Bust A Move
Written by Josh Katz
We made it folks. The NFL draft has passed us by after months of pointless analysis and “expert” projections of who might land where. A lot of good that did us right? (Just ask Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow) As we anticipate the start of mini-camp, it is impossible to know what picks will pay off and what picks will fail. Rather than aimlessly choose what picks will actually work out, I decided to analyze the top ten greatest NFL draft busts of all time.
1) Ryan Leaf (QB, Washington State)
-Second overall selection by the Chargers in 1998. 13 touches, 33 picks and countless tirades and public tantrums – and all of this after a 2-0 start in the city discovered by the Germans. He is now the punch line of every NFL draft joke there is. Also a known felon. I wonder how hard it would be to get a Ryan Leaf jersey?
2) Tony Mandarich (OT, Michigan State)
-At the time of his selection by the Green Bay Packers (No. 2 overall), scouts called him the only “sure thing” in the 1989 draft. He then shrunk down as he entered his rookie season and was subsequently cut after three pathetic seasons. The only sure thing about Mandarich was that he used steroids in college.
3) Akili Smith (QB, Oregon)
-The 3rd overall draft pick by the Bengals in 1999, he started 17 games over four miserable seasons in Cincy. He was cut in 2002 and slipped deeper into NFL anonymity. Last seen on the sidelines of the Tampa Bay Bucs in 2005. He failed in the CFL too, in case you needed more evidence.
4) Lawrence Phillips (RB, Nebraska)
-Had some character issues in college, but that didn’t stop the Rams from drafting him 6th overall in the 1996 draft. He was released after 25 games for insubordination, went to the Dolphins in 1997 and was cut after two games after assaulting a woman. He tried again in 1999 with the 49ers, but was then cut during the regular reasons after skipping a practice. Stay classy, Lawrence.
5) Heath Schuler (QB, Tennessee)
-The man killed it in college and was selected 3rd by the Redskins in the 1994 draft. He quickly fell out of favor with ‘Skins fans after a 13-day holdout and generally awful play during his rookie season. He was then beat out by Gus Frerotte for the starting job, 7th round pick out of Tulsa.
6) Ki-Jana Carter (RB, Penn State)
-The Penn State running back curse haunted the Bengals, who selected Carter 1st overall in the 1995 Draft. He was injured the in pre-season on his FIRST carry and is probably still recovering to this day, after compiling 1,144 rushing yards in ten seasons.
7) Curtis Enis (RB, Penn State)
-Like his fellow Nittany Lion above, Enis never really got it going at the professional level. The Bears took him 5th overall in the 1998 Draft. He played 36 games in three years, with 1,497 yards and 4 touches. He retired early due to a shady knee in 
2001 at the tender age of 24.
8) Mike Williams (WR, USC)
-Drafted tenth overall by Matt Millen. Do I really need to say more? The Lions are still recovering from the Millen era, and this pick is a perfect example. Williams was a freak at USC, but become sluggish and lazy at the pro ranks. DeMarcus Ware went one pick before him.
9) Peter Warrick (WR, Florida State)
-The Bengals draft well again. He looked like sure-fire stud after a remarkable Sugar Bowl to round out his college career. He went 4th overall in 2000 Draft and after six awful seasons in Ohio, left the NFL.
10) Joey Harrington (QB, Oregon)
-Joey, Joey, Joey. He was supposed to be the man in Detroit and was drafted 3rd overall in the 2002 draft. After receiving death threats in the Motor City because of his generally mediocre play, Harrington bounced around to several NFL teams looking for a home. He is currently a free agent.
