NaVorro Roderick Bowman, LB, Penn State

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 242 lbs

DOB: May 28, 1988 (age 29 for 2018 season)

Sportstrac Market Value: $4,9 Million/year (Ranked 13 ILB)

Salary 2018: $2.6 M FRT

Salary 2017: $6.1 M SF

Salary 2016 $9.4 M SF

Most Recent Team: FTR

Summary

NaVarro Bowman was the 91st overall (3rd round) pick in the 2010 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. The former three-time All Pro was cut by the 49ers five games into the season in favor of their youth movement which featured Reuben Foster. Days later, the 29-year-old crossed the trash bay to fill the Faiders seemingly ever present void at middle linebacker.

Bowman has spent his entire career with the 49ers before moving over to the Faiders. He was a third-round draft pick in 2010 and became a full-time starter on San Francisco's defense the following year. During the 49ers' run of three straight playoff appearances from 2011-13, Bowman was one of the NFL's best linebackers. He recorded at least 143 tackles and was named to the All-Pro first team in each of those three seasons.

Since returning from the knee injury he suffered during the 2014 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, Bowman hasn't been the same dominant linebacker. Hence the release by Lynch/Shanahan mid season. After his release, he first suited up for the Faiders in week seven last season, he instantly upgraded the FTR's middle linebacker spot. Over his 10 games in those ugly grey and lack of color jersey's. And the 6 games at O (what a piece of crap) Stadium, he led the team in tackles 9 of the 10 games. But the FTR's went an amazingly happy 2-8 during the 10 games Bowman was on the team.

What He Brings

Bowman had a really good season in his short (10 games) time in Faiderland. But they also have a pretty weak linebacker corp. Bowman is approaching 30, Irvin is 30 with Marrow and Lee both heading into their 2nd NFL season. Bowman's strengths lie in his on field leadership and experience. He has never been the fastest player (draft 4.8sec 40 yd). He has very good NFL intelligence despite his score of 11 on the Wonderlic (but almost doubling his ex-teammate Gore's score of 6).

How He’d Benefit Denver

NaVarro is probably not a great fit for the Broncos going forward due to his health, age and cap hit. The current 3 ILB Bronco starters in Marshall, Davis and Anderson seem firmly entrenched and a Bowman addition to that mix may be divisive to the LB chemistry and salary cap. With our rookies Garcia-Willams and Jones developing along, we don't have the same ILB wholes that a lot of other NFL teams have. But I think we could find some space for a new rookie in Raquan Smith :)

How Denver Could Benefit Him

Anytime you can save a player from spending ANY additional time in the hell hole of Oakland, then you try to be the humanitarian and save that poor soul. But luckily for Bowman, the current NFL rumors have Bowman going back to the 49ers or maybe even going to

Potential Downside

Due to two serious injuries Bowman suffered which caused him to miss the entire 2014 season (torn ACL/MCL) and 12 games in 2016 (torn Achilles), the concern is that he would never be the same; that he’d lost a step and was no longer an every down linebacker. But his short term stay in trash town, he looked pretty damn good.

For a player as NFL smart as he is, Bowman was caught flat-footed and slow to diagnose blocking schemes far too often in his last few years. Bowman’s aggression works against him far too often for comfort. He’ll abandon his assignment and chase the running back looking for the highlight play, leaving open cutback lanes.

Bowman is heavy-footed and struggles to get to the outside from the backside. He has a hard time evading uncovered guards on outside runs. He’s an inconsistent tackler that comes in high and will overpursue to the hip. He’ll drop his head into contact and tries to upend the ball carrier, leaving him vulnerable against jump cuts.

Final Thoughts

Bowman provided a stabilizing presence for a weak linebacking group in trash town, but his days of stardom look all but over. He’s ideally a backup MIKE in a 3-4 defense that can excel at the point of attack and provide some veteran leadership. He could be worth a look as a 2-down SAM if he can improve in coverage. It’s unlikely that he’ll leave the Faiders, but he’d provide a low-risk depth signing on a short term deal.

In closing - Fuck the Raiders!!!!