The NFL Draft can be a game-changer for teams, but sometimes, things go horribly wrong. Here’s a look at the top ten worst NFL draft picks that had fans scratching their heads and teams regretting their choices.
1. Ryan Leaf (2nd Overall, 1998 – San Diego Chargers) Ryan Leaf is often the first name mentioned in any conversation about draft busts. With the second overall pick, the Chargers hoped Leaf would be their franchise quarterback. Instead, he flamed out spectacularly, with more interceptions (36) than touchdowns (14) in his short-lived NFL career.
2. JaMarcus Russell (1st Overall, 2007 – Oakland Raiders) The Raiders took a gamble on JaMarcus Russell, hoping his cannon arm would translate to NFL success. Unfortunately, his lack of work ethic and questionable decision-making led to just three seasons of disappointment.
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3. Tony Mandarich (2nd Overall, 1989 – Green Bay Packers) Touted as the “Incredible Bulk,” Tony Mandarich was supposed to be the greatest offensive lineman prospect ever. Instead, he was one of the biggest busts, failing to live up to his hype and lasting just three seasons with the Packers.
4. Akili Smith (3rd Overall, 1999 – Cincinnati Bengals) The Bengals took Akili Smith, hoping he would be their franchise quarterback. However, with just five career wins as a starter, Smith quickly became another quarterback bust.
5. Trent Richardson (3rd Overall, 2012 – Cleveland Browns) Trent Richardson was supposed to be a dominant running back, but his NFL career fizzled out after just a few seasons. His inability to find running lanes and lack of vision made him a colossal disappointment for the Browns and later the Colts.
6. Tim Couch (1st Overall, 1999 – Cleveland Browns) The Browns had high hopes for Tim Couch as the first overall pick of their reborn franchise. However, poor protection and injuries plagued his career, and he never lived up to expectations.
7. Vernon Gholston (6th Overall, 2008 – New York Jets) Vernon Gholston was a physical freak coming out of college, but his talent never translated to the NFL. He played three seasons without recording a single sack, making him one of the Jets’ biggest draft mistakes.
8. Charles Rogers (2nd Overall, 2003 – Detroit Lions) Charles Rogers had all the potential in the world as a wide receiver, but injuries and off-field issues derailed his career. He played just 15 games in the NFL, making him one of Detroit’s many draft busts.
9. Kevin White (7th Overall, 2015 – Chicago Bears) Kevin White was expected to be a dynamic playmaker for the Bears, but injuries sidelined him for most of his career. He played just 14 games over four seasons, never reaching the potential that made him a top-10 pick.
10. Johnny Manziel (22nd Overall, 2014 – Cleveland Browns) Johnny Manziel, also known as “Johnny Football,” came with plenty of hype, but his off-field antics and lack of preparation led to his downfall. His short, tumultuous career left the Browns once again searching for their franchise quarterback.
Source: https://www.rvmnews.com/2024/08/top-ten-worst-nfl-draft-picks-of-all-time/
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