Worst of the First (18-1)
This group was supposed to be the answer. The guy that helped your team out to get them closer to the playoffs. But what happened? They could not live up to their drafted position. The biggest bust of the highest picks of the last 10 years.
18. LB Bobby Carpenter (Ohio St.) - 2006 - Dallas Cowboys
Other Options: N/A
Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells convinced the team to make the pick of Carpenter here. He failed to establish a starting role in Dallas, playing mostly on special teams. He was traded to the Rams in May of 2010, but was cut on September 2nd.
The Dolphins signed Carpenter two days later to reunite him with Parcells. He was waived on October 18th due to missed blocking assignments on special teams on multiple occasions in back-to-back games. The Lions signed him two days later.
He spent time with the Patriots in 2012 after 1.5 seasons in Detroit. He was released midway through the 2012 season.
Best Available: DeMeco Ryans, D'Quell Jackson
17. DE Jarvis Moss (Florida) - 2007 - Denver Broncos
Other Options: Josh Freeman (2009)
The Broncos traded up to get this guy and he played six games his rookie season. A broken shin held him out for the remained of the 2007 season. In 2008, Moss played 12 games. This would be the most he would play in a single season. His last two seasons in Denver were pitiful at best. Moss played 16 games between the 2009-10 only making five tackles for the Broncos. This was due to Moss being uncomfortable switching to Outside Linebacker. He had no choice when Elvis Dumervil was sidelined for the 2009 season.
Moss was released midway through the 2010 season and picked up by the Raiders. He played 19 games making 19 tackles. He became a free agent in 2012 and was not resigned.
Best Available: LaMarr Woodley
16. DT Justin Harrell (Tennessee) - 2007 - Green Bay Packers
Other Options: QB EJ Manuel (2013), DE Larry English (2009)
Harrell was already behind the pack with limited workouts. He was recovering from a torn bicep from his days at Tennessee. He showed up to the OTA's out of shape and overweight.
He played seven games his rookie season and six on the back end of the 2008 season. He made just 28 tackles during that time. Harrell missed the entirety of the 2009 season due to a back injury. He tore his ACL in the 2010 opener, ending his season.
He was released on July 28, 2011.
Best Available: Paul Soliai
15. RB Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) - 2015 - San Diego Chargers
Other Options: CB Tye Hill (2006)
A former Heisman candidate turned out to be a bust this past season. San Diego was hoping that Gordon could return them to the days of LT. They were very far off. Gordon played 14 games in 2015. He had no touchdowns and no 100 yard games. He also lost four fumbles.
While the Chargers offense was hurting due to injuries all season, it was still expected that Gordon would take some of the load off of Rivers. Instead, San Diego managed just four total rushing scores in 2015.
Best Available: Thomas Rawls, David Johnson, Jeremy Langford
14. OT Chris Williams (Vanderbilt) - 2008 - Chicago Bears
Other Options: Brodrick Bunkley (2006)
Minor back surgery held Williams out until November of his rookie season. He only played special teams that season. In 2009, Williams was promoted to starting right tackle. He moved to right tackle in 2010, due to an ineffective Orlando Pace. Williams was moved to left guard after a hamstring injury held him out for three weeks. He was released midway through the 2012 season.
He signed six days later with the St. Louis Rams. He spent two seasons with the team before becoming a free agent. He signed a four-year, $13.5 million deal with Buffalo in 2014 with $5.5 in guarenteed money. His contract was terminated on July 28, 2015 due to a failed physical.
Best Available: Branden Albert, Duane Brown
13. DT Adam Carriker (Nebraska) - 2007 - St. Louis Rams
Other Options: DE Kemerion Wimbley (2006)
Adam Carriker switched from playing defensive end to nose tackle due to the need of one by the Rams. He dominated the middle of the field for his first two seasons, amounting 53 tackles, a pair of sacks and fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick. He had a high ceiling, until surgery became a problem.
Carriker had surgery done on his shoulders and ankles, causing him to miss the 2010 season. He impressed everyone post-surgery, returning six months early. The Rams' new head coach Steve Spagnuolo moved him to second on the depth chart after Carriker requested to move to the 3-technique. He was traded to the Redskins in 2010, where he played two seasons, resulting in a torn quad during week two of the 2012 season. After another set of surgeries to his knee, the Redskins released him in 2014.
While he did participate at the 2015 Veteran's Combine, drawing attention of the Atlanta Falcons. The team never reached a deal with the Cornhusker.
