$Every NFL Team\'s Biggest Draft Bust of All Time$

Every NFL Team's Biggest Draft Bust of All Time

By Brian Kalchik

Every NFL Team’s Biggest Draft Bust of All Time

Ryan Leaf #16 — After counting down the worst coaches and starting quarterbacks in each team's history, it's now time to countdown the biggest draft bust for every NFL franchise. Which players are the worst of the worst? Find out here.

Arizona Cardinals: Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart

Arizona Cardinals: Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart — Drafted: No. 10 Overall, 2006

Honorable Mention: Wendell Bryant

The former Heisman Trophy winner was selected 10th overall in 2006 by the Cardinals. He was expected to push Kurt Warner for the job, but instead watched as Warner led the Cards to Super Bowl XLIII. Even after Warner's retirement, Leinart never panned out.

Atlanta Falcons: Aundray Bruce

Aundray Bruce

Atlanta Falcons: Aundray Bruce

Aundray Bruce — Drafted: No. 1 Overall, 1988

Honorable Mention: Jamaal Anderson

Aundray Bruce was a flop with the Falcons and never should've been the No. 1 overall pick. He lasted just four seasons with the Falcons, and Atlanta picked him ahead of players like Michael Irvin, Tim Brown, Randall McDaniel and a host of other Pro Bowl-caliber players.

Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Boller

Kyle Boller Ravens

Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Boller

Kyle Boller Ravens — Drafted: No. 19 Overall, 2003

Honorable Mentions: Sergio Kindle

Nine selections after drafting Terrell Suggs, the Ravens selected Boller in 2003 with the hopes of adding a franchise quarterback. Instead, Boller, in five seasons with Baltimore, managed a 20-22 record with 45 touchdown passes and 44 interceptions.

Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams

Mike Williams Bills

Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams

Mike Williams Bills — Drafted: No. 4 Overall, 2002

Honorable Mentions: EJ Manuel

Over the last 30 years, the Bills have had just four top-five picks in the draft. One of them was Williams, who quickly became a flop. After multiple position changes along the line, he was cut by the team in 2006.

Carolina Panthers: Rae Carruth

Rae Carruth

Carolina Panthers: Rae Carruth

Rae Carruth — Drafted: No. 27 Overall. 1997

Honorable Mention: Jimmy Clausen

After three underwhelming seasons with the Panthers, Carruth's football career ended after he was convicted of aiding in the shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend.

Chicago Bears: Curtis Enis

Curtis Enis, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears: Curtis Enis

Curtis Enis, Chicago Bears — Drafted: No. 5 Overall, 1998

Honorable Mention: Cade McNown

Many years ago, Penn State University was known for its running back prowess. Once the '90s hit, most of the top Nittany Lion backs were busts, especially Enis. He finished his career with just 36 games played and six touchdowns.

Cincinnati Bengals: Akili Smith

Akili Smith Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals: Akili Smith

Akili Smith Cincinnati Bengals — Drafted: No. 3 Overall, 1999

Honorable Mention: David Klingler

A one-season wonder, Smith was selected as a top-five pick in what became a loaded draft class. In four seasons in Cincinnati, Smith went 3-14 and had a touchdown-to-interception differential of 5-13.

Cleveland Browns: Tim Couch

Tim Couch Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: Tim Couch

Tim Couch Cleveland Browns — Drafted: No. 1 Overall, 1999

Honorable Mention: Brady Quinn

Couch, the No. 1 pick of the 1999 draft, would only win 22 games in five seasons with the team, but he was the first quarterback for an expansion franchise. Still, as the No. 1 overall pick, 22 wins in five seasons isn't good enough.

Dallas Cowboys: David LaFleur

David Lafleur #89 — 18 Oct 1999: David Lafleur #89 of the New York Giants tackles Jesse Armstrong #98 of the Dallas Cowboys at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport

Dallas Cowboys: David LaFleur

David Lafleur #89 — Drafted: No. 22 Overall, 1997

Honorable Mention: Bobby Carpenter

The Cowboys hoped they found the next Jay Novacek in David LaFleur, who was the No. 22 overall pick of the 1997 draft. In short, he was not. In four seasons with the team, LaFleur had only one season with more than 200 receiving yards, and he never caught a pass that went for over 25 yards.

Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow Denver Broncos — Drafted: No. 25 Overall, 2010

Honorable Mention: Jarvis Moss

To qualify myself, I rated Tebow as the worst starting QB in Broncos history, so his placement on this list isn't surprising. Tebow got all the credit for the 2011 season when the defense and Matt Prater carried him along, and he was terrible even though he was credited with those wins. After one full season as a starter, Tebow was traded to the Jets.

