Top 5 Worst Draft Picks in The NFL

Gage Eastin

#5- Vernon Gholston:

Vernon Gholston was a highly rated pass rusher coming into the league in 2007. He broke the Ohio State single season sack record and still maintains that title to this day. His college success did not move on into NFL success, though. The Jets spent the sixth overall pick on him, expecting to shore up their pass rush. What they really did was draft a liability that turned into a major bust for the team when he was cut three years later.

#4- Lawrence Phillips:

Lawrence Phillips was a known trouble maker before the draft in his days at Nebraska, but this did not stop the Rams from spending their sixth overall pick on him. This pick would not have even a sliver of return because once Phillips found himself in the NFL, he more quickly found his way out. He was trouble maker throughout his career and was faced with a number of suspensions leading to his release after two seasons.

#3- JaMarcus Russell:

JaMarcus was a pure athletic specimen. He received high praise during his college years and was a hot target for the NFL draft. The Raiders were happy to spend their first overall pick on this stand out quarterback. This would all change after just one season when Russell performed absolutely terrible. He had little positive impact for his team and found himself cut from the roster after just three years.

#2- Akili Smith:

Akili Smith found himself being drafted with the third overall pick. He had a couple excellent years in college football and those were enough to entice the Bengals into drafting him. What makes him such a terrible pick is not just his absolutely horrid play, but the amount the Bengals turned down for the Saints to take their spot. The Bengals turned down a total of 9 draft picks with the majority of them being high round picks. Had they taken this trade, their fortune in the league would have been radically changed for the better.

#1- Ryan Leaf:

Ryan Leaf would find himself in a historic position, but not a good one. In the same year that Peyton Manning was drafted Ryan Leaf found himself drafted by the Chargers. Peyton Manning was a surprise first overall pick because many assumed that Leaf would be the first overall pick. Luckily for the Colts they made the right decision and dodged the bullet known as Ryan Leaf. During his NFL career Ryan Leaf would be suspended for drug use, miss an entire year to injury, and, successfully, embarrass the Chargers organization. He lasted only 3 seasons and never had a winning record.

Source: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-draft-top-10-ranking-the-worst-picks-and-draft-busts-over-the-past-30-years/