The Ultimate Reality TV Show: The Biggest Busts in NFL Draft History
The NFL Draft is a highly anticipated event every year, with fans eagerly waiting to see which players their favorite teams will select. But with the excitement also comes the risk of selecting a bust – a player who fails to live up to expectations and becomes a disappointment for their franchise. While some teams have had more success than others in the draft, every team has had their fair share of busts. In this article, we will take a look at the 32 biggest busts in NFL Draft history, ranked from No. 32 to No. 1.
Kosport Magazine brings you the ultimate reality TV show – the NFL Draft. Just like in other media outlets such as BoxingNews24, TheRing, Motorsport, AutoSports, and ESPN, we will take a closer look at the biggest busts in NFL Draft history. From the highly touted prospects who failed to live up to expectations to the unexpected busts that left their teams scratching their heads, we will cover it all.
The Top 32 Biggest Busts in NFL Draft History
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Bo Jackson, No. 1 overall (1986)
Bo Jackson was far from a bust as a player, but the Buccaneers wasted this pick. Jackson had warned the Buccaneers that he would not play for them and instead pursue a career in baseball. But Tampa Bay didn’t listen and selected him anyway. Due to a technicality, Jackson was ruled ineligible to play for the Buccaneers and they had to relinquish his rights. The Raiders then selected him in the seventh round the following year, making this pick a complete waste for the Buccaneers.
- Dallas Cowboys: TE David LaFleur, No. 22 overall (1997)
Injuries to Jay Novacek forced the Cowboys to seek a tight end in the 1997 draft, and they traded up with the Eagles to select LaFleur. However, he failed to live up to expectations and only recorded 85 catches for 729 yards and 12 touchdowns in four seasons. Injuries caught up to LaFleur, and he was released before the 2001 season, never playing in the NFL again.
- New England Patriots: DL Kenneth Sims, No. 1 overall (1982)
Sims never became the next great defensive end, recording just 17 sacks in eight seasons with the Patriots. He also had off-field issues, including an arrest for possession of cocaine. Sims’ tenure with the Patriots ended in 1990, and he never made the impact that was expected of a No. 1 overall pick.
- Atlanta Falcons: LB Aundray Bruce, No. 1 overall (1988)
Bruce never lived up to the hype as a pass rusher, and he never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. He only started 33 of 62 games with the Falcons before they moved on from him. Bruce finished his career with just 32 sacks, while six-time Pro Bowler Neil Smith was picked right after him.
- Houston Texans: QB David Carr, No. 1 overall (2002)
Being a quarterback for an expansion team is tough, and Carr’s career with the Texans was plagued by poor offensive line play and injuries. He completed just 60% of his passes for 13,391 yards with 59 touchdowns and 65 interceptions in five years with the Texans. Houston moved on from Carr after the 2006 season, and he spent the rest of his career as a backup for several teams.
- Chicago Bears: QB Mitchell Trubisky, No. 2 overall (2017)
The Bears made a huge mistake by trading up one spot to draft Trubisky over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes. In four years with the Bears, Trubisky completed 64% of his passes for 10,609 yards with 64 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. He also failed to lead the Bears to a 4,000-yard passer or a 30-touchdown thrower, making this pick a major bust for the franchise.
- Buffalo Bills: OL Mike Williams, No. 4 overall (2002)
Williams failed to become the franchise tackle the Bills had hoped for, and he was eventually benched in favor of undrafted free agent Jason Peters. He started 56 games for the Bills in four seasons before being released, making this pick a disappointment for the team.
A Brief Summary
The NFL Draft is the ultimate reality TV show, with teams taking risks and hoping to find the next great player for their franchise. But with those risks also come the potential for busts, and every team has had their fair share of disappointments. From Bo Jackson’s wasted potential with the Buccaneers to Mitchell Trubisky’s failure to live up to expectations with the Bears, these are the 32 biggest busts in NFL Draft history.
