2015 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense
2015 NFL Draft Day-Two Values: Offense | 2015 NFL Draft Day-Two Values: Defense
2015 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2015 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2015 NFL Draft Day-Three Sleepers
Published April 26, 2015.
By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
In the recent weeks, there have been a lot of questions about which players to avoid in the 2015 NFL Draft class. Every draft has some players who are selected early only to becoming massive disappointments in the NFL. Here, we breakdown some potential busts in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Marcus Mariota, Oregon I predicted Johnny Manziel for this last year, and that looks likely to come true after his disastrous rookie season. This year, the only quarterback who I see having bust potential is Mariota. I don’t think it’s definite, but I could see a pathway for it. Mariota has a lot of work to do to develop as a pocket passer. He has to get better at working through his progressions and seeing the field. Mariota also has accuracy issues and will have to learn to throw the ball into tight windows. All of that he didn’t do at Oregon.
Also, Mariota will be chosen high in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and that could force him onto the field sooner than when he is ready. Mariota should go the Aaron Rodgers route and sit to develop his overall game before playing. Mariota also needs continuity in his scheme. Going to a team that changes offensive coordinators every season would be terrible for his development.
I’m not betting on Mariota to bust, but I think it is possible.
Mike Davis, South Carolina Entering the 2014 season, I was really excited about Davis and so were NFL scouts, but the 2014 proved the junior is just a No. 2 back for the NFL. The 5-foot-9, 217-pounder is limited as a runner and doesn’t have a great burst for the next level. Davis could get drafted on the second day of the 2015 NFL Draft, but I think he’s only going to be a backup runner even though he could be selected to be a featured starter.
Devin Funchess, Michigan There were two receivers I strongly considered for this with Dorial Green-Beckham being the other candidate. I almost went with Green-Beckham because his off-the-field issues are significant, and even as a player, he was never as good as the hype is suggesting he is. I ended up going with Funchess because there is a lot that I question about him translating to the NFL. Funchess (6-4, 232) is big and slow. I don’t think he is going to get separation from NFL cornerbacks or free safeties. While he has issues separating, he also doesn’t impress on 50-50 balls as defensive backs had success out-fighting him for balls. Funchess isn’t all that physical despite being big. Sources also said that Funchess didn’t interview well and they came away less than impressed. I think Funchess stands a good chance of being a bust because I don’t think he translates well to the NFL.
Nick O’Leary, Florida State O’Leary could be selected on the second day of the 2015 NFL Draft and has some bust potential with him. He looks like an H-back type, but his speed is the real question for the NFL. As his 4.94-second time at the Combine illustrated, O’Leary could lack the ability to separate from NFL safeties and some linebackers. O’Leary has good hands and runs good routes, but he isn’t a real force as a receiver and doesn’t make a huge impact as a blocker. O’Leary could be a role player only in the NFL and may just be a good college player who doesn’t translate to the NFL.
La’el Collins, LSU The two candidates I really considered here were Collins and Florida’s D.J. Humphries. Humphries has a lot of physical talent but has major durability issues. Still, he’s played well when healthy. In my opinion, Collins is being overrated. He really didn’t achieve movement in the ground game in 2014 and can struggle with dynamic edge rushers. I think Collins would be better as a guard or right tackle in the NFL. If he played right tackle or guard, I think that would dramatically reduce his bust potential. However, Collins will most likely be drafted to play left tackle, which I think makes him a possible bust.
2015 NFL Draft Day-Two Values: Offense | 2015 NFL Draft Day-Two Values: Defense
2015 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2015 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2015 NFL Draft Day-Three Sleepers
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