The Top 10 Worst NFL Draft Picks
Published on September 3, 2007 - 36 Comments
In professional sports, no amateur draft is bigger and more covered than the annual NFL draft. Composed of seven rounds and pick to pick coverage, the draft is big business for NFL teams, as one good draft can completely change the fortunes of the franchise. However, some picks do not work out, and some are legendarily horrible. The ten worst picks are compiled here.
10. Rick Mirer (Notre Dame, QB - 1993 First Round, 2nd Pick Overall, Seattle Seahawks)
While at Notre Dame, Rick Mirer played to an impressive 19-7-1 record. In 1992, Mirer lead the Irish to a victory over Florida in the Sugar Bowl and was named co-MVP with teammate Jerome Bettis. In a manner that would foreshadow the Manning-Leaf debate five years later, debate raged over whether Drew Bledsoe or Rick Mirer was the superior prospect. In the end, Bledsoe went first to the New England Patriots, and Mirer was drafted number two overall to the Seattle Seahawks. After a fine rookie season, finishing fifth in the AFC in passing, Mirer began a series of disappointing seasons. In 1995, he threw only 13 touchdowns compared to 20 interceptions, and the following season he threw 5 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He continued his career as a backup quarterback, but nothing more.
9. Tim Couch (University of Kentucky, QB - 1999 First Round, 1st Pick Overall, Cleveland Browns)
Tim Couch was a high school phenomenon, setting national records for completions, passing yards, touchdowns, and passing accuracy. Couch was heralded as the best quarterback prospect since John Elway nearly 20 years earlier. He played college for Kentucky, where he continued his record setting ways while making big play after big play. Like so many of draft busts, he entered the draft early, and was drafted number one overall to the expansion Cleveland Browns. Couch struggled throughout his career, despite a stat line that includes 64 touchdowns in 62 games. After being replaced and cut in Cleveland, Couch tried to become the heir to Brett Favre in Green Bay, but this led to nothing. Recently it has been reported that Couch has been using HGH, a substance banned by the NFL.
8. Curtis Enis (Penn State, RB - 1998 First Round, 5th Pick Overall, Chicago Bears)
As the starting running back for Penn State, Curtis Enis possessed the strength of a power back while possessing the finesse of a speed back. Enis was considered to be the top running back in the 1998 draft. He played three-years and 34 games in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. Enis had one decent season, during which he played 15 games, rushed for 287 carries, gained 916 yards, and scored five touchdowns. It was reported that Enis turned down a six year deal that would have earned him $18 million dollars as a rookie instead to sign a three year deal where he earned $5.5 million dollars. The thinking was that Enis would prove his worth for a bigger deal following the 3 years. However, by the end of year three he was out of the NFL.
7. Jeff George (Illinois, QB - 1990 First Round, 1st Pick Overall, Indianapolis Colts)
Controversy followed Jeff George throughout his college and professional career. After being recruited by Purdue, George transferred because the coach, Leon Burtnett, was fired. George went to the University of Miami (Fl.), but backed out when coach Jimmy Johnson refused to guarantee George the starting job. George then went to the University of Illinois where he played for two years. After deciding to leave early, George was the number one overall pick to his hometown team, the Indianapolis Colts. He was awarded what was at the time the richest rookie contract in NFL history. But what seemed like a dream job was not to be, and after four years of arguing with the coach and dueling with the fans, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. George enjoyed moderate success with the Falcons, but again, conflict brewed between him and the head coach, where soon he was shipped to the Oakland Raiders. George had his best years with the Raiders, but controversy again bloomed in the form of George announcing in 1998 that he was done for the year after a groin injury, which was unknown to the team. George had better numbers than most of the players on this list, but his history of feuding and inability to lead his team to success earn him the label of bust.
6. Ki-Jana Carter (Penn State, RB - 1995 First Round, 1st Pick Overall, Cincinnati Bengals)
Many disappointing running backs have come out of the Penn State football program, including list entry Curtis Enis. However, none have had as notorious a career as Ki-Jana Carter, who was the top overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft. Carter is noted as being one of the biggest disappointing number one overall picks. A standout player in college, Carter ran for 227 and 5 touchdowns in a single game against Michigan State. Despite leaving college early, Carter is still in the top ten among Penn State running backs, finishing his career with 2829 yards rushing on 341 attempts and scoring 38 touchdowns. On his first carry in his first preseason NFL game, Carter tore his anterior cruciate ligament. He never fully regained his power or speed, and never became more than a competent backup.
