NFL: The Top Ten Busts in NFL Draft History

In the history of the NFL, there have been players who have come out of nowhere to shine and become great. Kurt Warner is an example. He was an Arena Football League star with the Iowa Barnstormers just a decade ago, and now, is arguably an NFL Hall of Famer. Tom Brady, a three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback with the Patriots, was a sixth round pick in 2001. Joe Montana, the best quarterback of all time, was a third round pick in 1979. Deacon Jones, one of the best pass rushers ever, was an almost insulting 14th round pick in 1961. Roger Staubach and Dan Marino were taken in the 10th and seventh round, respectively. But for every steal, there's also the opposite. There's a guy taken high who never approaches his potential. Let's take a look at the top ten busts in NFL draft history.10. Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State (taken 2nd overall by the Lions in 2003): In 2003, when he was drafted, he was referred to as the "next Randy Moss". He had it all. He had the ideal build (6'3", 220), and he of course was productive. In his last year at MSU, he caught 68 passes for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns. And this, of course, was for a 4-8 team. In the draft, he was taken just behind USC quarterback Carson Palmer, taken by the Bengals, and just ahead of Andre Johnson, a Miami receiver who was taken by the Houston Texans.To be nice, Rogers busted big time. However, in his first five games, he wasn't terrible, catching 22 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns. But, he broke a collarbone during practice, which ended his season. In 2004, he returned, but again broke his collarbone, leaving him out for the season before he caught a pass. In 2005, he returned, and was suspended for breaking the substance abuse policy. In 2006, he was released by the Lions. In 2008, he even got arrested. Let's compare the top three. Palmer has over 15,000 yards in five seasons, along with 107 touchdowns and 67 interceptions. Andre Johnson was quietly the best receiver in football last year, and has over 6,000 career yards. And Rogers had 440 yards and four touchdowns in three years, and he was compared to Randy Moss.9. Art Schlichter, QB, Ohio State (taken 4th overall by Colts in 1982): In his college career at "the" Ohio State University, quarterback Art Schlichter (pronounced shlee-ster) was a very bright young star. He finished in the top ten in Heisman voting three times, and was drafted high by the Baltimore Colts in 1982 with the fourth overall pick. What happened then is very significant. He signed a lucrative signing bonus, and was expected to be the future quarterback. That he wasn't. But I don't put him amongst the top five busts ever. First of all, he was surrounded by a terrible team. From 1978 to 1981, the Colts were a shaky 19-41, so he definitely wasn't helped. But that doesn't excuse what Art did. He blew that expensive signing bonus by midseason. He later admitted he'd committed over 20 felonies, had schemed people out of at least $1.5M, and had gambled off his NFL, AFL, and radio salaries. Sadly enough, he currently lives with his mother in Ohio. Talk about never growing up. 8. Heath Shuler, QB, Tennessee (taken 3rd overall by Redskins in 1994): Heath Shuler? The senator? Many forget that the guy is a famous NFL draft bust. He dominated in his career at the University of Tennesee, but it was much different in the NFL. As a Redskins rookie, his stats weren't appaling, as he had 1,658 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 picks, but he was 1-7 as a starter. His stats were appaling the next year, as he had one touchdown and seven interceptions, leading to his release in 1995. In 1996, he was a New Orleans Saint, and his numbers were almost laughable, as he had two touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In 1998, he was a member of the Raiders practice squad, but nothing more. That's all the NFL would see of Heath.People from North Carolina (the state Shuler represents in the HOR) may not know all this. But make no mistake about it, Shuler's legacy is as a famous draft bust. He is now a successful businessman and politician. Somewhat of a different atmosphere than where he was just 14 years before - a promising young QB fresh off of a dominating college career. 