- The group includes nine quarterbacks and four players drafted by the New York Jets.
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The 27 biggest NFL Draft busts of the last 15 years
We collected the 27 biggest draft busts in recent NFL draft history.
Johnny Manziel
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For every Patrick Mahomes or Khalil Mack in the NFL Draft, there is another former top prospect who didn't pan out.
Whether they failed because of injuries, off-field issues, or just poor play, all of these players provide fascinating case studies of the NFL's demanding environment and the fleeting nature of athletic success.
Below, read all about the 27 most notorious draft busts from recent NFL history. The group includes nine quarterbacks, 10 players taken among the first five picks, 25 players who never made a Pro Bowl, and four players drafted by the New York Jets.
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Sam Belden contributed to this post.
27. Maurice Clarett, RB
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School: Ohio State
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Selected: 3rd round (101st overall), 2005 draft, Denver Broncos
Played for: N/A
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
One thing to know: Clarett was never the most coveted prospect out there, but his bizarre story makes him a noteworthy disappointment. After a futile attempt to enter the 2004 draft as a sophomore and the loss his NCAA eligibility for that fall, Clarett should have arrived at the 2005 combine with a chip on his shoulder. Instead, he posted lackluster times of 4.72 and 4.82 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Undeterred, the Broncos still made a reach to get him in the third round, but he washed out of training camp and never appeared in an NFL game.
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26. Roberto Aguayo, K
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School: Florida State
Selected: 2nd round (59th overall), 2016 draft, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Played for: Bucs
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 1
One thing to know: The Bucs traded up to select Aguayo in the second round after he set an NCAA record for accuracy in college. He was waived before his second season after missing nine field goals and two extra-point attempts his rookie year.
25. Christian Hackenberg, QB
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School: Penn State
Selected: 2nd round (51st overall), 2016 draft, New York Jets
Played for: Never appeared in a regular season game
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Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
One thing to know: Hackenberg spent time on the roster of four NFL teams in three years and most recently struggled in his time as a starter in the now-defunct AAF.
24. Phillip Dorsett, WR
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School: Miami
Selected: 1st round (29th overall), 2015 draft, Indianapolis Colts
Played for: Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots
Pro Bowls : 0
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Seasons as primary starter : 0
One thing to know: Dorsett still has time to turn things around, but at 26 years old, his leash is starting to tighten. He caught just 12 passes in 2017 after being traded to the Patriots. He appeared in all 16 games in 2018 but is now primarily a backup.
23. Paxton Lynch, QB
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School: Memphis
Selected: 1st round (26th overall), 2016 draft, Denver Broncos
Played for: Broncos
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
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One thing to know: Lynch was drafted in the hopes of being the heir to Peyton Manning, but in two seasons he started just four games. He was cut prior to the 2018 season and sat out the entire season. He recently signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a backup.
22. Johnny Manziel, QB
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School: Texas A&M
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Selected: 1st round (22nd overall), 2014 draft, Cleveland Browns
Played for: Cleveland Browns
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
One thing to know: Cleveland took Manziel after the 2012 Heismanwinner sent a text instructing Browns quarterbacks coachDowell Loggainsto " hurry up and draft me because I want to be there." In less than two years, he had checked himself into rehab, was accused of assaulting his girlfriend, and was ultimately released after two seasons and just 258 passes as a professional. He is now working on a comeback with stints in the CFL and the AAF.
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21. Matt Jones, WR
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School: Arkansas
Selected: 1st round (21st overall), 2005 draft, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Played for: Jacksonville Jaguars
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 1
One thing to know: Jones spent his college days as a hyper-athletic quarterback, but the Jaguars drafted him to be their wide receiver of the future. At 6-foot-6 and well over 200 pounds, his rare combination of size and explosivity led to fantasies of unbelievable 70-yard catches and deep playoff runs. Unfortunately, Jones was hit with a drug charge in 2008 and violated his plea agreement the following year, leading to his release. He spent just four years in the NFL.
20. Amobi Okoye, DT
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School: Louisville
Selected: 1st round (10th overall), 2007 draft, Houston Texans
Played for: Houston Texans, Chicago Bears
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Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 4
One thing to know: Okoye knew almost nothing about football when he took up the game as a high school sophomore, but just a few short years later, he heard his name called as the youngest first-round pick in NFL history. Unfortunately, his raw talent never translated into consistent success in the pros, and he was released by the Texans after the 2010 season. He survived a scary bout withanti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in 2013, making several comeback attempts but never appearing in another game.
