NFL Draft busts of the decade
by Dan Kadar on Dec 1, 2009 4:13 PM EST
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PrintOur friends over at Shutdown Corner have been pumping out decade lists this week spotlighting the best and worst of the NFL.
In the latter category is the 10 biggest NFL Draft busts. Check it out for the details, but here's their list:
1. Charles Rogers, WR, Detroit Lions, No. 2, 2003
2. JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders, No. 1, 2007
3. Peter Warrick, WR, Cincinnati Benglas, No. 4, 2000
4. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints, No. 2, 2006
5. Matt Leinart, QB, Arizona Cardinals, No. 10, 2006
5. Maurice Clarett, RB, Denver Broncos, No. 101, 2005
7. LaVar Arrington, LB, Washington Redskins, No. 2, 2000
8. Courtney Brown, DE, Cleveland Browns, No. 1, 2000
9. Robert Gallery, T, Oakland Raiders, No. 3, 2004
10. Mike Williams, WR, Detroit Lions, No. 10, 2005
It's hard to argue totally with that list. It might be unfair to include Arrington and Brown because they were injured. But whatever, that's their list. Here are my favorite busts of the decade. I only went with the first rounders and tended to not include players who suffered injuries – Justin Harrell, you're lucky.
2000
Peter Warrick, WR, Cincinnati Bengals, No. 4
Corey Simon, DT, Philadelphia Eagles, No. 6
Ron Dayne, RB, New York Giants, No. 10
Sylvester Morris, WR, Kansas City, No. 21
Rashard Jackson, DB, Carolina Panthers, No. 23
- Remember Morris and Jackson? Both were from Jackson State and supposedly steals. Wrong.
2001
David Terrell, WR, Chicago Bears, No. 8
Jamal Reynolds, DE, Green Bay Packers, No. 10
Kenyatta Walker, T, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, No. 14
Freddie Mitchell, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, No. 25
Ryan Pickett, DE, St. Louis Rams, No. 29
- Terrell and Reynolds are especially huge busts. Both had incredible college careers and looked like future All Pros. Mitchell is just a bonehead and Pickett is barely a footnote.
2002
David Carr, QB, Houston Texans, No. 1
Joe Harrington, QB, Detroit Lions, No. 3
Mike Williams, T, Buffalo Bills, No. 4
Ryan Sims, DT, Kansas City Chiefs, No. 6
William Green, RB, Cleveland Browns, No. 16
Mike Rumph, CB, San Francisco 49ers, No. 27
Patrick Ramsey, QB, Washington Redskins, No. 32
- There was a lot of bad quarterbacks this year, obviously. To Harrington's credit, he's moderately entertaining on Fox Sports Radio. Green's career was at times promising, but then his girlfriend stabbed him in the back, literally.
2003
Charles Rogers, WR, Detroit Lions, No. 2
Dewayne Robertson, DT, New York Jets, No. 4
Jimmy Kennedy, DT, St. Louis Rams, No. 12
Michael Haynes, DE, Chicago Bears, No. 14
Jerome McDougle, DE, Philadelphia Eagles, No. 15
Kyle Boller, QB, Baltimore Ravens, No. 19
William Joseph, DT, New York Giants, No. 25
Andre Woolfork, DB, Tennessee Titans, No. 28
Sammy Davis, DB, San Diego Chargers, No. 30
- This might be the bustiest first round ever. So many defensive linemen in there. Oh, and now I'm reliving the terrible Chris Berman Sammy Davis Jr. impression. Ugh.
2004
Robert Gallery, T, Oakland Raiders, No. 3 Vernon Carey, G, Miami Dolphins, No. 19
J.P. Losman, QB, Buffalo Bills, No. 22
Ahmad Carroll, CB, Green Bay Packers, No. 25
Jason Babin, DE, Houston Texans, No. 27
Rashaun Woods, WR, San Francisco 49ers, No. 31
- Carroll and Woods might be my favorite busts of all time. They were so good in college that there was no way they could fail. But their professional failure can't be blamed on injury or poor coaching. They got to the NFL and stunk it up. It seemed like Carroll held every play and Woods did the exact opposite. Well, at least with the football anyway. Zing.
2005
Mike Williams, WR, Detroit Lions, No. 10
Travis Johnson, DL, Houston Texans, No. 15
Chris Spencer, C, Seattle Seahawks, No. 26
- This class was moderately weak on the busts. Alex Smith and Cedric Benson are busts on the rebound. Pacman Jones was decent when he wasn't in jail. Injuries ruined the career of pass rushers Erasmus James and David Pollack.
