The 5 Biggest NFL Draft Busts

Throughout the history of college football, we’ve seen stars who just couldn’t make it in the NFL. Some highly-touted players failed so epically that they’re remembered forever.

Here are the 5 biggest NFL draft busts in history. Check out why these players failed so hard below and the link if you’re into playing free social casino games.

5. Ki-Jana Carter(RB, Cincinnati Bengals, 1st Overall Pick in 1995 Draft) 

For almost three decades, the Cincinnati Bengals were the laughing stock of the NFL. In 1995, Penn State star Ki-Jana Carter was supposed to revive the franchise.

Unfortunately for Carter, he became one of the 5 biggest NFL draft busts in history. His seven-year career was plagued by injuries and he only gained a total of 1,200 rushing yards.

He was part of the same draft that included future Hall of Famers Terrell Davis and Curtis Martin.

4. Charles Rogers(WR, Detroit Lions, 2nd Overall Pick 2003 Draft)

At Michigan State, Charles Rogers was an unstoppable force and was picked by many to be a star wideout. Unfortunately the Lions curse hit Rogers and he became one of the 5 biggest NFL busts in history.

After breaking his clavicle twice his rookie year, Rogers only played in 15 professional games. These injuries and numerous suspensions for substance abuse ended his career.

Detroit’s choice to pick Rogers over Hall of Famer Andre Johnson is an all-time draft blunder.

3. Tony Mandarich(OT, Green Bay Packers, 2nd Overall Pick 1989 Draft) 

OT Tony Mandarich was one of the best Michigan State lineman of the 1980s. Mandarich had such high potential that Green Bay picked him 2nd over Deion Sanders and Barry Sanders.

Unfortunately for the Packers, Tony became one of the 5 biggest NFL draft busts in history. His lack of discipline and reliance on steroids, alcohol and other substances cut Tony’s NFL career short. 

After a few years in the CFL, Mandarich called it a career.

2. Ryan Leaf(QB, San Diego Chargers, 2nd Overall Pick 1998 Draft) 

A name that appears on every list of the 5 biggest NFL draft busts is QB Ryan Leaf. In 1998, Leaf was supposed to revive the Chargers organization and get them back to winning.

Unfortunately, the pressure was too much for Ryan and he folded under the big lights. He went 4-17 during his NFL career and threw 36 interceptions with just 14 touchdowns.

1. JaMarcus Russell (QB, Oakland Raiders, 1st Pick 2007 Draft)

The name that has to go on the top of the 5 biggest NFL draft busts is JaMarcus Russell. At LSU, Russell was an unstoppable force with a cannon arm and speed which led to a national title.

Everyone expected great things from JaMarcus in the pros, but he simply just didn’t care. He refused to learn Oakland’s offense and ballooned up to 300 lbs as a QB.

After this embarrassing display, the Raiders cut him in 2010 and no team would touch him. Russell is widely considered the biggest disappointment in the history of football.