Top 10 Biggest NFL Draft Busts of All Time

Quincy's top 10 NFL Draft busts. From Ryan Leaf to Trey Lance, these players did not live up to their expectations. Who was the greatest NFL Draft bust of all time?

Thousands of players have played in the NFL since its inception. Whether they were drafted in the first round or signed as a free agent, each player had a chance to make a mark for themselves. However, the higher the players are drafted, the higher their expectations. As such, it feels like a prerequisite to being an NFL "bust" is to be drafted highly.

Quarterbacks often draw the biggest ire among NFL fans if they do not pan out. Given the high profile of the position and the inflation of their draft stock, many quarterbacks are considered to be the biggest busts of all time. The ability of a quarterback to turn around a franchise more than any other position places a lot of weight on their ability (or lack thereof) to perform.

With decades of drafts to choose from and the 2025 NFL Draft right around the corner, it is time we took a look at the biggest busts in NFL history. Names such as JaMarcus Russell and Vince Young come to mind, but they are not alone, and there are plenty of players to choose from. Let's dive in and check it out.

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No. 10: Trey Lance, QB, 2021

Quarterback Trey Lance's career is not over, but he is trending toward serious bust status after an inauspicious start to his career. Lance was drafted as the heir apparent to Jimmy Garoppolo on a San Francisco 49ers team looking to stay competitive into the future.

The 49ers traded three first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Lance. He would only last two seasons with the team.

In Lance's defense, a broken ankle during his second season cost him his job more so than poor play. 2022's Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, stole the show, and the rest is history. Lance was shipped off to Dallas the following offseason and has made little impact since. He is currently a free agent.

The 49ers are still feeling the pain of the picks lost in the Dolphins trade. They will feel those reverberations for several more years to come as they attempt to build through the draft once again.

Aldon Smith or Trey Lance, which draft bust hurt more? pic.twitter.com/CQczrMUAdk

— The church of Fred Warner’s Pope (@McgrathNeh82207) March 31, 2024

No. 9: Vince Young, QB, 2006

Quarterback Vince Young spent six seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was selected No. 3 overall by the Titans in the 2006 NFL Draft. Young was an excellent dual-threat prospect out of the University of Texas. His performance in the NCAA landed him in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, Young's college success did not translate to the pros. While his teams managed to win games with him, Young was not ready for the limelight and was fairly mistake-prone. The pressure even led to Young's disappearance at one point during the 2008 season.

While his playing career was fairly tragic, Young has carved out a solid post-playing career and now serves as a special assistant to the athletic department at the University of Texas.

No. 8: Akili Smith, QB, 1999

Quarterback Akili Smith was the No. 3 overall selection by the Bengals in the 1999 NFL Draft. Smith had limited college production and has frankly been forgotten throughout NFL history. There was nothing special about Smith entering the draft.

He is an example of a quarterback who benefited from demand at the position.

Smith would last four seasons with the Bengals. He threw for 2,212 yards in 22 games. Astonishingly, Smith threw for just five touchdowns over that span. Smith's son, Akili Smith Jr., is committed to playing college football at Smith's alma mater, the University of Oregon. Perhaps Smith Jr. can avenge his father's shortcomings.

No. 7: Josh Rosen, QB, 2018

Many new NFL fans may have no idea who quarterback Josh Rosen is. He was drafted No. 10 overall by the Cardinals just seven years ago. Rosen had about as bad a rookie season as he could have had. He threw for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. In his defense, Rosen had no offensive line and no weapons. He was never truly given a fair shot.

Following the 2018 season, the Cardinals fired head coach Steve Wilks and drafted quarterback Kyler Murray. Rosen was traded to the Miami Dolphins and flamed out from there. The worst part of Rosen's story is that he was part of a draft class featuring quarterbacks Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and now a resurgent Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.

Random but Josh Rosen was so nice in college https://t.co/tzFZ1baOzt pic.twitter.com/R3VrTGcTPg

— 24/8 (@blackgodwayne) February 19, 2025

No. 6: Justin Blackmon, WR, 2012

As the No. 5 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, wide receiver Justin Blackmon was expected to be the next NFL superstar at his position. Blackmon was highly productive at Oklahoma State University, racking up 3,564 yards and a whopping 40 touchdowns in three seasons. Blackmon seemed like a can't-miss prospect, and he flashed that ability during a short NFL stint.

