After a washout rookie season in 2014, Clowney was healthier during his sophomore NFL season. He showed signs of coming on last year -- his two-sack game against the Patriots stands out -- but injuries were still a factor, including a foot injury that sidelined him for Houston's playoff game against Kansas City. He reports the foot is 100 percent, but being hale in May is a far cry from being a 16-game player. If he can stay on the field, Clowney may emerge as an impact player.

Clowney's coming off a disappointing rookie season that began with a knee injury and ended with a knee injury that required microfracture surgery. He began training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but has a targeted return before the beginning of the regular season. It's unclear if he'll be ready to be a full-time starter, but that's the goal.

It's crucial that IDP drafters double-check the positional designation their league gives to Clowney, as he might be listed as an LB rather than a DL, but if he secures DL eligibility he'll be a borderline DL1 consideration. The Texans didn't pick Clowney first overall to bring him along slowly, so he'll start opposite Whitney Mercilus at 3-4 OLB, moving to DE in nickel formations. Clowney is like the Calvin Johnson of defensive end prospects, and he'll have the opportunity to post big numbers immediately with offenses primarily concerned with J.J. Watt. Clowney has 4.5 speed at 6-5, 266 pounds and should contend for a Pro Bowl spot immediately. Bone spurs in his right foot are the only real concern to his productivity.