Two Potential First Round Draft Busts for 2010

With Superbowl 44 over and the combine already upon us, NFL teams are beginning to look to the next season. One of the crucial parts of improving your team lies in the up- coming draft. I wanted to take a look at two players that are predicted by some to be first round picks, but could be potential busts.

Both of these players should be well known by now and need no introduction.

I have seen a lot of mock drafts that have both of these guys going in the first round, and I think it will ultimately end up being a costly mistake for two teams going into the 2010 season. With that being said, I give you my top two potential first round busts for the 2010-2011 season.

Mike Lupati

I've heard so much about this guy that I thought it was past time that I write something about him. He's been touted by many as one of the best offensive linemen in the draft. It's been said that he is so versitile, he can play either the Tackle or Guard position. Many have said that he simply dominates anyone he goes up against. I simply don't see it.

I must admit that I never saw him play in college, but I did see the Senior Bowl in which he looked totally outmatched in my eyes. A lot of people out there are so quick to get caught up in an offensive linemen's upper body strength that they forget about the most important traits to look for.

Having quick feet and good hip movement is crucial in keeping your body in the correct position to block, something that is a major weakness in Lupati's game. Why is it that he was able to dominate in college? Most college pass rushers focus so much on bull rushing their opponent, that offensive linemen can simply stand in one place and let the rusher come to them.

It won't be that easy for him in the NFL. In the NFL, he'll be faced with spin moves, arm chops, fakes, and many different blitz packages. He's also been known to get away with many holds on the college level, something that will catch up to him on the next level.

The referees in the NFL have a keen eye for a holding offensive linemen, and are more strict with the call. He'll be called for holding many times at the next level. For an offensive lineman that has bad feet and hips, and has problems avoiding the hold, he shouldn't be considered a first round pick.

Why he is, I really don't know, but he'll ultimately end up being a big disappointment for a team looking to upgrade their offensive line.

I also look for him to be exposed somewhat through the upcoming combine, and it could end up hurting his draft stock.

Tim Tebow

I know this won't sit well with a lot of folks out there, but they shoud be getting use to hearing it by now.

Tim Tebow reminds me so much of Matt Leinart that it's not even funny. He's a lefty with a very slow release that doesn't put much behind his throws. Many of his passes come out with a lofting pitch to them, that causes them to catch too much air. His release is so slow that defenses will pick him off all day long. He will also want to rely on his feet too much in the NFL, and that will end up costing him.

Many have also said that he can simply work with someone to fix that, but it's not that easy. He's been throwing that way since he first picked up a football, and you can't "just fix it". If it was something that you could "just fix", Byron Leftwitch would have never lost his job to David Garrard, and Matt Leinart would have fixed his by now. It's just not that simple.

He has however been working hard on improving his release since the Senior Bowl. There is no doubt that he is an all around good guy and a very hard worker, but that won't be enough to overcome his terribly slow release. If he ends up going in the first round, it will end up being about four rounds too soon.

I have him ranked around No. 8 among the quarterbacks from this draft class, and I question if he'll ever be anything more than a back up in this league.

So, there you have it. That's my two draft busts for 2010. I'm sure there will be many more that won't live up to their draft positions, but those are the two that stick out in my mind. I do know that Tebow will fight and claw his way all the way to the very end, but overcoming that throwing motion will prove to be too much for him and ultimately be what sidelines him for some time to come.