2011 NFL Draft: 15 Players with the Biggest Bust Potential

The NFL Draft has sprouted some truly great players throughout the years.

Some have even been a bit of a surprise (Aaron Rodgers).

Some, however, have been complete flubs (Alex Smith).

For the 2011 NFL Draft, we at Bleacher Report (meaning I) will look at the players with the biggest chances of becoming busts in the NFL.

Some are obvious, some took some explaining, but there's a certain aspect of each player on this list (or aspects plural) that raised alarms in my head (Have you ever heard alarms going off in your head? Not fun).

I only looked at big-name players for this list, so the 56th-ranked underclassman in the draft was spared (being ranked 56th was harsh enough).

Here are 15 players I see possibly becoming busts in the NFL.

15. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 19: Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after a sack with teammate Marvin Austin #9 against the East Carolina Pirates at Kenan Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by St

Robert Quinn's athleticism and performance in 2009 has a lot of experts tabbing him as a top-10 pick.

His skills, in 2009, were top 10 worthy.

But, he hasn't played for a year, and there's no telling if he has regressed or not since then.

14. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by Christian

Adrian Clayborn is still considered a top defensive lineman in the draft given his skill set, but his numbers dropped off dramatically during his senior year—the year he was supposed to explode into the draft.

After 11 sacks in 2009, Clayborn managed just four in 2010.

The players that make big plays distinguish themselves in the NFL.

The lack of big plays for Clayborn in 2010 is worrisome.

13. Cameron Jordan, DT, Cal

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

Cameron Jordan played against Oregon and Stanford late in the year, but besides that, he didn't play against world-beaters.

Jordan did indeed have a better year in 2010 than 2009, but I'm not so sure his meteoric rise is warranted.

12. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers throws a pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by

People were raving about the quarterback class when Stanford's Andrew Luck was projected to declare for the draft, but as soon as he opted out and Blaine Gabbert became the No. 1 QB in the draft, everyone turned.

Gabbert doesn't have great stats this year, but he's still a top quarterback in terms of intangibles and form in the pocket, two things that can translate very well to the NFL.

He could indeed be a bust, but I don't think it would be as colossal as some people suggest.

11. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers scrambles against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

We all know what Heisman winner Cam Newton did this year, leading the Tigers to a BCS title.

But the NFL is an entirely different game, especially for quarterbacks.

Newton has the accuracy to pull it off (unlike some recent "running" quarterbacks), but his running game is a big part of his game nonetheless.

If it doesn't translate to the speed of the NFL, there's no question he's a different quarterback.

10. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

Ryan Mallett has the makings of translating well to the NFL with some seasoning, but he's likely not going to get the chance to season.

He'll likely be selected by a bad team, then be expected to lead them in his rookie season.

Some quarterbacks have been able to do this (St. Louis' Sam Bradford), but many have not (the list goes on and on).

I like Mallett as an NFL quarterback, but I think his introduction to the league could be brutal, if not career-threatening.

9. Corey Liuget, DE, Illinois

Corey Liuget is one of those players who has risen up the draft board based on an impressive season.

He's a very solid tackler (63 tackles for the season), but five sacks for the year isn't all that stunning.

Sure, he has the chance with his skill set to make an impact on the NFL, but is he really first-round worthy?

He could prove not to be.

8. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up prior to playing the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

I guess my biggest issue with Gabe Carimi (if I had to nitpick) is he can be beat by speed quite often.

He's a big guy and doesn't have the athleticism of a Tyron Smith to combat quick moves as well.

His footwork is also a bit off, sometimes having trouble re-directing defenders fluidly and not as good a pass protector as a run blocker.

He's still a first-rounder in my opinion, but there are some things that bother me about his game.

7. Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Jeff Golden/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7: Tyron Smith #70 of the USC Trojans stretches before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. USC won 14-9. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Speak of the Devil.

USC's Tyron Smith is probably one of the most athletic offensive lineman in the draft, but he's also generally valued lower than Carimi because he doesn't have as much power.