7. Andre Ware, QB, Houston (taken 7th overall by Lions in 1990): Ware is a sad case of a product of the system. At Houston, he was very successful. As a junior, he threw for nearly 4,700 yards, 44 touchdowns, and he even set 26 NCAA records. But it wasn't Ware who set those records. It was mainly because of the offense in place at the University of Houston. But, the Detroit Lions didn't pay any mind to it, taking him seventh overall in the 1990 draft. There, he would team up with Barry Sanders, certainly a deadly duo. or so it seemed. As a rookie, he was 13-of-30 with one touchdown and two interceptions, he didn't play in 1991, and struggled in 1992 and 1993. He finished his career with a shave over 1,000 yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He never really got a chance, but he never convinced coaches that he deserved one, either. Now, you'll see him as a broadcaster on the Houston Texans radio network or as a college football color commentator. 6. Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky (taken 1st overall by Browns in 1999): Couch is one of the rare busts who has character, but didn't quite make it. First off, I think the media made him look a lot better than he actually was as a starting quarterback at the University of Kentucky. In 1998, he had 4,611 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. In 1999, he took over for Ty Detmer in the Browns' second game, but he never llived up to his hype. He played from just 1999-2003, totaling 11,131 yards, 64 touchdowns, 67 interceptions, and a 75.1 quarterback rating.I would put Couch higher, but he's a different bust, in my opinion. First off, he didn't post Ryan Leaf or Charles Rogers numbers. He just never really lived up to the hype. His 64 TD, 67 INT suggests he was just inconsistent, not totally incompetent. But nonetheless, he didn't come through like Cleveland fans, among others, expected. Injuries forced him out of the game, and in 2007, he attempted a comeback, but never made it. 5. Brian Bosworth, LB, Oklahoma (taken in Supplemental Draft by Seahawks in 1987): In 1985 and 1986, "Boz" starred at the University of Oklahoma, winning the Butkus Award for best college linebacker in both years. He was drafted very high by the Seattle Seahawks, who took him in the supplemental draft. He signed a contract that was the biggest in NFL draft history: 10 years, $11M. He made his ego known right away. He sued the NFL because he thought he should be allowed to wear #44 (the number he wore in college) in the pros. He lost, and had to wear the number 55. As a rookie, he insulted Raiders running back Bo Jackson, saying he would contain him. So much for that. Bo ran for 221 yards and three touchdowns, including a 91-yard dash down the sideline. One that I'd be remiss to mention is one where Bo ran right over Bosworth, and it's one of the most memorable moments in MNF history.In his lengthy three-year career, he played in 24 games, posted four sacks, and he left the NFL in 1989, and never returned. He's still viewed as one of the best college players ever, and also one of the biggest busts. He had several problems: a huge ego and character problems. He made a nickname for himself, he failed a steroid test, and thought more of himself than anyone else ever did - or will. 4. Akili Smith, QB, Oregon (taken 3rd overall by Bengals in 1999): In 1999, many quarterbacks were taken, and Smith was one of them. An Oregon product, he was taken third by the Cincinnati Bengals, and bombed. He played just four seasons, and threw five touchdown passes, along with 13 interceptions, a 46.6 completion percentage, and he fumbled 19 times. Put this in perspective. Last year, Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco had a successful rookie season. His stats in his rookie season (2,971 yards, 14 TD) top Smith's career numbers.Holding out in 1999 didn't exactly help Akili. He missed a large part of camp, and some still believe that meant his downfall. The argument has merit. He never seemed to understand the entire playbook. He started just 17 games, and was released in 2002. He tried out for the Green Bay Packers in 2003 to become Brett Favre's backup, but was released. In 2007, he signed a deal with the Calgary Stampeders, and in his first game, went 6-of-10 with 63 yards and three interceptions. 3. Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska (taken 6th overall by Rams in 1996): As it is with most draft busts, the problem with Phillips was character. In 1996, he was a college superstar at the University of Nebraska. As a sophomore, he ran for 1,722 yards, and even ran for 96 yards on 19 carries against a Miami defense that featured Warren Sapp and Ray Lewis. But it was obvious he'd be fighting his own demons. In college, he once assaulted his girlfriend, Kate McEwen, then a basketball player for the Huskers' women's team. He was drafted sixth overall in '96 by the St. Louis Rams. ESPN analyst Joe Theismann had this to say: "Everybody's called him the best player in the draft."In 1996 and 1997, he combined for just over 1,000 