2012 NFL Draft "All Bust" List Part 3

By:  Bobby Shores

If you have read the 2011 "All Bust" List plus the first two parts (here and here) of the 2012 list (and if you haven't then do it now....please) then you already know what I am doing here, but just in case... The list focuses on picks that generated a lot of pre-draft and post draft buzz that I do not believe will live up to expectations. Particularly early to mid round picks, the first few parts of this list focused more on mid and late round picks, now it's time to get down to the first rounders.

About to get blown up...again

Riley Reiff-OT-Lions - It's not that I think Reiff will be a bad NFL Player, I just don't think he will be a good Left Tackle, I see him as a Right Tackle at best, and a Guard at worst. I did not even see him as a first round pick as he lacks the strength needed (especially with the punch) and has a narrow base and sloppy footwork which really shows when he's in pass protection.

His lack of strength and sloppy pass protection technique was highlighted in the Insight Bowl this past year when he was repeatedly blown up in pass protection by multiple Oklahoma rushers. He has all the intagibles and was a championship wrestler which is why I think he will find a position and be an average player, much like Robert Gallery. As a left tackle in a passing league, on a team that passes as much as the Lions, no chance (sorry @Hail2MI).

Michael Brockers-DL-Rams - Another player that scared me when listening to the rumors that the Cowboys were locked in on him at #14. Brockers is another defensive lineman that reminds me of Marcus Spears (not because of the LSU connection) as just a space eating defensive end in a 3-4 defense.

Brockers couldn't get to the QB

What he does bring to the table is a high motor, even if he is being double teamed he fought until the whistle. Much like Barron above, what keeps him from being worth a high first round pick is his lack of pass rush ability in a pass first league. In college he was routinely replaced on passing downs, while LSU has a lot of linemen that will be in the NFL, if he couldn't stay on the field in college for passing downs, what makes you think that he will be effective on 3rd down at the NFL level?

What does intrigue me about Brockers though is his age and physical talents, and that high motor which is common of guys that have a strong work ethic which he is rumored to have. At only 22 and still getting used to his big athletic body (he arrived at LSU as a linebacker), I think his ceiling is much higher than most draft prospects. His inexperience and seemingly high ceiling would be a MAJOR positive on most teams, but it kind of scares me since he was drafted by the Rams.

Regardless of the coach and general manager combination, the Rams have failed at developing defensive lineman (and offensive lineman but that's another article). Don't forget that much like the Chiefs they have wasted many picks (though not as many high picks) on defensive lineman the last few years; like Chris Long (as the #2 overall pick has been a disappointment but not a bust), Hall Davis, Eugene Sims, George Selvie, Darell Scott, Adam Carriker, Claude Wroten, Anthony Hargrove, Jimmy Kennedy....you get the picture....

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