With his build, he should be able to sustain when faced with a power move, but he can get knocked back a bit with stronger defenders.

He doesn't have the explosiveness you would think he would have, given his athleticism.

But he is certainly agile enough to re-direct the quick rushers.

6. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

Brandon Harris is widely considered to be the No. 3 cornerback in the draft.

I think he could be a dependable pro, but whether he'll be a lockdown corner, as generally expected in the first round, I don't know.

He's certainly pretty impressive in man-to-man coverage, but he needs to work on tackling and zone coverage.

He also didn't collect many interceptions during his collegiate career (four in three years), which makes you wonder if he can be a big-time playmaker in the NFL.

Some cornerbacks can get away with few interceptions if they are absolutely stellar in coverage (i.e. Nnamdi Asomugha), but I don't project Harris to be an Asomugha kind of guy.

5. Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

In my mind, Pittsburgh receiver Jonathan Baldwin has already disappointed to a degree, in his final year in college no less.

Baldwin, with his skill set and athleticism, was drawing comparisons to Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald before this year.

But Baldwin didn't put up the numbers you would expect this year, with 822 yards and five TDs.

Not bad, but far removed from his 1,111 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

Sure, that's not all on him, but with a player of his ability, that's underachieving in my mind.

He faces a much different animal coming into the NFL.

4. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 7: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Defensive powerhouse Marvin Austin has big-time potential; there's no question about that.

But he also raises character concerns after accepting money from an agent last season and missing the entire 2010 season because of it.

As we've seen with many very talented players coming out of college, character issues cannot only stunt a player's potential, they can destroy an organization and put them in the cellar for years.

Projected to be close to a first-round selection, he's a gamble there, but he could also be the steal of the draft if he proves to be focused entering the NFL.

3. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Get

Based on talent alone, running back Ryan Williams has the potential to be a star.

In 2009, Williams rushed for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns (that's not a misprint).

But 2010 was very unkind to Williams.

He missed part of the season due to injury, then found himself in a timeshare to end his collegiate career, rushing four times for four yards in his final game in the Orange Bowl.

One of those cases where you wonder why this underclassmen didn't go another year at Tech.

Injuries can stunt player's growth, both literally and figuratively.

Is Williams ready for the NFL? That's the big question.

2. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 03: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs after making a catch against the Washington Huskies on October 3, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Washington 37-30 in overtime. (Pho

Kyle Rudolph is the No. 1 tight end in the draft this year because he's another one of those tight ends that plays like a receiver (we all know how they have worked out, i.e. Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis).

He has the athleticism to be an absolute handful.

But there are also injury concerns associated with him. After missing three games during the regular season last year, Rudolph missed the last seven games for the Fighting Irish this year with a hamstring injury.

Nagging hamstring injuries could take the receiver right out of Rudolph.

1. Jake Locker, QB, Washington

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Injured quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies watches the action from the bench in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the g

Talk about your all-time backfires.

Jake Locker could have declared for the draft as an underclassman last year, but he opted to return to Washington for his senior year.

After being ranked the No. 1 quarterback coming into this season, he's now ranked the No. 4 QB on the draft board, and that's with Stanford's Andrew Luck deciding to stay in school.

Locker looked like anything but himself this year, raising serious questions about his ability at the next level.

What's most troubling about Locker is he completely disappeared against top competition when he was expected to rise for the challenge.

In his third game against Nebraska, Locker went 4-for-20 for 71 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Against Stanford, he went 7-for-14 for 64 yards and two interceptions.

Against UCLA, he went 10-for-21 for 68 yards and an interception.

In his final game of his collegiate career against Nebraska again in the Holiday Bowl, Locker did rush for 83 yards and a touchdown.

But that's not what quarterbacks are primarily judged on. As for his passing, Locker went 5-for-16 for 56 yards.

Locker does have the intangibles and mechanics to make it in the NFL, but his decision-making was highly bothersome in 2010.