The NFL Draft is an annual event that excites football fans around the country. It is a time when teams can improve their rosters by drafting the best college players. However, not every player drafted turns out to be a star. Some players are downright busts.

Today, we will look at the biggest NFL Draft busts of all time. These players were selected in the draft’s first round and failed to make an impact in the NFL. Let’s take a look at their stories!

 

Maurice Clarett

Maurice Clarett is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. A highly touted running back out of Ohio State, Clarett was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. However, he lasted just three games with the team before being released.

Clarett then had a brief stint with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League before retiring from football altogether. In total, he rushed for just over 200 yards in his career. While there have been other players who have been drafted higher and accomplished less, Clarett’s story is unique in that he was widely considered to be a can’t-miss prospect.

 

Paxton Lynch

Paxton Lynch, the former first-round pick of the Denver Broncos, is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Lynch was drafted 26th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft and was expected to be the Broncos’ franchise quarterback for years to come.

However, Lynch struggled mightily during his two seasons with the Broncos, tossing just 7 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 10 starts. He only started four games in his two seasons with the team, completing 79 of 128 passes for 792 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Broncos traded him to the Seahawks in 2018, and he was out of the NFL by 2019.

 

Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez will go down as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. The Jets selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and he was supposed to be their franchise quarterback. However, Sanchez struggled from the start, and turnovers and poor decision-making plagued his career.

After just five seasons, he was eventually released by the Jets, and he never regained his form.  While Sanchez did have some moments of success, including leading the team to back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances, he will always be remembered as a massive disappointment.

 

Christian Hackenberg

Christian Hackenberg was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. At the time, Hackenberg was seen as a raw but talented prospect with the potential to develop into a franchise quarterback. However, Hackenberg never managed to live up to his draft billing.

He appeared in just two games for the Jets, completing just 34 percent of his passes for one touchdown and four interceptions. Hackenberg struggled mightily in his two years with the Jets, completing just 51% of his passes for 6 TDs and 5 INTs. Hackenberg was eventually released by the Jets in 2018 and is currently out of the NFL.

 

Art Schlichter

Art Schlichter was selected fourth overall in the 1982 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts. A star quarterback at Ohio State, Schlichter was supposed to be a franchise player for the Colts. However, his NFL career quickly turned sour. Schlichter battled gambling addiction and was suspended from the league in 1983 for violating the league’s policy on gambling.

He tried to make a comeback in 1984, but was again suspended and then permanently banned from the NFL in 1986. Art Schlichter is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush was the second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, and he was supposed to be a franchise player. He was supposed to be the next big thing. Unfortunately, Reggie Bush was a bust. He only played 10 games in his rookie season and then missed the entire 2007 season with a knee injury.

He came back in 2008 and had a decent season, but he was never able to live up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of college. As a result, he is widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Blair Thomas

Blair Thomas was the second overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft, but he was a huge disappointment for the New York Jets. In four seasons with the Jets, he only ran for 1,480 yards and 7 TDs. He averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. The Jets gave up on him after four seasons, and he was out of the NFL by 1994.

The team eventually released him, and his career fizzled out shortly thereafter. Thomas is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Bruce Pickens

Bruce Pickens was the number three overall pick in the 1991 NFL draft. He was drafted by the Falcons, who were hoping he would be their next star cornerback. However, Pickens was a huge bust. He struggled with injuries and never lived up to his potential. He was out of the league within a few years and is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

Pickens is just one of the many draft busts that have happened over the years. While some players manage to overcome their early struggles and have successful careers, others never live up to their potential and end up as big busts.

 

Brady Quinn

Brady Quinn was the Notre Dame golden boy, a quarterback who was supposed to lead the Cleveland Browns back to glory. Brady Quinn was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd overall pick in 2007. Quinn was supposed to be the franchise quarterback that the Browns had been searching for.

However, he struggled with accuracy and decision-making, and was eventually benched in favor of Derek Anderson. Quinn was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2010, but was released after just two seasons. He bounced around with a few different teams before retiring in 2015.

 

JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. The Louisiana native was selected first overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2007 NFL Draft, but he failed to live up to expectations during his three seasons with the team.

Russell completed just 52.1 percent of his passes for 4,083 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in 25 career games. He was also notoriously unreliable off the field, missing team meetings and weight-loss deadlines. As a result, the Raiders released Russell in 2010, and he never played another down in the NFL.

