NFL Draft 2012: College Superstars Who Won't Make Splash at Next Level

The 2012 NFL Draft, along with every draft in the league’s history, is like playing roulette at the casino. Teams know the odds on each position, but there is nothing on the wheel that is certain.

When selecting players from the enormous pool of talent that college football provides, it’s important for teams to weed out the players that won’t make a splash at the NFL level.

All of the following players will be taken too high and will never live up to the standards set forth by the spot they were drafted in. Sorry, fellas.

Robert Griffin III

One of the biggest problems for stars that win the Heisman Trophy is that average NFL fans who don’t follow college football believe that means those players will translate well to the next level.

Over half of the Heisman winners that went to the NFL became full-on busts. While many others have had glimpses of the player they were in college, they didn’t put together a stellar enough career to be viewed as one of the greatest.

That’s what will happen to Robert Griffin III.

With all of the hype coming out of college and the kind of numbers at Baylor to garner comparisons to Michael Vick combined with Tim Tebow, this is setting up for an epic letdown.

It’s obvious that Griffin is a solid quarterback that can run when needed, but the question remains about his accuracy and arm strength against NFL secondaries. We can’t forget that while he looked fast in college, everyone is fast in the NFL.

Robert Griffin III = Akili Smith

Justin Blackmon

The Oklahoma State standout wide receiver Justin Blackmon has become a national phenomenon since his Sports Science piece aired on ESPN. People think this kid is the next big thing.

He isn’t.

As good as Blackmon has been for the Cowboys, we can’t forget he had a top-notch quarterback under center and plenty of talent around him. While there is no way to question 121 catches, over 1500 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns, the competition he will be facing each week will be tougher than anything he faced in school.

I still believe that Blackmon is a stellar wide receiver, but when I hear comparisons to Anquan Boldin I can’t agree. Maybe Boldin now with the Baltimore Ravens, but not with the Arizona Cardinals.

At best, Blackmon will use his average speed and strength to become a solid slot receiver in the NFL, but won’t amass the catches and touchdowns to be considered a success at the NFL level.

Justin Blackmon = Jason Avant

Courtney Upshaw

One of the problems you get when you have these SEC powerhouses ruling college football is over inflation of worth on some of the fringe players. That’s what we have with Alabama Crimson Tide outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

While there is no doubt that 46 tackles, 8.5 sacks and a pick-six is an impressive season and playing in every game he has been put in with no injuries shows his versatility, Upshaw is not worth a first-round pick.

The Crimson Tide can call Upshaw a hard worker and a team player all they want, but the star is not built to play at the NFL level. At just 6’1”, there will be few teams that have a spot in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense for the definition of a tweener.

If I was advising Upshaw in his NFL prospects, I would tell him that his vision of the field, tackling abilities and power would make him a stellar middle linebacker. As far as defensive end or outside linebacker, he isn’t tall enough or fast enough to handle that weight.

Courtney Upshaw = Casey Matthews

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

Follow @Donald_Wood