Top Ten, Top Ten Draft Busts in the Last Ten Years

Naturally, with the NFL Draft approaching, the next big blog has to be a blog about the draft. However, if I did a full-blown “draft preview,” it would merely consist of me reading up on the previews of others and constructing a preview that is not genuine. So, I am taking a different angle on things. Later this week, I will post an NFL Draft blog that touches on a few things that I can speak about (Cam Newton’s career outlook, which teams will be after a QB, where Mark Ingram will land, etc.).

I don't know as much as these "geniuses" know, so I can't project the entire first round. But I will make the NFL draft memorable for blog fans.

For now, there will be no preview. There are two things that everyone wants to do when a draft approaches: 1) make predicted picks, and 2) talk about “busts” from previous years.

Draft busts? Now that’s something that I can gladly speak about...In order to narrow the pool a bit, I have enacted the following criteria:

-Player must have been drafted in the top ten of that draft.

-Player must have been drafted in the last ten years (starting with the 2001 draft).

-One player per draft is dubbed the “BUST” of that draft, and other candidates are given “Honorable Mention” status.

And now, without further ado, our list of NFL Busts, starting with 2001...

2001

#8 David Terrell, WR, Michigan to the Chicago Bears

David Terrell's glory days...celebrating an Orange Bowl win with Tom Brady

Few remember David Terrell now…which speaks to how much of a bust he was. He made a living in college catching passes from Tom Brady and Drew Henson, and was a household name going into the 2001 draft (with Michigan always on ABC). Despite having some physical tools, he never seemed to show any signs of being a legitimate NFL receiving threat. He amassed 1,600 receiving yards over 5 seasons, with a career high of 43 receptions in 2003.

Honorable Mention: Jamal Reynolds (DE from FSU #9 to Green Bay)

2002

#1 David Carr, QB, Fresno State to the Houston Texans

#3 Joey Harrington, QB, Oregon to the Detroit Lions

If only Carr had some blocking in Houston, he would've been a great NFL QB....right?

Always a likeable guy, Harrington received a fresh start in Miami, Atlanta, and New Orleans to try to "resurrect" his career.

It would be a near injustice to choose one over the other here. Their careers shared similar paths, both beginning with sky-high hype. Both showed signs of success at times, but never seemed to take the next step. Carr is still active (for now) as a backup, while Harrington has been out of the league since 2007. They have comparable career passing numbers:

Carr (23-56 career) 14,433 yards, 65 TD, 71 INT

Harrington (26-50 career) 14,693 yards, 79TD, 85INT

They will forever be linked as the two “can’t miss” pro quarterbacks who did not pan out.

2003

#2 Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State to the Detroit Lions

Rogers (right) fell in love with old Mary Jane, while Mike Williams (left) might have found himself in this blog one year ago, but salvaged his rep (for now) with a solid season in Seattle this past year.

When I saw Rogers play in college, I thought he was going to be one of the great WR’s in the NFL. He ran (what looked like at the time) great routes, had great hands, and made several highlight reel catches for the Spartans. I can remember him killing Notre Dame. Rogers started 9 games over his 3 NFL seasons and had 36 catches for 440 yards and 3TD in his career. For whatever reason, he just couldn’t put it together in the NFL (neither on nor off the field).

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Sullivan (#6 pick DT from Georgia to the Saints)

2004

#2 Robert Gallery, T, Iowa to the Oakland Raiders

There they are. These two arguably set the Raiders back 10 years. Gallery (right) was supposed to be the thuggish, rugged offensive tackle that the black hole could get behind. Instead, he ended up fighting for a starting job 3 years into his career.

One of the poster children for the Raiders poor drafting in the 2000’s….continue reading for the other. Gallery was a physical specimen who played in an outstanding college offense at Iowa. Was moved from tackle to guard a few years ago to try to get him going….it didn’t work. Had a reputation (as our other Raider on this list does) of being cocky and “too big for his britches.”

Honorable Mention: Reggie Williams (I know most of you are saying ”WHO?” but he actually was fantasy relevant for a short while in 2006)

2005

#7 Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina to the Minnesota Vikings

This guy will replace Randy Moss as our downfield threat....NOT!

