By: Tyler Ward
I'm just doing this article to match the NBA one poster earlier today. The NFL has also had their fair share of horrible draftees throughout the years.
Honorable Mention: Art Schlichter (Baltimore, 4th overall, 1982), Steve Emtman (Indianapolis, 1st overall, 1992), Curtis Enis (Chicago, 5th overall, 1999), Andre Ware (Detroit, 7th overall, 1990), Rick Mirer (Seattle, 2nd overall, 1993), Courtney Brown (Cleveland, 1st overall, 2000), Mike Williams (Detroit, 10th overall, 2005), Johnny "Lam" Jones (New York Jets, 2nd overall, 1980), David Klingler (Cincinnati, 6th overall, 1992)
12. Joey Harrington, Detroit, 2002 (3rd overall)
Players drafted behind him: Dwight Freeney, Albert Haynesworth, Ed Reed, Clinton Portis
Reason: Harrington was anything, but spectacular in his seasons in the NFL. He got drafted by a horrible Detroit team, who would soon draft Wide Receiver after Wide Receiver, instead of drafting at positions that they actually needed. Harrington and David Carr were thought to be the best Quarterbacks of the draft, and both of them appeared on horrible teams. They weren't able to lead their teams whatsoever. Harrington spent 4 dismal seasons in Detroit, accumulating an 18-37 record with the team. He was also horrible in the passing department and never passing for more than 3,100 yards in a season. After Detroit chose to cut ties, he spent a season each in Miami and Atlanta. Harrington was never what he was supposed to be and has not appeared in an NFL game since 2007. Over his six year stint in the NFL, Harrington had a 26-50 record with Detroit, Miami, and Atlanta. He also compiled a total of 14,693 passing yards with 79 touchdowns and 85 interceptions.
11. Charles Rogers, Detroit, 2003 (2nd overall)
Players drafted behind him: Andre Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Dallas Clark, Nnamdi Asomugha
Reason: Rogers was viewed as being one of the can't-miss prospects in the 2003 NFL Draft. Coming off a stellar career at Michigan State, Rogers was taken 2nd overall by the Detroit Lions. He was immediately thrown in the Wide Receiver mix and the Lions were wanting him to carry the team right away. Rogers was, unfortunately, not ready for that decision. He was only able to stick around Detroit for 3 seasons, playing in only 15 games, and tallying up career statistics of 36 receptions for 440 yards and 4 touchdowns.
10. Lawrence Phillips, St. Louis, 1996 (6th overall)
Players drafted behind him: Marvin Harrison, Ray Lewis, Eddie George
Reason: Phillips literally went from running from defenses to sitting behind bars. Taken out of Nebraska, Phillips was hyped and widely considered to be one of the best players out of the entire 1996 class. But, the reason he was taken 6th overall was because of his off-the-field issues and the GM's that passed on him were right. He only lasted 1 1/2 seasons in St. Louis before being cut from the team due to refusing to show for a team meeting. His NFL career would be cut short after stints with Miami and San Francisco. But, his issues still continued. On December 18, 2009, Phillips was sentenced to 31 years in prison for attacking his girlfriend repeatedly and driving his car into three teenagers. It was truly a waste of talent.
9. Blair Thomas, New York, 1990 (2nd overall)
Players drafted behind him: Emmitt Smith, Junior Seau
Reason: Many thought that Thomas would be the starter for the Jets for a long time. But, that was not the case, as Thomas did not survive in the NFL. Starting the Penn State Running Back curse, Thomas dominated the NCAA in the hopes of one day, getting to the NFL. The Jets took the chance and Thomas' skills quickly diminished. He only lasted 4 injury-plagued seasons in New York before making short appearances in New England, Dallas, and Carolina. He was eventually out of the league after the 1995 season and never returned to the NFL. His stats are as follows: 64 games (36 starts), 2,236 rushing yards and 9 total touchdowns. Definitely not worth the 2nd overall selection.
8. Ki-Jana Carter, Cincinnati, 1995 (1st overall)
Players drafted behind him: Steve McNair, Warren Sapp, Curtis Martin, Derrick Brooks
Reason: Like the aforementioned Blair Thomas, Carter was another overhyped Penn State Running Back. Leading up to the draft, Carter was going to be the #1 overall pick, no doubts whatsoever. He was supposed to lead the Bengals and eventually be better than Emmitt Smith. In 1994, his junior season, Carter led the Nittany Lions to an undefeated season, but not a championship. They finished second that year in the final poll. Carter was nothing less than spectacular, leading the Nittany Lions with 1,539 rushing yards and 23 TD's. His game couldn't translate to the NFL, more than likely because of injuries. He ended up being sidelined with knee injuries throughout his NFL career, so he was never able to live up to the hype. Carter ended up playing for the Saints and Redskins while trying to attempt two seperate comebacks. He retired from the NFL after the 2004 season and finished with 1,144 rushing yards along with 21 total touchdowns.
7. Heath Shuler, Washington, 1994 (3rd overall)
Players drafted behind him: Isaac Bruce, Kevin Mawae, Marshall Faulk
Reason: After helping lead the University of Tennessee, Shuler couldn't make the transition to the NFL. He was thought to be the next great passer and get the Redskins back to their Super Bowl form. With Shuler at the helm, they could never win and Shuler was in a world of mediocrity. He only started 18 games in his first two seasons, and was benched during his sophomore year for Gus Frerotte, who went to the Pro Bowl. After the 1996 season, Shuler was traded to the New Orleans Saints. Shortly thereafter, he suffered a broken foot and was forced to go through multiple surgeries. After his release from the Saints, he went to the Raiders, where he re-aggravated his foot and abruptly retired. Shuler was never able to lead the Redskins or any team and put up numbers of 3,691 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and 33 interceptions.
