2012 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects Who Are Simply Fool's Gold

As the months progress and the NFL and college football seasons age, you'll start hearing the phrases "stiff hips", "sees the field" and "edge rusher" more frequently.

It just means the NFL Draft is right around the corner.

As with every other class that has ever been drafted, there are certain prospects you can guarantee to be over-hyped and will under-deliver in the NFL.

Here are my top five draftees whom I expect to flop at the next level.

Matt Barkley

Yep, I'm talking about you, Matt.

I'm not sure if it's his likeness to Jimmy Clausen or the fact I expect him to have experienced severe psychological damage playing for Lane Kiffin, but I just don't buy the hype on Matt Barkley.

He seems like a nice kid, and could be a decent starter in the NFL, but I don't see the must-have skill set you expect out of first-round USC quarterbacks.

I like my quarterbacks to play with a little passion, ala Dan Marino, and Barkley seems like a flat-liner that might not have the resolute confidence needed to be a franchise quarterback.

Jared Crick

Crick is a great college player who looks like a "tweener" in the NFL to me.

He has received a lot of attention for a few games in which he has completely dominated, albeit against obviously inferior talent such as Baylor.

My issue with Crick is I don't see his build being right to stop the run in the NFL, and I don't think he's athletic enough to be a great pass-rusher.

Crick is also 6'6", which presents a huge target for opposing offensive linemen. If he gets too high, he loses all leverage and is done.

Lastly, I don't think Crick uses his hands well enough for someone who is so physically dominant at the collegiate level.

He makes a lot of plays by being bigger and stronger than the man in front of him, but he has a lot of diversity to add to him game to make himself a viable defensive lineman at the next level. Far too often he is at a stalemate two yards deep in the offensive backfield while a running back goes closely past him.

Crick has to get off blocks and make those plays.

Nick Foles

Foles has solid measurables, and figures to work his way up boards as the draft approaches.

He is big, has a cannon for an arm, and can move around pretty well, but I just don't see him as being mechanically sharp enough or possess that "it" factor we all look for in quarterbacks.

As his drops get longer, Foles' mechanics get sloppy. Furthermore, he becomes very erratic when throwing on the run.

Also, much of his statistics have come in "garbage time" while throwing into relaxed coverages to wide open receivers.

Foles could be a good player with a few years to develop, but quarterbacks don't get that time in today's NFL. He will be pushed to play, won't be ready, and I don't think he has the mental toughness to get past a difficult start.

Ryan Broyles

Broyles is a great athlete, but his lack of size and maturity concern me.

The Oklahoma wideout has had off-the-field problems that go back a few years, and at 5'10", he will have to entirely rely upon his speed in the NFL.

Broyles' speed is solid, but it isn't other-worldly in a way that overcompensates for his lack of height. He goes down with the first hit, and shies away from contact regularly.

When you look at Broyles, you may want to compare him to DeSean Jackson. Don't.

Broyles isn't in the same class as Jackson athletically, and I don't expect him to approach Jackson's effectiveness in the NFL.

Brandon Lindsey

Brandon Lindsey has a late first or early second-round grade, and I just don't see it.

Lindsey will likely play outside linebacker at the next level, as he is ineffective in run support. But he also has gotten dominated in passing situations by offensive linemen who have no business blocking him.

Lindsey will impress at the combine, and will likely go late in the first round. However, his measurables don't negate his lack of strength at point-of-contact or his lack of versatility rushing the passer.

If he gets around you, he's athletic enough to wreak havoc on opposing backfields. If not, he doesn't have anything else in his bag.

Add in character concerns, and I look for Lindsey to bust.