Recent NFL Draft Busts Who Could Revive Their Careers This Season

Experts say it’s not fair to evaluate a draft class for three years, as situations can dictate individual success. Whether due to injuries, poor performance or off-field issues, recent draft classes have already produced highly selected busts. That label is harsh but can be reversed with one quality season.

Draft busts from 2012 through 2014 can revive their careers as soon as this year even if their rookie contracts hasn’t been filled with consistent success. Some of the players we’ve identified are still working to flourish for the first time. We’ll dive into who needs to perform this season and why there’s hope their career isn’t over yet.

Do you agree with the choices for draft busts? Make sure to leave your thoughts as to the picks and whether they’ll revive their careers or not in the comments section below.

Dion Jordan, Edge, Miami Dolphins

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The third overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Miami Dolphins edge defender Dion Jordan is already facing a critical moment in his career. The versatile and talented Jordan served a year-long suspension for substance abuse in 2015 and is awaiting reinstatement to play in 2016. If he’s cleared to play this season, he has to capitalize on this opportunity to perform.

The Dolphins have a giant need for someone who can rush the passer and another competent coverage linebacker. Jordan is an amazing athlete capable of developing into a quality player in either role, as I’ve previously explored. The 6’6”, 275-pounder is only 26 years old, but his commitment to the NFL has been lacking.

If Jordan wants to be a productive player, he has all of the physical tools to do so. But it’s about his mental state and ability to shake his demons to focus on football. He’s not a lock to ever recover from his rough start, but the Dolphins will reap on-field benefits immediately if he’s ready to learn from veterans like Cameron Wake and Mario Williams.

Of all the players on this list, Jordan should face the least questions about overall talent. But the work ethic and commitment questions are similarly severe.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Cleveland Browns

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The most successful recent draft bust who could revive their career in 2016 is new Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III. The electric playmaker experienced one of the highest peaks possible when he helped transform the Washington Redskins into a playoff team in 2012. Three years and one torn ACL and LCL injury later, Griffin didn’t even play a game in 2015.

As naturally talented as Griffin is as an athlete and passer, he must show he’s a functional pocket quarterback. He quickly fell out of favor when Jay Gruden took over in Washington because of his inability to diagnose defenses and get rid of the ball. Nevertheless, he’s only 26 years old and seems to have been humbled after being benched.

The sky may no longer be the limit with Griffin’s potential, but he doesn’t have to be elite to legitimize his career again. Even an average quarterback would be an upgrade in Cleveland. Head coach Hue Jackson has a history of maximizing quarterbacks and building efficient offenses, so if anyone can squeeze the potential out of Griffin, it’ll be him.

Jackson said there’ll be a quarterback battle, per May Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Griffin should be expected to win, or else losing to either Josh McCown or Cody Kessler may spell the end of his career.

Dee Milliner, CB, New York Jets

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Once a promising cornerback prospect out of Alabama, Dee Milliner’s career has been marred by injuries and uneven play. He’s been able to play in just 21 games over three years due to significant Achilles and wrist injuries. The timing of his injuries have made it easy to forget how well he finished his rookie season.

Just in December of 2013, Milliner picked off three passes to add to his 15 passes defensed that season. He just hasn’t been able to play enough to find consistency in between the flashes of ball skills. It’s normal for cornerbacks to need a few years to really hit their stride as full-time players. 2015 should have been his breakout season, but he’s played only 839 career snaps.

Now fully healthy for the first time since his rookie campaign, Milliner needs to revive his career with a bounce-back season. The need for reliable cornerbacks is high throughout the NFL, so even if the Jets won’t be his long-term home, he’ll be auditioning for a new contract elsewhere. He must take advantage of the opportunity in front of him.

Barkevious Mingo, LB, Cleveland Browns

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Cleveland Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo entered the NFL a rail-thin, lanky prospect oozing with pass-rush upside. After his rookie season with five sacks, Mingo has notched just two sacks in the last two years. His lack of development into the role the Browns had hoped has led them to decline his fifth-year option.

