The BUST-O-METER is back again to break down our top 15 draft bust risks. The series of articles will look at two prospects per week breaking down why I feel they have a high potential for busting. Many factors played into my ranking including potential draft position. The draft position is very important because if they are selected high than what their production warrants it puts them at a higher likely hood of busting. These articles always bring a ton of feedback and are highly controversial which is what makes them so fun.
NFL Draft BUST-O-METER: #7 Colin Kaepernick
For a reference, I like to classify a bust as someone that doesn’t live up to their draft position. This means that if a player is selected #1 overall I expect him to be a dominate player in the league. I also take into consideration what position the player is projected to play in the NFL. For example, if someone is selected in the top 10 and is projected as a rush 3-4 linebacker I expect to see a high sack total. Of course, there are many other factors that are specific for each player so check out the rest of the article after the JUMP.
Also don’t forget to stop by our Scouting Reports page to get an in-depth look at each prospect.
BUST-O-METER: 7 out of 10
Projected Draft Range: 2nd- 4th Round
Thoughts: Prior to the season, the talk surrounding Kaepernick was a possible position change. Move forward to now and he is being discussed as a possible 2nd round selection. Kaepernick has enjoyed a major rise in draft stock with many evaluators feeling he has great potential. There is no doubting his strong arm and athletic ability which make him an intriguing prospect. He is also a great leader and appears to have that ‘it’ factor many look for in a quarterback.
However, while athletic ability is present he still has a ton of question marks. Kaepernick has a long and awkward delivery that will need to be adjusted. His deliver will delay his release of the football impacting his ability to squeeze it into the tighter passing windows in the NFL. His footwork and balance need to be completely adjusted. As he drops in the pocket, he crosses his feet and rarely is squared to this target. His poor footwork will directly impact his ability to deliver an accurate ball. His technique is also full of false steps and wasted motions which also impact the quickness of this delivery. Lastly, his college offense did not give him the skills necessary to be a successful NFL quarterback. The pistol offense employed an attack focusing on Kaepernick’s ability to create with this legs. There will be an adjustment period as Kaepernick learns to run an pro style offense and read defenses.
I feel that Kaepernick is a bust candidate because of the points above and the fact that he is being considered in the 2nd round. His success will be directly related to what team he is selected by and what coaches are working with him. Don’t expect Kaepernick to make an impact early in his career.
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