2006
Donte Whitner, S, Buffalo Bills, No. 8
Tye Hill, CB, St. Louis Rams, No. 15
Bobby Carpenter, LB, Dallas Cowboys, No. 18
John McCargo, DT, Buffalo Bills, No. 26 Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars, No. 28
- I'm not sure I consider Reggie Bush a bust just yet. He was miscast. In the right situations, he can be very good. Not the rest of these guys listed, though. And sure, Matt Leinart hasn't looked good, but he hasn't had a great chance. For Buffalo this may be the draft that singlehandedly ruined the franchise.
2007
JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders, No. 1
Jamaal Anderson, DE, Atlanta Falcons, No. 8
Jarvis Moss, DE, Denver Broncos, No. 17
Craig Davis, WR, San Diego Chargers, No. 30
- Look at that, more defensive linemen. It seemed like a lifetime before Anderson got his first career sack in his second season. How bad is Moss? He nearly quit football after being moved to linebacker this past offseason.
2008
Vernon Gholston, DE, New York Jets, No. 6
- It's too early to judge most of these players. Not Gholston, though. He's been pretty bad. I didn't include 2009. Yet. Andre Smith, I'm looking at you.
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I'm really unsure how Reggie Williams slipped through the cracks here
9th overall pick in 2004. Can’t find a job in 2009.
He just missed the cut for me by having 10 TD catches in 2007. I nearly included him, though. I understand why he should be.
Mocking the Draft: Your NFL Draft source.
Chris Spencer is not that bad. Center's take longer to learn sometimes.
If you have him, you should have Kelly Jennings the 31st pick from 2006. He’s worse than Spencer and seems to be the consensus ‘worst 1st round pick made by Tim Ruskell’ right now.
The list from Shutdown corner is terrible
Obviously I’m a Cardinals-homer but there’s no way Leinart can be a bust while he’s still under his rookie contract. He lost his job to a future HOF-QB, not because he was flat out terrible. Also….
- Bush isn’t as good as advertised but he’s hardly a bust.
- Gallery got moved to less demanding position but he’s started almost 80 games now, that’s not a bust.
- Lastly, how can the 101st player selected be a bust? That’s ridiculous.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Don't forget about LaVar Arrington
3 Pro Bowls and injuries are what ruined his career.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
From a Buckeyes Fan
Maurice Clarett showed up to camp for the Broncos at 275 lbs. Which is ridiculous for a feature HB. He also tried to sue his way into the draft the year before, and hadn’t played a game since the National Championship game in 2003(2002 season). To top it all off, he got arrested for having a shitload of loaded weapons in his car. You can find him now on Ohio’s state penitentiary database. Clarett, in all honesty, didn’t deserve to be drafted on day one.
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Dec 2, 2009 12:56 AM EST up reply actions
Also
he was the 101st pick overall. However, First day picks usually still make a team. Clarett didn’t even make it to preseason with the Broncos. He then tried out for other teams and didn’t make them either. Maybe not a bust in the normal definition, but possibly the biggest reach of the decade for sure.
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Dec 2, 2009 1:03 AM EST up reply actions
Clarett
Was a Bust for sure. In every sense of the word. He didnt live up to his draft status to say the least.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
3rd round picks are not busts.........
Cuz if they are…Clarret sure as hell is not the only third round pick to not make it out of preseason, so there’s a ton of ’’third round busts"
"It ain't over till its over"---
Maurice Clarett was hyped up after the draft
He was picked to be a starter, he would have been a first round pick and we all know that. I consider third round picks bust. I cant beleive you dont bradshaw. Of course not all 3rd round picks have lived up and their busts as well. I think me and you have a different value on a 3rd round pick, no offense, but your looking at it more as a fan and im looking at it like an evaluator would. No GM/Coach looks at a 3rd round pick like this is hit or miss. Fans do.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
nope.
you got it 100% wrong. Not even close to the way I’m looking at it.
3rd round picks are 3rd round picks cuz they are less of a risk than a 1st round pick.
If a 3rd round pick flops, then you’re only playing pennies compared to what you pay a first rounder.
That is not a bust.
Good teams hit more than they miss on 3rd rounders yes, but if a team flops on a 3rd round pick….its not going to kill them for years, like a first rounder would.
"It ain't over till its over"---
who cares if Clarret was supposed to be a 1st rounder
or even the starter out of training camp?
Some guys are 3rd round picks cuz teams are dumb and/or cuz of need.
Others, like Clarrett, are 3rd round picks cuz they may have some talent but are big time risks.
Clarret had questionable talent to begin with.