While Williamson was certainly not the most heralded WR to come out of college football, he was thought to be a potential heir apparent in the passing game to Randy Moss. He had good hands, and was supposed to be able to stretch the field. In six seasons since being drafted, he has amassed about one solid season’s worth of statistics….as his career numbers (87 rec, 1131 rec yd, 4TD).

Honorable Mention: Pacman Jones (although did make a Pro Bowl…makes this spot for off-the-field indiscretions)

2006

#10 Matt Leinart, QB, USC to the Arizona Cardinals

They said coming out of college that Leinart needed to focus more on football...Were they right? Who knows, but one thing is for sure. His reputation has taken a hit with images like these (Look at this terrible guy....what is he thinking?) and with his pouting exit from Arizona.

While still in the league, Leinart never quite showed any signs of turning into the player that many thought he would be. It was thought he would go at #3 to the Titans, and was said to be the most “pro ready” QB. A short stint as the guy in Arizona was followed by several long years as Kurt Warner’s backup. When finally given a shot to take over, he couldn’t hang on and pouted his way right out of town. Vince Young is somewhat in the mix, but did lead the Titans to quite a few wins in his years, before his unceremonious exit.

Honorable Mention: Vince Young

2007

#1 JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU to the Oakland Raiders

I wonder which one of these guys was his life coach who just quit? It was seriously hard choosing a picture to represent Russell. There are so many good ones.

This blog is the first time that JaMarcus Russell has been considered a “sure thing.” There is a viable candidate in this draft (Ted Ginn Jr.) but Russell just blows him out of the water. At least Ginn is still in football. Russell’s troubles are well-documented, and he recently had his “life coach” quit on him. You could say something like “he’s hit rock bottom,” but you have to remember….he has a lot of Al Davis’ money.

Honorable Mention: Ted Ginn Jr.

2008

#6 Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State to the New York Jets

I can't believe I actually found a picture of Gholston making a tackle. Go figure!

 This was an easy call. A pretty solid top ten otherwise. Gholston has been a waste of a draft pick for gang green, despite their continued patience with him. 5 starts in 3 years. 16 tackles. 0 sacks. His greatest contributions (and I use that term loosely) have been on special teams. He is neck-and-neck with Blair Thomas in the annals of Jets history.

Honorable Mention: N/A   

2009

#6 Andre Smith, T, Alabama to the Cincinnati Bengals



Andre Smith's stellar showing at the combine (see above) is what attracted teams to him. What...doesn't it attract you to him too?



This is the second closest race of any pair of busts (next to Carr and Harrington). Darius Heyward-Bey really gives Smith a run for his money. DHB is more of the “mainstream” favorite, because he plays WR, he plays for the Raiders, and he was picked highly instead of much-heralded Michael Crabtree. But the X-factor is that at least DHB has been on the field and has a few plays to hang his hat on. Andre Smith put the Bengals through a long holdout that all but wiped out his rookie season (1 start). As a sequel, he started 4 games last year as a second year pro. 5 starts in 2 years from your 6^th overall blindside tackle is not going to get it done. Not to mention, he was remarkably mediocre in the game action he did see. Tough call, but ‘dre gets the nod over DHB.

Honorable Mention: Darius Heyward-Bey & Matthew Stafford (a distant 3^rd here, but still worth mentioning in this discussion now)

2010

#9 C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson to the Buffalo Bills

Spiller was the top dog in a weak RB class last year. He plays a Reggie Bush-esque style that could eventually lead to him being productive. At the time of this blog, however, he's the pick from 2010.

OK, admittedly this is a tough break for Spiller. It’s too soon to label him a “bust” just yet, but in all fairness he did not have a very good rookie season. Compounding things is the fact that the rest of the Top Ten acquitted themselves very well in their rookie seasons. I still actually think he could end up being a very useful, productive player (a poor man’s Reggie Bush?). With only one year to go off of (280 rushing yds, 150 receiving yds, 23.0 KR average, and 2 TD), Spiller is the pick.

Honorable Mention: N/A