10 Potential Draft Busts

The last post I mentioned 5 players that I thought could be had later in the draft that would be steals. And the Universal law of drafting states that for every sleeper, there are 2 busts to fill his place. Busts come in all shapes and sizes (double entendre) and this list is no different. Some players have maturity issues, some have injury issues, and others are just overrated. The beauty of a bust is that often times the situation they get drafted in has just as much to do with their failings as their own abilities. Still, these are the guys I feel have the highest likelihood of going in the first 2 rounds and not panning out.

1. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
I've previously documented my disdain for Clausen's NFL abilities. His likelihood of going to an NFL team with a poor O-line is high, and his ability to stare down the rush and deliver is poor. He has a duck for a deep ball and I'm not convinced he's that great of a leader. Notre Dame QBs have a long history of not living up to their hype (Montana excluded) and that trend will continue. I may cry if Denver takes him.

2. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Morgan is a different type of DE, a guy who isn't flashy and can hold the edge on the run and can get to the QB on passes. However, his streaky nature worries me too much to have him as a top 10 talent like I see everywhere else. He disappears from some games, including many away games. He tallied 9 sacks at home, 3 on the road, and 2 of those 3 were against Duke and Virginia. He lacks an it factor that I like to see from a top 10 guy. He may be a decent player, but he won't be worth the money he gets this season.

3. Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
Another guy with well documented bust potential. He is the best when he wants to be, but that desire seems to come and go. Issues with weight will not only cause a lack of playing time if he cannot stay in shape, but could lead to injuries down the road. He seems like the kind of player who will either put it all together early in his career and dominate the game (think Vince Wilfork), or a guy who will get every opportunity and fail to meet expectations. It's all in his hands.

4. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St.
Bryant is by far the most talented WR in this years draft. That being said, the combine will be important for him to see what kind of shape he has kept himself in, and where his mind is at after being suspended for the Deion Sanders fiasco. (Small sidenote, how does this kid lose his eligibility by talking to Deion, yet there are no ramifications for Sanders. He started controversy with the whole adopting Noel Devine thing, and now this. Until a guy turns pro, Sanders should have no contact with players.) Bryant is big, with good hands and decent speed. If he puts it together mentally then there's no reason for him to be on this list.

5. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller is not one of my favorite players. He has blazing speed, good agility, and incredible burst. However, I wonder about his vision and durability. He may also struggle to get playing time if he doesn't learn how to pass block. Spiller does have talent, and should be a much better value if he falls to the 2nd round, but most places have him as a mid 1st rounder, and I don't believe he's worth it.

6. Earl Thomas, S, Texas
A member of my most to lose group at the combine, Thomas will need to prove some people wrong. As the questions mount, his ability to handle them will be important. This is the time of year where he will face the most scrutiny. He has gobs of talent, but so do most guys in the NFL. It's what you do with that talent that matters.

7. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
A fringe 1st rounder, Benn is just a player I'm not big on. He had a very bad season after a 1000 yard campaign in 2008. He is a player I want on my team in Madden for his speed and size, but not in real life. I'm not sure about his hands or his ability to run routes. The combine will be good for him if he can show a good understanding of his position. However, I just don't believe Benn will be anything more than a decent slot receiver, and not a Brandon Stokley/Wes Welker type, but a Shaun McDonald type.

8. Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida
Another player who had a turd of a season after a fantastic 2008. Spikes went from being a lock top 10 player last season to being in danger of falling to the 2nd round. The defense remained intact from last season, but Joe Haden became the best player on that defense and Spikes dropped down. Why? Was 2009 just a blip in the radar, or an indication of things to come? Spikes has the size and speed of an NFL linebacker, but does he have the instincts? He is a high risk, high reward type of player.

9. Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis is someone that was seen as a mid 2nd rounder that suddenly burst into the top 10 of all the mock drafts and big boards of guys. This always befuddles me around draft time. Someone suddenly moves up on big boards and becomes the it thing (hello Vernon Gholston) yet never pans out. That's where I see Davis going. He's at best a RT in the NFL, and really, do you need to spend a top 10 pick on someone who is a liability in pass protection? I say no. As far as I'm concerned he's a smaller, quicker Phil Loadholt. Maybe late 1st, early 2nd, but if he gets put at LT in the NFL I think he suffers a Robert Gallery fate.

10. Taylor Mays, S, USC
Yes, he's my boy, and yes, I believe that he can be a beast in the NFL. However, the realist in me knows that if he gets put in the wrong system, one that requires him to play too much man coverage on slot WRs and TEs. He needs to play a deep zone and be allowed to make the big hit. In college teams weren't as willing to go deep on him, I believe in the NFL they will, and he will rise to the occasion. However, he could definitely be a bust if put in a bad situation.