The Most Disappointing 1st Round Picks In NFL History
When you pick a player in the first round of the NFL draft you are looking for a bona fide starter for years to come. Sometimes, you get that and other times you get busts. Here's the top 25 worst draft picks in the first round in NFL history.
25. David Carr (Texans, 2002)
He was the first pick in Houston Texans history. He was sacked 76 times as a rookie and never developed into a big time starter in his career.
24. Rashaun Woods (49ers, 2004)
Drafted 31st overall by the 49ers the WR caught just seven passes as a rookie. After that, he never caught another pass in his career.
23. Kevin White (Bears, 2015)
The 7th overall pick WR battled constant injuries which never let him get going. He had 25 catches in four seasons with Chicago.
22. Black Bortles (Jaguars, 2014)
Drafted 3rd overall by the Jaguars to be their franchise QB he never excelled. He was known for his turnovers, inaccuracy and becoming a backup later in his career.
21. Johnny Manziel (Browns, 2014)
Manziel the former Heisman trophy winner was drafted 22nd overall by the Browns. He lasted just two seasons.
20. Aaron Curry (Seahawks,2009)
Drafted 4th overall by the Seahawks he was known as the "safest" pick in the draft. He ended with just 5.5 sacks before getting traded.
19. Dan McGwire (Seahawks, 1991)
Drafted 16th overall to be the Seahawks QB of the future. He was a 6'8" giant with a rocket arm. Well he ended up starting just five games in his career and threw just two touchdowns.
18. Jarvis Moss (Broncos, 2007)
Moss was picked 17th overall to fix the Broncos pass rush. He ended up having 4.5 sacks in four seasons.
17. Heath Shuler (Washington, 1994)
Shuler was the third overall pick in the draft and was supposed to be a future franchise QB. He threw 15 TDs and 33 INTs and retired after four seasons.
16. Andre Ware (Lions, 1990)
He was the 7th overall pick and a Heisman Trophy winner. He ended up throwing for just 1,112 pass yards in four seasons.
15. Troy Williamson (Vikings, 2005)
He was gonna be the replacement for Randy Moss. But he ended up being a complete bust with 79 catches in three years.
14. Courtney Browns (Browns, 2000)
He was taken 1st overall by the Browns out of Penn State. 19 sacks over 6 seasons, injuries just never let him get going.
13. Dion Jordan (Dolphins, 2013)
Jordan was drafted 3rd overall by the Dolphins. He ended up getting just three sacks in his Dolphins career with multiple suspensions.
12. Justin Blackmon (Jaguars, 2012)
Blackmon was picked 5th overall and showed some elite flashes. But his substance abuse ended up haunting him and ended his career after just 20 games.
11. Lawrence Phillips (Rams, 1996)
Phillips was picked 6th overall despite so many red flags. He struggled both on and off the field and his violence led to multiple arrests.
10. Aaron Maybin (Bills, 2009)
Picked 11th overall in the NFL draft Maybin became a big bust. He never recorded a sack in two seasons.
9. Charles Rogers (Lions, 2003)
Rogers was drafted second overall at WR. He played just 15 games in his career and only had 36 catches.
8. Vernon Gholston (Jets, 2008)
Gholston was taken 6th overall as a pass rush phenom. He never had a single sack in three seasons with the Jets.
7. Akili Smith (Bengals, 1999)
Smith was drafted with the number 3 overall pick to play QB. He threw five TDs and 13 INTs before flaming out.
6. Tim Couch (Browns, 1999)
Couch was taken with the first pick of the draft for the Browns in their expansion season. They tried to make something out of him but he had a 22-37 record as a starter.
5. Trent Richardson (Browns, 2012)
He was drafted third overall and was supposed to be a franchise RB. He averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and was out of the league by age 25.
4. Rick Mirer (Seahawks, 1993)
Mirer was drafted 2nd overall to become the QB savior for our Seahawks. Instead he threw 56 INTs to just 41 TDs and was traded after four disappointing seasons.
3. Tony Mandarich (Packers, 1989)
He was known as the "Incredible Bulk" and known as the greatest OL prospect of all time. He was overwhelmed in the NFL.
2. Ryan Leaf (Chargers, 1998)
Leaf was picked 2nd overall right after Peyton Manning. He was an absolute horrid bust. He threw for 14 TDs and 36 INTs in four seasons.
1. JaMarcus Russell (Raiders, 2007)
Drafted 1st overall, Russell showed zero work ethic, threw 18 TDs to 23 INTs and was out of the league in three years after collecting a huge contract.