2011 NFL Draft: 10 Players Who Could Be Busts in the NFL

The NFL playoffs may be underway but the 2011 NFL draft is going to garner more and more attention with each passing day. Most of the focus has been on mock drafts and underclassmen declaring for the draft thus far.

But with a clearer picture of who's in and out of the draft, we can start looking at who will be successful at the next level. Every draft has its fair share of players who don't pan out ala Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russel and Charles Rogers to name a few.

Who will be this year's busts? 

Let's take a look at some player who could struggle at the next level.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Ar

There are a lot of things to like about Newton's prospects of being a good pro; his size, arm and athleticism will warrant him being a first round pick in April. But there are a number of concerns that come with Newton.

During the national championship against Oregon, there were a number of throws Newton failed to make that would have put the Ducks away. Accuracy is definitely a concern with him, but the biggest worry about his pro prospects is that he didn't play in a pro-style offense at Auburn.

Newton nearly took all of his snaps out of the shotgun formation, which isn't going to work in the NFL. Being able to take a three-step drop from behind center and deliver a strong accurate throw is what it takes to make it at the quarterback position.

There just isn't enough evidence that Newton can do that; he's drawn comparisons to Vince Young, Josh Freeman and Ben Roethlisberger and he'll be fortunate to be good as any of the above.

Newton is a supreme athlete but it takes more to be successful as a QB in the NFL than athleticism.

Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Chris Todd #12 of the Auburn Tigers is sacked by Drake Nevis #92 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The senior out of LSU finished with six sacks this past season but just 10 in his entire career with the Tigers. Nevis doesn't possess the size that is required in the NFL to be effective; he stands at 6'1" and weighs 289 pounds.

In a draft that's loaded with interior defensive lineman, Nevis could take a big fall in the draft. He didn't make many plays outside the tackle box at LSU and is far from superior against the run. 

As far as pass rusher, Nevis is solid but still has plenty of work to do in this area. He lacks the power required to consistently get past defenders. 

In the NFL it's easy to see Nevis getting overwhelmed by bigger stronger offensive lineman. There's a good chance he'll be drafted in the first round, but whoever ends up with him will have to have him add some power to his game.

John Clay, RB, Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Clay is a bruiser who used his size and pure force to become a dominant runner at Wisconsin. Despite rushing for over 1,000 yards on just 187 carries and finding the end zone 14 times, Clay is going to struggle in the NFL.

He doesn't have the speed or burst that is necessary for a running back in the pro game. There are also concerns about his pass blocking, which is vital for a RB if he wants to play at the next level.

Clay is being projected to go as high as the second round and as low as the fourth round. It wouldn't be a surprise if a team drafted him in the third round to come in and be a short-yardage or goal-line back.

Despite his superior size compared to other runners, Clay doesn't run with the power that you would expect out of him. Most likely, he is headed for a disappointing NFL career.

Jack Locker, QB, Washington

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

It's well documented that Locker could have been the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. Locker decided to return to Washington for another season and severely hurt his draft stock. A great pro day will be needed for Locker to secure a spot in the first round.

There are a number of questions about his intangibles and ability to win football games. Locker has the physical tools to be a very good QB in the NFL, but his senior season at Washington was so bad it's hard to believe he'll succeed in the pros. 

Accuracy is one of the biggest question marks about Locker; during his college career he never finished with a completion percentage above 58.2 percent.  

I wouldn't be surprised if Locker's stock significantly rose after his pro day because of the talent he has. But game film points that he is destined to be a flop.

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND,IN - SEPTEMBER 13: Ethan Johnson #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish yells during the game against the Michigan Wolverines on September 13, 2008 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

This isn't a deep draft for TE's by any means. Rudolph is the top rated prospect at the position but there isn't enough evidence that he can make a difference in the NFL.

Although he possesses good size at 6'5" and 253 pounds, he never really produced at the college level like he was expected to. Part of that isn't his fault, though, because of injuries.

