With the 2015 NFL draft beginning in less than one week, it’s reasonable to be excited about the potential this year’s class brings. However, it’s important to remember that potential doesn’t always provide instant results on the field. Even if the San Francisco 49ers get the highest grade among all teams the week after the draft, there’s every chance that we’ll look back a decade hence and wonder what went wrong.
A decade ago, Troy Williamson, David Pollack and Erasmus James were considered first-round talents who would fundamentally change the face of their franchises, and yet all were washed up after a few seasons at best.