Blackmon's career would only last two seasons. He was off to a hot start with 1,280 receiving yards over his first 20 games. Unfortunately, Blackmon could not get out of his way as arrests and suspensions became the norm for the young player.

Blackmon was suspended halfway through the 2013 season and was denied reinstatement in the NFL in 2015. He never played again.

Justin Blackmon's sophomore and junior seasons at Oklahoma State were unreal (2010-2011)

233 REC / 3,304 YDS / 38 TD
2x Biletnikoff Award winner
2x Unanimous All-American pic.twitter.com/TPl1HE8uzc

— CFB History (@CFB_History) October 22, 2021

No. 5: Trent Richardson, RB, 2012

The Cleveland Browns have not had a lot of luck in selecting players over the years. Running back Trent Richardson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. As an Alabama running back, the expectation was that Richardson would be the next great NFL running back.

His career started relatively strong, with 950 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie. However, that success was short-lived, and his yards-per-carry average was still a paltry 3.6 that season.

Richardson was traded to the Indianapolis Colts two games into his second season. He would spend one more season in the NFL before flaming out in 2014. Richardson holds a career average of 3.3 yards per carry. Given the devaluation of the running back position over the last decade, Richardson's lack of high-quality performance and his draft capital were devastating for the Browns.

No. 4: Johnny Manziel, QB, 2014

We all remember quarterback Johnny Manziel and the Manziel-mania during the 2012 and 2013 NCAA seasons. Manziel was a Heisman Trophy winner who dazzled with excellent mobility and a beautiful arm. However, there were signs that the success would go to Manziel's head and that he did not have the work ethic to truly be great.

The Browns made Manziel the No. 22 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be their quarterback of the future, but he flopped. Manziel's NFL career would only last two seasons. He threw for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

The Browns cut ties with Manziel following the 2015 season due to his immaturity. He never got another shot in the NFL.

No. 3: Brian Bosworth, LB, 1987

Linebacker Brian Bosworth, colloquially known as "The Boz," was a radical presence in the late 1980s. He was known for wild hairstyles and an outward personality that placed him at the center of the media. Bosworth was an excellent college player, but his antics (including taking steroids) led to his eventual dismissal from the University of Oklahoma football team.

Bosworth was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1987 NFL Supplemental Draft. Bosworth's career did not feature many highlights, and he was forced to retire three seasons later due to injury. Bosworth was notably run over by Raiders running back Bo Jackson, which was as embarrassing as it was comical.

No. 2: JaMarcus Russell, QB, 2007

JaMarcus Russell was a highly touted prospect out of LSU in 2007. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the then-Oakland Raiders. His arm strength and prototypical size pushed him up the draft board. Despite possessing all the necessary physical tools to succeed, Russell failed miserably as an NFL quarterback.

Russell was released by the Raiders after three seasons and never played another snap in the NFL. He finished his career with 4,803 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. The Raiders went 7-18 in games Russell started. His lack of work ethic would ultimately be his downfall in the NFL.

He has become a cautionary tale to not become enamored with physical tools at the quarterback position.

Freshman year JaMarcus Russell on his first collegiate drive literally knocking a WR over with a dig throw. pic.twitter.com/eLqZe0FeAN

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) January 23, 2020

No. 1: Ryan Leaf, QB, 1998

Ryan Leaf is the bust of all busts. The quarterback notoriously selected by the then-San Diego Chargers one pick behind Peyton Manning in 1998 would go on to see his career implode before it ever got started. Leaf was another player whose arm talent vaulted him to the top of draft boards.

There was even a question as to whether he should have been selected over Manning.

Leaf's career was marred by mood swings, immaturity, and injuries. His lowlights included a 2:15 TD:INT as a rookie and a career completion percentage of 48.4 percent. The Chargers would win four of the 14 games Leaf started over his three years with the team. Leaf was out of the league by the end of the 2001 season, and the Chargers managed to right the ship with Drew Brees.

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