top 10 nfl draft busts....came across this article....feel free to add

[bri 23]

Top 10 All Time NFL Draft Busts

1. JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU

It cost the Raiders $36 million to keep Russell -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft -- around for three seasons, and they still are on the hook for another $3 million. That's a lot of money for a player who never cared enough about the game.

What he's doing now: Looking for an NFL job.

2. Ryan Leaf, QB, Washington State
Immaturity, a lack of commitment, and a bad temper doomed the second overall pick of the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 draft from the outset. To think the Colts, with the No. 1 overall selection, had given some thought to taking Leaf over Peyton Manning.

What he's doing now: Leaf is serving 10 years of probation after pleading guilty in Amarillo, Texas, to eight felony drug charges and losing his job as an assistant football coach at West Texas A&M.

3. Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky
The top overall pick in the 1999 draft was supposed to be the franchise quarterback for the newly re-coined Cleveland Browns. Although Couch was plagued by nagging injuries and an inexperienced offensive line, he just simply didn't have the makings of an NFL quarterback. After getting cut by the Browns in 2004, he had two failed comebacks that sandwiched a two-year stint in the CFL.

What he's doing now: Couch is married to former Playboy Playmate Heather Kozar, and the couple have two sons. He serves as an analyst for the Big Blue Sports Network for Kentucky Wildcats football games.


Don Heupel / Associated Press After a successful college career at Oregon, Akili Smith was never able to fulfill his potential in Cincinnati.

4. Akili Smith, QB, Oregon
Taken by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 3 overall pick in 1999 draft, Smith never grasped the complexities of the NFL game and failed to show the work ethic required to succeed in the league. He started just 17 games over four years with the Bengals, throwing just five touchdowns. He had two failed comebacks with the Packers and Buccaneers before an uneventful, short stint in the CFL.

What he's doing now: In March, Smith became a graduate football assistant at Cal. He was hired by head coach Jeff Tedford, who previously coached Smith at Oregon as offensive coordinator.

5. Heath Shuler, QB, Tennessee
Shuler was a colossal flop after being drafted third overall by the Washington Redskins in 1994. He couldn't pass nearly as well as expected or handle the pressure of playing in the nation's capital. Shuler started just 18 games in his first two years and was benched in his third, losing his job to Gus Frerotte. He was out of the league by 1997.

What he's doing now: Shuler is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing North Carolina's 11th congressional district since 2007.

6. Tony Mandarich, OT, Michigan State
The "Incredible Bulk" came into the league as one of the most hyped players in NFL draft history. The No. 2 overall pick of the Packers in 1989 never lived up to the incredible hype, and after just three disappointing seasons in Green Bay, he was cut. Meanwhile, the players chosen around him -- Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders -- were paving their way to the Hall of Fame.

What he's doing now: Mandarich, who currently owns a photography studio in Arizona, confirmed in his 2009 book -- My Dirty Little Secrets — Steroids, Alcohol & God -- what had been long speculated, that he had been taking steroids at Michigan State. It was one of the worst-kept secrets.

7. Blair Thomas, RB, Penn State
The second overall pick in the 1990 draft rushed for only 2,000 yards and five touchdowns in four years with the New York Jets. The next two seasons he spent time with three different teams. He was out of the league by 1995.

What he's doing now: After serving as running backs coach at Temple for eight years, Thomas formed a partnership with former Eagles wide receiver Kenny Jackson, and the two operate a chain of sports bars called KoKoMos around Harrisburg, Pa.

8. Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska
How long would Phillips have lasted in the NFL if today's player conduct policy was in place? Not. For. Long. The sixth overall pick of the St. Louis Rams in 1996, Phillips disappointed even beyond the low expectations people had for him off the field upon entering the league. Making matters worse, the Rams traded Jerome Bettis shortly after drafting Phillips, who wore out his welcome in St. Louis with a series of insubordinate actions. He was cut after just 25 games.


L.G. Patterson / Associated Press Touchdowns like this one were few and far between in Lawrence Phillips' disappointing stint with the Rams.

What he's doing now: Serving a 31-year prison sentence. Phillips had one run-in with the law after another after his playing career was over, none worse than the one that sent him to prison last December for attacking his girlfriend and driving his car into three teens.

9. Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State
The No. 2 overall pick in 2003 by Detroit lasted just three seasons in the NFL, and caught just 36 passes in his 14-game career. Poor attitude, injuries, and a drug habit contributed to his failures as an NFL player. After getting cut by the Lions in 2005, the same year the NFL suspended him for substance abuse, he had tryouts with the Dolphins, Patriots and Buccaneers in 2006, but was not signed. His career was finished.

What he's doing now: Multiple arrests, many related to his abuse of alcohol and drugs, followed his brief stay in the NFL, and last month, Rogers was ordered to return $6.1 million of his $9.1 million signing bonus to the Lions because his drug use violated the terms of his NFL contract.

10. Bruce Pickens, CB, Nebraska
The Falcons chose Pickens with the third overall pick in the 1991 draft, but he produced just two interceptions in four starts during his two-and-a-half seasons in Atlanta. He was completely out of the league after four seasons.

[Dr. Jack]

I don't think you can place Russell above Leaf yet. Maybe soon but not yet. Russell actually didn't play that bad the first year he played.

Leaf still #1

If Russell never does anything again maybe they can split the title

[bri 23]

lol maybe jack....like one article said Russell spent more time in jewelry stores than on the field...they also think he is a compulsive eater....crazy

[Sweetleaf22]

Leroy Keyes, Purdue (3rd overall)





mean joe green goes one spot later

[Jahred]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

I don't think you can place Russell above Leaf yet. Maybe soon but not yet. Russell actually didn't play that bad the first year he played.

