2012 NFL Draft Projections: Predicting the 15 Most Disappointing Rookie Seasons

The 2012 NFL draft is only weeks upon us, with Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III taking the majority of NFL headlines around the country.

There is plenty of potential in this year's draft, as a lot of prospects will be expected to become quick contributors in the upcoming season.

Though, it is evident that there will be rookies who disappoint in their first NFL season.

Here are 15 prospects who will disappoint in their rookie seasons.

15. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Dwayne Allen is best suited to learn from a veteran tight end in his rookie season.

If he is drafted by a team that has an immediate need for a tight end, Allen will disappoint.

He needs to improve his overall catching ability on a consistent basis. There is no question he possesses the dynamic ability to make acrobatic catches.

He also needs to improve on his blocking ability if he wants more playing time this upcoming season. Overall, he is set up for a disappointing rookie season if he plays right away.

14. Devon Still, DT, Penn St

Devon Still reminds me a lot of Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody.

He shows plenty of instances when he plays at an All-Pro level by controlling the line of scrimmage. However, it is more often than not that we don't see this consistent play.

Still does not show his explosiveness on a consistent basis, and cannot stay on the field for long periods of time. He does not show great awareness on the field, and will need a year experience in the pros before becoming an impact paper.

Also, there are major questions about his health. How often will he be able to stay on the field?

Still will disappoint a certain fanbase if he is selected in the first or second round. He won't make a significant impact in his rookie season.

13. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan St.

Jerel Worthy is more prepared to make some impact in his rookie season. Though, it won't be the production of a first-round selection.

Worthy does show promise against the run and will be a force in the future. His pass-rushing ability is still a weak point, which will hold him back in his rookie season.

He will see some playing time in his rookie season, but it won't end well if he can't finish off lineman and put pressure on the quarterback.

12. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The offensive line is more crucial than ever in the NFL today. Jonathan Martin is primed to be a first-round pick as the potential is certainly there.

It must be noted that he is a raw talent, and he will be criticized often in his rookie year for not producing at a high level early in his career.

He does not have the stamina against opposing pass-rushers, as it is noticeable to see his lack of strength.

Overall, he needs a year under an NFL offense to improve his stamina and also his technique, as he is vulnerable to opposing defensive ends around the league.

11. Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Chandler Jones is an intriguing prospect because of his potential. He has future All-Pro defensive lineman written all over him.

Unfortunately, don't expect to see his potential during his rookie season. Jones has to improve on his overall technique as a pass-rusher.

He needs to improve on his hand movement along with redirecting himself when he doesn't penetrate.

Also, he needs to work on his reaction time after the snap, as it is noted by scouts how he is late to finding where the football is on the field.

10. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Courtney Upshaw appears to be another linebacker selected in the first round, as he has the potential to become a formidable linebacker.

In his rookie season, he will struggle adjusting to the speed of the NFL. He is a linebacker who is not too athletic and will be a liability in pass coverage. It's also a concern that he doesn't have that initial burst as a pass-rusher or a defender against the run.

He is a linebacker that is going to disappoint during his first season in the league.

9. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

For the record, I am a big supporter of Michael Floyd and is a firm believer that he will be an elite wide receiver.

I cannot ignore the fact that Floyd will not live up to the draft hype in his rookie season. The biggest concern is his overall speed. He needs to improve on his route running, especially within his first few steps.

Floyd will be facing quality cornerbacks and safeties and cannot afford to make mistakes in route running early on in his career.

8. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Dontari Poe skyrocketed on draft boards after his impressive combine performance.

There was a reason why he was considered to be at best a late first-round pick early on in the process.

He does not have that explosive first step, which will put him at a disadvantage against elite offensive lineman. Poe has not built up a high stamina, and cannot stay on the field for a long period of time.

The potential is clearly there, but Poe won't be anything more than a one-down player in his rookie season.

7. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Riley Reiff is the second best offensive lineman prospect in the draft, but nowhere near the level of Matt Kalil.

Reiff does not possess elite strength or athleticism, and is easily pushed around by pass-rushers. He also needs to improve on his overall work ethic and technique.

Scouts have noted how he lunges at defenders, which makes him liable in pass protection.

He is going to make a quarterback very unhappy in first year as a starter.

6. Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The reason why Melvin Ingram is primed to have a disappointing rookie season is his lack of effort on every single down.

Clearly, he is going to be a top-10 pick in this year's draft. However, his lack of experience as a starter (one year) will hurt him early on in the league because he does not show the will to be a dominant player on every down.

He struggles at recognizing crucial situations in the game, and does not show good anticipation to the snaps.

5. Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron has been one of the more popular prospects in recent weeks and has been rising on team's draft boards.

There is a potential concern for injury, as Matt Miller notes that Barron has a sports hernia. 

This is a very difficult injury to recover from, and reminds me of Da'Quan Bowers from the 2011 draft.

Bowers was one of the top prospects in the draft, but injuries bounced him to the second round. The result? A disappointing rookie season in which he barely saw the field.

I expect both the conditioning and the amount of games to take a toll on Barron.

4. Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Quinton Coples' potential alone makes him likely to selected within the first 10 picks. However, his potential won't translate to early success in his career. 

His work ethic is a major question mark, as he does not show the consistent effort to speed past opposing lineman. If double-teamed, Coples is never found near the quarterback.

If he ends up with a team like the Miami Dolphins, there is a possibility that Coples is successful early on. 

Though, Coples will have to learn the hard way in his first season in the NFL.

3. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Ryan Tannehill appears to make a great case to become the third quarterback in the top 10 this year.

Despite the high ceiling, Tannehill is an inexperienced quarterback who converted from wide receiver.

His natural instinct as a runner has hurt him as a pocket passer. He isn't fully comfortable inside the pocket and has the mindset of a run-first quarterback.

Tannehill will develop this part of his game through experience, which will lead to a difficult rookie campaign.

2. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.

Justin Blackmon's biggest adjustment to the NFL is identical to Michael Floyd's.

He is a physical receiver who must improve on his route running and overall speed. He will be challenged by opposing cornerbacks, as they will not be lenient like collegiate cornerbacks.

It is crucial that he improves on his cuts and bump-and-runs. He will become a very good possession receiver who can score plenty of touchdowns.

However, he is nowhere near the caliber of Calvin Johnson or A.J. Green coming out of college.

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is set up to not live up to the expectations of his rookie season. That is, if he's drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.

He will not be fortunate enough to be surrounded with much talent that can make his job much easier. Reggie Wayne can bring a spark to the offense, but there are no other weapons surrounding him.

The offensive line is a major concern as well, especially for a rookie quarterback.

My only knock on Luck is his arm strength. It is above average, but not great. In the end, he won't live up to the expectations that Colts fans will set for him.

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