2011 NFL Draft: Ryan Mallett and 10 Potential First Round Busts
The 2011 NFL draft doesn't stand to be any different from this perspective.
Each season, there's at least one notable name who doesn't quite live up to expectations. And that's putting it mildly.
The "slam dunk" players in this draft class are few and far between. Some are even calling this the worst draft class in the last 10 years.
These athletes were productive in college.
But it's a big leap to the professional stage.
Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
1 of 10
Sure, Robert Quinn had a dynamite 2009, but now it's 2011.
Quinn has several red flags: His health (brain tumor), his maturity (lying to NCAA officials) and most importantly, he was out of football for all of 2010.
He would've been a consensus top-10 selection had he decided to leave school after his '09 campaign, but now some team is going to have to gamble on his potential rather than his production.
Cameron Jordan, DT California
2 of 10
Jordan posted great numbers at the combine, but where have I heard that before?
He didn't show much growth from his junior to senior season, and at just 285 lbs., may not be big enough to overpower the bigger opposition he's sure to face.
He's an intriguing project at the defensive end position if a team (perhaps the Pats?) want to give him a shot there, but if he doesn't work out, it's going to be hard finding a spot that does.
Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas
3 of 10
Anyone who draws comparisons to Ryan Leaf before he is even selected on draft day is sure to raise a slew of eyebrows around the league.
Mallett saved himself with a very good pro day showing, despite his obvious lack of athleticism. There's no questioning that he can be a productive player, but the off-field distractions in the NFL may prove as a serious stumbling block for this party animal.
See that gut in the picture above? He's got to trade the beer and Cheetos in for some rice cakes, a protein shake and a playbook that he'll actually study if he hopes to kick the stigma of negativity that currently surrounds him.
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Jake Locker, QB Washington
4 of 10
Locker would've done himself a lot of favors by declaring early for the 2010 NFL draft.
Now in 2011, he's no better than the fourth-ranked player at the position, despite Andrew Luck staying at Stanford. His biggest issue is his inconsistency on the field, a characteristic that most (if not all) pro teams can't afford from their signal-caller.
He'll try to prove the world wrong and look to outperform his quickly sinking draft position, but he seems to be disappointing when it matters most, and it wouldn't be surprising to never see him as a big-time starter at the next level.
Mike Pouncey, G/C Florida
5 of 10
This isn't supposed to be a knock on Mike, but there's no doubt in my mind that someone will reach for him based on the impressive success of twin brother Maurkice last season.
Unlike his brother, Mike is better suited as a guard at the NFL level, but I'm sure someone will give him a go as a center. With the lack of elite talent along the offensive line in this year's group, Pouncey will probably go a lot higher to a team with an area of need than he otherwise would.
It's usually pretty tough to sell a fan base on using a top pick on a rookie offensive lineman, and Mike might have trouble living up to his slot if some surprising team reaches for him.
Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
6 of 10
Similar to Pouncey, Castonzo is another guy who might just not live up to his selection slot.
There is a huge need for offensive tackles in the 2011 draft, but there isn't a whole lot of premier talent. Ergo, Castonzo is sure to be the apple of a team's eye as arguably the top option at the position.
He's not a surefire standout and probably belongs in the tier-two group of tackles if the class was deeper at the position, but he's likely to stand out in an otherwise weak group, which is sure to elevate his stock.
Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
7 of 10
Is Von Miller the 2011 version of Vernon Gholston?
While that's probably a bit of a hyperbole, that's what a lot of teams are wondering after seeing Gholston dominate the combine in similar fashion. He's an absolute workout warrior, but this is a guy who wasn't even ticketed for the first half of the first round prior to the season ending, and now he's a surefire top-five pick?
If a team can afford to gamble, he may very well wind up being worth the roll of the dice. But to call him a sure thing? Please.
Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
8 of 10
Although Mark Ingram has been favored to land in Miami for quite some time at 15th overall, does he really deserve to go that high?
He may or may not be the top running back at the draft, depending on which scout and what team is being asked, but he hasn't looked like the game-changer he was during his Heisman Trophy-winning season.
Ingram is an absolute load and will be asked to play lead dog in whatever backfield he winds up in, but once he starts taking lick after lick from NFL defenders, it should be interesting to see how his body holds up and his level of productivity is affected.
A.J. Green, WR Georgia
9 of 10
Let's slow down the love affair with A.J. Green, shall we?
Yes, he's an exciting prospect. Yes, he's the top talent at his position. And yes, he's even the best wide receiving prospect since Calvin Johnson. But that doesn't make him Calvin Johnson.
Green's got a boatload of talent that should translate to the NFL level with ease, but to expect him to come in and have the type of impact so many are penciling him in for would be absolutely asinine.
Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
10 of 10
Talk about a drop in draft stock.
Once the favorite to go first overall, Bowers is now almost a certainty to fall out of the top 10 altogether. With more red flags than any other prospect (Mallett included), Bowers continues to delay his scheduled workouts which is pushing him further and further down the draft boards.
A one-year wonder with as much poor film as he has good, there are just too many question marks around Bowers to make most teams feel comfortable pegging him as their first-round choice.
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