2019 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2019 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2019 NFL Draft Day-Three Sleepers
Published April 18, 2019.
By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
In the recent weeks, there have been a lot of questions about which players to avoid in the 2019 NFL Draft class. Every draft has some players who are selected high only to becoming massive disappointments in the NFL. Here, we break down some potential defensive busts in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame Of the early-round prospects, I think there is the most risk with Tillery. Tillery was inconsistent on the field and would disappear at times even though he had the physical talent to dominate. Tillery has a good skill set but didn’t always play up to it. On top of that, teams have red flagged his draft report with serious character concerns. Every source with a handful of teams that went through Notre Dame heard about significant character issues with Tillery. It is so well known that even during TV broadcasts there were mentions of Tillery being a bad teammate and he was trying to change that. Team sources say not only are they concerned about Tillery in the locker room, they also are worried about him failing tests and getting suspensions in the NFL. With his inconsistent play on the field and the issues off the field, I think Tillery has the most bust potential.
Devin Bush, OLB, Michigan For the NFL, Bush is a seek-and-destroy linebacker. His best trait is world-class speed for a 5-foot-11, 234-pound linebacker. Bush can flat out fly as he patrols sideline to sideline, possessing the ability to cover a ton of ground. However, the reason why I have Bush as having bust potential is because his instincts look average. As Tony Dungy would say, instincts are the most important trait for any successful NFL linebacker. I think the lack of instincts is reflected in Bush’s tackle total of 78 last year despite playing in a running conference. I think Bush will stick in the NFL and be a starter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up disappointing because his instincts don’t allow him to be as productive as his skill set says he should be.
Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson In speaking to some team sources, Mullen is a polarizing prospect. The sources who like him have graded him in the second round, which illustrates that even they see flaws because he has a first-round skill set. The evaluators who don’t like him have him graded as a late-third- or fourth-round pick. I don’t like Mullen’s technique in coverage. I think his feet are problematic, putting him on his heels and off balance. I think he is going to have issues allowing separation against NFL receivers and could end up being a bust.
Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama Thompson looked like a future first-round pick early in 2018, but that turned out to be a flash in the pan as he really struggled in the second half of the season. Thompson stopped making plays on the ball, missed tackles, missed interceptions, and ended up getting picked on deep downfield, including in ugly performances against Georgia, Oklahoma and Clemson. His vision, ball skills, and tackling looked like liabilities going against future NFL quarterbacks and receivers. Thompson could still end up going in the early rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft, but I think he carries significant bust potential.
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2019 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2019 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2019 NFL Draft Day-Three Sleepers
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