2012 NFL Mock Draft: Dont'a Hightower and the 10 Busts NFL Teams Must Avoid

NFL prospects can turn into busts at the next level for a number of reasons—overrated talent, the lack of explosiveness to excel, not having the skills to transition, and of course, those dreaded character issues.

In this list, you'll see them all.

Some of these players are starring on top programs, others have flopped and some just don't have it together mentally to make a consistent impact in the NFL.

I made sure to mainly choose prospects that have been floating around as first-round prospects or fringe first-rounders. First-round busts hurt teams more than anything, especially if they are selected early in the first round.

Here are 10 future busts teams must avoid in the 2012 NFL draft.

10. Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina

Defensive end Devin Taylor certainly has potential. He had 7.5 sacks for the Gamecocks last season and was high on experts' boards coming into 2011.

But his play has dropped off this season, for whatever reason, and he still has yet to show the form he had in 2010. He has one sack on the year, and he collected no stats whatsoever against Kentucky in Week 6.

There are also concerns associated with Taylor's position in the NFL. His build hurts him against the run, having trouble gaining leverage when blocked, and while he's quick and athletic, he's a defensive end now and not a linebacker because he doesn't appear very fluid in his movements.

Taylor needs to start making waves, or he's not even going to be considered as a first-round prospect.

9. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Alfonzo Dennard has not lived up to his potential this season.

In a marquee matchup against Nick Toon of Wisconsin, he was exposed, allowing the Badgers' star receiver to rack up 94 yards and a touchdown. It might as well have been an episode of Looney Toons.

It wasn't just that Dennard played poor coverage against Toon, he also was sluggish to respond to the run and frankly looked overwhelmed and out of it.

He may have been rusty from missing time this season, but he also played with very little passion and determination.

He has the potential to be a prime NFL prospect, but he isn't close to one playing like this.

8. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Kellen Moore isn't being looked at as a first-rounder by any means, but I still believe he's going to be selected higher than he should based on his success at Boise State.

The biggest concerns are his arm strength, size at the quarterback position, and most importantly, his mechanics.

Moore holds the ball below his shoulders before he goes into his throwing motion, meaning he's at great risk for fumbles, and his delivery isn't quick enough to make up for the lack of time in an NFL pocket.

He's been a great college quarterback, but Moore just has too many deficiencies at the NFL level.

7. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Obviously, labeling Janoris Jenkins as a future bust isn't based on his ability. He's a top-10 prospect based on skills alone.

But you can't help but look at his troubles with the law. There's a certain level of commitment, poise and dedication it takes to be a consistent success in the competitive world of the NFL. I don't believe Jenkins has this. He got arrested for alleged marijuana possession not once, but twice.

The NFL team who grabs Jenkins will be uttering the phrase, "Fool me once? Shame on you. Fool me twice? Shame on me."

Unless, of course, the Baltimore Ravens select him. They have a way of ironing out even the most problematic character concerns.

6. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

While Janoris Jenkins' issues are strictly limited to off the field, Michael Floyd is a concern both on and off it.

Obviously, Floyd is a dynamic receiver with the athleticism to be a star in the NFL. He seems uninterested in route running (or if a ball isn't thrown his way) and there have been far too many instances where I've seen him fail to rush off the line of scrimmage. In short, he has bursts of brilliant football (when motivated) and lazy football (when not).

And there's that thing about him getting arrested three times on alcohol-related charges since 2009. He doesn't seem committed enough in being a top prospect to actually be one.

5. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama has all the tools to be a solid safety in the NFL, but as a cover cornerback he has issues.

He has great size and speed, and he covers the field like no other, but when it comes to man-to-man coverage, he's not great.

As a free safety, he has the chance to excel in the NFL, but I see NFL receivers giving him too many problems if he's matched up opposite them in coverage.

4. Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower's work ethic and determination are unquestioned, which is why it's always hard for me to label players like him as a future bust because he very well could defy the odds on pure hustle alone.

But he's not having the greatest season for the Crimson Tide in 2011, and he doesn't appear to have the speed and burst to be a game-changer in the NFL.

Hightower had 70 tackles last season, but he only has 29 tackles in five games this season. Part of that is because he's been outplayed by Courtney Upshaw. Part of it is because he just hasn't looked like a first-round NFL prospect.

3. Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't put it together and produce, then what are you?

That's the issue I have with Clemson defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, who has been underwhelming to say the least this season.

Through six games, Thompson has a grand total of 0.5 sacks and two tackles for a loss. This is particularly troublesome because rushing the passer and creating pressure is supposed to be Thompson's forte.

The senior still has time to turn it around, but as of now, I don't see how he'll make an impact in the NFL if can't in college.

2. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been considered as a fringe first-round prospect in some circles, but I have several issues with him as even a potential starting NFL quarterback.

For one, Tannehill's decision making is questionable. This is only his second season as a starting quarterback in college football, and he forces a lot of throws, which is why he has seven touchdowns to five interceptions through five games. Against Oklahoma State, Tannehill tossed three interceptions.

He also locks in on his first option way too often and his jump in interceptions this season appear to be because defenses have simply locked in on his tendencies.

And in the all-important test of accuracy, Tannehill doesn't pass the test for me, especially when throwing the deep ball.

Given his struggles this season, Tannehill likely isn't being considered as a first-rounder anyway, but he's still way too favored generally for my liking.

1. Donte Paige-Moss, DE/LB, North Carolina

There is no question who the biggest disappointment of the 2012 draft class has been so far. It's North Carolina's Donte Paige-Moss by a landslide.

After an inspiring sophomore campaign in which Paige-Moss racked up seven sacks and looked like one of college football's rising stars, he's collected a grand total of one sack in six games so far.

What once started out as eye-opening athleticism and the ability to be a nightmare for defenses has turned into uninspired play, lack of effort and deadened burst.

I would love to see the Donte Paige-Moss of yesteryear, but the 2011 version looks like a completely different person. The junior may want to stay another year at North Carolina if he continues at this rate.