5. Lawrence Phillips (Nebraska, RB - 1996 First Round, 6th Pick Overall, St. Louis Rams)
At Nebraska, Lawrence Phillips showed both power and speed and the ability to be a big playmaker at running back. Phillips Achilles heel, however, was trouble with the law. As a professional, he proved to be an underperformer and a distraction for his team. Phillips consistently avoided team meanings, and was arrested several times for assault and domestic abuse. Phillips only played four seasons in the NFL with a pedestrian 41 yards per game average. Since leaving the NFL, he has been convicted of seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
4. Akili Smith (Oregon, QB - 1999 First Round, 3rd Pick Overall, Cincinnati Bengals)
Akili Smith stormed up draft boards in 1999 due to a superb senior season at Oregon and a good pre-draft workout. Many considered his upside to top that of any other quarterback in the draft. The pre-draft hype may have been the undoing of Smith, who could never live up to his pre-draft status. As a Cincinnati Bengal, he threw for only 5 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. After being cut by the Bengals in 2002, Smith tried to catch on with the Green Bay Packers, but Smith was cut from the roster before the season. Recently, he has been playing Canadian football.
3. Art Schlichter (Ohio State, QB - 1982 First Round, 4th Pick Overall, Baltimore Colts)
A standout college player, Art Schlichter nearly led the Buckeyes to a national title his final season. Many anticipated that Schlichter bring his game to the next level when he reached the NFL. Instead, he brought a penchant for gambling. The league suspended him in 1983 when it was revealed that Schlichter had accumulated a massive gambling debt. By 1985, the Colts had released him. Schlichter has over 20 felonies on his record, as well as the dubious honor of being in prison over 30 times.
2. Tony Mandarich (Michigan State, OT - 1989 First Round, 2nd Pick Overall, Green Bay Packers)
Before there was Ryan Leaf, there was Tony Mandarich, who wore the label of the ultimate NFL draft bust. He’s still in the top 2. After a fantastic senior year, where he was named a first-team All-American, Big Ten Lineman of the Year and Outland Award Finalist, he was being praised as the best lineman prospect to come out in recent memory. After being drafted by the Green Bay Packers, he held out and did not sign a contract until just before the beginning of the regular season. He inked a four-year deal and played on special teams his first season. Noted for having a bad attitude and being a suspected steroid user, the Packers cut him after his third season. Mandarich played for three more seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, but did not perform anything beyond mediocre. What makes the drafting of Mandarich all the more painful was the next few picks in the same draft, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders, all of whom had spectacular professional careers.
1. Ryan Leaf (Washington State, QB - 1998 First Round, 2nd Pick Overall, San Diego Chargers)
In 1998 Ryan Leaf looked like the real deal. So much so that many teams argued that he should be the top pick over Tennessee standout, Peyton Manning. Leaf was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy his final year at Washington State, and was a first team All-American and PAC-10 offensive player of the year. Instead of returning for his senior season, Leaf entered the draft. While the Indianapolis Colts selected Peyton Manning with the top pick, the San Diego Chargers traded up from the 3rd Pick so that they could guarantee themselves Leaf. For the 2nd pick, the Chargers traded their first and second round pick, along with two players. Leaf signed a 4-year deal that gave him $31.25 millions with $11.25 of that guaranteed signing bonus. Once arriving, Leaf’s legendary cockiness alienated him from the rest of his teammates. He only played two years with the Chargers, for which he threw only 13 touchdowns and an exorbitant 33 interceptions.
Contributor: Jason Hirschhorn
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1. JB - September 3rd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I was getting worried that Leaf wasn’t gonna be on the list…glad to see him at #1 though. What a loser!
2. Chris - September 3rd, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I wonder if Carter would have fared much better if he wasn’t injured.
Nice to see another great sports list. Maybe the same list could be done for other sports as well..
3. Ballard - September 3rd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Great list.
Heath Shuler, sorry, Congressman Heath Shuler deserves an honorable mention.
