2011 NFL Draft Results: 5 Picks Who Are Not Worth the Risk

The 2011 NFL Draft Results are in. They have been counted, tabulated and filed away for the memory banks. Amidst the hundreds of player that were selected into the NFL this weekend, only a minority of them will make a true impact at the next level.

Even less will become household names. The NFL draft is not the end game, it's the beginning. The journey for each man starts now.

Here is a brief rundown of the five players that come to the league with the most risk. Whether it be work ethic, injury or stature, they have plenty to answer for in the next few seasons.

There is tremendous talent in all of these players. I certainly hope they can make a dent in a proud and storied league.

Here are the five riskiest picks from the 2011 NFL draft.

5. Adrian Clayborn Taken 20th by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses for a phot with Adrian Clayborn, #20 overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris

Adrian Clayborn will no doubt give his all for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He does have some limitations. The Erb's Palsy limits the mobility he has on the right side of his body.

That almost guarantees that he has to play from the right side of the line. That lack of versatility could hamper an otherwise promising career.

Clayborn has made due to tremendous success so far. That is why Tampa Bay is not the least bit worried about their prized first-round pick. The mobility issues are there though, like it or not.

4. Ras-I Dowling Taken 33rd by the New England Patriots

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 09: Ras-I Dowling #19 of the Virginia Cavaliers against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

There is no doubt in my mind that Dowling has the goods to make it at the next level. He has great instincts and explodes on the ball very well.

My concern is his health. He has battled ankle injuries and hamstring issues. It is clear the Patriots are confident that he is not as brittle as his resume would suggest.

In a sense, his talent outweighed some possible stays on the injured reserve. The guy can be that good.

3. Cam Newton Taken First Overall by Carolina Panthers

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Cam Newton, #1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers holds up a jersey on stage after he was picked during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

I have no qualms placing Cam Newton here. The Panthers have issues on defense and Marcell Dareus was there to solve them.

I like Newton as a player. I think he has the tools to be a great quarterback, but he is not without his question marks.

His character issues could very well overshadow his promise. If things get too heated for a rookie with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders, he will certainly falter.

2. Ryan Mallett Taken 74th by the New England Patriots

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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

His issues have been well talked about for several months. We all know about the drug allegations. Mallett has put the talk well past him and looks poised to prove his critics wrong.

There is something to be said for a gifted athlete like this that slid far from the first round, where he should have been picked.

At this point in the draft, the Patriots lose little with the gamble. I am more concerned that the Bengals and 49ers overlooked this far superior arm when they decided on their future starters in the second round.

1. Da'Quan Bowers Taken 51st by Tampa Bay

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Da'Quan Bowers is the most obvious choice for overall riskiest player in the draft. His knee injury saw him take a tumble from first overall draft pick in many mocks a couple of months ago to 50 picks later.

There is a general consensus that Bowers will need surgery at some point in the next five seasons. The worry is that surgery will sideline him for a good portion of the year.

Bowers is no doubt a real talent. But it is hard not to think that at any moment his bone on bone joint could wreak havoc on his career.