19 of the biggest NFL Draft busts ever
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1. JaMarcus Russell - Oakland Raiders
The Raiders picked expected franchise quarterback JaMarcus Russell first overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played three seasons in Oakland, compiling a 7-18 record. The Raiders could have picked Calvin Johnson, who was the next choice in the draft.
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2. Tim Couch - Cleveland Browns
Tim Couch, the first overall selection in the 1999 NFL Draft, was the inaugural pick by the expansion Browns. Couch lasted just five seasons in Cleveland before exiting the league.
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3. David Carr - Houston Texans
David Carr had the tall task of being the first selection of the expansion Houston Texans. The top pick in the 2002 NFL Draft absorbed 76 sacks in his rookie season. The former Fresno State quarterback has evolved into a career backup in the NFL.
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4. Charles Rogers - Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions had high hopes for the No. 2 overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft. Charles Rogers played 15 games in a Lions jersey before being released. Injuries and drug problems contributed to Rogers' poor play.
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5. Tony Mandarich - Green Bay Packers
The second pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, Tony Mandarich was primed to be one of the best offensive lineman to play the game. Attitude and drug problems led to Mandarich's release from the Packers after just three seasons. He would resurface two years later with the Colts.
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6. Vernon Gholston - New York Jets
Vernon Gholston came out of The Ohio State University as a feared pass rusher. The Jets selected him sixth overall in 2008 NFL Draft, yet Gholston never recorded a sack while in the league.
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7. Ki-Jana Carter - Cincinnati Bengals
Here's something you don't see in today's NFL: A running back being selected first overall. In 1995, the Bengals drafted Ki-Jana Carter out of Penn State. Plagued by injuries, Carter could never reach his draft status.
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8. Blaine Gabbert - Jacksonville Jaguars
Blaine Gabbert and his perfect hair had all the attributes to becoming a franchise quarterback. The tenth selection in the 2011 NFL Draft played just three seasons with the Jaguars before being traded to the 49ers.
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9. Aaron Curry - Seattle Seahawks
For a team that drafts extremely well, the Seahawks' selection of Aaron Curry fourth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft did not pan out. Described as the safest pick in the draft, Curry played just three seasons with the Seahawks. He hasn't been in the league since 2012.
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10. Akili Smith - Cincinnati Bengals
There's a reason the Bengals were called the Bungals for so long. They drafted a player like Akili Smith third overall in 1999 when Champ Bailey was just sitting there waiting. Smith played four seasons with the Bengals, tossing a meager five touchdown passes.
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11. Courtney Brown - Cleveland Browns
A year after selecting Tim Couch first overall, the Browns were at the top spot again in 2000. Cleveland drafted Courtney Brown. Brown tallied 19 sacks in his career.
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12. Rick Mirer - Seattle Seahawks
Rick Mirer was the star quarterback at Notre Dame before being drafted second in the 1993 Draft by the Seahawks. Mirer struggled in the Pacific Northwest, playing just four seasons in Seattle.
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13. Brian Bosworth - Seattle Seahawks
A supplemental selection in 1987, Brian Bosworth was thought to be the next great linebacker. Unfortunately, steroid use and a Bo Jackson hit heard around the world derailed his Seahawks career.
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14. Heath Shuler - Washington Redskins
The third overall selection in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Redskins completed less than 50 percent of his passes in the league. After a couple seasons with the Redskins, he was shipped to New Orleans.
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15. Steve Emtman - Indianapolis Colts
Steve Emtman's career was sadly cut short due to career-ending injuries. Knee and neck injuries knocked the defensive lineman out of the NFL. He was the first pick of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Colts.
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16. Blair Thomas - New York Jets
Blair Thomas' stellar career at Penn State did not equate to NFL success. Thomas was selected second overall in 1990 by the Jets and scored just nine touchdowns in his four-year stint in the league.
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17. Andre Ware - Detroit Lions
The former University of Houston star lit up the collegiate ranks before being drafted seventh by the Lions in 1990. Andre Ware started just six games for Detroit. He finished his career with more interceptions than touchdown passes.
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18. Lawrence Phillips - St. Louis Rams
Lawrence Phillips came into the league with a massive amount of hype after a stellar career at Nebraska. The sixth overall pick in the 1996 Draft by the Rams never reached his potential. The former running back had run-ins with the law throughout his brief career and afterward.
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19. Ryan Leaf - San Diego Chargers
The debate between Ryan Leaf and Peyton Manning was an arduous one for people around the league. Ultimately, Manning went first to the Colts, while Leaf was drafted by the Chargers. That would change two franchises completely. Leaf could never handle the rigors of the NFL, often battling with the team and the media.
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