In case you were holding out for good draft advice

The time has finally come: draft season is upon us. Ever since the summer started, I’ve been studying harder (sorry, mom) than I had all school year. But, let’s be clear about one thing: I didn’t do all that studying for myself, I did it for the Spectrum’s loyal audience so that they could take the summer off and relax. So, here’s the best advice I can give you before you draft.

Nobody likes to waste draft picks on busts, but finding those busts is easier said than done. I’m not guaranteeing that each of these players will bust, but I am telling you that it’s not worth the risk to draft them where they’re being drafted now. Keep in mind that the season isn’t won on draft night. It’s crucial that you pay attention to your team throughout the season. Without further ado, these are my bust picks for this season’s draft.

RB’s Melvin Gordon and Ezekiel Elliott

Who could forget Le’Veon Bell’s season last year? He was drafted most often as one of the top two picks in the draft, and he didn’t play a single snap. This year, Chargers RB Gordon and Cowboys RB Elliott are in similar contract disputes. Both of these players could sort out their contracts before the season starts, but why risk it? These two are going in the second and first rounds, respectively. In those rounds, you are better off going with a player you know is going to play. Let someone else in your league take that shot, and holdout on them until their holdouts are over.

WR Amari Cooper

Even if I ignored the contract dispute with the Cowboys and the heel injury that’s keeping him out through the rest of the preseason, I would still advise against drafting Amari Cooper. Believers in Cooper will tell you that he finished with over 1000 yards last season even though he got traded mid-season. My counterpoint to that is that Amari Cooper is inconsistent no matter who he plays for. In eight games with Dallas last year, Cooper accumulated 725 yards and six touchdowns. If you take away his two monster performances, he had 328 yards and only one touchdown. Cooper will probably finish as a top 15 WR, but you won’t be happy that you spent a third-round pick on him.

QB Drew Brees

Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the game, even at the ripe age of 40. He’s also on one of the league’s top three offenses. So why is he a bad investment as the 7th QB off the board? Last season, Brees failed to reach 4000 yards and 500 attempts for the first time as a Saint. He was hyper-efficient, but his volume has been expectedly decreasing since the Saints improved their defense. Why take Brees as the 7th QB when his ceiling is around the 5th overall QB? In order for him to make the top 5, you are banking on the Saints defense being worse than last year. There are picks with more upside you could take rounds later.

TE Eric Ebron

It’s no secret that Andrew Luck loves his tight ends. The starting TE for the Colts always has value. But who exactly is the starting TE? I’m inclined to believe it’s Jack Doyle when he’s healthy. Ebron might be the bigger end zone threat, but do you really want a boom-or-bust player as your starting tight end? Ebron is currently the 10th TE off the board and the 89th player taken. If you are selecting your first tight end at this point in the draft, you might as well shoot for someone who could command a larger target share in their offense. Mark Andrews (Ravens) and Darren Waller (Raiders) stand out to me as virtually free options in the draft who could become centerpieces in their respective offenses.

Editors note: this piece was written before Andrew Luck *gasp* retired