2021 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2021 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2021 NFL Draft Day-Three Sleepers
Published April 27, 2021.
By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
In the recent weeks, there have been a lot of questions about which players to avoid in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Every draft has some players who are selected highly only to becoming massive disappointments in the NFL. Here, we breakdown some potential busts in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
A survey of team sources by WalterFootball.com returned Rousseau’s name more than any other player as the most overhyped and overrated player in the 2021 NFL Draft. A number of team sources think Rousseau is going to be a bust. Some teams have him graded in the second and third round, but Rousseau looks likely to be selected in the first round.
Rousseau is not an explosive, fast edge rusher and also lacks physicality. He is going to have to become a power player in the NFL, and I’m not sure that he will develop into that. He also is a 1-year wonder who sat out the 2020 season, losing a year of development to improve his pass-rushing moves, taking on and shedding blocks, sharpening his read-and-react skills, and playing against a variety of opponents. He also had one serious season-ending leg injury during his college career. I would not be at all surprised if Rousseau is a bust, and I think he has the most bust potential of any first-round prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Wilson could be a second-day pick in the 2021 NFL Draft based on his 2019 season, but his 2020 campaign was awful. He was a complete non-factor as a pass rusher as a senior, looking like he was stuck in concrete. On top of looking bad to close out his college career, team sources say Wilson is a pain to deal with and has the reputation as a locker room lawyer. Of the 2021 defensive tackle prospects, I think a team could reach on Wilson and end up disappointed.
Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Moses could go as high as the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and it would not be shocking if he turns out as a disappointment. Moses struggled in 2020 coming off an ACL tear and did not look like an instinctive linebacker for the NFL. Adding in durability concerns, I could see Moses having some issues panning out as a pro.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
There are some projections of Samuel going in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but he faces major size issues and never played up to his timed speed. In fact, scouts felt that he was not fast at all, but he managed to run well at his pro day. Regardless of the speed, I think Samuel (5-10, 180) is going to have major mismatch size problems at the next level. That could be seen in the Notre Dame game last season, and NFL teams won’t be able to just hide that issue in the slot, as big wideouts move inside as well. It would not surprise me if he tops out as backup corner and special teams contributor. I know some teams that have Samuel graded in the third and fourth round. Thus, I think there is a real possibility that Samuel could get drafted too high and end up being a bust as a projected starter.
Caden Sterns, S, Texas
Sterns came on like gang busters as a freshman at Texas. He looked like he was going to be a star, but his next two seasons were underwhelming. Sterns wasn’t a bad player, but the playmaking ability he flashed as a freshman was severely diminished. There are some projections of Sterns as an early-round pick, but he looks more like a backup caliber and special teams contributor in the NFL. As an early-rounder, I think Sterns has the potential to disappoint.
2021 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Offense | 2021 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Defense
2021 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2021 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2021 NFL Draft Day-Three Sleepers
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