I’ll never forget when, before a Redskins-Cowboys game, he said, “I think I can match Troy Aikman pass for pass.” My mother said, “Wow, that Troy guy must be really bad if Shuler can match him.”
4. RobS - September 3rd, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Poor Tim Couch. He actually might have been able to be a great quarterback, but he had the misfortune of being drafted by Cleveland.
How can you reach your potential as a quarterback when you have no offensive line? You’re too busy trying to stay alive.
Then he was injured a couple of times and that pretty much spelled his doom.
5. evan - September 3rd, 2007 at 7:50 pm
OT Mike Williams was a huge bust for the bills, I think he was fifth overall
6. Bill Evenson - September 3rd, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Dimitrius Underwood, defensive end, was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 29th overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. He signed a five year, $5.3 million contract in August 1, 1999 but walked out of training camp the next day and never returned, saying he could not resolve the conflict between playing football and serving his Christian faith. He was claimed on waivers by the Miami Dolphins after 23 teams passed on him. He only played one preseason game for the Dolphins before getting injured. In September 1999, Underwood attempted to commit suicide by slashing his own neck before repeatedly yelling “I’m not worthy of God”. After he escaped from a psychiatric care facility, he was released from the Dolphins in December 1999. He later signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. During the 2000-2001 seasons, Underwood had 21 tackles and 4 sacks in 19 games. In January 2001, he tried to kill himself for the second time by running into traffic twice on a busy suburban highway. The Cowboys released him later that month. In 2002, Dimitrius was arrested on charges of robbing a paraplegic and assaulting an Irving police officer but was deemed incompetent in 2003 to stand trial. In 2007 he was arrested and is now currently at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC). He is housed on the unit for the mentally disturbed (K Unit).
7. jfrater - September 3rd, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Hey guys - great comments - thanks.
8. ryan - September 4th, 2007 at 7:52 am
how do you not include mike Williams Charles rogers or Andre ware. I thought this whole article would be about Detroit
9. Chris - September 5th, 2007 at 4:08 am
What about David Klingler?
10. James Hudson - September 6th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
David Carr has turned out to be as bad as Couch.
11. Wade - September 7th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Two words. Brian Bosworth. ’nuff said.
12. Weaver - September 9th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
The lack of Todd Marinovich diminishes this list.
13. JMartin - September 12th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Gotta go with Brian Bosworth here. Even ESPN ranks him in the top 10 sports bombs.
14. jon ( DA BEARS) - September 22nd, 2007 at 5:18 pm
i’m from chicago and i am a hugh BEARS fan!!! you should put sorry ass rex grossman on the list he was 1st round pick and compleatly useless he absolutly sucks. at least Curtis Enis gave us one good season thats more than what we can say about rex gross’s me out. lol p.s the only reason we went to the championship game was cause of our defense. and hester.
15. Robert - November 1st, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Todd Marinovich….had a psycho dad and he also liked to smoke a lot of pot….loser
16. Barrett - November 3rd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Bo Jackson was a bust for the Bucs………… He refused to play for us!
17. Dale - November 10th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I know this may be ancient history to you, but I think Terry Baker should be mentioned. A QB out of Oregon State, he won the Heisman and about every other award imaginable back in 1962. He was the first player chosen in the 1963 draft, taken by the Rams. He spent three seasons there as a back-up, then gave it up to go to law school (during which time he played in Canada for a few years).
18. Dale - November 10th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
A couple more:
1959–the Packers took as the first pick of the entire draft QB Randy Duncan out of Iowa. He instead went to Canada (his stated reason was that this was before Lombardi and the CFL offered him more money), played there two years, then spent two years as a backup with the AFL’s Dallas Texans (predecessor to the Kansas City Chiefs).
1992–the Colts had the first two picks of the draft, and took DT Steve Emtman from Washington and LB Quentin Coryatt from Texas A & M. Emtman’s NFL career was injury-plagued; only played ten games in six seasons and had eight career sacks. Coryatt lasted eight years and only had eight sacks in 97 games.
19. mooster - December 3rd, 2007 at 12:41 am
Great list, though I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time wondering where Leaf would end up. He’s finally a winner!!
20. kcheisman - December 7th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
This list is shoddy at best.
Aundray Bruce.
