You spend so much time preparing for your draft; studying player’s past perfomanaces, checking out possible sleepers, breakout candidates, and up and coming rookies. Yet your season can be lost with just a couple of draft picks that fail to meet your  expectations. Here are some potential busts that you should consider avoiding if possible…

1. Reggie Bush-RB- Dolphins- Whenever his name comes up, not long after, the word ‘injury’ undoubtedly follows. Although last year was an anomaly for Bush, he did manage to miss 20 games over the 2010 and 2009 seasons. He rushed for 1086 yards and 6 TDs last season but can you sleep at night without wondering if or when another injury could impede his season? Is his 6 TD’s worth that kind of worry?

#22 Reggie Bush is a tackle away from yet another injury. RB Daniel Thomas will take more carries away from Bush as well. Photo: Marc Serota/Getty Images

2. Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Steelers- My rule of thumb when it comes to running backs coming off of ACL or MCL or any major injury is “let the buyer beware.” Mendenhall is such a back. He tore his right ACL in week 17 and more than likely will begin the season on the PUP list. He wasn’t having a great season before his injury and without knowing how viable a RB he’ll be this year, try to avoid drafting the sexy name, and seek another option instead.

3. Josh Freeman-QB-Buccaneers- Freeman and the next potential bust, Vincent Jackson almost go hand in hand. Mark Sanchez wasn’t the only QB to regress last year. Freeman managed to finish the season with the league’s second most picks, 22 against 16 TDs. Rookie sensation Doug Martin, (one of our Rookie’s to consider this season), will be making up the majority of an already lackluster offense in Tampa Bay; taking some of the pressure off of Freeman. Unfortunately when games get out of hand, he’ll be forced to air it out and that’s when INT’s begin to mount up. Stay clear.

4. Vincent Jackson-WR-Buccaneers- Staying in Tampa Bay, we’re suggesting that V-Jax be avoided if possible as their are danger signs on the outspoken $56 million T.B. pickup in the off season. The offense, as stated above, will be a run heavy one (so says new head coach Greg Schiano), and by leaving the very capable passing prowess of Philip Rivers for a much lower tierd QB in Josh Freeman… well, can you spell bust?

5. Laurent Robinson-WR-Jaguars- In some ways similar to Vincent Jackson, the speedster who exploded for 11 TD’s last year with Dallas, now finds himself on a Jags team with unproven and unimpressive QB Blaine Gabbert istead of a more seasoned Tony Romo. Forget about double-digit touchdowns from Robinson this year. Maurice Jones-Drew and another rookie that we like, Justin Blackmon, will probably make up the major portion  of the Jags’ offense although as Gabbert goes, so will the Jags. Avoid or draft with caution.

6. Mark Sanchez-QB-Jets- The ‘Sanchise’ did a 180 last year and like Josh Freeman,  Sanchez suffered through a regression leading his team to a pedestrian and under achieving 8-8 finish. With the signing of  Tim Terrific, Sanchez, besides losing snaps to the southpaw will find his passes to the endzone limited because of Tebow scampering in on wildcat type of plays. Therefore don’t look for him to put up even ‘Sanchez type of numbers’ like he did in ’09 and ’10. There are other QBs to consider before grabbing this potential and probable bust.

#6 QB Mark Sanchez’ numbers will make him a potentional bust with the addition of Tim Tebow on offense. Photo: nasorb.com

Other potenial busts that you might want to consider leaving on the draft board for someone else are:

Adrian Peterson-RB-Vikings- ACL and MCL tear last Christmas Eve.

Shonn Greene- RB-Jets- Tebow will get short yardage opportunities.

Antonio Gates-TE-Chargers- Foot injuries the last two seasons.

LeGarrette Blount-RB-Buccaneers- Will take a back seat to Doug Martin.