6. Akili Smith, Cincinnati, 3rd overall (1999)
Players drafted behind him: Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Torry Holt, Champ Bailey
Reason: While attending Oregon, Smith was a Heisman Trophy candidate and many scouts thought that he would take his success to the NFL. That was not the case as Smith was overrated and could never be a high profile Quarterback in the league. He was also on a horrible Bengals team that had struggled for a few years due to horrible draft choices and luck. He also didn't have much competition in Jeff Blake. He started only 22 games in his career, throwing for 2,212 yards with 5 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Bengals' dreams were dashed and Smith only lasted 4 years in the NFL (all with the Bengals).
5. Brian Bosworth, Seattle, 1987 (Supplemental Draft Pick)
Players drafted behind him: N/A
Reason: Bosworth had so much hype coming out of Oklahoma. He was the best college linebacker some had ever seen, and was also known for his antics and crazy personality. Whoever drafted Bosworth was getting a steal, right? Wrong. In his rookie campaign, Bosworth registered 4 sacks, which is mildly decent for a first year player. However, two seasons later, he was out of the NFL and he would never coming back. I chose him this high simply because of the hype that surrounded him.
4. Tim Couch, Cleveland, 1999 (1st overall)
Players drafted behind him: Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Torry Holt, Champ Bailey
Reason: After finally getting a franchise back in Cleveland, they decided to take the most prolific passer in the SEC, Tim Couch. The Browns were awarded the #1 overall pick due to the three year hiatus, where Cleveland did not have a team from 1996-98. After throwing for 4,611 yards and 38 TD's in 1998, there was really no doubt that Cleveland would take him first. However, Cleveland had a different style than that of Kentucky, so Couch's game was nothing less than bad. After three disappointing seasons, Couch led the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since they'd been back in Cleveland. But, Couch broke his leg in the final game of the season and was forced to stand on the sidelines and watch Kelly Holcomb lead the team. The next year, with a new coach at the helm, Holcomb was effectively made the starter and the Tim Couch era in Cleveland was over. Couch tried to come back with the Packers in 2004 and Jacksonville in 2007, but he wasn't able to compete for the starting job. He finished his career with 11,131 passing yards with 64 touchdowns and 67 interceptions. His career was over in 2007 and he has not returned to the league.
3. Jamarcus Russell, Oakland, 2007 (1st overall)
Players drafted behind him: Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Darrelle Revis, Calvin Johnson
Reason: When I heard Russell was entering the draft, I thought he was going to be a third or fourth round selection. It turns out that Al Davis wants to draft the strong armed QB from LSU. Why? Nobody knows. I think that it was because of the 2007 Sugar Bowl where Russell and the Tigers beat Notre Dame and the next high profiled QB, Brady Quinn. The final score was a blowout in LSU's favor, 41-14. Unfortunately, Russell had on-the-field issues with commitment and attitude problems. He would never be able to successfully lead a team, but Al Davis thought otherwise and again, a Raiders draft was ruined. Russell would be a turnover machine in his Raiders seasons, throwing 23 interceptions and fumbling 25 times total. He was released on May 6, 2010 when Al Davis finally came to his senses. As of now, Russell has thrown for 4,083 yards with 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in three total seasons.
2. Tony Mandarich, Green Bay, 1989 (2nd overall)
Players drafted behind him: Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, Deion Sanders
Reason: Known as "The Incredible Bulk" in his days at Michigan State, Mandarich was not what many people thought he was. He would turn out to not get playing time at all in his rookie season, and when he would, he'd be on special teams. Mandarich eventually said that he was addicted to painkillers and the Packers released him after the 1991 season. He would also attempt to come back in 1996 with the Indianapolis Colts after a 5 year hiatus. He spent three lackluster seasons in Indianapolis, but somehow, he did better with the Colts than the Packers. Mandarich was soon transformed from "The Incredible Bulk" to "The Incredible Bust". His addiction to steroids and painkillers destroyed his NFL career and he was never able to recover.
1. Ryan Leaf, San Diego, 1998 (2nd overall)
Players drafted behind him: Charles Woodson, Randy Moss, Alan Faneca
Reason: Go figure, huh? Leading up to the draft, it was either going to be Peyton Manning from Tennessee or Ryan Leaf from Washington State. The Colts held the #1 overall pick and chose Manning, fortunately. The Chargers had the next pick and chose Ryan Leaf. Manning turned out to be the best player in the draft and Leaf becamse the biggest bust of all time. His off-the-field issues successfully ruined his career and he was oblivious to what he was doing. Yelling at a camera man didn't help his cause either. In 1998, Leaf was handed the starting job, but was benched 9 games into the season after throwing two touchdown and thirteen interceptions. He was replaced by underachiever, Craig Whelihan. Leaf injured his shoulder in 1999 and was forced to miss the entire season. In 2000, he started nine games again and threw for 1,883 yards with eleven touchdowns and eighteen interceptions. After the 2000 season, he left for the Dallas Cowboys and started only three games. His final career statistics are 3,666 passing yards (48.4% completion pct.), 14 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions. Leaf is by far the biggest bust in NFL history.
