Top 10 Draft Busts

In honor of reaching 1,000 subscribers, here is the Top 10 Draft Busts in NFL history. This episode originally aired in 2007.

[@colinrankin1659]

Art Schlichter: don't gamble NFL: this is brought to you by draft kings sports book 😂

[@MRB16th]

For bonus points, the gambling city of Las Vegas now has an NFL team (after the Raiders relocated from Oakland in 2020). And now I'm starting to think Bob Irsay should have moved the Colts to Vegas after the 1982 draft.

[@ballsonyourmomschin1781]

I like how Heath shuler just accepts the fact that he had a bad career and can just look back and at least be happy that he got to play

[@KHayes666]

I'm glad his life didn't fall apart like some others on this list

[@piranhasforscissors]

Tbh as a bust, he's taken it pretty well and cut his losses. I respect that.

[@Cope27]

It's because he made something of himself football wasn't his only thing in life like some of these guys

[@RDSports5]

@@Cope27 Like MOST of these guys. Really sad to put all your eggs in a basket that 99% of people aren't a part of. That's why guys need to get an education, value that education, and connect with people in other careers in case football doesn't pan out. Improve your odds, instead of letting the casino dictate terms of your life

[@RicoBurghFan]

He was a horrible football player and a horrible politician.. Maybe he should look back and wonder how it all went wrong.

[@TheDCGuitar13]

Bosworth selling the anti boz shirts is the absolutely brilliant. He may have been a meathead but the man was a genius.

[@thebeasters]

Very savvy

[@MyNameIsFredFuchs]

20 years ahead of his time. Bo Jackson and injuries sunk that ship

[@michaelhession2105]

@@MyNameIsFredFuchs There goes Bo, and nobody catches Bo, TOUCHDOWN!

[@aspenrebel]

One time, while on vacation in Miami Beach, I saw Boz filming a TV show. I think he was suppose to be some sort of private detective. It looked pretty bad. Don't know if it ever aired.

[@aspenrebel]

Ah! I was correct! Here it is. "Lawless", Fox Network, release date March 22, 1997. It was so bad it was canceled after the premiere of its first episode. "The series centers on John Lawless, an ex-special forces operative who became a motorcycle riding private investigator in Miami's South Beach." Now, I ask you, what could possibly go wrong with a premise like that? A total of 6 episodes filmed.

[@drgwhatsthetruth3783]

If Dick Vermeil can't bring out the best in you then no one can. Much respect for Mr. Vermeil.

[@STP43FAN1]

Yes. This episode got updated to note Lawrence Phillips killed himself while in prison

[@jasonr375]

@@STP43FAN1 Sad, really. A lot of players that ruin their careers are just plain dumb and immature, but a lot have mental problems. I believe he had some demons he was never able to defeat.

[@STP43FAN1]

I’ve never bought the mental problems argument because it’s a catch all excuse to deny accountability - “it’s not my fault” doesn’t cut it.

[@spitshinetommy3721]

​@@STP43FAN1Same. Countless NFL players suffer from CTE and whatnot, they don't into murderers like Lawrence Phillips.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

If you want to succeed you have to bring the best out of yourself. Nobody can do it for you unless you wanna do it.

[@jliller]

I'm impressed with whatever scout looked at Joe Flacco playing QB in a FCS/1AA Wing-T offense and said "This guy is 1st Round pick material."

[@medguy12]

Never forget...Mel Kiper criticized the Colts for taking Marshal Faulk over Heath Shuler. Keep that in mind the next time you hear him speak

[@ddiesel1836]

"Who in the Hell is Mel Kiper?"

