2011 NFL Predictions: 13 Rookies Sure to Disappoint

Each and every rookie that enters the NFL all have an equal opportunity to succeed. However, not all cases work out, even for the guys that were projected to be sudden-impact players. 

The 2011 draft class will definitely be a successful one, but many of the rookies this season will disappoint—whether if it's just their rookie season or if they'll disappoint their entire career and end up being labeled a bust. 

In that spirit, here are 13 rookies that are sure to disappoint in 2011.

A.J. Green

Nearly every single draft expert projected A.J. Green as the NFL's next great wide receiver due to his tremendous play-making abilities. However, now that Green is playing for the Cincinnati Bengals with rookie Andy Dalton at quarterback, he's going to be a major disappointment this season. 

Green will likely turn more into a possession wide receiver due to Dalton's lack of maturity and knowledge of the professional game. 

The fourth-overall pick will probably lead the Bengals in receptions this season, but will not be able to showcase his phenomenal play-making ability.  

Ryan Kerrigan

Blame it on that he's playing for the lowly Washington Redskins, outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is going to have big-time struggles in 2011. 

Washington's 16th-overall pick will likely have a difficult time adjusting from a college defensive end to an NFL outside linebacker.

Kerrigan is listed as the Redskins' starting left outside linebacker, opposite of Brian Orakpo. Kerrigan is going to have huge expectations to team up with Orakpo to create one of the league's top outside linebacker tandems—that's simply not going to happen in 2011, but could happen in the years to come. 

Shane Vereen

Shane Vereen missed nearly all training games and the preseason for the New England Patriots with a hamstring injury, which could indicate that he's behind tremendously in his development as a running back in the NFL.

Vereen was one of New England's second-round draft choices out of Cal and has the talent and upside to be one of New England's key contributors to not only their running game but their passing game in 2011.

However, due to Vereen missing loads of practices and three out of four preseason games, he'll end up being a disappointment this season. 

Danny Watkins

Danny Watkins is somewhat of a special rookie, as he's entering the league at 26-years-old.

Watkins was the 23rd-overall pick made by the Philadelphia Eagles and is projected to be the team's starting right offensive guard. However, Watkins has made several rookie mistakes this preseason and could continue to look like a rookie during his rookie campaign. 

Philly Sports Daily has reported the former Baylor University guard had already admitted to feeling "over-whelmed." 

Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram may have scored three touchdowns in his first preseason with the New Orleans Saints, but other than that, his production was rather horrendous. 

Ingram was the Saints 28th-overall pick in this year's draft and many scouts and draft experts, including myself, believed that he was the best running back in the 2011 draft class. However, his 2.9 yards-per-carry average says differently.

The former Heisman Trophy winner will disappointment big time if he continues his struggles from the preseason into the regular season. 

Cam Newton

I do not believe that Cam Newton will be a bust, I believe exactly that he'll have a successful NFL career—however 2011 is going to be a rough ride for the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner. 

It's kind of unfair to put such high expectations on Newton, as he's a college-spread-offense quarterback learning the ways of a pro-style offense. However, being the first-overall pick from this year's draft essentially determines that he needs to be an instant impact player. This will obviously not be the case in 2011. 

Newton will be a disappointment during his rookie year. 

Andy Dalton

Poor, Andy Dalton. He's just being thrown into an awful situation in Cincinnati.

There is no reason why Dalton should be starting as a rookie, but if he's on a team as bad as the Bengals, then he almost automatically emerges as the team's starter. 

Just take a look at the Bengals roster. Do you really think that the team's coaching staff would rather have Bruce Gradkowski play instead of Dalton? 

It's a shame that he's being forced to start as a rookie, as he still has a lot of maturing and developing to do. 

Nick Fairley

Nick Fairley is going to be a big-time bust for the Detroit Lions. In fact, he's well on his way to becoming one. 

Fairley has been dealing with a foot injury all of preseason and training camp and could even miss the start of the regular season, according to Dave Birkett. 

As Fairley is likely out a while, Detroit's defensive front will obviously move on and still cause problems for opposing team's quarterbacks—but certainly could be much more dominant with the likes of Fairely joining the group. 

Robert Quinn

After being suspended all of 2010 by the NCAA, Robert Quinn is a bit rusty for the St. Louis Rams.

Quinn recorded only three tackles and just one sack in his preseason NFL preseason—definitely should be raising a few red flags as he is projected to be a dominant pass-rusher. 

The 14th-overall pick may end up being a solid pass-rusher when his career comes to an end, but his rookie season should be a shaky one. 

Colin Kaepernick

If Colin Kaepernick's number is called upon to play for the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, he's probably going to struggle, and he's going to struggle majorly. 

Let's face it, Kaepernick is probably going to have to play a few games for the 49ers as Alex Smith will likely struggle as well which will lead to first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh pulling Smith for the rookie. 

Kaepernick is a phenomenal athlete but his skills as a quarterback are raw. 

It's going to take sometime for him to develop into a pro-style quarterback. 

Stephen Paea

Stephen Paea simply isn't big enough to be a productive defensive tackle in the NFL. 

Paea may be 6'1" 300 lbs., but his arms are holding him back—his stature is simply too small and he lacks the ability to gain leverage against offensive linemen.

The 53rd-overall selection by the Chicago Bears made it past roster cuts this past weekend despite being listed as third on their depth chart. 

By just reading numerous scouting reports on Paea and watching him play, it's almost a gut feeling stating that he's going to disappoint in 2011. 

Christian Ponder

Out of all of the quarterbacks in the 2011 draft class, I never really understood why so many people love Christian Ponder. I can see that he has potential, but who doesn't? 

Ponder will sit on the bench behind Donovan McNabb in 2011 and could possibly not play until 2013. I like what the Vikings are doing, by grooming Ponder and not forcing him into action early, that's what the Panthers should do with Cam Newton, but is it really worth it? I'm just not putting too much stock into the ability of Ponder. 

The rookie out of Florida State completed only 55.1 percent of his passes in preseason and never really did anything to amaze or impress me. 

Maybe it's just me, but I believe Ponder will be a huge disappointment for the Minnesota Vikings. 

Casey Matthews

Let me put it this way: Casey Matthews is not Clay Matthews. Just because they're brothers, it's unfair to place high expectations on Casey, simply because he's related to his older brother Clay. 

Matthews is projected to be the Philadelphia Eagles starting middle linebacker in 2011 and he's simply not big enough to get the job done—that's just one of his many weaknesses as a professional football player. 

The former Oregon Duck concluded his first preseason with only six total tackles, which definitely raises a few red flags.

If Matthews is going to be Philly's starting middle linebacker this season, he's going to have to do a whole lot of a better job at getting to the ball carrier.