According to Tom Reed of Cleveland.com, Mingo played at an incredibly light 227 pounds last year because the old coaching staff wanted him to play in coverage more. Now he’s beefed up to 260 pounds, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Theoretically that should make Mingo more stout against the run and effective in hand-to-hand contact.

New defensive coordinator Ray Horton has always hyped up his players, and he’s been at it again regarding Mingo. In fairness, Horton did have success with Mingo in his rookie season during his first stint with the Browns. Horton played Mingo on a career-high 61.6 percent of defensive snaps in 2013, and his usage dipped to 24.4 percent in 2015.

His increased size and a bigger, more defined role should help Mingo at least be usable for this defense. Cleveland’s added significant depth via the draft the last two seasons, but there’s certainly a need for another pass-rusher across from Paul Kruger. Maybe Mingo will flourish and revive his career in a critical fourth season.

D.J. Hayden, CB, Oakland Raiders

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One of the best and most inspiring stories from the 2013 NFL draft was cornerback D.J. Hayden. The speedster had survived a near-fatal vein injury near his heart to become a first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders. While talented and an impressive athlete, the Raiders may have underestimated Hayden’s rawness and the needed learning curve to become a quality starter.

Hayden will only turn 26 this summer, but his roster spot may be in jeopardy in Oakland after they’ve found several other more consistent performers. In 34 career games, Hayden has just three interceptions and 20 passes defensed. He did tally a solid 70 tackles in 2015, showing toughness and more confidence in one-on-one situations.

The issue for Hayden thus far has been a lack of technique and anticipation while the ball is in the air. Not forcing turnovers is acceptable for defensive backs who provide tight coverage regularly, but Hayden’s been picked on more often than not. This season is his chance to turn his terrific movement skills into a refined player and establish his place in the league, whether in Oakland or elsewhere.

Dee Ford, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs

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It’s hard to be overly critical of 2014 first-round picks as they embark on their third professional season, but there were a small handful of players selected early who just haven’t worked out so far. One of the big busts who still has hope and the opportunity to revive his career is Kansas City Chiefs edge-rusher Dee Ford. The 6’2”, 252-pounder will be asked to help replace star Justin Houston’s production while he returns from a torn ACL.

Ford hasn’t shown much in his first two years, though. He’s tallied just 5.5 sacks and 30 total tackles in 30 games and five starts. The Chiefs had hoped he’d be able to replace Tamba Hali or at least be a stellar third pass-rusher.

He’s in line to receive more than the 479 total snaps he saw in 2015, which was half of the Chiefs' defensive snaps. If he can take advantage of the massive hole left by Houston’s absence, the outlook on his career will quickly brighten. While it’s not time to hit the panic button yet on his career, 2016 will be a defining season for Ford.

Marcus Smith, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles

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Sometimes a coaching change can completely change the way a player produces. 2014 first-round pick Marcus Smith has to this point been unable to make an impact in his career. He was an odd fit in former defensive coordinator Billy Davis’ 3-4 defense, but the Philadelphia Eagles are now under Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz previously rescued the career of former first-round bust Jerry Hughes while in Buffalo together. Hughes, like Smith, had limited production before Schwartz maximized his talent. According to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Smith has expressed excitement to see a bigger opportunity this season.

With just 1.5 sacks and three tackles in 21 games played, Smith has to show improvement quickly. The Eagles have a deep defensive line to utilize and keep Smith on the bench if he doesn’t earn more snaps. He’s played just 195 total plays in two seasons.

It’s likely Smith earns defensive end looks early, as that’s where he dominated at Louisville. He had 25.5 sacks in three seasons, including 16 in his senior year. His speed is his go-to move, but he’ll have to develop more strength and better hands to be a more complete pass-rush threat.

All stats used are from Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

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