"It ain't over till its over"---
A few of these dudes aren't bad right now.
Jason Babin is doing well with the Eagles, Bobby Carpenter is finally getting an opportunity with the Cowpies and seems like he’ll be a starter for awhile.
Gallery is doing fine.
Also…I don’t know if you have Alzheimers or something…but Corey Simon was FAAAR from a bust.
He had a couple All-Pro years with Philly. He just showed up about 150lbs overweight with the Colts. But his career in Philly was far from a bust.
"It ain't over till its over"---
and even at that weight he was good in Indy
for the snaps his weight allowed him to play. He was slimmed down and ready to roll in 2006 too, before whatever that injury/illiness that killed his career was showed up.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
I don't remember a Pro-Bowl
But 32 sacks in 5 years is not a bust for a DT. Add in 211 tackles and he was a valuable starter for a half-decade.
How is Vernon Carey a bust?
No way in hell Carey is a bust. He has played at either RT or LT every game for the Dolphins since his 2nd season in 2005 and has started at either RT or LT every game for the Dolphins since 2006. From 2005-2008, the Dolphins averaged at least 4.0 yards per rush thanks in great part to Carey. And the Dolphins front office thought Carey was good enough to re-sign him to a 5-year, $42 million contract this past offseason.
by Saxonthebeach on Dec 1, 2009 6:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I second this question. Carey is a solid Right Tackle for Miami.
I wish some of the Lions busts were this good.
I third this notion
He is a very good RT who is versatile enough to play LT and G.
Also, where is Jamar Fletcher? Definately the biggest 1st round bust this decade as a Dolphin.
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.
Marcedes Lewis plays like a 1st rounder this year
Also how Matt Jones is not on the list??? I liked him as a guy; he had 1 good season last year; but… I would included him to this list
And I think Reggie Williams is really a BIG BUST-no matter to that 10 TD season…
Also I think Derrick Harvey; and maybe Nelson is a very big candidate.
It’s funny from the Shack Harris era (2003-2008) only Marcedes shows signs that actully he is not a bust…
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Dec 1, 2009 6:25 PM EST reply actions
Mike Williams anybody? Drafted #4 overall by the Bills in 2002. No injuries to speak of unless eating yourself out of a contract counts…
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Very good point
I hope Andre Smith doesn’t do the same.
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Dec 2, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
On Bobby Carpenter:
He is a good nickel linebacker. But he is not a 3-4 ILB.
Once his contract is up I think he’ll leave and go to a 4-3 team and earn a starting job as an OLB and play for many more years.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys he doesn’t fit our system. Maybe Parcells drafted him because he coached his father. Who knows…
R.Jay Soward, WR, Jacksonville?
29th pick of the 2000 draft.
Spent more games suspended for substance abuse than he actually played and was cut after ONE YEAR. How many first round picks get cut after their rookie year?
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by Jonathan Loesche on Dec 1, 2009 8:40 PM EST reply actions
My thoughts
I was huge on David Terrell and then when my team drafts him it’s like a marriage and then watching him suck was… it’s still too soon tears
I think Gholston would be better as a 4-3 DE well it wouldn’t be that hard that’s how bad he’s been.
Draft guru in training.
Why Marcedes
Sorry to restate what Zoltan said above, but Lewis has turned into one of the best blocking tight ends in the game, and is having a breakout year catching the football this year as well. He’s finally starting to show some of that supposed speed, as he has the best YPC average on the team.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Sylvester Morris?
I agree he is a bust, but I thought you werent including injured players. He toar it up when he played, He had a career ending injury though.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
Donte Whitner too
He isnt a bust
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
Sylvester Morris Had like 50 catches and 5 Tds his rookie year
An injury ended his career
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
Charles Rogers had injuries
And Dan included him…
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 2, 2009 3:57 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah he said he wasnt including them
Also, Charles Rogers never had a year as good as Morris’ first year. Also, Rodgers didnt have a career ending injury, he was cut from the team for lack of talent and production. Not the case with Morris. And Im pretty sure he said he wasnt including a couple guys because of injury but then includes Morris. Thats all im saying. I dont see any comparison in Rodgers and Morris at all. Maybe if you would have explained. idk
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
Acting so sure that Morris is a bust too in the statement under the year 2000.....
