Photo Credit: USA Today
Every draft class has a group of draftees who look like they’re going to be big stars, but then they end up failing miserably. The 2014 draft class was, of course, no exception and a few really stand out to me. To conclude my three-part series on the 2014 draft class, here are my predictions for the 2014 rookies who were just fool’s gold.
With Tom Brady edging closer and closer to retirement, it looked like New England was setting themselves up for a good future quarterback. Unfortunately, Jimmy Garoppolo hasn’t met the steep expectations of the NFL or the New England Patriots. Garoppolo has only played in 6 regular season games and now 1 preseason game and if Brady’s suspension isn’t reduced, he will be playing in the first 4 of the season. Garoppolo’s time at Eastern Illinois really seemed to be full of accolades and overall good performances, but now it looks like he needs to get back to his former greatness. In his preseason game on Thursday, he was sacked 7 times and completed 20 of his 30 passes throughout the game.
While some of the blame lies on the shoulders of the offensive line, some of it has to lay on his shoulders as well. It looks like Garoppolo will end up being benched behind Brady for a few more years if he does not make vast improvements before the season starts. Regardless of what happens, thinking Garoppolo would be NFL ready was a mistake.
Jadeveon Clowney could have had a great season, but now he seems like a waste of a first draft pick. 2014 was supposed to be a breakout season for Jadeveon Clowney, but after a torn meniscus in his first game against the Redskins, it all went downhill for Clowney. With his recovery time expected to be around a month, it seemed like Clowney would eventually be able to bounce back, but that didn’t happen. He didn’t end up playing another game for the rest of the season due to further complications with his knee and Clowney still has yet to be taken off of the physically unable to participate list.
Currently, it looks like Clowney is officially off the PUP list and practiced with his team for the first time this season. Joining Vince Wilfork, JJ Watt, and Brian Cushing, the Texans defense could be the biggest nightmare for quarterbacks. After practice, Clowney spoke with reporters about getting back on the field, “Just happy to be back out here with my teammates. I was very excited to be out here.”
He was set to be one of the greatest quarterbacks to grace the NFL with his presence, but now it looks like he is already setting himself up for another year of disappointment. Johnny Manziel was the party boy from Texas A&M who was supposed to take the football world by storm, but after a disappointing rookie year, it looks like Manziel will end up sitting. While in college, Manziel gained a reputation and had a very cocky attitude which he brought into the NFL with him. He got a rude awakening when teams really started to give it their all and Manziel couldn’t keep up and it looks like this year is not going any better for him.
Regardless of how much Manziel and others claim he has changed, it will never be enough unless he truly and completely starts over and get his act together. For this year, the Browns will be using Manziel for backup to starting QB Josh McCown who has experience and will be able to hold the team together. Unless there’s a miracle during the season and Manziel can suddenly become a starter and be a respectable player, it looks like he will end up sitting until he can get his act together.