19. Matt Leinart, QB
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School: USC
Selected: 1st round (10th overall), 2006 draft, Arizona Cardinals
Played for: Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders
Pro Bowls : 0
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Seasons as primary starter : 1
One thing to know: Leinart was set to be a top pick in the 2005 draft, but he chose to return to USC for his senior season and saw his stock plummet. He never developed into the franchise signal caller the Cardinals dreamed of and spent four seasons as a backup. He later spent time with the Texans and Raiders but only started one game.
18. Mike Williams, WR
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School: USC
Selected: 1st round (10th overall), 2005 draft, Detroit Lions
Played for: Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 2
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One thing to know: Like Clarett, Williams became ineligible for the 2004 college football season after he declared for the draft a year too early. The lost year didn't hurt his stock for the 2005 draft, but he never regained the form he flashed at USC, starting just six games for the Lions. He got a few other opportunities before ultimately falling out of the league.
17. Dee Milliner, CB
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School: Alabama
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Selected: 1st round (9th overall), 2013 draft, New York Jets
Played for: New York Jets
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 1
One thing to know: Milliner underwent right shoulder surgery the month before he was drafted. In the years to come, the Alabama native suffered several injuries, appearing in just five games after his rookie season. He was released after his third season and never appeared in another NFL game.
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16. Justin Gilbert, CB
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School: Oklahoma State
Selected: 1st round (8th overall), 2014 draft, Cleveland Browns
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Played for: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
One thing to know: Gilbert started just three games across two seasons before the Browns traded him to Pittsburgh for a sixth-round pick. The change of scenery didn't do much. He was suspended for the entire 2017 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy and hasn't played in the NFL since.
15. Jake Locker, QB
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School: Washington
Selected: 1st round (8th overall), 2011 draft, Tennessee Titans
Played for: Tennessee Titans
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Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 1
One thing to know: Some originally projected locker as the top pick in the 2010 draft before opting to return to Washington. A poor senior season didn't hurt his stock too much as he was still taken eighth overall. He started 23 games in four seasons but was eventually replaced by a rookie, Zach Mettenberger. Locker retired after the 2014 season, citing a lack of desire to keep playing.
14. Derrick Harvey, DE
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School: Florida
Selected: 1st round (8th overall), 2008 draft, Jacksonville Jaguars
Played for: Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos
Pro Bowls : 0
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Seasons as primary starter : 2
One thing to know: Harvey entered the 2008 draft as one of the most fearsome pass rushers available, but he never found his footing in the NFL. He was riding the pine by the end of his third season in Jacksonville, finishing his career with 8 sacks in 52 games.
13. Kevin White, WR
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School: West Virginia
Selected: First round (7th overall), 2015 draft, Chicago Bears
Played for: Bears
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
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One thing to know: In four seasons, White is yet to catch a TD in the NFL thanks to series of injuries that have limited him to 14 games and five starts. The Bears let White become a free agent after the 2018 season and he signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
12. Troy Williamson, WR
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School: South Carolina
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Selected: 1st round (7th overall), 2005 draft, Minnesota Vikings
Played for: Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 2
One thing to know: In five NFL seasons, Williams never caught more than 37 passes, and his career-high in receiving yards was 455. He had four career touchdown catches when the Jaguars cut him after the 2009 season. He never played in another NFL game.
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11. Vernon Gholston, DE
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School: Ohio State
Selected: 1st round (6th overall), 2008 draft, New York Jets
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Played for: New York Jets
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
One thing to know: As a prospect, Gholston looked like he had the right combination of size and speed to succeed in the NFL for years to come. He also earned the highest bench press score at the draft combine, teasing Jets fans who wanted an uncompromising defender to make life difficult for division foes like Tom Brady. Unfortunately, Gholston struggled throughout his tenure in New York, starting just five games and going without a sack in three years. He was cut by the Jets after three seasons and never played in another NFL game.
10. Mark Sanchez, QB
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School: USC
Selected: 1st round (5th overall), 2009 draft, New York Jets
Played for: New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys
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Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 5
One thing to know: Sanchez went to back-to-back Conference Championship appearances in his first two seasons, but he never materialized into a franchise QB. The California native threw 69 interceptions in just four years in New York and was released following the 2012 season. He has become a serviceable backup since then, seeing playing time for the Eagles, Cowboys, and most recently, the Redskins.
9. Justin Blackmon, WR
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School: Oklahoma State
Selected: 1st round (5th overall), 2012 draft, Jacksonville Jaguars
Played for: Jacksonville Jaguars
Pro Bowls : 0
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Seasons as primary starter : 1
One thing to know: Blackmon is a stark example of how drug and alcohol use can derail a promising career. Things started out well enough, but after leading all rookies with 865 receiving yards in 2012, Blackmon was hit with two suspensions during the 2013 season and hasn't played in the NFL since.