Thats what kinda made me laugh. I wont disagree with him though, I dont think Morris lived up to his draft stock so you could argue he is a bust, but he clearly states he wouldnt include arrington and Brown because they were injured, but they had several years to prove themselves. Morris’ career was cut short by an injury, but when healthy he was damn good. His career didnt mave numerous injuries, He had 1 injury that ended his career. Arrington and Brown had injuries but they played before and after them unless im mistaken.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
I second this
I had such high hopes for Morris after his rookie year, but then he messed up his knee and was never the same. I wouldn’t call him a bust. He was a good player who got hurt.
Also, The Biggest Busts of All Time arent even on here
Ryan Leaf and Tony Manderich
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
Oh My Bad
Of the Decade
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
but if your'e going all-time you have to put Lawernce Phillips on that list
the man who mad it a good idea to look into a players background
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
by WVPiratesfan on Dec 2, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Didn't Lawrence Phillips
Hit kids with a car while driving drunk?
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Dec 2, 2009 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
Don't forget about Todd Marinovich.
Or Brian Bosworth.
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Dec 2, 2009 12:51 AM EST up reply actions
Defending the Packers
Jamal Reynolds had some serious knee problems, I thought he had microfracture surgery, but I can’t find a source. After the Packers traded him to the Colts, he did fail his physical. Something was wrong with him beyond suckage. But staying healthy is a skill too.
My big problem is with Ryan Pickett. He’s currently the NT and anchor of one of the best run defenses in the NFL. He’s had 115 career starts. I was down on him last season when he battled through some injuries, but he’s been great this season. He’s no pass rusher, but he’s a Casey Hampton lite. There is no way he’s a bust.
Ryan Pickett is a bust
He has played well this season but a Casey Hampton lite is a huge stretch. He was a bust before this year, maybe if he plays good for a couple years that could change but as of now he is a bust.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
David Carr
Can’t say you are wrong, but I cut the kid slack. He had an average career while getting crushed every play. By the time they got decent he had been beat to pieces. He seemed to play well, just never had a chance.
yea I still think he could be a decent player in the right situations
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
he could.
he’s a decent backup, and pretty much not playing and playing very sparingly could help him.
There’s a chance he plays this season if Eli’s foot condition ends his season, so we could see what Carr’s all about behind at the very least what I’d call a decent line right now
"It ain't over till its over"---
The Lions alone can top this list if you care to back a little farther..
2000 #20 Stockar McDougle RT
1998 #20 Terry Fair DB
1990 #7 Andre Ware QB
1987 #7 Reggie Rogers DE He is back in jail again.
1986 #12 Chuck Long QB
I’ll stop now before I get too depressed. I have to work and it is tough to be a Crisis Hot line counselor when you are in the pit of despair.
NOTE: Ware, Long, and Harrington are why a lot of Lions fans were against picking Stafford. The wounds never heal.
Reggie bush is not a total bust.
He’s not as good as everyone thought he would be, but he’s still not all that bad. He looked pretty good as a rookie, and he’s starting to come back a little.
Scott
2005 was light on busts?
The Vikings would like to disagree with you. Their ineptitude that year was unbelievable. I understand that Erasmus was injured, but not having Troy Williamson on this list is criminal. That is, unless he somehow found a way to drop himself off of it.
He was doing alright in Jax before he got on the IR
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The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
Any rams in any rounds.....
Bust bust bust bust steven jackson at 30 Bust Bust bust bust
Steven Jackson a Bust?
This is the problem with STL fans(Im not just talking crap, I live in the MO) They are always like this. They were happy when warner left because he was overrated.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
I think he was saying that all were busts aside from Steven Jackson.
comprehension 101 actually.
Tye Hill and Jimmy Kennedy were busts. Robert Thomas? Bust
But other than that, I can see what your getting at.
Adam Carriker is not bad, Chris Long is young (both will be helped by Spags)
Alex Barron I dunno..and Jason Smith is the new guy
"It ain't over till its over"---
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 2, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
Carriker and Barron are both really bad
Long is bad, but I guess could still be good.
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 3, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Carricker is playing out of posistion
I see what he is saying know. I think Carricker would play better in a 3-4 then a 4-3. Long was just over hyped because of his dad. Im so glad that he didnt slip to the Chiefs.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
No dude
He was saying every pick around Steven Jackson was a bust, not that Jackson himself was a bust.
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 3, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Ok "Dude"
Someone else just replied to me on that, but I appreciate your concern Brendan.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
Sorry, didn't mean to be disrespectful
I think you were pretty harsh on him though considering he wasn’t calling S-Jax a bust.
by Brendan Scolari on Dec 4, 2009 1:47 AM EST up reply actions
yea everyone but SJAX was a bust
as for Alex “false start” Barron the guy will not be on the team next year Carriker is never on the field and Long just got his first sack 2 weeks ago
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