NFL Draft 2014: Top 10 Potential Early Round Bust Picks By David Levin January 23, 2014 10:36 pm 
Tony Mandarich, Mike Mamula, Akili Smith, Cade McCown. Four players who looked the part, acted the part and collected millions in the NFL for doing one thing - nothing.We all know the NFL is a crap shoot when it comes to the NFL Draft and finding the right fit for your franchise. For every Andrew Luck, there are 30 Heath Shulers. There is no rhyme or reason for success of failure, only that it happens often in the league.These 10 players look the part and are gaining plenty of recognition, but could be busts when it is all said and done.Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Central FloridaHe has a strong arm and a nice delivery. Can throw the deep ball with authority. But, in many eyes (like mine) he is a won-year wonder. Part of me wishes he stayed in school for his senior year to prove he could do this one more season.Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, PittsburghHe is only 6-foot tall, but at 285 pounds he can move like a cat on the line. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has some game in him, but teams had better hope he can play on the inside and outside and be the next Elvis Dumerville or he has not place in the NFL.Jimmy Garoppolo, Quarterback, Eastern IllinoisThe last quarterback from Eastern Illinois to play in the NFL was Tony Romo. We all know what kind of career Romo has had. Garoppolo is bigger and stronger and looks to be the NFL part. While he has been impressive so far in post season all star games, can he translate to an NFL starter in his rookie season?Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, Texas A&MI think there are many schools of thinking on Manziel in the professional game. If he can play at full speed and make the game come to him, he will be very successful. But this is the NFL where everything is bigger, stronger and faster and I just do not see that happening for a player his size and with defenses ready to pounce on him.Louchiez Purifoy, Defensive Back, FloridaWhen the college season started, he was thought to be a first round draft pick. Now, he may fall to the second or third round. The jury is all over the board on him. Purifoy is a big time hitter, but will he play man coverage in the pros and be successful?Michael Sam, Outside Linebacker, MissouriIn college, he played standing up on the line. Because of his size, he plays in a 4-3 standing up as an outside linebacker. I loved the dominance Sam had in the SEC against teams like South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Playing in the NFL is a whole other story. I hope he is not the second coming of John Bosa or Eric Kumerow.De’Anthony Thomas, Running Back, OregonHe was the featured back in the Oregon offense before he got injured. Thomas has the skills to be an elite back for an NFL team. I worry when a running back is injured, but more than that, I wonder if he has the physical stamina to be a top-flight player in the NFL.Stephon Tuitt, Defensive End, Notre DameHe is 6’6” and 318 pounds and moves with agility against smaller opponents. What happens when he faces offensive linemen who are just as big as he is. Tuitt - who comes out early for the draft - could be manhandled at the line of scrimmage. Does he have the leverage to move a larger pile backward.Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, ClemsonHere is the thing about Watkins. He was a tremendous talent at Clemson and has speed to burn. But I do not see teams falling head over heels to draft him. He could be a pick of the Rams at No. 2 or he could slide as far as nine to Buffalo. There is a good player without a true team to call his own.James Wilder, Jr., Running Back, Florida StateHe has a good pedigree, can run through a wall and should have stayed in school to assure he would be a first round pick. Wilder, like his father, James Sr., is as accomplished as they come. He has nice size but never had to carry the load in college. Can he do it in the pro game? http://www.footballnation.com/content/nfl-draft-2014-top-10-potential-early-round-bust-picks/28348/
James Wilder is on this list? why? hes probably a 4th or 5th rounder. if you take a guy there and he doesnt pan out its not a big deal. i guess they needed someone else to add
Based on how he's played this year, how Clowney doesn't make this list is puzzling.
Shouldn't this list be all the kids in the draft pool. Recall that linebacker from Wake Forest a few years back who was the "safe pick" and "sure thing"....how is that working out?
Shouldn't this list be all the kids in the draft pool. Recall that linebacker from Wake Forest a few years back who was the "safe pick" and "sure thing"....how is that working out?
I came to post the same thing. Every single pick is a potential bust unless its a player on day 3.
Shouldn't this list be all the kids in the draft pool. Recall that linebacker from Wake Forest a few years back who was the "safe pick" and "sure thing"....how is that working out?
Last I remember, he was a backup with the Raiders......
Based on how he's played this year, how Clowney doesn't make this list is puzzling.
What do u mean? You think just because his stats aren't there that he's played bad this year?
Two grammatical errors in the first two evaluations...maybe he could have re-read his article just won more time. While Romo hasn't been elite...what he has done in the NFL coming from the FCS is nothing to scoff at (especially considering he is better than any QB we have had recently). Not sure why Wilder is on this list...he wont be a high pick, but I feel he will be a good one for whoever takes him, but he wouldnt have been a 1st round pick next year.
Based on how he's played this year, how Clowney doesn't make this list is puzzling.
What do u mean? You think just because his stats aren't there that he's played bad this year?
Well, yes. If you don't produce that isn't a really good year. Plus, if you watch the guy this year he doesn't leap out at you other than announcers talking about him all the time.
Based on how he's played this year, how Clowney doesn't make this list is puzzling.
What do u mean? You think just because his stats aren't there that he's played bad this year?
I think Clowney is a sure thing.. Rarely do you see a straight up freak like this coming out. im also confused about wilder on the list.
Shouldn't this list be all the kids in the draft pool. Recall that linebacker from Wake Forest a few years back who was the "safe pick" and "sure thing"....how is that working out?
To be fair injuries wrecked his career.
Shouldn't this list be all the kids in the draft pool. Recall that linebacker from Wake Forest a few years back who was the "safe pick" and "sure thing"....how is that working out?
To be fair injuries wrecked his career.
Aaron Curry wasnt an injury bust. he just sucked really bad
Based on how he's played this year, how Clowney doesn't make this list is puzzling.
What do u mean? You think just because his stats aren't there that he's played bad this year?
I think Clowney is a sure thing.. Rarely do you see a straight up freak like this coming out. im also confused about wilder on the list.
I think Clowney's physical skills are a sure thing. His drive and desire are questionable. Plenty of NFL stories about those with the physical gifts who flamed out and those who survived through heart and will alone.
Shouldn't this list be all the kids in the draft pool. Recall that linebacker from Wake Forest a few years back who was the "safe pick" and "sure thing"....how is that working out?
To be fair injuries wrecked his career.
Aaron Curry wasnt an injury bust. he just sucked really bad
You're right, I was thinking about Tatupu.
LMAO at Jdud's Donald being on this bust list.
