2017 Rookie Top 6 Bust Potential

[schiewerma21]

Oh and I'm not saying fournette isn't a top pick. I'm just saying if you want who is the Trent Richardson level risk? It's him. He doesn't love football. He loves the life of being a football player. I don't even blame him btw. Signing with roc nation was a mistake from get go. (Financially great) but they got him involved with a huge under armor deal and a couple others and this kid feels like he's made it before hes played a down. Again I believe the top reason guys don't work out is character. And the smalls things do matter. Last year, treadwell was the ONLY player I saw turn his hat backwards walking accross the stage when he got drafted. Maybe you didn't notice. Maybe you also think I'm an "idiot" for thinking that matters but I remember looking at my partner on our between the 20s podcast and we both said something about it right away. He also just happened to be probably the biggest non injury wr zero I can remember in a long time his rookie year. Coincidence? Maybe.

Fournette might enough where it doesn't matter. No doubt his physical gifts are special. But a 2 down back that doesn't love football? Not for me.

Oh and when he weighs in at his pro day still over 235 and doesn't do any of the drills we want to see. Remember I told you so

[lukkynumber13]

Leonard Fournette "doesn't love football"? Wow. That's quite the assumption. I won't argue against it, because I don't know the dude. But I do know that a lot of smart people, whose opinions I respect, seem to think he is the very definition of the hard-working, do everything it takes to be great, etc type of football player. Maybe they're all wrong tho...

[onetwothree]

Leonard Fournette "doesn't love football"? Wow. That's quite the assumption. I won't argue against it, because I don't know the dude. But I do know that a lot of smart people, whose opinions I respect, seem to think he is the very definition of the hard-working, do everything it takes to be great, etc type of football player. Maybe they're all wrong tho...

It's amusing when people start questioning a player's heart and cherry pick things to support the claim. Cook skipped additional drills at his pro day. Did he lose his heart in the past few weeks? Or did he just get advice to maybe not risk his draft stock? Washington CB just tore his ACL during pro day and will go from 1st rd lock to maybe 3rd rd and lose millions. But sure, let's question the love of the game of some of these guys.

I don't know if he'll bust or not but there's something to be said about to the strength of character in going from being one of the most hyped prospects EVER to meeting nearly impossible expectations and making it to this point. Regardless of what he does, it'll still be a letdown to a lot of people unless he breaks every rushing record ever.

BTW, he auctioned a game worn jersey to help flood victims in 2015 but that was conveniently not mentioned because it doesn't fit the narrative of the flashy watches and cars.

[schiewerma21]

Weird that a "hyped player" said twice in 4 minuted he never dreamed about playing in the NFL.

Again maybe it's nothing but go watch that interview it's the weirdest thing I have ever seen. Maybe he's just a really honest guy?

All in regards to the drills at the combine it's the fact that he said he would literally the night before and then after being the worst in a decade at one he chose to sit them out. Maybe he got hurt doing his vertical? I don't know.

Seriously though make it part of your "process" to try to get as much intangibles as you can on these guys. It's a key element to this as talent only gets you so far.

[ThatGuyBrian]

I've never heard anyone question Fournette's work ethic...

Skipped bowl game narrative that fits into people's preconceived biases against him justified or not.

I'm probably most worried about Cook. Injury question marks, character red flags and now the athleticism profile (lack thereof).

Least worried about McCaffrey. Don't know if he'll be a superstar but I expect a long productive career.

He still was injured and would have player at or around 75-80%. He said it all through the bowl season that he would have played had he been 100%. Unlike McCaffery who was healthy and could have played.

I have no issues with Fournette's work ethic, but he does get injured a lot and that to me is the biggest knock against him.

I also think that Mixon is going to be a really good player.

Weird that a "hyped player" said twice in 4 minuted he never dreamed about playing in the NFL.

I think from that interview that is the one thing that pulled from it.

[onetwothree]

Weird that a "hyped player" said twice in 4 minuted he never dreamed about playing in the NFL.

Again maybe it's nothing but go watch that interview it's the weirdest thing I have ever seen. Maybe he's just a really honest guy?

All in regards to the drills at the combine it's the fact that he said he would literally the night before and then after being the worst in a decade at one he chose to sit them out. Maybe he got hurt doing his vertical? I don't know.

Seriously though make it part of your "process" to try to get as much intangibles as you can on these guys. It's a key element to this as talent only gets you so far.

I don't know how many players truly love playing the sport versus the fact they were just bigger, faster, stronger than most and it's a good way to get a free ride through college and possibly get to the NFL. How many people dream about the job they are in and love it? Sometimes you just do what you're good at.

Just seems nitpicky. Intangibles could be a good tiebreaker but I'd caution to read too much into any off the field stuff. Not many guys at his size can do what he does and sometimes that's all you need to know.

[jimmychoi]

"Weird that a "hyped player" said twice in 4 minuted he never dreamed about playing in the NFL"

I thought he was trying to show humility....not state that he has no desire to play the game as a professional. To me, it was an effort to not brag and show that he is grateful for the opportunity to play professional football. That's just how I interpreted it, but I'm not a language specialist. It might just be the clip I saw as well.

[lukkynumber13]

"Weird that a "hyped player" said twice in 4 minuted he never dreamed about playing in the NFL"

I thought he was trying to show humility....not state that he has no desire to play the game as a professional. To me, it was an effort to not brag and show that he is grateful for the opportunity to play professional football. That's just how I interpreted it, but I'm not a language specialist. It might just be the clip I saw as well.

Yeah I don't see his statement about not expecting to be in the NFL as a red flag AT ALL. Granted, the opposite wouldn't have been a red flag either. He's just being humble as far as I can tell.

If anything, I could make the argument that him responding like that shows that he's gotten this far based purely on his love for the game of football, rather than him aspiring to make it to the league and earn millions of dollars.