Detroit Lions: Charles Rogers

Charles Rogers runs with the ball

Detroit Lions: Charles Rogers

Charles Rogers runs with the ball — Drafted: No. 2 Overall, 2003

Honorable Mention: Andre Ware

The first of three consecutive first-round receivers, Rogers had a promising start, but injuries and suspension derailed his career. In three seasons and 15 games with the Lions, Rogers tallied 36 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns.

Green Bay Packers: Tony Mandarich

Tony Mandarich

Green Bay Packers: Tony Mandarich

Tony Mandarich — Drafted: No. 2 Overall, 1989

Honorable Mention: Justin Harrell

One Sports Illustrated cover called Tony Mandarich "The Incredible Bulk" and arguably the best offensive lineman ever. However, Mandarich couldn't play tackle at the NFL level. Mandarich lasted just three seasons in Green Bay, and the Packers passed on Hall-of-Famers like Deion Sanders, Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas.

Houston Texans: David Carr

David Carr Texans

Houston Texans: David Carr

David Carr Texans — Drafted: No. 1 Overall, 2003

Honorable Mention: Travis Johnson

Like Couch, David Carr was drafted by an expansion, and he was a flop. He was sacked 76 times his rookie year, which was an NFL record. Also, he never put together a winning record in any of his five seasons with the team.

Indianapolis Colts: Art Schlichter

Art Schlichter

Indianapolis Colts: Art Schlichter

Art Schlichter — Drafted: No. 4 Overall, 1982

Honorable Mention: Trev Alberts

After a 2-14 season in 1981, the Baltimore Colts selected Art Schlichter with a top-five pick in 1982, and the results were disastrous. Schlichter lasted 13 games, where he was 0-6 lifetime as a starter and threw three touchdown passes to 11 interceptions. A year later, the Colts drafted John Elway, but traded him to Denver.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert

Blaine Gabbert Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert

Blaine Gabbert Jacksonville Jaguars — Drafted: No. 10 Overall, 2011

Honorable Mention: Justin Blackmon

Coming into the 2011 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars needed a young quarterback for their future, but Gabbert certainly wasn't the answer. In three seasons, Gabbert went 5-22 with 22 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions.

Kansas City Chiefs: Todd Blackledge

Todd Blackledge Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs: Todd Blackledge

Todd Blackledge Kansas City Chiefs — Drafted: No. 7 Overall, 1983

Honorable Mention: Ryan Sims

Blackledge was the second quarterback selected in the famed 1983 Draft, and he didn't live up to that billing. He would never play more than eight games in a season and was gone from the team in 1987. Blackledge was selected ahead of Hall-of-Famers Jim Kelly and Dan Marino.

Miami Dolphins: Ted Ginn Jr.

Ted Ginn Jr. Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins: Ted Ginn Jr.

Ted Ginn Jr. Miami Dolphins — Drafted: No. 9 Overall, 2007

Honorable Mention: Yatil Green

Ginn Jr. arrived in Miami with much fanfare following a spectacular college career with Ohio State. The Dolphins, however, got a glorified kick returner instead of a top-10 receiver. After three seasons, Ginn Jr. was shipped to San Francisco.

Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder

Christian Ponder Cover

Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder

Christian Ponder Cover — Drafted: No. 12 Overall, 2011

Honorable Mention: Troy Williamson

The second QB from the class of 2011 to appear on this list, Ponder was as bad as Gabbert was in Jacksonville. In four seasons with the Vikings, Ponder went 14-21-1 with 38 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.

New England Patriots: Kenneth Sims

Kenneth Sims

New England Patriots: Kenneth Sims

Kenneth Sims — Drafted: No. 1 Overall, 1982

Honorable Mention: Andy Katzenmoyer

No draft pick in Patriots history was worse than using the No. 1 overall pick of the 1982 draft on Sims. In an injury-prone career, Sims only amassed 17 sacks in his eight-year career.

New Orleans Saints: Russell Erxleban

New Orleans Saints v San Francisco 49ers

New Orleans Saints: Russell Erxleban

New Orleans Saints v San Francisco 49ers — Drafted: No. 11 Overall, 1979

Honorable Mention: Johnathan Sullivan

Ray Guy was the first punter selected in the second round, and he became a Hall-of-Famer. Erxleban was the second, and he was a bust. The Saints actually passed on Hall of Fame TE Kellen Winslow to select Erxleban.

New York Giants: Ron Dayne

Giants v Eagles

New York Giants: Ron Dayne

Giants v Eagles — Drafted: No. 11 Overall, 2000

Honorable Mention: Dave Brown

Even with Tiki Barber on the roster, the Giant selected Dayne with a top-15 pick in 2000. After four seasons, the Giants parted ways with Dayne.