 

Tony Mandarich

The Green Bay Packers drafted Tony Mandarich with the second overall pick in 1989, but he lasted just three seasons with the team. Mandarich was billed as an athletic freak who was too big and too strong for defenders to handle.

However, he turned out to be a massive disappointment on the field. He struggled with injuries and substance abuse and was out of the league by 1992. The Mandarich incident was a major blow to the Packers, who were forced to rebuild their offensive line from scratch. It also served as a cautionary tale for other teams about the dangers of overhyping a prospect.

 

Courtney Brown

Courtney Brown was the first overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2000 NFL Draft. He was expected to be a cornerstone of the franchise for years. However, Brown’s career was plagued by injuries, and he only played in four seasons.

He only played six seasons and had just 29 sacks. His career was hampered by injuries, which is why he’s considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. In that time, he tallied just 82 tackles and six sacks. He was out of the league by 2006 and is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Tim Tebow

The Denver Broncos drafted Tim Tebow in 2010, 25th overall. He was traded to the New York Jets in 2012 and then released by the Jets in 2013. Tim Tebow is one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. He only played 2 seasons in the NFL, and both teams released him.

Tim Tebow was a Heisman trophy winner and a National Champion in college football. Tim Tebow is one of the most famous college football players of all time. But he couldn’t transition his game to the NFL, and he is one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Ki-Jana Carter

Ki-Jana Carter was the number one pick in the NFL draft in 1995. He was an All-American running back from Penn State. Ki-Jana played with the Cincinnati Bengals for three seasons before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Throughout his career, injuries limited Carter to just 36 games. He only managed 3 touchdowns and under 2,000 rushing yards during that span.

He never regained his prior form and was out of the league by 1999. Ki-Jana is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Vince Young

Vince Young was the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. A highly touted quarterback out of the University of Texas, Young was expected to have a long and successful career in the NFL. Unfortunately, he was never able to live up to his potential.

In four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Young compiled a record of just 31-19. He also threw 46 interceptions and only had 34 touchdown passes. Young’s struggles led to him being released by the Titans in 2010, and he was never able to regain his footing in the NFL. As a result, he is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Rae Carruth

Rae Carruth was a first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 1997 NFL Draft. He played three seasons with the team, catching 44 passes for 545 yards and four touchdowns. However, his career came to a sudden and tragic end in 1999 when he was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams.

Carruth was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was released on parole in October 2018. However, Rae Carruth is undoubtedly the biggest bust in NFL history, both on and off the field.

 

Kevin Kolb

Kevin Kolb was selected with the 36th overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007. He was supposed to be the franchise quarterback that would lead the team to glory. However, Kolb only started seven games over four seasons with the Eagles, winning just three of them.

He was eventually traded to the Arizona Cardinals, where he fared no better. Kolb only started nine games over two seasons with Arizona, winning just three of them. He was released by the Cardinals after suffering yet another injury. Kevin Kolb’s NFL career was a massive disappointment.

 

Charles Rogers

The former Michigan State star was selected with the second overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He was expected to be a key piece in the Lions’ rebuilding process, but his career quickly turned into a disaster.

Rogers appeared in just 15 games over three seasons with the Lions, caught 36 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns, and was released by the team following the 2006 season. Rogers’ story is a cautionary tale for teams that invest too much in a player with potential but no guarantee of success. Charles Rogers proves that even the most talented prospects can flame out in the NFL.

 

Andre Ware

Andre Ware was the Andre the Giant of college quarterbacks. He towered over most of his opponents, and his arm was so strong that it was said he could throw a ball through a brick wall. When the Detroit Lions made him the 7th overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, they hoped he would be the franchise quarterback they had been searching for.

Unfortunately, Andre Ware was a massive disappointment. He struggled with accuracy, decision-making, and playing under pressure. He was benched after four starts, and he was entirely out of the NFL by 1995. In hindsight, it’s easy to see that Andre Ware was one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Vernon Gholston

Vernon Gholston is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. The linebacker was selected by the New York Jets with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, but he failed to make an impact during his time with the team.

In three seasons with the Jets, Gholston recorded just 26 tackles and zero sacks. The team released him after the 2010 season and never played in another NFL game. Vernon had a short career in the NFL but is now considered to be some of the biggest draft busts in history.

