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Six hyped NFL players doomed to struggle

Carlos Hyde, 49ers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As is the case every year leading up to the regular season, expectations for certain hyped NFL players are about to be crushed.

Take for example last year’s Jimmy Graham trade to the Seattle Seahawks. We all know that did not play out so well. Just like Graham, there are players entering scenarios that will lead to some frustrating moments throughout the season.

On that note, the following list of players could easily struggle or take some steps back in 2016.

Jared Goff, quarterback, Los Angeles Rams

hyped NFL players, Jared Goff

After living life as the most hyped rookie entering the 2016 NFL Draft, then the preseason, Goff has earned the role of third-string quarterback.

Goff completed only 22-of-49 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions this preseason. He also fumbled the times, two of which ended in turnovers, and took four sacks for a loss of 29 yards.

The above stats and his overall awkwardness in the pocket prove the No. 1 overall pick is nowhere near set to take the stage at this time.

It is possible that the Rams will turn to Goff at some point in 2016 if Case Keenum or Sean Mannion struggles or gets injured. After all, the team doesn’t exactly have a quarterback the caliber of Aaron Rodgers  on its roster.

If or when we see Goff again, he is bound to face some on-field jitters.

Carlos Hyde, running back, San Francisco 49ers

It is easy to once again get excited about Hyde following a splendid preseason turnout.

Hyde rushed for a total of 85 yards on 15 carries, which equates to a tidy 5.7 yards per attempt. He also scored one rushing touchdown and had a 27-yard long dash.

He is slated to hit the field as the No. 1 back for the 49ers, with Shaun Draughn and Mike Davis stashed neatly behind.

This is all fine and dandy, but we must keep in mind Hyde’s already shown himself to be injury prone. He missed most of last year and then sustained a concussion in preseason Week 3, which is all the more reason to pump the brakes on the former Ohio State standout.

When on the field and healthy, Hyde is a force for defenders to shut down. If he can manage his first full 16-game season and play healthy, it would be considered a small miracle.

Mackensie Alexander, cornerback, Minnesota Vikings

Alexander shined in the preseason. It would be easy to say he’s an excellent addition to the Vikings’ roster after falling to the second round in the 2016 draft.

After managing two interceptions – something only eight other defensive backs recorded in the preseason, Alexander totally deserves some hype. The Clemson product also tallied 18 combined tackles along the way.

However, part of the reason Alexander slipped past the first round in this year’s draft was because he failed to record a single interception over his 23 games in college.

It is easy to get swept up in Alexander’s preseason success. That said, it is highly unlikely Alexander will continue at this thunderous pace. If he did, he would finish 2016 with eight interceptions and 234 combined tackles. These numbers are practically off the charts for seasoned veterans.

Instead, we expect Alexander to have his share of rookie mistakes in a lesson-filled first NFL campaign.

Sterling Shepard, wide receiver, New York Giants

Behind Goff, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, Shepard’s name has been all over news headlines. Based on his training camp showings, he’s been projected as a top standout this season.

He was even mistaken by the Giants defensive coordinator for Odell Beckham Jr. earlier in the summer.

Sadly, the Oklahoma star may struggle this year due to the ineptness of the Giants’ floundering offensive line. If the preseason is any sampling of what is in store for Shepard, fans aught to temper their excitement.

During Shepards’s limited snaps in four preseason games he tallied only three catches resulting in 38 yards and zero scores.

Plus, Shepard will compete with veteran Victor Cruz, who apparently has impressed head coach Ben McAdoo.

There is no denying what Shepard is capable of when he is unleashed. Though, various obstacles beyond the rookie’s control might limit his production some this season.

Jamaal Charles, running back, Kansas City Chiefs

Those who have high expectations for Charles when he returns, especially when it comes to fantasy football, would be wise to reconsider.

A recent report by the team suggested that Charles might not even play in Week 1.

Jamaal CharlesAfter Charles departed in Week 5 with a torn ACL, the Chiefs still managed to rank No. 6 in the league rushing the ball by the season’s end. With that stated, there is no logical rush to get Charles back onto the field if he is not 100 percent.

And when the four-time Pro-Bowler does return, health preservation is key. So far in his eight-year career with the Chiefs, Charles has maintained an average of 5.5 yards per carry. While he might continue this pace, it would appear Charles’ workload will be smaller.

Both Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware proved plenty capable covering in tandem for Charles last year.

Josh Norman, cornerback, Washington Redskins

Not only does Norman have to live up to the hype of being the highest paid cornerback in the league, he has to remain the “best cornerback on earth.”

Norman is good at his position, but his head entering the 2016 season has swollen beyond the size of a large beach ball. Granted, he tallied four interceptions and returned two for touchdowns in his final season with the Carolina Panthers.

Though, now he is learning a new defensive scheme believed to be more complex than when he played with his former team.

If this is not reason enough to cause Norman to stumble up, his time spent commentating on the NFL at least 10 times per year this season could be (more on that here).

If anybody thinks all of the above could be a recipe for a bit of a disaster in Norman’s corner this year, you are surely not alone.

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