The NFL Draft is a fickle process. The promise of top prospects gives fans and teams around the league hope, but inevitably a few of those promising young prospects end up as busts. This year is no different. Here are three prospects who are expected to be drafted in the first round but will end up as busts:
3) DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks
Buckner is expected to be a top 10 pick, but he simply hasn't proven he's worth that kind of selection. Teams may get caught up with Buckner's physical tools (6'7", 290 lbs.), yet he starred on one of the worst defenses in the country. Raw with his technique, Buckner occasionally put up good numbers against bad competition (or when backups came in) but was never able to consistently make a tangible impact. As a result, he often faded out of games.
2) Leonard Floyd, OLB/DE, Georgia Bulldogs
Floyd is one of those late-rising prospects because of his workouts, and that's something that always alarms me. He has tremendous ability to rush the passer, but he really struggles when he's asked to do anything else. He lacks good instincts, is far too stiff in coverage, and is really bad at reading opposing offenses. As a result, he's very hesitant when attacking a ball-carrier and often overruns plays.
He also isn't the biggest guy at 244 lbs, something that has caused similar players (like Barkevious Mingo) to go from high draft picks to forgettable NFL players.
1) Jared Goff, QB, Cal Golden Bears
It's not exactly a secret that Los Angeles traded for the No. 1 pick in the draft to get Goff, but that's a mistake. Though Goff is the top QB prospect in this class, he simply isn't worth drafting to be a franchise quarterback. His eye-popping numbers were a product of Cal's spread offensive system - a system which every quarterback has had big-time issues when trying to learn the NFL game - and his inability to show up in big games (eight touchdowns, eight interceptions combined against Utah, USC, Oregon, and Stanford) is a major red flag. Goff also isn't a winner, going 14-23 in his three-year career.
Don't get caught up in all the "great throwing motion" noise. I don't care how pretty you look throwing the ball if there are other issues. I get why the Rams made the trade. They're in a win-now situation and need a quarterback to make the happen. However, they'll end up regretting this pick.
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