[@halwarner3326]

He is still interesting

[@thebeasters]

Kipper has always been trash. Never played the game

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

I believe Kiper also criticized the Colts for picking Trev Alberts over Trent Dilfer (who was drafted by the Buccaneers 🏴‍☠️) Indy’s GM put Kiper on blast for criticizing the 1st round draft selections of Alberts at linebacker and Faulk at halfback After a three year college career with San Diego State, Faulk ran for 1,000 yards in his first NFL season as a colt and was voted NFL ROTY Dilfer went to the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and won SBXXXV and went to the pro bowl in his fourth season (1997) as a Buccaneer 🏴‍☠️ ; Dilfer bounced around the league with Cleveland and Seattle amongst a few other ball clubs Faulk was traded to the Saint Louis Rams for a first round pick- in his first NFL season as a Ram 🐏 in 1999 he had been the first player since Roger Craig in 1984 with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 reception yards in the same season; Faulk won SBXXXIV in 1999, was OPOY from 1999-2001, and 2000 NFL MVP Faulk was inducted into the hall of fame

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

@@thebeasters I can’t stand Mel Kiper

[@DragonHeart613]

They really need to update this to include Johnny Manziel.

[@mid.life.crisis2955]

Or maybe a Cleveland Brown's top-10 busts/disappearing acts? Edit, make that a top-20! And I'm from a line of die-hard Brown's fans.

[@xanzibar5374]

And JaMarcus Russell and Tim Tebow

[@jordan12118]

@@xanzibar5374 Tebow got a playoff win I think that automatically takes him outta top 10

[@Mikefrank333]

@@mid.life.crisis2955 20? You mean rank every 1st round picks since returning to the NFL excluding 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2018

[@bambamrubble9165]

Trubisky too

[@formulahank1250]

Bosworth is a guy who has learned from his mistakes as a young player. Kudos to him

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

He might have had a better career if his heart had been in it.

[@MasterOfViewership]

But he also tried to act and stunk that up as well

[@jimkelly7908]

Although he’s pretty funny as the sheriff of Fansville

[@Noles4life77]

@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 he didn’t even play two whole seasons before he was medically forced to retire. How can you even say he might of had a better career when we didn’t even get to see him play

[@davidcook680]

What hurt him in the NFL. Was his shoulders.

[@Jessek90]

I wouldn't necessarily put Tim Couch and David Carr as busts. They were put in a lose lose situation. No blocking, good players, or time to develop with a good better team. Their offensive lines were swiss cheese.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

100% completely agree.

[@Butter-gz4kb]

Jesse Kempf So what happened when they went to better teams?

[@Jessek90]

@@Butter-gz4kb by then their injuries and psyche got them. Carr did win a ring as back up.

[@Butter-gz4kb]

Jesse Kempf Carr was getting killed by the expansion team’s line. Many QB’s revived their careers with different teams. Jim Plunkett, Steve Young, Rich Gannon, etc. to be successful in the NFL a lot of variables need to happen. Good line, good defense, skills need to fit the offense, etc I believe a player shouldn’t be labeled a bust because of an injury. Bosworth was injured and when he was run over by Bo it was because Bo was a freak with a running start. In my opinion, busts are players that don’t live up to expectations that weren’t injured

[@freshprinceshakur4596]

Facts

[@animelytical8354]

Dick Vermeil crying after cutting Lawrence Philips was honestly good. Football often seems so heartless

[@shrapnel77]

Dick Vermeil cried when you said hello to him.

[@michaelscott4909]

@@shrapnel77 Vermeil is a great guy but this is damn funny!

[@Gunner192]

Pro Football is an incredibly demanding sport. Demanding both physically and emotionally. Unlike baseball, there is crying in Football.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Vermeil was a phenomenal leader and coach -The 1980 Eagles 🦅 upset the Cowboys in the playoffs to advance to SBXV -the 1999 Saint Louis Rams won SBXXXIV -The Chiefs in the early 2000s were a perennial playoff contender in the AFC thanks to Trent Green at QB Priest Holmes at HB Will Shields at Guard Tony Gonzalez at TE Vermeil cared about his players and the game brought out a lot of emotion out of him. I wanna see him in the hall of fame soon.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Harry Engel I doubt it At least not against the 2000 NFL DPOY Ray Lewis and his Ravens

[@the3rdmorice]

Given how bad Bosworth's shoulders degenerated, he was screwed no matter what. At the end of his second year, the team doctor famously said: "He was a 25 year old with the shoulders of a 60 year old. He flunked my physical."

