2012 NFL Draft: Overrated Stars Teams Must Avoid

The 2012 NFL draft is full of over-hyped players destined to never live up to the potential many have set before them, and it will hurt your team if one of them is drafted.

A few are obvious, but several players that seem to be locks for great NFL careers are simply never going to achieve that based on how their game translates to the NFL.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

One that comes to mind is Robert Griffin III, who had great success at Baylor showing off his foot speed and big arm on his way to a Heisman Trophy.

However, there are several things holding him back from having the type of success in the NFL that he had in college.  The biggest problem is the system, or lack thereof, at Baylor.  It was not a pro-style offense, and although Griffin is very smart and football-savvy, it will take time for him to learn just how an NFL offense truly functions.

He is drawing comparisons to Cam Newton, since we saw him come out of Auburn in a very similar way.  The difference is that Newton is bigger, stronger and shows more confidence in the pocket than Griffin.  The quicker Griffin learns to use his assets to succeed in the NFL, the quicker he will win.

For now, teams should give a second thought when choosing Griffin as their quarterback of the future. 

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

How Ryan Tannehill climbed the NFL draft boards all the way to the first round is beyond me, but many have fallen in love with his strong arm and athleticism.

However, Tannehill will be nothing more than a good backup and mediocre starter in the NFL—if he ever gets the chance.

His major downside is the fact that he likes to force throws into tight coverage—something he will not be able to get away with in the NFL.

He has a lot to learn, which is why teams should think again when taking him in the first or second round.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The knock on Coples is that he does not have a definitive position in the NFL.  At 6'6" and 285 lbs, Coples is a large man that lacks the size to play defensive tackle and does not fit the mold of an NFL defensive end.

What Coples does have going for him is a huge amount of athleticism, which has vaulted him up NFL draft boards all the way to a top-10 pick.

However, a player's definitive position in the NFL goes overlooked at times, and that is the case with Coples, whose athleticism is sure to be the reason he is chosen in the top-15 picks of the NFL draft.

He needs work if he is to have success in the NFL, and that is quite a risk for a player ranked that high on NFL draft boards.