National Football League

10 NFL Rookies Already Looking Like Disappointments In 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

It’s still very early, but it’s hard to deny there are several noteworthy NFL rookies who have failed to live up to expectations. Dare I say, they’re already beginning to look like disappointments.

The transition from college to the NFL isn’t easy for most rookies. Many of them went from being the stars of the show to having to battle just to earn snaps on Sundays. So it’s easy to understand why some of them don’t quite earn their keep early on.

Some of them may even struggle enough at the start to earn a “disappointment” designation.

Now before you lose your marbles, keep in mind that the title says “looking like disappointments.” That doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve already labeled them as busts. It just means that the early returns haven’t been impressive. That could change in the blink of an eye.

Also be aware that players who were limited by injuries before Week 1 were not included in this list.

So here they are—the 10 NFL rookies who are already looking like disappointments.

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Los Angeles Rams QB, Jared Goff

Selection: First round, No. 1 overall

There have been some bad top-overall picks over the years, but it’s not often they’re sitting on the bench to start their rookie seasons. While I’m not convinced Jared Goff is a bust, it’s not promising to see him inactive for his first NFL game.

I mean, at this very moment, the first pick of the 2016 NFL Draft is currently third on the Rams’ miserable quarterback depth chart. He’s sitting behind Case Keenum, a former undrafted free agent, and Sean Mannion, a 2015 third-round pick who didn’t incite much intrigue as a rookie.

It’s more than just his depth chart positioning, though.

Goff was a mess during the preseason. He routinely missed open receivers, held the ball too long, and didn’t appear mentally ready to see significant snaps. It was clear he earned that spot at the bottom of the Rams’ depth chart.

Meanwhile, the second quarterback to come off the board just killed it in his first start for the Philadelphia Eagles. I’m wondering if the Rams are wishing they could go back and take Carson Wentz at No. 1.

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San Diego Chargers DE, Joey Bosa

Selection: First round, No. 3 overall

Man, the whole Joey Bosa-Chargers situation was a mess. Even with the rookie contract regulations, San Diego failed to get their top pick signed up until right before the end of the preseason. It was another example of the poor way things are being run in SoCal.

While I don’t necessarily think Bosa will be a bust, I feel like irreparable damage has already been done to this relationship. There’s little chance there’s going to be a happy ending with the No. 3 overall pick and the Chargers.

That’s why he’ll be a disappointment, at least in San Diego.

Even if the team trades him, the other party will have all of the leverage. The Chargers might be able to recoup a Day 2 pick out of the deal, but there’s no way they’re getting their money’s worth back for Bosa.

Realistically, he’s already been soured on San Diego. He may play out his rookie deal and should see the field at some point in 2016. However, there’s little chance he makes the impact for the Chargers he should have.

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New York Jets QB, Christian Hackenberg

Selection: Second round, No. 51 overall

I’ll admit I thought the Jets’ selection of Christian Hackenberg in the second round offered a lot of upside. The former top recruit displayed a lot of potential during his days at Penn State, so I thought maybe some NFL coaching could turn it around for him.

Unfortunately, what we’ve seen so far would convince me of the contrary.

Hackenberg was a disaster during the preseason, looking like the inaccurate, unprepared prospect that many scouts knocked him for being. The Jets saw the same thing, which is why he’s currently the No. 4 quarterback on the New York depth chart.

I mean, he got beat out by the likes of Geno Smith and Bryce Petty. If that’s not a terrible sign for the future of a young quarterback, I don’t know what is.

I’m holding out hope something clicks in the near future for Hackenberg and my prediction for him isn’t totally off. However, the early outlook isn’t great for a former five-star recruit who has quickly fallen from grace.

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Minnesota Vikings WR, Laquon Treadwell

Selection: First round, No. 23 overall

I’m starting to wonder if there was a reason other than a poor Pro Day for Laquon Treadwell’s draft-day tumble. It seemed like a blessing in disguise for the Vikings when he fell to No. 23. That may not be the case with what we’ve seen so far from the Ole Miss product, though.

At this point, he’s clearly near the bottom of the Vikings’ wide receiver depth chart. He failed to impress during training camp and made a minimal impact during the preseason, allowing Charles Johnson to secure the starting job across from Stefon Diggs. And then the opener rolled around and Treadwell didn’t see a single offensive snap.

As is the case with all of the players on this list, Treadwell can still turn it around any day now. Johnson was uninspiring in Week 1, which could open the door for the rookie to see snaps in the near future. It could also mean more opportunities for him to prove he’s not quite ready to produce for the Minnesota passing game.

I was very confident Treadwell would tear it up as a rookie, and that may still be the case. Finding his way onto the field more often would be a good start.

Dallas Cowboys RB, Ezekiel Elliott

Selection: First round, No. 4 overall

I know people are going to hate this one, but let me preface it with he’s not on this list for the same reasons as some of the other rookies.

Realistically, Ezekiel Elliott isn’t looking any bit like a bust. He hasn’t been a total wreck since joining the Cowboys. What he hasn’t done is live up to the ridiculous hype that was built up around him when Dallas made him the No. 4 overall pick.