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

steroids

[@GetBenched2010]

As bad as Jamarcus Russell was, he actually LEADS Ryan Leaf in every single offensive stat including the analytics' advanced stats. So even in an updated list, Leaf is still #1.

[@buzzerbeater3350]

That's saying a lot!!!

[@ddiesel1836]

according to former Raiders Offensive Lineman David Diehl; Raiders coaches used to give Russell blank tapes to determine if he was studying film. Diehl noted Russell would come into the Raiders' facilities the day after receiving the tapes saying that he watched the blitz packages. 😆😆😆

[@thebeasters]

@@buzzerbeater3350 yes but what they had to pay him before the rookie wage scale makes him a bigger bus

[@buzzerbeater3350]

@@thebeasters Are you referring to JaMarcus Russell?

[@buzzerbeater3350]

@@bocagoodtimes1460 You think Leaf was that bad?

[@tthomaselli2]

"No athlete is an athlete with the intention of being a bust.". --Brian Bosworth.

[@randywhite3947]

Meaning?

[@carlhicksjr8401]

Tell that to Jamarcus Russell.... As for Bosworth being an 'athlete', as a Seahawks fan who watched that fiasco, even phoning it in seemed like it was too much effort for him. Don't get me wrong here... I realize that the 'Hawks of that era sucked ass. Ken Behring [may he burn in Purgatory forever], the owner, hired a nemesis coach in Flores [the ex-Raiders coach] and wanted to move the team so bad he moved the team's front office to LA. But Bosworth got a lot of money for being bust and I *still* think the SOB owes Seattle another three months work from it.

[@jbfarley]

@Cedric Mcpeak dumbass

[@chiefdaley2421]

He would know.

[@speedyeagle2.25]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4GYaoKNd6yliJY

[@lukerbom12]

Years later and I still think it's fascinating how they made this list in preparation for a draft (2007) which debatably produced a bust worse than all these.

[@elamovs]

As a Browns fan from Cleveland I've always maintained that Couch was way better than he ever got credit for. For one thing ours was the worst expansion team ever assembled and the O line was a joke, every single one was a turnstile and he took a BEATING first 2 years in the league. He also never had a coach who believed in him once Palmer was fired after his rookie year and there was a very talented backup named Kelly Holcomb taking half his reps and Couch would get benched the moment he made a mistake. He still took us to the playoffs in 02 but both his mind and body were destroyed. The guy could've been a success under better circumstances.

[@johncarey3091]

Totally agree. Couch would have had a good career with a team that could have protected him.

[@jeremykrause153]

Couch wasn’t that bad. In his first two seasons the team was terrible and he played ok his second season. In 2001 he actually threw for over 3000 yards.

[@zacharywiesner4474]

He was not bad just didnt have any help wouldnt put him on the bust list homestly

[@courtneyhoyt1132]

As a Texan fan I feel similar about what David Carr could have been, had he not been drafted in the expansion year

[@kirpalite]

Exactly. I really felt for him--such talent and the beating he took from having such a weak offensive line. There is no way he could develop under those circumstances. Check my comment under kirpalite.

[@uppymcdowny58]

The David Klingler one is actually sad what happened to him. From his wiki: "Klingler injured his elbow and shoulder in the offseason before his third season. After the 1994 season (his third), he underwent elbow surgery. Being informed that his injury was career ending, he knew that his career was all but done. Before the operation he could heave a ball 85 yards; afterward he struggled to reach 35"

[@aspenrebel]

Not fair calling someone a bust if they had injuries

[@MRB16th]

@@aspenrebel Klinger's career ending was tragic - this alone would exclude him from any list of draft busts.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

He was wrecked playing behind a terrible offensive line. Even though he's played a LOT better, the current Bengals better make sure the same doesn't happen to Joe Burrows.