yards, but he was cut after a training camp dispute with Dick Vermeil. You know Phillips is a bust now. It takes effort to have a dispute with a class act like Vermeil. He also got cut by the Miami Dolphins, mainly because of trouble. He pleaded no-contest to an assault charge in a nightclub. His career was over. But his trouble-making ways weren't. In 2005, he drove a car into three teenagers. This was when he was wanted on two domestic abuse charges. Then in 2006, Phillips was ordered to stand trial on a felony assault case. And then just three years ago, he was found guilty on seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon. And last October, he was sentenced to a decade in prison.2. Tony Mandarich, OT, Michigan State (taken 2nd overall by Packers in 1989): The Incredible Bulk. Coming out of Michigan State, he was thought of as a sure thing. "As a junior he could have started on any of our Super Bowl teams," says Michigan State head coach George Perles, who was a defensive coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they won four Super Bowl championships in the 1970s. "He may be the best offensive tackle ever. He's certainly the best since the game changed the blocking rules. Before that, you had to play without your arms, and it didn't matter how strong your bench press was. [Mandarich has pressed 545 pounds.] He's faster than any offensive lineman in pro football. There's probably nobody faster in the world at his weight. This is a different player. We'll never have another."He was a unique case, I'll give him that. To compensate for NFL drug testing, he had to stop taking steroids, which he did throughout his MSU career, and it exposed him. He never succeeded at the NFL level. In my opinion, it's the dumbest pick in the history of the draft. Not only did Mandarich bust, the Packers took him instead of guys like Deion Sanders, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Andre Rison. Just last year, he admitted that he faked a drug test before the 1988 Rose Bowl, and also said he was addicted to alcohol while playing in the NFL. He certainly did look confused on the field, so it makes sense. 1. Ryan Leaf, QB, Washington State (taken 2nd overall by Chargers in 1998): It seems like a rhetorical question now. Ryan Leaf or Peyton Manning? But in 1998, it was a topic for debate. Leaf had the cannon arm and the size. He was 6'5", 240, but the consensus was that Manning was the more mature player and would be the No. 1 overall pick. The Colts did take Manning first, and the Chargers traded three picks, along with three-time Pro Bowler Eric Metcalf to take Leaf second. They did. The Washington State product had 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his last year of college ball, but never even approached those numbers at the highest level. First of all, he had no maturity whatsoever.For example, when the Colts asked him what he would do if awarded a big contract, he replied, "Go to Vegas." Peyton obviously gave a much better answer, and Leaf, after winning his first two starts, clearly thought he was too good for the NFL. Nevermind that the score in those games were a combined 29-21 and Leaf was a rather 29-of-55 with 371 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Against the Chiefs, he was 1-of-15 with four yards, two interceptions, and two fumbles. He never turned it around. In his career, he had 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. You think San Diego might want a re-do?"Honorable Mention":Rae Carruth, WR, Colorado (taken 27th overall by Panthers in 1999): You hate to excuse a murderer, but he could've been good had he not, you know, murdered his wife.Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn (taken 1st overall by Falcons in 1988): He doesn't make it for me because when you think about it, he had a good first three seasons in the NFL. He had an 11-year career, just never lived up to expectations.Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State (taken 1st overall by Bengals in 1995): Not his fault. He got hurt and he was never the same. You can't blame him for busting.Desmond Howard, WR, Michigan (taken 4th overall by Redskins in 1992): This guy was good. But he wasn't a good receiver. He was a solid kick returner, good enough to make a Pro Bowl. Curtis Enis, RB, Penn State (taken 5th overall by Bears in 1998): Like Carter, it's not Enis' fault he busted. An injury in his rookie season ruined him.Thomas Henderson, LB, Langston (taken 18th overall by Cowboys in 1975): Henderson isn't your everyday bust. He had a good career, and could be a Hall of Famer had he not gotten in so much trouble. He had drug addictions and currently gives motivational speeches against drugs.