The Top 10 Biggest Draft Busts in NFL History
Welcome to Kosport Magazine’s list of the top 10 biggest draft busts in NFL history. These are the players who were supposed to be franchise-changing picks, but instead ended up being major disappointments. From quarterbacks who couldn’t live up to the hype, to highly-touted linemen who never panned out, these are the players who left their teams and fans wondering “what if?” So without further ado, let’s dive into the top 10 biggest draft busts in NFL history.
10. OL John Hicks, New York Giants (1974)
John Hicks was one of the most hyped offensive linemen to enter the draft, finishing second to John Cappelletti for the Heisman Trophy. But despite a strong first season with the Giants, things never worked out for Hicks in New York. The Giants never finished higher than 16th in the league in rushing with Hicks anchoring the unit, and he was eventually traded to the Steelers after a barroom fight with a teammate. Hicks never played another NFL game after that.
9. S Matt Elam, Baltimore Ravens (2013)
The Ravens are known for their strong drafting, but even they have a miss every now and then. Matt Elam was supposed to replace Ed Reed in the secondary, but he struggled in coverage and only recorded one interception in four seasons with the team. The Ravens didn’t pick up Elam’s fifth-year option and he was out of the league after an arrest involving drugs. He never played another NFL game.
8. QB Todd Blackledge, Kansas City Chiefs (1983)
In the famous 1983 draft class that produced Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, the Chiefs selected Todd Blackledge over both of them. Blackledge never grasped the starting job in Kansas City and completed just 49.1% of his passes for 4,510 yards with 26 touchdowns and 32 interceptions in five seasons with the team. Meanwhile, Kelly and Marino went on to have illustrious careers.
7. DL Andre Wadsworth, Arizona Cardinals (1998)
The first pick behind Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, Andre Wadsworth was supposed to be a franchise-altering defensive lineman for the Cardinals. But a severe knee injury and a 44-day holdout over his rookie contract derailed his career, and he only lasted three years in the league with just 108 tackles and eight sacks in 36 games. To make matters worse, Charles Woodson was selected with the very next pick.
6. RB Leroy Keyes, Philadelphia Eagles (1969)
The Eagles passed on drafting O.J. Simpson and Mean Joe Greene to select Leroy Keyes, who was supposed to be their franchise-changing running back. But after a disappointing rookie season, Keyes was moved to defensive back and only lasted four years with the team before being out of the NFL entirely.
5. QB Heath Shuler, Washington Commanders (1994)
Washington had a few busts to choose from, but Heath Shuler stands out as their biggest draft mistake. He was supposed to be their next franchise quarterback, but he was beaten out by a seventh-round pick and only completed 47.7% of his passes for 2,403 yards with 13 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in three seasons with the team. A foot injury ended his career shortly after.
4. QB Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)
The Jaguars moved up in the first round to select Blaine Gabbert, who was supposed to be their franchise quarterback. But he only won five of his 27 starts with the team and completed just 53.3% of his passes for 4,347 yards with 22 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Jacksonville eventually traded him after three seasons.
3. QB Tim Couch, Cleveland Browns (1999)
The Browns had a few contenders for this spot, but Tim Couch stands out as their biggest draft bust. He was supposed to be the best quarterback in a heralded 1999 class, but he struggled with inconsistency and injuries, going just 22-37 as a starter and throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Cleveland didn’t find a true franchise quarterback until they drafted Baker Mayfield in 2018.
2. WR Rae Carruth, Carolina Panthers (1997)
Rae Carruth was a major disappointment on the field, catching just 62 passes for 804 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons with the Panthers. But his off-field actions are what truly make him a bust. Carruth was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder of his pregnant girlfriend and was sentenced to 18 to 24 years in prison.
1. QB Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers (2021)
It may be too early to label Trey Lance as a bust, but for now, he takes the top spot on our list. The 49ers traded up to select him with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, but he only made four starts in two years with the team before being traded to the Cowboys. Lance will now get a fresh start in Dallas, while the 49ers continue to search for their franchise quarterback.
And there you have it, the top 10 biggest draft busts in NFL history according to Kosport Magazine. These players were supposed to be franchise-changing picks, but instead, they left their teams and fans disappointed. Let this be a lesson to all teams in future drafts, do your research and choose wisely. Because one wrong pick can set your franchise back for years to come.
