The NFL Draft is a crucial event for teams looking to build their rosters with new talent.
While some draft picks go on to have illustrious careers, others fail to live up to their potential and become infamous busts.
Here, we look at some of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, highlighting their career stats and a brief outline of their careers.
Biggest NFL Draft Busts
1. JaMarcus Russell (1st Overall, 2007)
- Teams: Oakland Raiders
- Career Stats: 52.1% completion rate, 4,083 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 23 interceptions
JaMarcus Russell was selected first overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2007 NFL Draft. Known for his strong arm and impressive college career at LSU, Russell was expected to transform the Raiders’ fortunes. However, his career was plagued by issues with work ethic, weight, and performance on the field.
Russell started 25 games over three seasons, throwing 23 interceptions to just 18 touchdowns. His inability to transition to the professional level led to his release in 2010, and he never played another NFL game.
2. Ryan Leaf (2nd Overall, 1998)
- Teams: San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys
- Career Stats: 48.4% completion rate, 3,666 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 36 interceptions
Ryan Leaf is often mentioned in the same breath as JaMarcus Russell when discussing draft busts. Drafted second overall by the San Diego Chargers in 1998, Leaf was seen as a franchise quarterback. However, his career was a disaster, marred by poor play, injuries, and off-field issues.
Leaf’s career passer rating was a dismal 50.0, and he threw more than twice as many interceptions (36) as touchdowns (14). His tenure with the Chargers lasted only three seasons, and brief stints with the Cowboys and Seahawks did little to redeem his career.
3. Tony Mandarich (2nd Overall, 1989)
- Teams: Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts
- Career Stats: Played in 86 games, started 63
Tony Mandarich was heralded as the “best offensive line prospect ever” when the Green Bay Packers selected him second overall in 1989. Known for his size and strength, Mandarich’s college dominance did not translate to the NFL.
Issues with substance abuse and a lack of performance on the field made him a significant disappointment.
Mandarich was released by the Packers after just three seasons. He did make a brief comeback with the Indianapolis Colts, but his career never matched the lofty expectations.
4. Tim Couch (1st Overall, 1999)
- Teams: Cleveland Browns
- Career Stats: 59.8% completion rate, 11,131 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, 67 interceptions
Tim Couch was the first overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, who were making their return to the league as an expansion team. Couch’s career started with promise, but it was quickly derailed by injuries and a lack of support from a struggling franchise.
Over five seasons, Couch threw 67 interceptions compared to 64 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 75.1. He was released in 2004 and failed to make a successful comeback despite several attempts with other teams.
5. Charles Rogers (2nd Overall, 2003)
- Teams: Detroit Lions
- Career Stats: 36 receptions, 440 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns
Charles Rogers was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2003, expected to be a star wide receiver. Rogers’ career got off to a decent start, but injuries and off-field issues quickly derailed his potential.
He broke his collarbone twice in his first two seasons, limiting his playing time and development.
Rogers played only 15 games in the NFL, recording 440 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He was released by the Lions in 2006 and never played another down in the NFL.
Biggest NFL Busts – Sometimes It Just Doesn’t Go Your Way
The stories of JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, Tony Mandarich, Tim Couch, and Charles Rogers serve as harsh reminders of the of the NFL Draft.
Each of these players entered the league with high expectations and the potential to become stars, but various factors—ranging from injuries and poor performance to off-field issues and lack of support—prevented them from fulfilling their promise.
While their careers may be remembered as disappointments, their stories are also valuable lessons for teams and scouts about the challenges of evaluating and developing talent in professional sports.
Love this stuff? Check out the biggest NBA Draft busts of all-time.