New York Jets: Vernon Gholston

Vernon Gholston New York Jets

New York Jets: Vernon Gholston

Vernon Gholston New York Jets — Drafted: No. 6 Overall, 2008

Honorable Mention: Blair Thomas

The Jets have had many busts over the years, but Gholston earns the top spot on my list. The former Ohio State Buckeye standout played in 45 games for the Green and White and made five starts. He did not, however, record a sack in his brief career.

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell — Drafted: No. 1 Overall, 2007

Honorable Mention: Todd Marinovich

The worst of the worst in terms of draft busts, JaMarcus Russell was nothing but trouble the moment he came to Oakland. Russell played in 31 games in three seasons for the Silver and Black, owning a 7-18 record as a starter with 18 touchdown passes and 38 total turnovers.

Philadelphia Eagles: Leroy Keyes

Leroy Keyes

Philadelphia Eagles: Leroy Keyes

Leroy Keyes — Drafted: No. 3 Overall, 1969

Honorable Mention: Danny Watkins

The 1968 Eagles won two of their last three games, costing them a chance at O.J. Simpson. Their consolation prize was Keyes, who had 637 total yards of offense in four seasons. The next pick after Keyes was Joe Greene, arguably the greatest defensive tackle ever.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Gabe Rivera

Pittsburgh Steelers Helmet

Pittsburgh Steelers: Gabe Rivera

Pittsburgh Steelers — Drafted: No. 21 Overall, 1983

Honorable Mention: Mark Malone

With hometown QB Dan Marino still on the board, the Steelers opted for Rivera, a defensive tackle from Texas Tech. After his rookie season, Rivera's career ended when he was paralyzed following injuries from a car accident.

San Diego Chargers: Ryan Leaf

Ryan Leaf #16 — 3 Dec 2000: Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 44-17.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

San Diego Chargers: Ryan Leaf

Ryan Leaf #16 — Drafted: No. 2 Overall, 1998

Honorable Mention: Buster Davis

The San Diego Chargers landed one of the greatest all-time draft busts in league history in Ryan Leaf with the second overall pick of the 1998 draft. Leaf was a jerk to everyone, including the media, and looked god awful on the field. He lasted until 2001, then was released.

San Francisco 49ers: Jim Druckenmiller

Jim Druckenmiller San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers: Jim Druckenmiller

Jim Druckenmiller San Francisco 49ers — Drafted: No. 26 Overall, 1997

Honorable Mention: A.J. Jenkins

Even with Steve Young on the roster, the 49ers drafted Druckenmiller in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Druckenmiller would never get the chance to replace the legendary Young, going 1-0 as the 49ers' starter and tossing one career touchdown pass and four interceptions.

Seattle Seahawks: Rick Mirer

Rick Mirer Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks: Rick Mirer

Rick Mirer Seattle Seahawks — Drafted: No. 2 Overall, 1993

Honorable Mention: Aaron Curry

As the second overall pick, Mirer was expected to help turn around the Seahawks after the failed Dan McGwire experiment. Mirer was a career 53 percent passer in Seattle and threw 15 more interceptions than touchdowns before being shipped off to Chicago.

St. Louis Rams: Lawrence Phillips

Lawrence Phillips St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams: Lawrence Phillips

Lawrence Phillips St. Louis Rams — Drafted: No. 6 Overall, 1996

Honorable Mention: Terry Baker

A talented running back with off-field concerns, the Rams wasted a top-10 pick on Phillips, who later became one of the most infamous players in NFL history. Phillips seemingly has more arrests than yards gained. The Rams also traded away future Hall-of-Famer Jerome Bettis and replaced him with Phillips.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mark Barron

Philadelphia Eagles v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mark Barron

Philadelphia Eagles v Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Drafted: No. 7 Overall, 2012

Honorable Mention: Vinny Testaverde

The Buccaneers, like the Jets, have had terrible draft picks, and while Barron had a good start to his career, the former top-10 overall pick simply wasn't a good fit. After two seasons, Barron was traded to St. Louis, and the Bucs essentially wasted a first-round pick.

Tennessee Titans: Pacman Jones

Pacman Jones Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans: Pacman Jones

Pacman Jones Tennessee Titans — Drafted: No. 6 Overall, 2005

Honorable Mention: Jake Locker

As we have seen now, Adam Jones is a solid NFL corner, but with Tennessee, Pacman was a disaster waiting to happen. A top-10 pick in 2005, Jones constantly got into trouble off the field and he lasted a mere two seasons with the Titans.

Washington Redskins: Heath Shuler

Heath Shuler Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins: Heath Shuler

Heath Shuler Washington Redskins — Drafted: No. 3 Overall, 1994

Honorable Mention: Desmond Howard

Following the declining play of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, the Redskins drafted their QB of the future in Shuler. The former Tennessee Volunteer was a failure from the start, recording just a 4-9 record as the Redskins' starter.

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