The Biggest Draft Busts in NFL History
Every year, the NFL draft is filled with hope and excitement as teams select the best college players to join their rosters. However, not every draft pick turns out to be a success. In fact, some players end up being major disappointments and are considered draft busts. These are players who were selected with high expectations but failed to live up to them in the NFL. In this article, we will take a look at some of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
14. Minnesota Vikings: WR Troy Williamson, No. 7 overall (2005)
The Vikings were hoping to replace the legendary Randy Moss with Williamson, who they drafted with the first-round pick acquired from the Raiders in the Moss trade. However, Williamson failed to live up to expectations and only had 79 catches for 1,067 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons with the Vikings. Meanwhile, Moss continued to have a successful career and even matched or surpassed Williamson’s career touchdown total with the Vikings in every season since the trade. After a brief stint with the Jaguars, Williamson was out of the league after the 2009 season.
13. Detroit Lions: QB Andre Ware, No. 7 overall (1990)
The Lions have a history of draft busts, but Ware is arguably their biggest one. As a Heisman Trophy winner from Houston, Ware was expected to be a star in the NFL. However, he struggled to adapt from the “Run and Shoot” offense that produced video game numbers in college. Ware was unable to beat out Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer for the starting job and only played 14 games in four seasons, completing just 51.6% of his passes for 1,112 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was out of the league by 1995 after short stints with the Raiders and Jaguars.
12. Miami Dolphins: DL Dion Jordan, No. 3 overall (2013)
The Dolphins thought they were getting the best defensive player in the draft when they selected Jordan with the third overall pick. However, he turned out to be a colossal failure in the league. Jordan started just one game in two seasons with the Dolphins and only recorded three sacks. He was also suspended three times for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, resulting in a year-long suspension in 2015 and his eventual release from the team. Jordan is currently a free agent after registering just 13.5 sacks in eight seasons. Meanwhile, All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson was selected right after Jordan.
11. Denver Broncos: DL Ted Gregory, No. 26 overall (1988)
Gregory is a prime example of why the NFL Scouting Combine exists. The Broncos never met Gregory in person and were unaware that he was much shorter than his listed height of 6-foot-1. He also had a knee injury, which the Broncos were not aware of until after they traded for him. Gregory played just three games with the Saints before injuring his knee again and was out of football. Meanwhile, Chris Spielman and Eric Allen were selected with the next two picks.
10. Green Bay Packers: QB Rich Campbell, No. 6 overall (1981)
While Tony Mandarich is often associated with Packers draft busts, he is not the biggest one in the history of the franchise. That title belongs to Campbell, who was selected with the sixth overall pick but never started a game for the Packers. In fact, he is the only quarterback selected in the top 30 from 1970 to 2019 to have never started a game. Campbell played in just six games and completed 45.6% of his passes for 386 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Packers did not select another quarterback in the first round until Aaron Rodgers in 2005.
9. Los Angeles Rams: RB Lawrence Phillips, No. 6 overall (1996)
The Rams, who were located in St. Louis at the time, ignored the red flags surrounding Phillips and his character issues. Phillips was viewed as the best talent in the draft, but teams were hesitant to take a risk on him. The Rams traded future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis because they believed in Phillips, but his problems continued in the NFL. He was released in the middle of the 1997 season due to excessive drinking and jail time. Phillips rushed for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Rams, but was out of the league by 1999 after short stints with the Dolphins and 49ers.
