it was surprising to see Ayers as one of the slowest.  He is still a very instinctual linebacker and a big hitter. 

32. Jonathon Baldwin – WR – Pitt

            6’4’’ – 228 lbs – 4.50

Commish’s Take:  It’s tough to not be impressed with a receiver as big as Baldwin.  He also has good speed to get deep.  He slips because of a lack of consistency.

You got draft questions? NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, the Commish of WDAE-AM 620, has answers.

Pawlowski takes on all things draft from Joe’s readers in his weekly mailbag. Fun stuff.

Today he gets into all kinds of defensive players the Bucs could be sniffing intensely and more.

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To get a question to The Commish, fire it off to commish@620wdae.com or via Facebook.com/fairandjust.

Joe wonders who new Bucs defensive line coach Keith Millard likes among this year's crop of defensive ends. Will he have a voice in the Bucs' process?

As a preview to his detailed position-by-position breakdowns, NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, The Commish of WDAE-AM 620, serves up his top five potential draftees by position following the NFL Scouting combine. It’s all part of Joe’s exclusive daily draft coverage.

Joe’s got an idea. Pick up a pile of the best wings in Pinellas County from Mugs Grill & Bar in Clearwater, grab a cold one and enjoy. Pawlowski also answers your draft questions later today here in the Commish’s Inbox podcast.

By JUSTIN PAWLOWSKI

Quarterbacks
1. Cam Newton – Auburn
2. Blaine Gabbert – Missouri
3. Christian Ponder – FSU
4. Jake Locker – Washington
5. Ryan Mallett – Arkansas
5. Colin Kaepernick – Nevada

Despite poor throwing at the combine, I still think Newton has the most potential.  This class of QBs has a ton of questions.  An interesting stat on Gabbert was that his completion percentage on throws more than 20 yards down the field was 30%.  Yuck.  Ponder and Locker were great at the combine.  Locker’s lack of accuracy and Ponder’s elbow still have me concerned. Mallett and Kaepernick have the strongest arms, but Mallet’s character issues are too much for me to ignore.

Running Backs
1. Mark Ingram – Alabama
2. Mikel Leshoure – Illinois
3. Ryan Williams – Va. Tech
4. Daniel Thomas – Kansas St.
5. Demarco Murray – Oklahoma

Ingram did not show very good speed at the combine, but that wasn’t really his strength. Leshoure is a big back with great vision.  Ryan Williams consistent health worries me.  With all that being said, I think the gap between these three RBs has narrowed. Thomas is another big back who will have a lot riding on his pro day, since he did not work out at the combine.  Murray had a nice combine and is a nice balanced back that can do a lot of things well.

Wide Receivers
1. AJ Green – Georgia
2. Julio Jones – Alabama
3. Jonathon Baldwin – Pitt.
4. Titus Young – Boise St.
5. Torrey Smith – Maryland

Green is still tops on this list because of his outstanding production and hands while at Georgia. Julio Jones was simply outstanding at the combine and might have done it all on a broken foot.  He will have surgery and not work out again before the draft.  Baldwin’s size and ability to be a go-to receiver separates him from the speed receivers in Titus Young and Torrey Smith.

Tight Ends
1. Kyle Rudolph – Notre Dame
2. Luke Stocker – Tennessee
3. Lance Kendricks – Wisconsin
4. DJ Williams – Arkansas
5. Virgil Green – Nevada

Kyle Rudolph didn’t workout in Indy, but he still keeps his status as the top tight end in this class.  Stocker and Kendricks are balanced tight ends that can block and catch the football.  DJ Williams had a nice combine and can stretch the middle of the field, but Green’s combine was outstanding and could start to see his stock really rise as people go back and watch his film.

Offensive Tackles
1. Tyron Smith – USC
2. Gabe Carimi – Wisconsin
3. Nate Solder – Colorado
4. Anthony Castonzo – Boston College

5.Derek Sherrod – Miss. St.
5. Marcus Cannon – TCU (OG)

There wasn’t much separation at offensive tackle at the combine.  I thought all the top choices were good, but no one was outstanding.  Smith showing up at 307 lbs after playing at 285 lbs was maybe the biggest positive for any lineman, especially with his extremely long arms.  Castonzo was great in drills and still probably projects as the best potential left tackle in this class.  I like Carimi’s toughness and strength.  I really think he could be very solid at right tackle in the NFL for a number of years.