Durability will be a key concern for NFL teams looking at drafting the Notre Dame TE. He missed most of this season due to a season-ending injury and a couple of games at the end of the '09 season because of a shoulder injury.

The potential is there with Rudolph; he spent most of his time flexed out at Notre Dame and will need to develop better release moves when he's up on the line.

Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Thaddeus Lewis #9 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

Quinn missed all of the 2010 season because he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits. It was a huge blow for North Carolina and for Quinn's pro stock; he could have been the No. 1 player on the board if he played well but instead will need a good pro day to solidify a high selection.

There are a number of things to like about Quinn's game, although the year off leaves uncertainty with him. Showing up to the combine in great shape will be vital for his draft stock.

But even if Quinn shows up and looks good at the combine, he looks like a bust. For a defensive end, Quinn's on the light side weighing only 254 pounds. While he has potential to be a dynamic pass rusher, he needs to improve against the run.

With all of the question marks surrounding Quinn, it's easy to picture him getting lost in the shuffle in the NFL.

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The history of Heisman Trophy winners have success in the NFL isn't very good. Here's the last 10: Newton, Ingram, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, Troy Smith, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Jason White, Carson Palmer and Eric Crouch.

The last four Heisman winners NFL careers have yet to be determined, but judging by the previous six, it's safe to say two or three of them won't have NFL success. Through Ingram's three seasons at Alabama he's racked up 572 carries.

That kind of wear and tear on a RB at his age will shorten his career. This isn't a deep RB class and because of that Ingram's going to go higher than he should. 

It also is concerning that this season he wasn't nearly as effective running the ball. Ingram topped the 100-yard mark the first two games he played in but those were the only two times he would do so the whole season. It already looks like the high amount of carries he's received over his college career are weighing on him.

Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio St.

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases after quarterback Matt McGloin #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

This isn't an indictment on Heyward as a player but more so where I think he'll end up being drafted. Heyward isn't and never will be a dynamic pass rusher. There were times this season when Heyward took over the game like he did in the Sugar Bowl. And times when he disappeared.

If Heyward is drafted late in the first round or early in the second round it will be a great value pick. But if he goes anywhere before the 20th pick his career won't live up to the high draft pick. As was mentioned earlier, Heyward isn't a potential double-digit sack guy and he doesn't fit in every defensive scheme.

A team that runs a base 4-3 defense would be wise to pass on Heyward as he would fit better in a 3-4 defense in the NFL because of his versatility.

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon St.

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 04: Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the 114th Civil War on December 4, 2010 at the Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Rodgers declared for the draft forgoing his senior season at Oregon State. At Oregon State, Rodgers put together three impressive seasons in which he topped 1,000 rushing yards and double-digit TD's in each of his three seasons.

The NFL won't be as kind to Rodgers, though. At just 5'7" he doesn't have the size to be more than a third down back. Rodgers is quick but doesn't have that third gear that he would need to be successful in the pros.

It's going to be tough for him to overcome his size and defy the odds. Three years from now Rodgers is more likely to be watching football on Sunday's from his couch than to be enjoying them from the sidelines.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Last but not least is the Arkansas QB. Mallett is exceptionally tall at 6'7" and possesses a very strong arm. Physically, there aren't many QB's as talented as he is; looking at Mallett's numbers over the past two seasons at Arkansas and you'll say "what's not to love?" 

Quite a bit, actually.

Mallett struggles with accuracy and often fails to make the simple play. Against Ohio St. in the Sugar Bowl, he misfired on some easy check down passes and threw a game-ending interception. Is he good enough to win the big game or is he just another highly touted QB who will crash and burn in the NFL?

My bet is on the latter. Mallet hasn't shown the QB smarts that are needed to be successful in the pros. Playing QB is about being a leader and having strong intangibles. Here's Mallet in one sentence: a poor man's Jay Cutler.