8. Aaron Curry, LB
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School: Texas
Selected: 1st round (4th overall), 2005 draft, Chicago Bears
Played for: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 5
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One thing to know: Curry was a polished and versatile prospect when he was selected, earning the highest draft position of any linebacker since LaVar Arrington in 2000. While some analysts deemed him the safest prospect available, he struggled in Seattle, recording just 5.5 sacks in three seasons. He was out of the NFL after four seasons.
7. Cedric Benson, RB
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School: Texas
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Selected: 1st round (4th overall), 2005 draft, Chicago Bears
Played for: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 5
One thing to know: Benson did enjoy some NFL success with the Bengals, amassing three 1,000-yard seasons. But his time with the Bears never lived up to the hype of being the fourth pick in the draft. After just three seasons and just 1,500 yards, Benson was released by the Bears following his second arrest on a charge of DUI.
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6. Trent Richardson, RB
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School: Alabama
Selected: 1st round (3rd overall), 2012 draft, Cleveland Browns
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Played for: Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 3
One thing to know: Richardson was hyped as the game's best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. He had a solid first season for the Browns, but they gave up on him quickly, shipping him to Indianapolis for a first round pick after just 17 games. From there, his career fell off a cliff. Richardson rushed for just 1,082 yards over his final two seasons, appearing in his final NFL game in 2014. He spent the 2017 season playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL and recently found some success in the AAF.
5. Dion Jordan, DE
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School: Oregon
Selected: 1st round (3rd overall), 2013 draft, Miami Dolphins
Played for: Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks
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Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 0
One thing to know: Jordan made one start for the Dolphins. That number would be higher, but the Arizona native just couldn't stay out of his own way as a young player, racking up three drug suspensions before his third season. After failing a physical with the Dolphins after the 2016 season, he ultimately caught on with the Seahawks, but has started just three games in two seasons.
4. Vince Young, QB
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School: Texas
Selected: 1st round (3rd overall), 2006 draft, Tennessee Titans
Played for: Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles
Pro Bowls : 2
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Seasons as primary starter : 4
One thing to know: Despite throwing more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (12) his rookie season, Young's career got off to a promising start thanks to several fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives. He was rewarded with a trip to the Pro Bowl. But things regressed during his second season as he threw 17 interceptions and just 9 touchdowns. He appeared in one more Pro Bowl following the 2009 season when the Titans went 8-2 with him as a starter. But he played just two more seasons. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, he signed with different NFL teams, but was cut before each season. He signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in 2017, but was cut before ever appearing in a game.
3. Robert Griffin III, QB
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School: Baylor
Selected: 1st round (2nd overall), 2012 draft, Washington Redskins
Played for: Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens
Pro Bowls : 1
Seasons as primary starter : 2
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One thing to know: Griffin was the toast of the league after his rookie season, which ended with a Pro Bowl appearance and the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. It was all downhill from there, as the dual-threat's play suffered thanks to a series of frustrating knee injuries, as well as a growing rift with the coaching staff. He was released in 2016 and signed with the Browns, but played in just five games thanks to a shoulder injury. He most recently signed with the Baltimore Ravens after missing the entire 2017 season.
2. Jason Smith, T
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School: Baylor
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Selected: 1st round (2nd overall), 2009 draft, St. Louis Rams
Played for: St. Louis Rams, New York Jets
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 1
One thing to know: Smith's smaller size and inexperience with an NFL-style offense provided meaningful question marks in the months leading up to the 2009 draft. But the Rams, in need of a franchise left tackle to anchor their rebuilding project, still jumped at him early. They were quickly disappointed by his slow transition to the professional game and growing injury history, eventually trading him to the Jets in 2012. He never started another game, bouncing around the league for a couple of years before hanging up his cleats.
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1. JaMarcus Russell, QB
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School: LSU
Selected: 1st round (1st overall), 2007 draft, Oakland Raiders
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Played for: Oakland Raiders
Pro Bowls : 0
Seasons as primary starter : 2
One thing to know: Russell was the definition of a can't-miss prospect when he declared for the 2007 draft.With a 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame and an absolute cannon for an arm, many scouts envisioned him developing into asuperstar with the ability to beat defenses with monster passes and surprisingly nimble footwork. It never happened. Russell completed 52.1% of his attempts and was released after the 2009 season. Russell attempted multiple comebacks to the NFL but was never signed by a team.
See Also:
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- NFL MOCK DRAFT: What the experts are predicting for all 32 first-round picks
- The Raiders sent their scouts home 6 days before the draft because the new GM reportedly 'does not know who he can trust with his draft secrets'
- The Cardinals are the key to the NFL draft, and whether they draft Kyler Murray or trade the pick to the Raiders, it will send other teams scrambling
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