Offensive Guards/Centers
1. Mike Pouncey – Florida
2. Danny Watkins – Baylor
3. Rodney Hudson – FSU
4. Stefan Wisniewski – Penn St.
5. Clint Boling – Georgia

This was another position where not much happened.  I don’t see Pouncey getting out of the 1^st round.  I doubt the Steelers would pass at the opportunity to pair him up with his brother again.  Watkins was very solid and is tall enough to play guard or tackle.  Hudson and Wisniewski did enough to earn themselves 2^nd round grades.

Defensive Ends
1. Robert Quinn – North Carolina
2. Da’Quan Bowers – Clemson
3. Aldon Smith – Missouri
4. JJ Watt – Wisconsin
5. Cameron Jordan – Cal.
5. Ryan Kerrigan – Purdue

I figured I would go ahead and make the switch.  I like Bowers and think he is a very good player, but there are as many questions with him as there is with any other defensive end.  Quinn is more explosive than Bowers and that might end up being the biggest difference between the 2.  Aldon Smith did not disappoint, and, as predicted, his stock is going up.  Another guy’s stock going up is JJ Watt.  He is a monster and could be the top 5-technique for a 3-4 defense in this draft. I thought Jordan and Kerrigan both tested very well.

Defensive Tackles
1. Marcell Dareus – Alabama
2. Nick Fairley – Auburn
3. Corey Liuget – Illinois
4. Muhammed Wilkerson – Temple
5. Stephen Paea – Oregon St.

Another tight race at this position.  This is also another reason the combine is important.  When you watch the film, both Fairly and Dareus are very good. When they line up at the combine, Dareus is 30 lbs heavier than Fairly, but just as fast and has better burst of the line of scrimmage. Dareus could now be in the mix for the 1^st pick.  Paea was the strongest player at the combine, but I like the potential of Liuget and Wilkerson a little more than Paea.

Outside Linebackers
1. Von Miller – Texas A&M
2. Justin Houston – Georgia
3. Akeem Ayers – UCLA
4. Dontay Moch – Nevada
5. Bruce Carter – North Carolina

Von Miller was one of the top performers at the combine and will not get passed the Cardinals in the draft.  Justin Houston also confirmed what I thought before the combine that he was the 2^nd best linebacker in this draft.  He was outstanding and can play end or outside linebacker.  Ayers’ times weren’t good, but his production is enough for a 1^st round grade.  One of my favorite players form the combine was Dontay Moch with his 4.44 time in the 40 at 248 lbs.

Inside Linebackers
1. Martez Wilson – Illinois
2. Colin McCarthy – Miami
3. Nate Irving – NC St.
4. Greg Jones – Michigan St.
5. Kelvin Sheppard – LSU

Wilson confirmed what I thought of him and answered questions of his speed with an exclamation point. At 6’4’’ and 250 lbs, Wilson ran his 40 at 4.49.  Colin McCarthy is as safe at middle a]linebacker as anyone else in this draft.  He’s not the flashiest player, but does get the job done. The rest of this position is not very flashy.

Cornerbacks
1. Patrick Peterson – LSU
2. Prince Amukamara – Nebraska
3. Jimmy Smith – Colorado
4. Aaron Williams – Texas
5. Brandon Harris – Miami

The top of the corner class is big and fast.  Peterson is as safe a pick as anyone in this draft. The big surprise was Prince Amukamara, with questions of his speed, running in the 4.4 range.  Jimmy Smith has plenty of character questions, but at 6’2’’ and over 200 lbs he ran in the low 4.4 range as well. Aaron Williams has great bloodlines and could be in the mold of a physical corner like Aaron Ross.  Brandon Harris’ stock is starting to slip and there are plenty of candidates to take his slot in the top 5.

Safeties
1. Rahim Moore – UCLA
2. Quinton Carter – Oklahoma
3. DeAndre McDaniel – Clemson
4. Deunta Williams – North Carolina
5. Robert Sands – West Virginia

There wasn’t a more disappointing position this weekend than the safety position.  Yuck!  Moore is the best of a very mediocre class, but he ran his 40 at 4.62 and has just decent ball skills.  Carter and McDaniel both also ran in the 4.6’s, but both are decent tacklers.  Ahmad Black falls off my top 5 because of his size (5’9’’ 184 lbs) and his speed after he ran his 40-yard dashes at 4.78 and 4.74. That’s just not a good combination. Don’t be shocked if only one safety goes in the first two rounds of the draft this year.