 

Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel, taken with the 22nd pick of the 2014 draft by the Cleveland Browns, is often cited as one of the biggest busts in NFL history. Manziel was a highly touted prospect coming out of Texas A&M, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2012.

However, his career in the NFL was short-lived, as he lasted just two seasons with the Browns before being released. In that time, he appeared in 14 games, throwing for 1,675 yards and seven touchdowns with seven interceptions. He also struggled with off-field issues, which led to his release from the team.

 

Brian Bosworth

Brian Bosworth was one of the most high-profile draft busts in NFL history. A two-time All-American linebacker at the University of Oklahoma, Bosworth was taken by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft.

However, his career was hampered by injuries, and the Seahawks released him after just three seasons. Bosworth later attempted a comeback with the Cowboys, but he was again hampered by injuries and failed to make an impact. As a result, Brian Bosworth is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Aaron Curry

Aaron Curry was the first linebacker taken in the 2009 NFL Draft. He was selected fourth overall by the Seattle Seahawks. At 6’3” and 254 pounds, Curry was intimidating on the field. He was also a two-time All-American and won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker in 2008.

However, Curry’s NFL career did not live up to the hype. He was plagued by injuries and only played in four seasons, tallying just 4.5 sacks and one interception. He was out of the league by 2013 and is widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Tim Couch

Tim Couch was the first overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns, and was expected to be the franchise quarterback that would lead the team to glory. However, Tim Couch quickly became one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. In his four seasons with the Browns, he only managed to win 10 games.

He was plagued by injuries, and was eventually replaced by future Hall of Famer Donovan McNabb. Tim Couch is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, and is a cautionary tale for any team considering using a high draft pick on a quarterback.

 

Todd Marinovich

The Los Angeles Raiders drafted Todd Marinovich with the 24th pick in the 1991 NFL Draft. The Raiders were hoping that Marinovich would be their quarterback of the future. Unfortunately, Marinovich’s time with the Raiders was short-lived. Unfortunately, Marinovich’s career was derailed by drug addiction, and he was out of the league within just two seasons.

He appeared in just two games, completing four of his nine pass attempts for 54 yards and no touchdowns. The team released him after just one season. Marinovich later admitted that his drug use played a role in his NFL career coming to an end.

 

Rick Mirer

Rick Mirer was the second overall pick in the 1993 NFL draft. A quarterback out of Notre Dame, Mirer was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the hope that he would be their franchise quarterback for years to come. However, Mirer struggled mightily during his time in Seattle, completing just 51.7% of his passes and throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.

He was eventually traded to the Chicago Bears, where he continued to disappoint. Mirer would go on to play for several other teams, but he never came close to living up to his draft status. In total, Mirer thrown for just over 11,000 yards and 48 touchdowns in his career.

 

Paul Posluszny

The Buffalo Bills drafted Paul Posluszny in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. At the time, he was considered a reach, and many pundits predicted he would be a bust. Unfortunately for Posluszny, those predictions proved to be correct.

He struggled mightily during his tenure with the Bills, and was ultimately released after just two seasons. He bounced around the league for a few years, before finally landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. Posluszny has enjoyed a marginally successful career with the Jaguars, but he will always be remembered as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Heath Shuler

Heath Shuler was the third overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He was ahead of future Hall of Famers such as Michael Strahan, Terrell Owens, and Derrick Brooks. However, he failed to live up to expectations, starting just 21 games over his three-year career with the Redskins.

He was expected to be a franchise quarterback, but he struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He was traded to the New Orleans Saints after just three seasons, and he was out of the league entirely by 1997. He retired from the NFL in 1997 and later became a politician.

 

Steve Emtman

Steve Emtman is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. The Indianapolis Colts selected the defensive tackle in 1992, but he was never able to live up to the hype. In four injury-plagued seasons with the Colts, Emtman recorded just 4.5 sacks. The team eventually released him in 1996 and his NFL career ended.

Emtman was one of the players that were all highly touted prospects who failed to live up to their potential in the NFL. While Steve Emtman is widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, he’s certainly not the only one.

 

Ryan Leaf

Ryan Leaf is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Taken 2nd overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 NFL Draft, Leaf was expected to be a franchise quarterback.