People don’t even know who he is, and he was No. 1 overall. Worst pick ever.
21. Nick - December 7th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
HEY! couch wouldnt have been so bad if they waited for him instead of rushing him in as soon as Ty Detmer threw a pic. it would have been alot different
22. Alexandra - December 16th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
We don’t hear anything about American football in Australia. The only player I know is Tom Brady and I don’t even know why. I’m not even certain he’s a football player, ha ha.
23. johnny - December 27th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Somethings wrong with this list because David Carr is not on it!
24. luckyaz - January 10th, 2008 at 1:44 am
carr is a decent quarterback with a offensive line, i live in arizona, i’m guessing matt leinart might make this list
25. HGONZ - March 12th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
David Carr is a sorry excuse for a pro QB, it is not the Offensive Line’s fault that he cannot get rid of the football in time. David Carr is like 25 pounds of shit stuffed in a 5 pound bag.
Honorable mention for the BOZ, I will never forget the game where Bo Jackson ran him over, that was great.
26. MPW - April 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Joey Harrington….
Reggie Bush so far..
injuries do not count
How about a list of the worst draft picks by teams like the the blazers picking Bowie over Jordan
27. JP - May 8th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I had a few classes with Ryan Leaf at Wazzu. Your cockiness comment is 100% spot-on. I never once saw him at class, even though attendance was required (kind of weird at a University, especially when you are paying for it) but he still passed! Fancy that!
I loved watching him at school, but his professional career was such a sad debacle.
28. Justin - July 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I think it’s tough to put Ki-Jana Carter on the list, since it’s not his fault or lack of talent that made him “stink.”
29. Qtrademark - August 4th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Not too many people know this, but even John Elway considered retiring early in his career to become a coach with his father at Stanford. Elway didn’t become consistently great until about his 5th year in the league. Elway was frustrated with Dan Reeves plus Elway was the only really great player on the Broncos. He was very fortunate he got some help later with Mike Shanahan some really great players like Terrell Davis, Sharpe, Elam, Romo, McCaffrey, etc. Maybe Leaf could have become a good player eventually if he changed his attitude. I don’t agree with Jeff George being on the list. Did you see the guy play with the Vikings with Randy Moss? Jeff George was frigging awesome. Monster of an arm! Denny Green was an idiot for letting George go in favor of Culpepper.
30. jay - September 1st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
good list - not sure I’d include Carter since he had multiple injuries and never had a chance. One thing’s for sure, the man could flat out play in college.
31. SuperHero3 - September 29th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Anyone remember Tim Biakabetuka (spelling) First Game, First Rush, torn ACL. Classic.
Dave Klinger and Andre Ware were QB stats gods at the University of Houston but big-time busts as pros.
Definately agree with Mike Williams and Calvin Johnson. Might want to add Vince Young to that list. The jury is still out on Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart (ok maybe Leinart is done too) I think Bush will round into form soon enough.
Anyone remember Sammie “Mr. Fumble” Smith. Florida State stand-out who couldn’t hold onto the ball as a member of the Dolphins. I remember him well being a die-hard fins fan. And speaking Fins draft busts. Anyone remember Yatil Green from the Canes? Supposedly the fastet WR ever…except for that damn torn ACL
32. josh116 - October 11th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I remember the Peyton-Ryan debate well. Guys were swearing by Leaf, claiming Peyton couldn’t win the big games.
If you haven’t seen Ryan Leaf having a bitch fit in the locker room youtube his name and it should pop up. Trust me, its hilarious.
33. Robin - October 21st, 2008 at 10:06 pm
LOL! I went to school with Ryan. He was such a waste of a pick. I really agree he needed to head this list.
34. Alex - October 29th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Bosworth. The hype was unbelievable, and all for nothing.
Ryan Leaf: “Get away from me! Leemme alone!”
35. JetFan - December 2nd, 2008 at 5:03 am
Blair Thomas, Johnny “Lam” Jones.
36. ViewARandomList… - December 19th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Kwame Harriss, #16 overall, SF 49ers (2003?)
He wasn’t overly hyped or even a top 10 pick, but he is by far the worst left tackle in the game, yet he’s still starting!(for the raiders, if that counts) but anyone who has seen a raiders or 49ers game over the past 5 or so years could attest