Best Available: Paul Soliai
12. QB Christian Ponder (Florida St.) - 2011 - Minnesota Vikings
Other Options: RB Knowshon Moreno (2009)
Ponder was the fourth quarterback taken in the 2011 Draft behind Cam Newton, Jake Locker, and Blaine Gabbert. The plan was for Ponder to be mentored by the recently signed Donavan McNabb. After McNabb failed to deliver the first five weeks, Ponder got his first start against the undefeated Packers. The Vikings kept it close, but fell to the defending champs. Ponder finished his rookie season 2-8.
The 2012 season spelled greatness for Ponder due to the return of Adrain Peterson. Ponder started all 16 games and took Minnesota to the playoffs. He did not play in the Wildcard game due to a tricep injury. They lost to the Pack 24-10 behind Joe Webb.
Ponder would faced his injury problems again the next two seasons. This coupled with the aquisition of rookie Teddy Bridgewater ended Ponder's time with the Vikings. Since being released after the 2014 season, he had spent time with the Raiders and Broncos, but never took a snap.
Ponder is still unsigned as of today.
Best Available: Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick
11. DE/LB Aaron Maybin (Penn St.) - 2009 - Buffalo Bills
Other Options: OT Anthony Davis (2010)
Maybin played all 16 games his rookie season. He only had 18 tackles that year with no sacks. His sophomore season was not much better. The former Natty Lion played 66 snaps total, racking up five tackles total. He was waived during the 2011 preseason.
Maybin was signed by the Jets two days after his departure from Buffalo, only to get waived again 18 days later. The Jets would then resign him on Sept. 28th. He recorded six sacks with New York, leading the team. He was released on Nov. 13, 2012.
After an off-season with the Bengals, Maybin signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He retired less than a year later. Maybin finished his NFL career with 36 tackles, six sacks, and five forced fumbles.
Best Available: Brian Orakpo, Henry Melton, Connor Barwin
10. QB Matt Leinart (USC) - 2006 - Arizona Cardinals
Other Options: TE Eric Ebron (2013), DT Amobi Okoye (2007)
Heisman Trophy winner a bad pick? We have already seen this happen in this Worst of the First. *couch* Tim Tebow. Leinart was thought to be the successor to future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. He played 12 games (11 starts) his rookie season after Warner had poor performances up to that point. Leinart finished 4-7 that season.
Leinart would be set back the following two seasons with season-ending injuries to his collar bone. After Warner retired, Leinart was the presumed to be the starter heading into the 2010 season, but lost the job to Derek Anderson. The Cardinals released him days before the 2010 season began. He would sign a one-year deal with the Texans, but not play until the following season under a new deal. Leinart was released after the 2011 season and would then sign with the Raiders. Leinart backed up former USC teammate Carson Palmer. He would play two games in the 2012 season.
His road ended when he lost the battle for QB3 on the Buffalo Bills.
Best Available: Jay Cutler
9. LB Keith Rivers (USC) - 2008 - Cincinnati Bengals
Other Options: LB Ernie Sims (2006)
Rivers had an amazing start to his rookie season before his injury. He was blindsided by Hines Ward which shattered his jaw. This created the "Hines Ward Rule" of no blindside blocking with helmet or pads to the head of another player. His rookie season ended with 37 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.
He continued played with the Bengals for another two seasons before being traded to the Giants. While his stats were not bad, he rarely started and put together two 40+ tackle seasons. He also sat on the bench for the Bills in 2014. Rivers retired after his first day of Cowboy's training camp in 2015.
Best Available: Jerod Mayo, Curtis Lofton
8. CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma St.) - 2014 - Cleveland Browns
Other Options: DE Derrick Harvey (2008), DE Jamaal Anderson (2007)
This guy was a huge bust from the 2014 draft. Maybe the biggest depending on how Clowney performs this season. The first cornerback taken in the draft, a team would expect that he is a sure thing. Gilbert is now a third string corner for the Browns. And to think, the Browns traded back and than up to get him (Pick 4 -> Pick 9 -> Pick 8).
In two seasons, Gilbert has made 39 total tackles and one interception. It is doubtful that he will be with the team this time next year.
Best Available: Jason Verrett, Malcom Butler
7. WR Kevin White (West Virginia) - 2015 - Chicago Bears
Other Options: DT Sedrick Ellis (2008)
This one is hard because White has not done anything. He was sidelined all of last season with a knee injury. The problem with this pick is that all of the seventh overall picks of the last 10 years were very good picks. Even Ellis was a big contributor to the Saints 2009 Super Bowl run.
