ESPN's Top 50 Busts in NFL Draft History

[Cydar]

Link: ESPN.com's ranking of the top 50 busts in NFL draft history

The ESPN Top 10:

10. Jerry Tagge, Packers (1972)
9. Bo Matthews, Chargers (1974)
8. Mike Junkin, Browns (1987)
7. Johnny "Lam" Jones, Jets (1980)
6. Keith McCants, Buccaneers (1990)
5. Charles Rogers, Lions (2003)
4. Heath Shuler, Redskins (1994)
3. Art Schlichter, Colts (1982)
2. Lawrence Phillips, Rams (1996)
1. Ryan Leaf, Chargers (1998)

 

[usedcarguy]

Ah, Lam Jones. And the Jets also picked Crutchfield the following season. Coincidence?

Tony Mandarich is another name which comes to mind. What about Eric Crouch?

 

[superfan]

Are you kidding me?

I'll agree with Ryan Leaf at #1. However, #2 definitely belongs to someone who didn't even make the top 25:

Especially when you consider the other players in that draft:

1.) Troy Aikman (Hall of Fame - 2006)
2.) Tony Mandarich
3.) Barry Sanders (Hall of Fame - 2004)
4.) Derrick Thomas (HOF finalist and future HOF'er)
5.) Deion Sanders (Future HOF'er)

 

[LindenCy]

It is an interesting list - fun to see the drafts I remember.

 

[usedcarguy]

Are you kidding me?

I'll agree with Ryan Leaf at #1. However, #2 definitely belongs to someone who didn't even make the top 25:

Especially when you consider the other players in that draft:

1.) Troy Aikman (Hall of Fame - 2006)
2.) Tony Mandarich
3.) Barry Sanders (Hall of Fame - 2004)
4.) Derrick Thomas (HOF finalist and future HOF'er)
5.) Deion Sanders (Future HOF'er)

Definitely. Maybe they gave him a break because of injuries. You'd think that the steroids would have helped. I'd probably slide Heath out of there. IMO he was overrated.

 

[Erik4Cy]

where the heck is Brian Bosworth?!?!?!

It's good to see only one Cowboys pick on there, say whatever you want about Jerry Jones, but his team has historically been GREAT come draft day.

 

[2020cy]

Robert Gallery anyone? At least top 20. Same problem as Manderich?

 

[Erik4Cy]

Robert Gallery anyone? At least top 20. Same problem as Manderich?

that was another one I was gonna say too, but maybe they are holding out on him in that maybe he might still have time to turn that career around.

I do totally agree with #1 tho.

 

[MontyBurns]

Robert Gallery anyone? At least top 20. Same problem as Manderich?

Most if not all of their top 50 are retired. I think they're giving Gallery a little time since he's still playing...errrr...at least on a roster. Give it time, he'll be pretty high on the list.

 

[clonefan_80]

Ahhhh Lawrence Phillips!! I'm a big time Rams fan, and when they traded Jerome Bettis, I would check the sports page every day just on the off chance that they traded back for him. I was very young and optimistic. But I guess if Lawrence Phillips would have remotely panned out, we wouldn't have traded for Marshall Faulk and the Greatest Show on Turf never would have happened!!

 

[Phaedrus]

where the heck is Brian Bosworth?!?!?!

Actually, I'm pretty shocked myself at the lack of "The Boz" in the top 50. I saw him a few years after his flop of a professional football career, when he attempted to become an "actor" and he looked about 160 pounds or so.

 

[jumbopackage]

That list is littered with Big 10 offensive players.

 

[Cy Heavy]

I'm so happy, and suprised, there aren't any Bears picks in the top 10. It also reminds me how terrible the Bears are at picking a RB in the first round (Enis, Sallam, Benson)

 

[Clones85']

That list is put together all wrong! How is Jim Drukenmiller a bigger bust than Akili Smith, Tim Couch, and Andre Ware?

 

[iowast8fan]

Do you think Fizer would make the top 10 for the NBA?

 

[Clones85']

Do you think Fizer would make the top 10 for the NBA?

Probably, although he shouldn't. You could find 10 bigger busts than him. He had 3 average seasons followed up by some sub par seasons. He would definitely be in the top 25 though

 

[Cy Heavy]

That list is put together all wrong! How is Jim Drukenmiller a bigger bust than Akili Smith, Tim Couch, and Andre Ware?

I wondered that too

 

[cybsball20]

Wasn't Drunkenmiller a backup for Payton Manning for years? Seems kinda hard to do anything when you are stuck behind him...