Justin Houston helped himself at the combine. Did he catch Mark Dominik's eye? The Commish, Justin Pawlowski, NFL Draft guru extraordinaire, explains all this and more.

Before giving a great breakdown of defensive players’ performance and buzz coming out of the just completed NFL Scouting Combine, draft guru The Commish, Justin Pawlowski, explains why only clueless observers would find the combine meaningless.

The Commish is fiesty today.

If you didn’t pay attention to any defensive players at the combine, you’ll get up to speed fast in this podcast.

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Don’t forget all Pawlowski’s exclusive draft coverage on JoeBucsFan.com is archived here. He’ll also answer your draft questions here on Wednesday. Fire them off to him at commish@620wdae.com.

Among many other topics, draft guru Justin Pawlowski says keep an eye out for speedy Delone Carter, if you're looking for a mid-round impact running back.

It’s all things combine in this draft buzz podcast from NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, of WDAE-AM 620.

If you weren’t paying attention to the NFL Scouting Combine on NFL Network or on NFL.com this weekend, then you can catch up quickly in this great breakdown.

Pawlowski’s been all over the combine, where every offensive player has completed their workouts.

Just click the arrow or download here. Joe hopes you’re enjoying the daily draft coverage on JoeBucsFan.com.

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Ahh, the professional draft spin and posturing are in full swing. Joe loves all the gamesmanship.

Speaking before a gaggle of reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine the other day (shown on Buccaneers.com), Mark Dominik said many have wrongly “pigeonholed” the Bucs regarding their focus is entering the 2011 draft.

“I don’t think a lot of people thought we’d take two defensive tackles back to back. We’re going to use the draft and stay true to our board and make sure we can take the best player who can help us. And it may not be the position that everbody thinks we’re supposed to take first, but it’s going to be the best one that we think’s going to help our football team, not only in 2011 but going forward.”

So outside of quarterback and defensive tackle, Dominik would have Bucs fans believe he’ll take the best player available when the bell rings for Tampa Bay in the first round.

Maybe that’s true?

How tall is Ahmad Black? The wrong answer could put him in a freefall.

Who needs the beach when you can watch football? Well, it’s not quite football, but it’s the NFL Scouting Combine on NFL Network. The drills kicked off today with offensive linemen.

Joe loves watching all the manbeasts do all kinds of things they’ll never have to do on the field.

Just arriving at the combine today are safeties and cornerbacks.

Do the Bucs need a safety? Might they grab a “luxury pick” at cornerback if the right guy is available?

NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, of WDAE-AM 620, shares some secondary names to watch combine in this podcast exclusively for JoeBucsFan.com.

Who says there’s no football this time of year!

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Pay attention, Bucs fans, reporting to the NFL Scouting Combine today are linebackers and defensive linemen.

Boy, the Bucs could use a couple of blue chip studs from this crop.

NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowksi, of WDAE-AM 620, shares insight on a lot of these guys, including a chat he had with Dave Wannstadt about University of Pittsburgh end Greg Romeus. Pawlowski is a radio analyst for USF Football games and typically has incredible insight into Big East players long before anyone else.

About this time last year, Pawlowski was banging the drum on these here pages for Mike Williams.

Click the arrow below to enjoy, or click here to download. A must listen.

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And remember, Joe brings the Bucs/draft coverage every day. Keep coming back all weekend long.

Can Jake Locker rise up?

Real deal draft guru Justin Pawlowski, of WDAE-AM 620, gives you the lowdown on the skill position big guns as they show up in Indianapolis today to get scrutinized at the NFL Scouting combine in beautiful Indiana.

(When are they going to get that thing moved to the FruitDome?)

Pawlowski’s podcast is great stuff to get you fired up for all the combine coverage on the NFL Network.

Enjoy! Click the arrow below or click here to download.

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You’ve got draft questions? NFL draft guru Justin Pawlowski takes them on with passion every Wednesday here at JoeBucsFan.com.

Everything draft is on the table. You can hit him up at commish@620WDAE.com.

In this mailbag, Pawlowski talks about the Bucs and the possibility of safeties Ahmad Black or Quinton Carter becoming Buccaneers, among other topics.

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