[@qwertyiuwg4uwtwthn]

jesus christ

[@sasquatchhunter86]

Sadly 35 yards is 25 yards farther than I can throw it 😢

[@shrapnel77]

Heath Shuler: "Caoch, why do these people hate me so much?" Coach: "Because you suck."

[@jasonwalker9091]

shrapnel77 lol true facts, and Ditka blew up on him in old Mike Ditka was on the Saints lol

[@untitled5422]

“They don’t have a quarterback ! They’re losers!”

[@jackdull5699]

He did suck but that team was rebuilding.

[@ademirsegura6307]

Jack dull from Tim Couch to Baker Mayfield

[@jackdull5699]

@@ademirsegura6307 : Ownership has been messing up that franchise ever since it came back in 1999. Never had a good coach, general manager, wasted draft picks year after year, Mayfield maybe the exception but we'll see and bad free agent signings. Washington maybe the only team that worse than the Browns.

[@taylor.rafferty]

Awe Dick Vermeil was such a good person. See the pain in his eyes when they had to cut Lawrence Phillips. He loved that guy

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Taylor R Vermeil was one hell of a coach.

[@patrickkanas3874]

He wasn't just crying because he loved the guy, he was crying because he knew that without the Rams nothing was stopping him from ruining his life

[@jpinon403]

@@patrickkanas3874 and that's what makes Dick Vermeil such an incredible man. He sees good in horrible men such as Lawrence Phillips and he wanted to help him out to straighten his path

[@CalebBassiTempleton]

I know, I am REALLY happy that Dick Vermeil won the Super Bowl as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams in the 1999-2000 season!

[@CalebBassiTempleton]

He deserved it.

[@blkwrld5600]

The Boz wasn’t a bust..the boz was a marketing genius

[@jackdoe552]

I was living in San Diego when Leaf was drafted, and I remember the optimism and hope among Chargers fans. There were some who thought Manning the better pick, but everyone agreed that Leaf should go far as well; maybe even better. The confusion and disappointment by the end of that first season was something.

[@djjohnson9389]

Ryan Leaf: im the biggest bust in nfl history. JaMarcus Russell: hold m beer!

[@WVUer21]

Johnny Football: "Hold my molly."

[@Eightballer405]

More like "Hold my Purple Drank"

[@piranhasforscissors]

I mean, 5-11 is better than 1-15. That's all I'm saying...

[@djjohnson9389]

@Catharsis what do you think was bigger Manning vs. Leaf or Luck vs. RG3

[@matthewrogers8778]

No russell sucked too

[@renatajohns6802]

That Ryan Leaf/Peyton Manning story reminds me of something Iverson said after Kobe died. And I still have Iverson over Kobe as my favorite. But Iverson said as rookies, after a game in L.A., they went to dinner. When done, they talked about their after dinner plans. AI said he was going to the club. Kobe said, he was going back to the gym to workout and practice some more. Football clubs need to figure out multiple ways to ask the questions that tell them where the draftee stands on work and play.

[@CalebBassiTempleton]

Iverson is a hall of famer and not a bust though!

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Iverson was an NBA MVP & NBA ROTY One of the best players to never win a championship

[@KTF0]

Reminds me of the Justin Blackmon story. Dude was a stud in Oklahoma State, there were some character questions, so a team sent a scout went to his favorite bar to spy on him. Justin was at the bar every single day. The team erased him off the draft board. Not even a year passed and he was arrested for DUI, and was suspended by the league a year later. He only played 20 total games.

[@KHayes666]

Bad comparison, Iverson turned into an HoF player. After a Boston Celtics win one time, Larry Bird stayed after the game to practice his shooting and ML Carr said "Have fun with that I'm going home"

[@robogreek3157]

@@dumisatonyjohnson8145 and their you go.... NEVER WON

[@31olegna]

NFL network was so damn good. America's game, NFL replay, a football life and top 10's like this!

[@ZeroDarkTwenty3]

This needs to be updated so badly

[@pts5217]

“Look at what a bum this QB was” shows highlight reel of sack after sack. What about the O-line?!?!

