2012 NFL Draft: 5 First-Round Prospects Who Will Be Failures

While most teams would like to think they are getting a sure thing in the first round, that is just not the case. Throughout NFL history there has been a failure at every pick and every position, and this will continue to happen. While it is always tough to try and gauge who that person will be so early, you can look to various flaws already to guess which first-round players will fail. 

Here are five first-round picks in the upcoming NFL draft sure to fail. 

Baylor Wide Receiver, Kendall Wright

Kendall Wright established school records this past season at Baylor, with 108 receptions, 1,663 receiving yards, 14 touchdown receptions and nine 100-yard games. He holds numerous school records at the position and is projected in the first round.

However, his size and speed does not translate well to the NFL. Listed at 5'10'', 196 pounds, and running a 4.61 40-yard dash time, Wright will struggle to get separation at the next level. He might become a decent No. 3 receiver, but hardly a success for a first-round pick.  

Ohio State Tackle, Mike Adams

Let's start with the off-field problems with Mike Adams. He was one of five Ohio St. players to be suspended last year for receiving improper benefits in 2010. In 2009, he was busted for drug paraphernalia with charges later dropped. 

Going forward, the large, 6'7'', 323-pound tackle just did not seem to live up to his size at the scouting combine. After only putting up 19 reps in the bench press and a lackluster effort in other drills, he did not do much to show people he can keep up with stronger, faster NFL defensive ends. 

Mike Adams will be a late first-round pick. He might get a shot at left tackle, but after failing there, his future will be as an average-at-best right tackle. 

LSU Defensive Lineman, Michael Brockers

Michael Brockers had a good season last year for LSU. Starting all 13 games at defensive tackle, he was third on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss and was a disruptive force along the defensive line. 

Fast forward to the combine, where he showed up overweight and ran a slow 40 time. He did poorly in the other drills and did not wow people in his interview session. His game tape will garner him a first-round pick, but so did former LSU standout Glenn Dorsey. We all know how that has worked out so far.

South Carolina Wide Receiver, Alshon Jeffery

It is still up for debate at this point whether Alshon Jeffery is still a first-round pick. Rising star Stephen Hill might have leapfrogged him, but for now we will still consider him one. 

Now with that said, Jeffery is the star diva wide receiver without the star receiver skills. Solid size at 6'3'', but you never know what his weight is going to be. What you do know is he is not that fast, only running 4.56 40 time. 

Jeffery also seems to be taken out of his game easily, by either a quality shut-down corner or a good trash talker. His sporadic numbers last season can be because of the dismissal of troubled quarterback Stephen Garcia, but Jeffery is no saint either. 

If he still goes in the back end of the first round, Jeffery has the kind of attitude and demeanor that will have him out the league in a couple seasons.  

Alabama Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Courtney Upshaw

These hybrid outside pass-rushers seem to be hit or miss. Teams have been able to hit home runs with guys like Clay Matthews and Von Miller, while others swing and miss with Vernon Gholston and Aaron Maybin. 

It seems to be a combination of a strong makeup from the player and good system that allows the successful ones to be just that. Courtney Upshaw just does not seem to fit in. He is projected somewhere in the top 20 of the draft, but the wrong system will have him out of the league in two years.

There is no question he performed well at the collegiate level, but so did most players on that stacked Alabama defense. A past domestic situation with a girlfriend that was later dropped might be something to keep an eye on going forward, but his real problems will come on the field. Can Upshaw perform when placed on a below-average team with a strong focus on him? Wouldn't bet on it.