However, he was plagued by injuries and poor play throughout his career, lasting only four seasons in the NFL. In that time, he completed just 49.3 percent of his passes for 3,666 yards, with 24 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. Leaf’s career was an utter disappointment, and he is widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Jason Smith

Jason Smith, the second overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, was supposed to be a franchise cornerstone for the Rams. He was drafted by the Rams with the hope that he would be their franchise quarterback for years to come. Unfortunately, he quickly developed a reputation as a bust.

In three seasons with the Rams, Smith started just 27 games and was plagued by injuries. He was eventually traded to the Jets, which lasted just one season before being released. Jason Smith is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Robert Griffin III

Every year, NFL teams spend hours evaluating college prospects in an effort to find the next great player. Robert Griffin III is one of the most notable draft busts in recent years. After being drafted by the Washington Redskins with the second overall pick in 2012, he was expected to be a franchise quarterback.

However, injuries limited his effectiveness and he was released by the Redskins after just four seasons. While it’s impossible to predict which players will succeed and which will fail, draft busts remind us that even the best professionals can sometimes make mistakes.

 

Dion Jordan

Dion Jordan is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. The former defensive end was drafted third overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2013, but he only played in 26 games over three seasons before being released.

Dion Jordan failed to live up to his hype, recording just three sacks and one forced fumble during his time with the Dolphins. He was also suspended twice for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Dion Jordan’s career is a cautionary tale for teams tempted to reach for a player they believe has star potential.

 

Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson was the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, selected by the Cleveland Browns.  He was considered a can’t-miss prospect, and the Browns were hopeful that he would be the franchise running back they had been searching for.

Unfortunately, Richardson was a massive disappointment, gaining just over 1,000 yards in his two seasons with the team.  He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2013 and was released after just one season.  He briefly caught on with the Oakland Raiders but was again released, and his NFL career ended.

 

Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and was expected to be their franchise running back for years. However, Benson struggled from the start, averaging just 3.4 yards per carrying during his time with the Bears. The team eventually released him after just three seasons.

Benson played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, but he never regained the form that made him a top prospect coming out of college. In total, Benson rushed for just over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in his eight-year NFL career, making him one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Dee Milliner

Dee Milliner was selected with the 9th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He was supposed to be a shut-down corner, but he struggled from the start. He missed tackles, got burned by receivers, and looked lost on the field.

In his two seasons with the Jets, he recorded just 1 interception and 9 passes defensed. The team eventually released him, and he is currently out of the NFL. Milliner is just one example of a top draft pick who turned out to be a bust.  With a new regime in place, hopefully, they can turn things around and start drafting players.

 

Sam Bradford

Sam Bradford was the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and was expected to be a franchise quarterback for the Rams. However, Bradford failed to live up to expectations and was eventually traded to the Eagles.

In his eight seasons in the NFL, Bradford has only managed to throw for more than 3,000 yards twice. However, Bradford never lived up to his potential, and he was eventually traded to the Eagles. In 2015, the Eagles moved up in the draft to take quarterback Carson Wentz, and Bradford was released.

 

Akili Smith

Akili Smith was the third overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, but he is widely considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history. Smith played just three seasons in the NFL, starting 11 games. He threw for just 2,212 yards and five touchdowns during his career, while also racking up 13 interceptions.

After being released by the Bengals following the 2001 season, Smith never played in the NFL again. While there are other players who were drafted higher than Akili Smith and had shorter careers, few players have been as big of a disappointment as Smith.

 

Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart was the consensus number one pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. The 6’5″ quarterback out of USC was a two-time Heisman Trophy winner and looked like he had all the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback. However, Leinart only played in 15 games over four seasons with the Cardinals, throwing for just over 2,500 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Leinart was never able to find his footing in the NFL. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency and was out of the league by 2015. In retrospect, Matt Leinart is widely considered to be one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

 

Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota was the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, but he has yet to live up to the hype. In four seasons with the Titans, Mariota has thrown for more than 9,000 yards and 60 touchdowns, but injuries and inconsistency have also plagued him.

Mariota is one of the many high-profile drafts picks who have failed to live up to expectations. While it’s impossible to know why some players succeed while others fail, one thing is certain: The NFL draft is an inexact science, and even the most talented players can turn out to be busted.

 

So, there you have it—the biggest NFL Draft busts of all time. These players may have had high hopes and dreams when they were drafted, but for one reason or another, they failed to make an impact on the field.

Some of them are still playing in the league today, while others have long since retired. But no matter what happened after they were drafted, these players will always be remembered as some of the biggest flops in NFL history.