Elliott battled injuries early during camp, was solid but not great during the preseason, and struggled mightily in his debut. While most folks assume he played well because he scored, the fact remains that he was unimpressive in Week 1. Just ask his 2.6 yards-per-carry average against the New York Giants.

For all we know, Elliott could turn it around in Week 2 and end up breaking Eric Dickerson‘s rookie rushing record like he said he would (via ESPN’s Jean-Jacques Taylor). It seems unlikely, but it’s too early to tell. Either way, he’s been a bit disappointing early on.

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San Francisco 49ers OG, Joshua Garnett

Selection: First round, No. 28 overall

It’s safe to say Joshua Garnett was one of the biggest reaches of the 2016 NFL Draft, especially after the 49ers traded up to get him. So it came as little surprise when Garnett was a healthy scratch from San Francisco’s opener.

The 49ers have been trying to get him more involved, as they’ve worked him in at both guard spots in an effort to increase his versatility. Unfortunately, he failed to beat out Zane Beadles or Andrew Tiller for a starting job, which left him watching from afar in Week 1.

While Garnett hasn’t been a complete disaster up to this point, he deserves to be labeled a “disappointment” due to his inability to make the active roster. While that could change very soon, it’s not a promising picture being painted by the Stanford product so far.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Garnett earned some starts at some point this season. However, as we make our way through September, it’s been an underwhelming showing from San Francisco’s 2016 first-round pick.

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Kansas City Chiefs CB, KeiVarae Russell

Selection: Third round, No. 74 overall

There were a lot of mixed opinions on KeiVarae Russell coming into the 2016 NFL Draft. The former Notre Dame starter put together a solid college career, but was never a standout player and was coming off a broken leg. And still, the Chiefs decided to spend a third-round pick on him.

A part of that was due to his impressive 40-yard time, which he clocked at 4.49 during the pre-draft process. Realistically, there wasn’t much beyond that to warrant such a high selection.

That makes all the more sense now, as it was announced on Wednesday (via NFL.com’s Rand Getlin) that Russell was waived by the Chiefs after only one week on the 53-man roster. While chances are high he’ll land on the practice squad if he isn’t claimed, it’s a bit surprising to see the No. 74 overall pick get the ax at this point in the season.

Seeing how early in the process it is, Russell likely wasn’t showing much for the Chiefs. It’s an even bigger statement consider Kansas City’s general lack of depth at the position. You’ll hear his name again, but this has to have people already labeling Russell a bust.

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Oakland Raiders QB, Connor Cook

Selection: Fourth round, No. 100 overall

When the Raiders traded up to get Connor Cook at the top of the fourth round, I’ll admit I was a bit shocked. Not only did I feel Cook wasn’t worth the pick, but I’m also a firm believer that Matt McGloin is an underrated backup for the Silver and Black.

So you can understand the bit of satisfaction I enjoyed when reports came out of Oakland camp that the rookie quarterback was struggling. I further enjoyed watching him stumbled during the preseason. Finally, when it was announced that McGloin had solidified the No. 2 role, I was content.

I was never impressed by Cook’s college tape. Sure, he put up good numbers, made some big plays, and won plenty of games. The arm talent was solid, but it wasn’t NFL-caliber in my opinion. I’m also a big proponent for high-character players, something I believe the Michigan State product is not.

The Raiders have always been very hit or miss with drafting backup quarterbacks. In the case of Cook, I’m confident they got much more of a Tyler Wilson than a Derek Carr.

Indianapolis Colts SS, T.J. Green

Selection: Second round, No. 57 overall

I’m sure there were a lot of heads being scratched when the Indianapolis Colts selected T.J. Green in the second round. The Clemson product wasn’t that impressive of a player in college, but a blazing 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process skyrocketed his stock.

Somehow, he still found a way to secure a starting job during training camp despite an average preseason showing. And then, in his NFL debut, Green played poorly against the Detroit Lions before falling to a knee injury. Things just haven’t been going his way.

Why I really decided to add him to this list, though, is because he’ll never live up to the expectations of a second-round pick.

Green is an average starter at best, offering more athletic potential than football talent. Sure, the Colts are going to try to get as much production out of him as possible. Unfortunately, when it’s all said and done, he will be considered a bust.

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Minnesota Vikings OT, Willie Beavers

Selection: Fourth round, No. 121 overall

Any time a fourth-round pick fails to make the final roster, it’s a huge red flag.

That’s exactly what happened in the instance of Willie Beavers, the Vikings’ fourth-round selection out of Western Michigan. Personally, I liked the pick, as I believed the massive blocker offered plenty of upside and the potential to contribute early.

Obviously that wasn’t the case, as Beavers failed to convince the Vikings to keep him around on the active roster. Instead, he’s now spending his days as a member of the Minnesota practice squad. Even with players like Matt Kalil, Andre Smith and T.J Clemmings ahead of him on the depth chart, Beavers should have found a way to crack the 53-man roster.

Just because he failed to make the roster doesn’t mean his future is dark and gloomy. However, it’s not a good sign that he’s progressing as he should be.

Hopefully Beavers can turn it around in the coming years. Otherwise, he may find himself labeled a mid-round bust in the not-so-distant future.