A Draft Week Fave: A plethora of draft busts...
The Top 20 NFL Draft Busts of All TimeNo. 20: Aundray Bruce (1988)
- No. 19: David Carr (2002)2 of 20
- No. 18: Reggie Bush (2006)3 of 20
- No. 17: Rich Campbell (1982)4 of 20
- No. 16: Akili Smith (1999)5 of 20
- No. 15: David Klingler (1992)6 of 20
- No. 14: Bruce Pickens (1992)7 of 20
- No. 13: Tim Couch (1999)8 of 20
- No. 12: Blair Thomas (1990)9 of 20
- No. 11: Ki-Jana Carter (1995)10 of 20
- No. 10: Rick Mirer (1993)11 of 20
- No. 9: JaMarcus Russell (2007)12 of 20
- No. 8: Lawrence Phillips (1996)13 of 20
- No. 7: Curtis Enis (1988)14 of 20
- No. 6 (Tie): Art Schlichter (1982)/Heath Shuler (1994)15 of 20
- No. 5: Steve Emtman (1992)16 of 20
- No. 4: Brian Bosworth (1987)17 of 20
- No. 3: Charles Rogers (2003)18 of 20
- No. 2: Tony Mandarich (1989)19 of 20
- No. 1: Ryan Leaf (1998)20 of 20
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/375445-the-top-20-nfl-draft-busts-of-all-time
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Biggest draft bust ever for all 32 NFL teams
Minnesota VikingsWR Troy Williamson | No. 7 overall, 2005The Vikings' immediate attempt to replace Randy Moss, with the pick they received from the Oakland Raiders in the trade for Moss, was an abject failure. Williamson wowed scouts with his deep speed before the draft but consistently struggled to hang onto the ball and never caught more than 37 passes in three seasons with the Vikings. He was in Jacksonville by 2008 and out of the league by 2010. -- Ben Goessling
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/32for32x170413/biggest-nfl-draft-bust-evers-all-32-teams-all-flops-modern-era
Green Bay Packers
OT Tony Mandarich | No. 2 overall, 1989
Troy Aikman went first, and immediately after Mandarich went Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders. That's four Hall of Famers and one serious bust in the top five of that draft. Mandarich came into the league as one of the most celebrated offensive linemen in draft history, yet he didn't start a single game as a rookie. He played in 31 games over the next two seasons but never played again for the Packers after the 1991 season. He later admitted to using steroids to build his 6-foot-5, 311-pound NFL body. -- Rob Demovsky
@"purplefaithful" said: Green Bay PackersOT Tony Mandarich | No. 2 overall, 1989 Troy Aikman went first, and immediately after Mandarich went Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders. That's four Hall of Famers and one serious bust in the top five of that draft. Mandarich came into the league as one of the most celebrated offensive linemen in draft history, yet he didn't start a single game as a rookie. He played in 31 games over the next two seasons but never played again for the Packers after the 1991 season. He later admitted to using steroids to build his 6-foot-5, 311-pound NFL body. -- Rob Demovsky
I actually would rank Mandarich #1, not Ryan Leaf. Mandarich was universally acclaimed as can't miss, greatest OL prospect ever. I don't remember a single scouting report suggesting he would bust, and many said he should have been picked #1 instead of Aikman. In the NFL, I never heard reports that he was lazy or a troublemaker - he just didn't have the skills (without his steroids).
Leaf, OTOH, had red flags before the draft: gained weight, skipped interviews, many scouts said he was arrogant and undisciplined. It wasn't that surprising he flamed out the way he did.
IMO the bust of Mandarich was a bigger shock to all NFL observers. Leaf was a stupid pick by the Chargers.
And...Dimitrius Underwood belongs on this list. I know he was a later first-round pick, but every player on this list - including Troy Williamson - was more productive.
How is Underwood not considered our biggest bust? He didn't play a down. I believe it was after a half day of practice that he left? Williamson at least caught a few balls...
@"wiviking" said: How is Underwood not considered our biggest bust? He didn't play a down. I believe it was after a half day of practice that he left? Williamson at least caught a few balls...
Probably because he was taken late in the round. Williamson was a top 10 pick.
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