Leaf still #1

If Russell never does anything again maybe they can split the title

ive been shaking my head all week on the radio when people been saying leaf is a bigger bust then Russel

I dont even see how there is an argument and id be saying the same if I was a raider fan

Russel was the #1 overall player

he was the #1 QB taken in the draft

Present day STARTING QB's like Kevin Kolb and Trent Edwards were taken after him in the 2nd and 3rd rounds

Leaf wasnt even the #1 overall pick of his draft

Leaf wasnt even the 1st QB taken in his draft and the NEXT QB taken after Leaf was picked was 58 picks later (Chaz Batch)

the #2 player in the draft doesnt make as much money as the #1 and the the #2 QB doesnt make as much money as the #1 QB


leaf was ****in terrible but lets serious here, Russel was drafted in the 07''draft and lost his starting job in 09' to the backup??.... he gets credit for that??

wow lol

[bri 23]

good points jahred....i agree...russell is a total bum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ParrotHead]

Whos doing the best out of them all now. Why not vote for that too

[TTB]

I agree with Jack that Leaf is still #1......Leaf putting my school on the map for all the wrong reasons lol

GO BUFFS!

[TheLink]

Originally Posted by Jahred

ive been shaking my head all week on the radio when people been saying leaf is a bigger bust then Russel

I dont even see how there is an argument and id be saying the same if I was a raider fan

Russel was the #1 overall player

he was the #1 QB taken in the draft

Present day STARTING QB's like Kevin Kolb and Trent Edwards were taken after him in the 2nd and 3rd rounds

Leaf wasnt even the #1 overall pick of his draft

Leaf wasnt even the 1st QB taken in his draft and the NEXT QB taken after Leaf was picked was 58 picks later (Chaz Batch)

the #2 player in the draft doesnt make as much money as the #1 and the the #2 QB doesnt make as much money as the #1 QB


leaf was ****in terrible but lets serious here, Russel was drafted in the 07''draft and lost his starting job in 09' to the backup??.... he gets credit for that??

wow lol

Couldn't you use the same logic in regards to Russell going to the Raiders? If another team has that pick he might not go that high.

Only reason Leaf didn't go number 1 is because of Manning in the draft. Even then there was talk of him being the #1 pick in the draft.

Overall their stats are pretty comparitive and they both played about the same number of games. Far from laughable like you are suggesting.

[Jahred]

Originally Posted by TheLink

Couldn't you use the same logic in regards to Russell going to the Raiders? If another team has that pick he might not go that high.

Only reason Leaf didn't go number 1 is because of Manning in the draft. Even then there was talk of him being the #1 pick in the draft.

Overall their stats are pretty comparitive and they both played about the same number of games. Far from laughable like you are suggesting.

If? ? ? ? ?

lol he WAS drafted #1

talk of leaf being the #1 pick? Jimmy Clausen was talked about being the #1 pick this last draft, even Jake Locker was lol the fact someone was talked about being the 1st pick is pretty laughable point there id say

you can spin it what ever way you want, "ifs" and "only reasons something happened" , shoulda woulda coulda, Russel was the #1 overall draft pick and the #1 QB taken, Leaf was niether.

I allready mentioned 2 starters picked after Russel, you show me some guys that had a better carreer at QB in that draft with Leaf besides Chaz Batch and convince me that Leaf was actually taken #1 overall and paid like the #1 then you would have an argument i guess

until then

[Steel]

Depends on how you are looking at this question. The bigger "BUST" in the pocket book is Russell by a mile. If you are looking at them as far as an athlete then the edge goes to Leaf. Russell needs to get back into the NFL to be ahead of Leaf so this is in a wait and see situation. I will never forget watching Leaf mentally break down. I really believe that they should have let him beat the heckling fan. LOL.

[TheLink]

the discussion is NFL draft busts not number 1 so not sure why it has anything to do with #1 pick.

Brian Griese and Matt Hasselbach both were part of the 1998 draft. Not sure what that has to do with someone being a bust.

Keep in mind Oakland had the number 1 pick and selected Russell. SD traded up 1 spot (giving up 1998 2nd rd, 1999 1st rd "pick 8", Eric Metcalf and Patrick Sapp) to insure they got Manning or Leaf.

[Romanowski]

you also cant compare money, because relative to they year, they were very similar contracts

leaf ended up having 4 stops if im correct, that means after SD 3 more teams gave him a shot

Russel will for sure be picked up by some team, likely a team that doesnt need him to start

Not to say he will fare better, but the #s are similar

another point to make is Russel im not sure goes #1 if not for the Raiders

Leaf was for sure going 1 or 2

Both to me at this point, although Russel can redeem himself although unlikely...

are 1a and 1 biggest busts

[Jahred]

yes you can compare money comparatively

#2 doesnt get more then #1 no matter the year

[Jahred]

Originally Posted by Steel

Depends on how you are looking at this question. The bigger "BUST" in the pocket book is Russell by a mile. If you are looking at them as far as an athlete then the edge goes to Leaf. Russell needs to get back into the NFL to be ahead of Leaf so this is in a wait and see situation. I will never forget watching Leaf mentally break down. I really believe that they should have let him beat the heckling fan. LOL.

Russel was claimed to have the strongest arm in the history of the NFL, supposedly throws 70 yards from his knees

leaf had an average nfl arm