[@pts5217]

Jesse Fehr Good point

[@pts5217]

d jw Thats fair

[@marqhernandez2676]

“The QB gets all the credit on a good day and the offensive line barley gets mentioned. So when there’s a mess up, the QB should take all the blame too” -O line proverb.

[@jacobgutierrez6256]

Not all sacks are on the oline for instance the increase in sacks in KC this year can be accredited to defenses figuring out Patrick Mahomes. That being said them "figuring him out" still has them at a 1 seed lol

[@tamilashultz9676]

@@jessefehr7249 If the QB has lame linemen, nobody that can catch, and nobody that can run, he's going to fail.

[@arthurfonzarelli9331]

Bosworth wasn't a bust per se, he was just an average player that conned people into thinking he was a superstar. He wasn't great, but not terrible like the other guys on the list.

[@pittland44]

I honestly wonder what he would have done had he not gotten hurt. I think he could have been a solid contributor at the NFL level, but again, injuries ruined everything.

[@stuartdollar9912]

As a Seahawks fan, yes, he was a bust. He was not a replacement level linebacker.

[@BTLAGS]

I agree on what might have been able to con people more than anyting he used hype and marketing to make him better than what he was + his play in college was very good the teams we're going to ban student him the question is where were they going to draft him

[@cmc5394oparva]

@Harry Engel Yeah, but the 1988 draft was a bad year to not have a first rounder. That round was stacked that year, full of several Pro Bowlers and even a few Hall of Famers. Sure, it had some notable busts, but that happens every year. I'll grant that it's hard to criticize Seattle for the move at the time, because Boz's hype coming out of college was massive. But it does show that, if you do take a pick in the supplemental draft, it better be a home run because it can hurt you down the line if you miss.

[@cmc5394oparva]

@Harry Engel Bosworth was taken in the supplemental draft, not the regular draft. They lost their 1988 1st-round pick by taking him there; same thing happened with Denver when they used a 1st round supplemental pick on Bobby Humphrey in 1989.

[@cjisgur8688]

In his last interview before he passed, Dwight Clark said his biggest regret was not taking the Saints up on trading them number 1 in ‘99 for all their draft picks. What they could’ve done with all that draft capital.

[@thebourg]

Phillips: Dead: Schlichter: Prison from 11-21, was just released in June on 2021. Update with JaMarcus Russell in the top 2

[@mikevillain5947]

I’ll be honest here . If you’re a great athlete who gets signed to a “brand new team” . I can only imagine how scary it must be to go against teams that are very elite , with talent and veterans.

[@Yeen125]

Michael Acosta That’s why it’s especially important for expansion franchises to try and sign veteran free agents to help bring experience and leadership to otherwise young rosters. The expansion Panthers and Jaguars did that and both made the NFC and AFC championship games in only the 2nd year of their existences.

[@uncommonsence153]

@@Yeen125 Can't say that about the Vikings in the late 60s or the Texans. Jags and Panthers were also in a week division. I get what you're saying tho. Who was Houston first veteran player? Was it Bosellie ( Or however you spell it) The O-Lineman?

[@joeywheelerii9136]

They shouldn't have drafted QBs tbh. Should've spent those first picks on linemen.

[@flockawaka1017]

Art Schlichter is easily the most fascinating of the people listed. Dude is insane.

[@MRB16th]

To be honest, I believe Schlichter should have traded his nickname of "Straight Arrow" for "Rockstar" and stuck to the classic addictions of alcohol and drugs. For one, $700,000 would have bought plenty of wild parties in 1982, and Bob Irsay (Colts owner and an infamous wild partier himself) would have been Art's friend and given him a contract for life.

[@flockawaka1017]

@@MRB16th Good Ol Irsay Family. They're a wild bunch.

[@MRB16th]

@@flockawaka1017 They sure are indeed: Jim took on the mantle well and truly after Bob died (at the age of 73, despite the crazy things Bob did).

