BUST-O-METER
BUST-O-Meter: Carlos Dunlap
The NFL Draft is suppose to be a time where teams fill their rosters with young promising players that will ensure success in the future, unfortunately this isn’t always the case. Year in and Year out players are selected and fail to live up to their potential and are labeled BUSTS. These Busts could potentially have a crippling affect on a franchises future. Some of the more famous draft Busts are Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Lawrence Phillips, and Ki-Jana Carter. How a bust is determined is too undefined to get into details about.
A prime example is the 6 straight losing seasons following the Bengals failure to develop Akili Smith into a capable NFL starter. Compare that to the 6 straight winning seasons produced by the Chargers after drafting Phillip Rivers in 2004. Of course these players are not solely responsible for their team’s success or failures but they did have a major impact.
After looking over the players projected to go in the first round I was amazed how many gave me an uneasy feeling. I am going to start a weekly BUST-O-METER and examine those players who I feel have the biggest red flags. I encourage that all the readers get involved and suggest potential busts of the week. You can email me by clicking the mail link by my user profile. I also encourage good conversation on the comment sections. Leave comments to help me feel better about a player or continue to add on the pile.
Player:
Carlos Dunlap- DE- FLA.
BUST-O-METER:
7 out of 10
Thoughts:
Carlos Dunlap is one of those players that when you see in the gym or at workouts you are left with that special tingling feeling. Dunlap has that rare size and athletic ability that makes you believe that he will be a dominate pass rusher. The problem arises when Dunlap tries to put it all together. Dunlap often negates his physical abilities with poor technique and lack of concentration. Dunlap also character concerns. Dunlap was arrested for a DUI just a few days before the SEC championship game against Alabama. This poor decision has many NFL teams questioning his maturity and commitment to the game.
These issues have lead to a slide in Dunlap’s draft stock, which lead to his 7 out of 10 on the Bust-O-Meter. Dunlap’s draft position will have a lot to do about his bust potential. It’s obvious that Dunlap has the talent to succeed at the next level but does he have the drive and maturity? I have a feeling that as draft day nears teams will focus more on the ability and less on the character which could lead to a team over drafting Dunlap.
Potential Teams: Rams team needs, Buccaneers team needs, Seahawks team needs, Titians team needs, Colts team needs, Falcons team needs, Eagles team needs
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