The NFL draft is known for its unpredictability, and while some picks turn out to be franchise-altering decisions, others turn out to be complete busts. The boom or bust nature of the draft can make or break a team’s future success.
When a team makes a boom pick, they’re selecting a player who exceeds expectations and becomes a key contributor to the team’s success. These players can come from any round of the draft, and can often be found later in the draft after the first round. Examples of boom picks include Tom Brady, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, and Antonio Brown, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On the other hand, bust picks are players who fail to live up to the expectations set for them. These picks can be particularly damaging to a team’s future success, as they often result in wasted draft picks and salary cap space. Bust picks can also come from any round of the draft, and can be players who were highly touted prospects coming out of college. Examples of bust picks include JaMarcus Russell, who was selected first overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, and Ryan Leaf, who was selected second overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.
Overall, the boom or bust nature of the NFL draft can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for fans and teams alike. While a boom pick can lead to a team’s long-term success, a bust pick can set them back for years. Teams must do their due diligence to ensure they make the right selections and avoid costly mistakes.
Here is our list of the Top 10 Biggest NFL Busts that Were First Round Draft Picks
1. JaMarcus Russell – 2007 NFL Draft
JaMarcus Russell was a quarterback who played for Louisiana State University (LSU) and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders as the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Russell was a highly touted prospect coming out of college but was widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. He played just three seasons in the NFL, throwing for 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions before being released by the Raiders in 2010.
2. Ryan Leaf – 1998 NFL Draft
Ryan Leaf was a quarterback who played for Washington State University and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers as the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Leaf was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in his class but struggled to adjust to the professional game. He played just four seasons in the NFL, throwing for 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions before being released by the Dallas Cowboys in 2001.
3. Tony Mandarich – 1989 NFL Draft
Tony Mandarich was an offensive tackle who played for Michigan State University and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers as the second overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. Mandarich was considered one of the most physically gifted prospects in his class, but his career was plagued by off-field issues and underwhelming performances on the field. He played just three seasons in the NFL, starting 31 games before being released by the Packers in 1992.
4. Tim Couch – 1999 NFL Draft
Tim Couch was a quarterback who played for the University of Kentucky and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Couch had a successful college career but struggled to adapt to the professional game. He played just five seasons in the NFL, throwing for 64 touchdowns and 67 interceptions before being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004.
5. Akili Smith – 1999 NFL Draft
Akili Smith was a quarterback who played for the University of Oregon and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as the third overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Smith had a successful college career but struggled to adapt to the professional game. He played just four seasons in the NFL, throwing for 5 touchdowns and 13 interceptions before being released by the Green Bay Packers in 2003.
6. David Carr – 2002 NFL Draft
David Carr was a quarterback who played for Fresno State University and was drafted by the Houston Texans as the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. Carr struggled with injuries and a weak supporting cast in Houston and never lived up to his potential. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, throwing for 65 touchdowns and 71 interceptions before retiring after the 2012 season.
7. Courtney Brown – 2000 NFL Draft
Courtney Brown was a defensive end who played for Penn State University and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Brown had a successful college career but struggled with injuries and consistency in the NFL. He played six seasons in the NFL, recording just 19 sacks before retiring after the 2005 season.
8. Charles Rogers – 2003 NFL Draft
Charles Rogers was a wide receiver who played for Michigan State University and was drafted by the Detroit Lions as the second overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Rogers had a promising rookie season but struggled with injuries and off-field issues throughout his career. He played just three seasons in the NFL, recording just 4 touchdowns before being released by the Lions in 2006.
9. Ki-Jana Carter – 1995 NFL Draft
Ki-Jana Carter was a running back who played for Penn State University and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as the first overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. Carter suffered a knee injury in his rookie season that derailed his career and he struggled with injuries throughout his time in the NFL. He played seven seasons in the league, rushing for just over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns before retiring in 2004.
10. Justin Blackmon – 2012 NFL Draft
Justin Blackmon was a wide receiver who played for Oklahoma State University and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Blackmon showed promise in his rookie season but was suspended multiple times for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, ultimately leading to his career being derailed. He played just two seasons in the NFL, recording 93 receptions for 1,280 yards and 6 touchdowns before being suspended indefinitely in 2013.