White has no statistics at this time, but will hopefully be a big factor in the Chicago offense this season.
Best Available: Tyler Lockett, Stefon Diggs
6. DE Vernon Gholston (Ohio State) - 2008 - New York Jets
Other Options: DE Barkevious Mingo (2013), CB Morris Claiborne (2012)
Gholston was expected to start at Outside Linebacker for the Jets his rookie season, but played mostly on special teams. He ended his rookie season with 13 tackles. New York moved Gholston back to defensive end for his next two years. He registered 29 total tackles between those seasons.
Gholston was released after the 2011 season and never played a regular season game again. He did spend a pre-season with the Bears in 2011 and the Rams in 2012.
Best Available: Calais Campbell
5. WR Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma St.)- 2012 - Jacksonville Jaguars
Other Options: DE Glenn Dorsey (2008)
Oh Justin, the Jags had such high hopes for you. High is definitely the right word to use here. Blackmon has played 20 games in his NFL career. He played all of his rookie season and four games of his sophomore season.
Blackmon has been cited for multiple drug charges and involvement with DUIs over the past three seasons. This resulted in his first four-game suspension of the 2013 season and his indefinite suspension after Jacksonville's bye week that same year. This is the easiest pick for worst fifth pick overall.
Best Available: Alshon Jeffery, Michael Floyd
4. LB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest) - 2009 - Seattle Seahawks
Other Options: Darren McFadden (2008), DE Gaines Adams (2007)
Curry's rookie deal included more guaranteed money than any rookie before him at $34 million. He failed to live up to the expectations of the Seattle Front Office in his first two season. The Wake Forest product produced 5.5 sacks in two seasons and less than 140 tackles. He lost his starting job in the 2011 season to rookie K.J. Wright.
He was traded to the Raiders midway thorough the 2011 season. He spent over a calander year there, but spent a good deal of the 2012 season on the PUP List. Due to this, the Raiders waived him. He spent the 2013 off season with the Giants and missed the final roster cut. He officially retired from the NFL on August 28, 2013.
Curry is the Defensive Line coach fo rthe Charlotte 49ers football team.
Best Available: Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews
3. RB Trent Richardson (Alabama) - 2012 - Cleveland Browns
Other Options: DE Dion Jordan (2013), DE Tyson Jackson (2009)
Trent Richardson was the most talked about running back since Reggie Bush. His downhill running ability made him the perfect choice for Cleveland at the time. They were very wrong. Richardson's career became a meme circus with videos of him making poor decisions when getting the handoff. One highlight shows the Crimson Tide product running into his own line when a hole between the center and right guard was wide enough for a bus to drive through.
The Colts thought it was a good idea to trade for him mid-season. He did not reach 1,000 yards combine from his two seasons in Indianapolis. He was later signed and cut by the Raiders before the 2015 season. Richardson was cut by the Ravens on Monday. Do not expect to see him on a roster by opening day.
Best Available: Doug Martin, Alfred Morris
2. LT Jason Smith - 2009 - St. Louis Rams
Other Options: OT Greg Robinson (2014), QB Robert Griffin III (2012)
Smith was a great performer at his combine and Pro-Day, drawing comparisons to some of the NFL's top talent. He started at right guard, but moved back to left later in his rookie season. He suffered a serious concussion that year and was held out for the remainer of his rookie season. Smith was demoted to second string his sophomore season. He rode the bench until the Rams traded him to the Jets. Smith signed with the Saints after being released by the Jets after the 2012 season. He was cut after the final preseason game.
Best Available: Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher
1. QB JaMarcus Russell (LSU) - 2007 - Oakland Raiders
Other Options: QB Sam Bradford (2010), DE Jadeveon Clowney (2014)
This guy is the biggest bust in all of the NFL. At least in recent memory. A highly touted quarterback from LSU who won the title and was selected first overall. He played four games his rookie season, but saw double digit games the following two years. This would not help his cause for being a starter. After boasting a laughable 19-45 touchdown to turnover ratio in three seasons, the Raiders cut their losses and released him.
Russell attempted to make a comeback in 2013 and 2016, but the teams interested in him said it was "not the right time." Russell's career stands at 7-18.
Best Available: Kevin Kolb, Drew Stanton
