ALL-TIME NFL BUSTS
Synopsis: This post summarizes Top 10 Busts from the NFL Draft, as well as a group of Honorable Mentions who just missed the cut. You can refer to individual posts in which each bust is thoroughly evaluated and discussed, but here’s a ranking to whet your appetite.
[Note: Click on the player’s name to get to the specific post highlighting the selection. Some players are included within posts dedicated to others.]
#10. Brian Bosworth
#9. David Klingler
#8. Heath Shuler
#7. Jack Thompson
#5. Akili Smith
#4. Charles Rogers
#3. JaMarcus Russell
#2. Art Schlichter
#1. Ryan Leaf
When I started compiling this list of Top 10 NFL Draft Busts, I thought the major challenge would be narrowing down the 20 or so all-time busts who I could name at the top of my head. After establishing criteria to help me determine the worst of the worst, I was surprised that certain anticipated “shoo-ins” (e.g. Tony Mandarich, Steve Emtman, Ki-Jana Carter, and Andre Ware) didn’t even qualify for the Top 10. Additionally, I was surprised at the number of bust-worthy players (e.g. Rich Campbell, Jack Thompson, Jerry Tagge, and Jonathan Sullivan), whom I didn’t even know. As a result, the pool of potential candidates expanded to over 50 players before being narrowed down to the Top 10.
The following tables summarize the players ranked as Top 10 Busts or Honorable Mentions. At the same time, I have included one or two of their major weaknesses. To the extent you desire additional information about any one of these players, specific posts can be found by using the search bar or drop down menus.
TOP 10 NFL Draft BUSTS
|
Rank-Player |
Draft / (Pick) | College | NFL Team | Fatal Flaw |
| #10 – Brian Bosworth | 1987* (#1) | Oklahoma | Seattle Seahawks |
Steroids / Kardashian Syndrome |
| 1992 (#6) | Houston | Cincinnati Bengals | Peaked too soon | |
| #8 – Heath Shuler | 1994 (#3) | Tennessee | Washington |
Late start – holdout |
| 1979 (#3) | Washington St. | Cincinnati Bengals | Performance decline / Interceptions | |
| #6 – Lawrence Phillips | 1996 (#6) | Nebraska | St. Louis Rams |
Character issues / Violence |
| 1999 (#3) | Oregon | Cincinnati Bengals | One-year wonder | |
| #4 – Charles Rogers | 2003 (#2) | Michigan St. | Detroit Lions |
Character issues / Drugs |
| #3 – JaMarcus Russell | 2007 (#1) | LSU | Oakland Raiders | Late start – holdout |
| #2 – Art Schlichter | 1982 (#4) | Ohio State | Baltimore Colts | Peaked too soon / Interceptions |
| #1 – Ryan Leaf | 1998 (#2) | Washington St. | San Diego Chargers |
All-around tool |
* Supplemental Draft
TOP 10 NFL Draft BUSTS – HONORABLE MENTION
|
Rank-Player |
Draft / (Pick) | College | NFL Team | Fatal Flaw* |
| Cade McNown | 1999 (#12) | UCLA | Chicago Bears | Interceptions |
| Mike Williams | 2005 (#10) | USC | Detroit Lions | Lost year in college |
| Andre Ware | 1990 (#7) | Houston | Detroit Lions |
Not given a chance |
| 2006 (#10) | USC | Arizona Cardinals | Late start – holdout | |
| Kelly Stouffer | 1987 (#6) | Colorado St. | St. Louis Cardinals |
Peaked too soon / Stretch pick / Holdout |
| 1991 (#16) | San Diego St. | Seattle Seahawks | Interceptions | |
| Vernon Gholston | 2008 (#6) | Ohio St. | New York Jets |
Gym freak / One-trick pony |
| 2003 (#6) | Georgia | New Orleans Saints | Stretch pick | |
| Jamal Reynolds | 2001 (#10) | Florida St. | Green Bay Packers |
Wally Pipp/Alex Smith Syndrome |
| 1981 (#6) | California | Green Bay Packers | Peaked too soon / Interceptions | |
| Jerry Tagge | 1972 (#11) | Nebraska | Green Bay Packers |
Couldn’t handle pressure |
| Tony Mandarich | 1989 (#2) | Michigan St | Green Bay Packers | Steroids |
| Troy Williamson | 2005 (#7) | South Carolina | Minnesota Vikings | Stretch pick |
| D.J. Dozier | 1987 (#14) | Penn St. | Minnesota Vikings |
Peaked too soon |
* The only flaws that may require further explanation involve Mike Williams (who had to sit out for a year because he unsuccessfully challenged the NFL’s eligibility requirements) and Jamal Reynolds (who couldn’t crack the starting line-up after an injury because his replacement was playing too well). This unfortunate occurrence used to be known as Wally Pipp Syndrome (look up Lou Gehrig) but now can be linked to Alex Smith, who lost his job to Colin Kaepernick because of a concussion and never got it back.
