Which NFL Rookies Are The Biggest Flops In 2014?

Sep 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) makes a catch in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Lions 24-7 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Many rookies are already making a name for themselves in 2014.  Which one are finding the NFL to be much less hospital than they probably expected?

Jadeveon Clowney – #1 overall – Houston Texans

Red flags followed Jadeveon Clowney from college, particularly in regards to his health and leave it to him to validate those worries by getting hurt just one game into the season.  He hasn’t played a single snap since Week 1.  Some dispute how quickly he is or isn’t recovering.  The bottom line is he’s still on the sideline halfway through the season, and he’s the #1 overall pick.  The Houston Texans must be thrilled.

Eric Ebron – #10 overall – Detroit Lions

With Calvin Johnson going down to injury, it should’ve been the ideal opportunity for tight end Eric Ebron to show the NFL world why the Detroit Lions spent a top 10 pick on him.  The haunting symbolism of that?  He has 10 catches for 103 yards at a modest 10.3 yards per play with one touchdown.  The impact of his presence on the field is minimal and already looking like a wasted investment by a team that really didn’t need tight end help to begin with.

Ryan Shazier – #15 overall – Pittsburgh Steelers

He was supposed to help usher in the next generation of linebackers for the Pittsburgh Steelers with his amazing speed and athleticism but Ryan Shazier has not lived up to his billing.  After a strong preseason he has lost steam, suffering a string of injury issue and struggling in areas that were supposedly his strength at Ohio State.  How much is that him and how much is playing on a bad defense?  Hard to say but the fact is Shazier isn’t performing as hoped.

Dominique Easley – #29 overall – New England Patriots

It was a puzzling pick during the NFL draft and it’s no less puzzling now.  The New England Patriots took Dominique Easley with the idea he would help their pass rush become more active in 2014.  However experts were skeptical of him being taken so high given his history of knee injuries at Florida.  His struggles on the field aren’t changing minds.  In six games he has no sacks and two pressures in 147 snaps.  That is not production worthy of a 1st round pick.