One of the biggest fears every football fan shares is that their favorite team will select a bust in the first round of the NFL Draft. The list of failed first-rounders is longer than its counterpart, and the sad reality of the NFL draft is that only half of the first 32 picks will end up having a respectable career. Even fewer will become league stars.
The 2020 NFL draft will be no different. Several first-rounders from this year’s class won’t live up to their draft status; they might not even earn a second contract in the league.
Here’s a look at four first-round picks who have serious bust potential.
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Cardinals
Before you call me crazy for thinking Simmons has bust potential, remember this: We still don’t know what his NFL role will be. The Cardinals will begin his career at linebacker, but if he struggles, there’s a shot they’ll move him to safety. That’s not always a good thing. Simmons needs time to develop into his NFL role and Arizona has to be patient along the way. In today’s NFL, patience is hard to find.
If the Cardinals start messing with where he plays, Simmons could quickly turn into another high-level athlete who couldn’t find a long-term home in the NFL.