8. Indianapolis Colts: QB Art Schlichter, No. 4 overall (1982)
The Colts had a few contenders for this spot before Peyton Manning transformed the franchise, but Schlichter takes the cake as the biggest draft bust in Colts history. A gambling suspension cost him his entire 1983 season and he only played in three games as a rookie, throwing for just 197 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Schlichter lost the starting job to rookie fourth-round pick Mike Pagel, despite being the No. 4 overall pick. He eventually admitted to gambling during his suspension and was released from the Colts in 1985. Schlichter finished his career with a 0-6 record as a starter, completing just 45% of his passes for 1,006 yards with three touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
7. Seattle Seahawks: QB Rick Mirer, No. 2 overall (1993)
Mirer set NFL rookie records in completions and yards, but that was the only highlight of his four forgetful years in Seattle. He completed just 53.4% of his passes for 9,094 yards with 41 touchdowns and 56 interceptions. Out of 195 quarterbacks with at least 1,500 pass attempts, Mirer ranks 181st in passer rating and 193rd in yards per attempt. He played in the NFL until 2003.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Huey Richardson, No. 16 overall (1991)
Richardson played just five games with the Steelers before head coach Bill Cowher had seen enough. He had no tackles and no sacks in his NFL career, which lasted just 16 games over the span of two seasons. Pittsburgh traded Richardson for a seventh-round pick after his rookie season and that was the end of his tenure with the team.
5. New York Jets: DL Vernon Gholston, No. 6 overall (2008)
The Jets have had their fair share of draft busts in recent years, but none were as big as Gholston. New York was fooled by his impressive combine performance and thought they were getting a dominant pass rusher for the next decade. However, Gholston never recorded a sack or forced fumble in his NFL career and finished with just 42 tackles in three seasons. He was out of the league after three seasons. The 2008 draft did not have many great pass rushers, and the Jets ended up selecting the worst one with the highest pick.
Summary:
In this article, we looked at some of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. These are players who were selected with high expectations but failed to live up to them in the NFL. From quarterbacks who never started a game to highly-touted prospects who never lived up to their potential, these players serve as a reminder that the NFL draft is not an exact science. Teams must carefully evaluate their picks and make sure they are selecting players who will contribute to their success on the field. Otherwise, they may end up with a draft bust on their hands.
The Biggest Draft Busts in NFL History
Welcome to Kosport Magazine’s list of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Every year, teams spend countless hours scouting and evaluating players in hopes of finding the next superstar to lead their franchise to success. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned and teams end up with a player who fails to live up to expectations. In this article, we will take a look at the top four biggest draft busts in NFL history.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Akili Smith, No. 3 overall (1999)
The Bengals made a huge mistake when they selected Akili Smith with the third overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Smith held out of training camp due to a contract dispute and when he finally did take the field, he proved to be one of the worst quarterbacks in NFL history. In just 15 starts, Smith completed only 47% of his passes and had a dismal 55.1 passer rating. The Bengals went 3-12 in his starts and eventually had enough, releasing him in 2003.
3. New Orleans Saints: P Russell Erxleben, No. 11 overall (1979)
In 1979, the Saints made a questionable decision by selecting a punter, Russell Erxleben, with the 11th overall pick. Erxleben failed to win the place-kicking job and ended up punting for the Saints for five seasons before being out of the league. Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow was selected just two picks later. This pick is a prime example of why the Saints were the laughing stock of the 1970s.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: QB JaMarcus Russell, No. 1 overall (2007)
The Raiders thought they had found their franchise quarterback when they selected JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. However, Russell’s career was plagued by off-field issues and weight problems. In three seasons with the Raiders, he completed just 52.1% of his passes and had more interceptions than touchdowns. He was eventually released and is considered one of the biggest busts in league history.
1. Los Angeles Chargers: QB Ryan Leaf, No. 2 overall (1998)
The Chargers made a huge mistake when they selected Ryan Leaf with the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Leaf’s poor attitude and inability to control his temper quickly became apparent, as he completed just 45.3% of his passes and alienated himself from his teammates. He was released after just three seasons and finished with a 4-17 record as a starter. Leaf’s career was plagued by injuries and off-field issues, making him the biggest draft bust in NFL history.
Summary:
In the NFL, the draft is a crucial event that can make or break a team’s future. Unfortunately, sometimes teams make mistakes and end up with players who fail to live up to expectations. The Bengals, Saints, Raiders, and Chargers all learned this the hard way with their selections of Akili Smith, Russell Erxleben, JaMarcus Russell, and Ryan Leaf. These four players will forever be remembered as some of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
