Biggest Draft Busts of the 2000's (2000 - 2008)
First round draft busts: An Owner, GM and Head Coaches nightmare! Since the start of the new decade, the NFL has
seen several "high-profile" prospects lose their way (and in some cases careers), unable to transition from the
college level to the NFL. Not only can a first round draft pick cripple a team years to come, but they can also have
tremendous economic and salary cap affects. Lets play out the scenario:
Its 2010 and you (owner) along with your head coach and GM are on the clock with the third
overall pick in the draft. You desperately need a franchise quarterback and decide to draft the
highest rated player; a stud QB from an elite school with incredible stats. The Franchise agrees to
an inflated rookie contract laced with incentives and a record signing bonus. Your team has high
hopes entering the 2010 season. Fast forward. Its four years later and your once promising QB
is having difficulty learning the system and developing. He has thrown more interceptions than
touchdowns and has failed to lead your team to a single winning season. As owner, you force his
playing time not only because of the commitment you made by taking him third overall, but also
because of the financial obligation; no chance you are willing to let such a large salary sit the
bench. Free agency rolls around and you decide not to renew the contract, effectively letting him
go. Your team took giant steps backwards and is now back at square one - a team in need of a QB.
This scenario is somewhat dramatic, but it illustrates the impact of drafting a rookie who turns out to be a bust.
History has proven that the majority of players drafted in the first round have proven to be successful. But, there are
numerous players who couldn't quite make it. Here is a list of the biggest first round draft busts of the 2000's. We
only looked at 2000-2008, as it is not necessarily fair to be too critical on first year rookies.
Some of the players on the list have yet to have a real chance to prove their
actual potential (Leinart, Gholston). Others are in the same draft class as
other "busts" but our analysis determines rankings by draft pick position, years
starting in the NFL, off-season problems, and a consistent decline in play. For
instance, many would argue that Jamarcus Russell is a much bigger bust than
Jamaal Anderson (especially since he was taken #1 overall), BUT! Russell is
still a starting QB and has shown slight progress, among other things. However,
in Russell's defense, he can't control playing for the Raiders which is part of the
problem! Also, the 2001 draft can be considered a "toss-up" given the Michael
Vick situation. However, Vick was a Pro Bowl player, a successful starting
quarterback, and is now back in the league with the potential to start again.
Vick > Terrell!
Whats somewhat more startling about this list is that six of the nine are not even
in the NFL anymore. Brown, Terrell, Bryant, Rogers, Carroll, and Jones are no
longer in the league. This trend does not fair well for Leinart, Anderson, and
Gholston at the rate they are going. And to add insult to injury, nearly $100 million in guaranteed money was handed
out to the players no longer in the NFL.
In short, NFL organizations need to carefully consider who they draft in the first round: everything from the ability to
transition to character issues. As you can see, many of the above franchises are either still feeling the affects of their
missed opportunity or are currently "cap-strapped" with large contracts they are still obligated to pay. Just think, the
Chicago Bears could have had Reggie Wayne instead of David Terrell, or the Arizona Cardinals could have drafted
Albert Haynesworth instead of Wendell Bryant. Whether those players would have been successful playing for either
Chicago or Arizona is unknown, but they are both stars in the NFL today. Although we don't look forward to it, it is
inevitable that we will continue to add to this list year after year.
- Draft Huddle
First round draft busts: An Owner, GM and Head Coaches nightmare! Since the start of the new decade, the NFL has
seen several "high-profile" prospects lose their way (and in some cases careers), unable to transition from the
college level to the NFL. Not only can a first round draft pick cripple a team years to come, but they can also have
tremendous economic and salary cap affects. Lets play out the scenario:
Its 2010 and you (owner) along with your head coach and GM are on the clock with the third
overall pick in the draft. You desperately need a franchise quarterback and decide to draft the
highest rated player; a stud QB from an elite school with incredible stats. The Franchise agrees to
an inflated rookie contract laced with incentives and a record signing bonus. Your team has high
hopes entering the 2010 season. Fast forward. Its four years later and your once promising QB
is having difficulty learning the system and developing. He has thrown more interceptions than
touchdowns and has failed to lead your team to a single winning season. As owner, you force his
playing time not only because of the commitment you made by taking him third overall, but also
because of the financial obligation; no chance you are willing to let such a large salary sit the
bench. Free agency rolls around and you decide not to renew the contract, effectively letting him
go. Your team took giant steps backwards and is now back at square one - a team in need of a QB.
This scenario is somewhat dramatic, but it illustrates the impact of drafting a rookie who turns out to be a bust.
History has proven that the majority of players drafted in the first round have proven to be successful. But, there are
numerous players who couldn't quite make it. Here is a list of the biggest first round draft busts of the 2000's. We
only looked at 2000-2008, as it is not necessarily fair to be too critical on first year rookies.
Some of the players on the list have yet to have a real chance to prove their
actual potential (Leinart, Gholston). Others are in the same draft class as
other "busts" but our analysis determines rankings by draft pick position, years
starting in the NFL, off-season problems, and a consistent decline in play. For
instance, many would argue that Jamarcus Russell is a much bigger bust than
Jamaal Anderson (especially since he was taken #1 overall), BUT! Russell is
still a starting QB and has shown slight progress, among other things. However,
in Russell's defense, he can't control playing for the Raiders which is part of the
problem! Also, the 2001 draft can be considered a "toss-up" given the Michael
Vick situation. However, Vick was a Pro Bowl player, a successful starting
quarterback, and is now back in the league with the potential to start again.
Vick > Terrell!
Whats somewhat more startling about this list is that six of the nine are not even
in the NFL anymore. Brown, Terrell, Bryant, Rogers, Carroll, and Jones are no
longer in the league. This trend does not fair well for Leinart, Anderson, and
Gholston at the rate they are going. And to add insult to injury, nearly $100 million in guaranteed money was handed
out to the players no longer in the NFL.
In short, NFL organizations need to carefully consider who they draft in the first round: everything from the ability to
transition to character issues. As you can see, many of the above franchises are either still feeling the affects of their
missed opportunity or are currently "cap-strapped" with large contracts they are still obligated to pay. Just think, the
Chicago Bears could have had Reggie Wayne instead of David Terrell, or the Arizona Cardinals could have drafted
Albert Haynesworth instead of Wendell Bryant. Whether those players would have been successful playing for either
Chicago or Arizona is unknown, but they are both stars in the NFL today. Although we don't look forward to it, it is
inevitable that we will continue to add to this list year after year.
- Draft Huddle
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