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About the Author - CriticalFanatic
"The Cubs are starting to scare me"

Jason
Chicago, IL
Male 28 years old

About Me:
Somehow remain a passionate sports fan despite living and dying with the Chicago Cubs and Michigan State athletics. Born in California, grew up in Michigan and went to college at Miami U (Ohio). All of which have shaped my sports fandom. Also a featured blogger and editor of this fine website you might have heard about called FanIQ.
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NFL Draft: Who's The Biggest Bust In History?
by CriticalFanatic
>7 days ago

ESPN has compiled a list of their Top 50 NFL Draft Busts of All-Time. A solid discussion point, but one I can't completely agree with.

First, a couple of quick observations:

1) It's easy to see why the Jets, Lions and Bengals have struggled over the last 20 years. You'll see their picks often.
2) Not a proud Michigan State fan -- see: Charles Rogers and Tony Mandarich.

Unsurprisingly, Ryan Leaf has been tabbed as the biggest best ever. He's up there, but I agree with The Big Lead in believing he gets a slight break by not being the 1st overall pick.

Tim Couch may have had a relatively more successful NFL career, but as the first overall pick in 1999 I consider the Kentucky QB a bigger disappointment. Couch was widely considered to be the epitome of a franchise quarterback. As far as I can recall, I don't remember hearing a single scout doubting his ability. Whereas with Ryan Leaf, his mental makeup was at least considered and the Colts made the wise decision. The Browns failure made it's way to 18th on ESPN's list.

Lawrence Phillips find his way up at #2 all-time. I'd like to believe this wasn't as big of a bust as much as it was a poorly researched decision by the Rams organization. Talented? Yes. Promise of a great career? Not really.

Tony Mandarich was all the way out 28th. Very few NFL draft picks had the hype the Spartans left tackle had going into the draft. SI cover boy, perceived unstoppable machine, guaranteed lock down left tackle. Whoops. "The Incredible Bulk" belongs at #2, where he was selected in the 1989 draft.

Here's my Top 5:

1. Tim Couch
2. Tony Mandarich
3. Ryan Leaf
4. Blair Thomas
5. Charles Rogers

Fill in yours below.
FanIQ Says... (450)
NFL Draft: Rank The Top 10 Biggest Draft Busts Ever
ESPN put together their list. Make yours below. Listed in ESPN's order below.
Fan Consensus
  1. Ryan Leaf, QB Chargers (2nd overall in 1998)
  2. Tony Mandarich, OT Packers (2nd in 1989)
  3. Tim Couch, QB Browns (1st in 1999)
  4. Lawrence Phillips, RB Rams (6th in 1996)
  5. Charles Rogers, WR Lions (2nd in 2003)
  6. Heath Schuler, QB Redskins (3rd in 1994)
  7. Andre Ware, QB Lions (7th in 1990)
  8. Blair Thomas, RB Jets (2nd in 1990)
  9. David Klingler, QB Bengals (6th in 1992)
  10. Other
Asked by: CriticalFanatic
Asked >7 days ago

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140 days ago
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Just to pile on Tony Mandarich a lil bit more... the Packers passed on Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders to draft him.
 
140 days ago
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(Edited 04/18/08 3:02PM by Boski93)

1. Todd Marjuina-vich errr Marinovich. Robo QB no more last sighting Newport Beach getting busted skateboarding and having meth on him. Great job Rob Marinovich you raised a peach

2. Leaf  - Million dollar arm, $0.10 head.

3. Couch - This was the Mistake By The Lake V 2.0.

4 & 5 Both Houston QB's who went from the Run and Shoot in college to Run and Shoot Yourself in the Foot in the pros.

6. Drunkenmiller - The only thing that could cause the revoking of Bill Walsh's "Genius" title.

7. Phillips - A man that Gandhi would take a swing at.

8. Stouffer - The Cardinals would have gotten a better QB'ing from a Stouffer's French Bread Pizza.

9. Profit - Joe Profit was the Falcons loss

10. Thomas - Blair Warner from the "Facts of Life" hit the hole harder and was tougher.

 
140 days ago
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The one that I was really surprised wasn't on the Top 50 is Brain Bosworth.
 
140 days ago
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(Edited 04/18/08 5:49PM by RenegadeLG)
As long as you're not implying it's a Hall of Fame career, I'll agree that a lot of receivers wish they had those numbers.  Although Smith compiled better stats plus an extra ring.  He's Canton-bound.  And he wasn't even drafted.
 
140 days ago
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RenegadeLG wrote:
As long as you're not implying it's a Hall of Fame career, I'll agree that a lot of receivers wish they had those numbers.  Although Smith compiled better stats plus an extra ring.  He's Canton-bound.  And he wasn't even drafted.
All Hail Rod Smith!
 
140 days ago
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Also I think that Courtney Brown should be on here as the Browns #1 pick in 2000. Actually you might as well just put every one of the Lions and Browns 1st round picks in the last 20 years on here
 
140 days ago
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Also I think that Courtney Brown should be on here as the Browns #1 pick in 2000. Actually you might as well just put every one of the Lions and Browns 1st round picks in the last 20 years on here
 
140 days ago
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Marcus Nash was HUGE bust for the Broncos.

 

 

 
140 days ago
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The BOZ gets a bad rap because of the BO Jackson play.  He was a decent LB'er till his shoulder injury.

 

Also, gotta give him some props for 'STONE COLD'! :)

 
140 days ago
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wyldePHX wrote:

Todd Blackledge QB, was a bad pick, mostly in due to the fact the Chiefs passed up on Dan Marino & Jim Kelly to take him. He threw 29 TD's & 38 Ints. in his 6 year career.

 

Andre Ware, along with Todd Marinovich & Dan McGuire were taken before Brett Favre, they had lower stats in their careers combined than what an average Favre season accumulates for.

 

Heath Schuler played so poorly his rookie season for the Redskins, they benched him in favor of 7th Rounder Gus Frerotte.

 

 In 2000, the 49ers, Ravens, Steelers, Saints, & Browns all passed on Tom Brady, to take a different QB who didn't have much potential.

 

Akili Smith, QB #3rd overall Bengals 1999, was a complete disaster & shouldve been on this list.

 

Keyshawn Johnson, Courtney Brown, Steve Emtman & Tom Cousineau were bad picks for being the #1 overall the year they were drafted.

Steve Entman would have been a stud, but he had two terrible knee injuries.

 
139 days ago
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The biggest bust ever is your mom.
 
139 days ago
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Gotta say, Andre Ware, Tony Davis, Dan McGwire, Todd Marinovich, and Entman have to take the cake. Shows that success in the college circuit does not work in the pros all the time.

 

 
139 days ago
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The biggest BUST in the NFL is Jessica Simpson.
 
136 days ago
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Robert Gallery (OAK OL, #2 in 2004), is sort of a bust. He gives up for a number of sacks & hasn't really ever proven himself to the hype that surrounded him in college at Iowa, leading into the NFL.
 
 
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