2022 NFL Draft: 5 players most likely to be a bust

3. Travon Walker, DE (Georgia)

Travon Walker was part of a domiannt Georgia defense

Travon Walker was perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the 2022 NFL Draft Combine, with his athletic display seeing him burst up the draft boards.

There is always a danger of a strong athlete being pushed into a position their talent doesn’t warrant. This usually ends up in a player being a bust.

The 2022 NFL Draft saw Walker immediately become the talk of the first-round rumor mill. Some even pointed towards the Detroit Lions taking him at No. 2 overall, if they don’t trade back.

Standing at 6ft 5in with 35-inch arms, Walker looks like a Defensive End that you would construct in a laboratory. His physique is monstrous, but his game-tape simply doesn’t match up to the hype his body has created.

He lacks any real pass-rushing moves, despite a mesmerizing 6.89 three-cone time. Also, he struggles to move around offensive linemen.

Walker doesn’t have the skilled hands to outmaneuver a lineman, and he relies too much on his length to make tackles against running plays.

Coaching a player like him will be vital, and he could be turned into a productive quarterback rushing presence if taught correctly. However, at this point, he just lacks that edge.

If he drops back down to a middle-pick in the first-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, then you could say it’s a worthwhile, high-ceiling selection.

However, if the Lions make the move for him at #2, you’re running the risk of an expensive bust. The player may simply not have the talent to match his draft position.

---

2. Derek Stingley Jr. CB (LSU)

Stingley just hasn't been able to stay fit

Derek Stingley Jr. is considered one of the most talented cornerbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft, although there are a lot of risks associated with selecting him.

If you were to just look at his ability in the position, you’d say it was unlikely that the LSU star would be a bust. But you need to look a little deeper with this one.

Injury problems are the main concern with the defender having torn a ligament in his left foot which ended his 2021 season prematurely.

He came through pro-day activities easily enough. But, over the past two seasons, he has played just 10 games for LSU and missed the 2022 NFL Draft Combine.

Stingley’s play in 2019 was exceptional as he recorded six interceptions and 15 pass deflections. Yet, injuries have stopped him progressing.

He hasn’t had a single interception since 2019, which even when you factor in his availability issues, is a huge red-flag for a cornerback.

Ankle injuries preceded his latest foot issue, and teams are understood to be wary of just how often Stingley will be able to get on the field in 2022.

---

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE (Oregon)

Thibodeaux needs to prove to NFL teams that he loves football

Kayvon Thibodeaux may be the most outspoken player in the 2022 NFL Draft class, but he has talked himself out of a top-10 selection for sure.

His edge rushing ability is excellent. But it is very revealing that in little over a year, he has slipped from a favorite to be selected #1 overall to many experts believing he will be picked after #10.

The problem with Thibodeaux is his work ethic. Teams are concerned that he shares this trait with Jadeveon Clowney and doesn’t work hard on every single play.

He averaged just 6.3 sacks per season at Oregon and rarely jumps off the page when watching the game-tape. This once again supports the view that he takes too many plays off.

Whether or not this can be coached out of him remains to be seen. Some teams are even balking at Thibodeaux’s multiple other interests away from the game, including his own cryptocurrency.

It’s perhaps unfair to suggest that a player having multiple interests is something that could lead to them being an NFL bust, but teams look at these things in detail.

Thibodeaux has serious talent in his position. He wouldn’t have ever been ranked as the best player in the 2022 NFL Draft class if that wasn’t the case. However, if he is still selected high, you worry that the team will always be waiting for more, expecting more, just as was the case with Clowney.