[@michaelstone3069]

Insane criminally insane

[@ervinghenderson4780]

"You know Akili Smith made a 9 on his Wonderlic right? A NINE." - Warren Sapp. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MRB16th]

When Warren Sapp is raising a red flag, you know this pick has bust written all over it.

[@AdamKlownzinger]

Tim Couch is SO not as bad as people think. It’s not even like “he only played bad because of his team situation”, because he wasn’t even really that bad. He was an average starting qb which is impressive considering how bad his team was.

[@mantequilla404]

The "weak" '88 draft had Neil Smith, Dermontti Dawson, Thurman Thomas, Randle McDaniel, Jumbo Elliot, Keith Jackson, Ken Norton, Bill Romanowski, And Chris Spielman, along with the best class of receivers ever (probably): Michael Irvin, Tim Brown, Sterling Sharpe, Flipper Anderson, Brett Perriman, and Brian Blades.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

HOF Players Dawson-Steelers McDaniel-Vikings Thomas-Bills Irvin-Cowboys Tim Brown-Raiders

[@HHopebringer]

That wide receiver class dominated the next decade +. Definitely an incredible group.

[@wesleylarks838]

Tbh, the 2013 draft has probably eclipsed it as the worst of all time

[@beavercleaver7848]

Bill Romanowski. Ronnie Lott. Charles Haley. Hacksaw Reynolds. On and on. Bill Walsh's 49ers defenses were the opposite of finesse. And higher-ranked in the league than his offenses.

[@aspenrebel]

Bill Romanowski went to BC

[@nd9814]

Oh Cleveland.. They immediately dismissed McNabb and Culpepper for Akili Smith and Tim Couch haha

[@mattblom3990]

Man, Akili Smith sucked even in the Canadian football league where I'm at. All arm, zero intelligence.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Wow! I forgot about that!

[@75aces97]

McNabb or Culpepper wouldn't have done much either, playing for first year expansion Browns with coach Butch Davis and bad offensive lines. Whoever got drafted there would probably be on this list.

[@jamesroberts1810]

Couch took a beaten on cleveland

[@nd9814]

James Roberts while true I think if you had to pick one of the 4 top quarterbacks from 1998 to start for your team I am pretty sure you wouldn’t pick Couch

[@alexg815]

I can't believe they even got these guys to talk about being a draft bust.

[@christophermillsap5064]

Probably to show that they made peace with their football careers. Shuler and Bosworth found success in other careers. Not sure why they interviewed Art Schlichter, seeing how much of a low life he still is due to his gambling problems.

[@maniacmasturbator2411]

These earlier episodes are so much better than the recent episodes. Much more insight from players, coaches, and writers instead of bad jokes from random comedians.

[@cmc5394oparva]

Mandarich is really one of the more interesting busts to examine when you look at everything. If you saw his game tape at Michigan State, it was obvious why he was ranked so high--the dude absolutely mauled guys into the ground. I think he's the only college football player in history to be named to the All-Madden team. What's interesting is that he was assumed to be a strong left tackle for a league that was migrating to more pass-oriented offenses with the Red Gun and proliferation of the West Coast offense, except Michigan State wasn't a passing team at all. Mandarich spent his career blocking for Lorenzo White and Blake Ezor in a run-heavy offense, and never really had to prove himself as an elite pass blocker. Throw in the steroid use, and it's not surprising that he was a massive bust.

[@taylorpack7705]

He came back for the colts it did well though

[@bartstarr100]

He wasn't a bust.. Played 6 years started 63 games. A "BUST" never played significant minutes then retires. 10 starts per season is not a bust. He isn't even the biggest Bust the Packers darted at LT . In 1996 they drafted JOhn Michaels after failing to trade up for Ray Lewis. he was 1% the player Mandarich was.

[@cmc5394oparva]

@@bartstarr100 He absolutely was a bust. The guy was deemed the greatest OL prospect in league history before the draft. He came in with more hype than any other prospect in that draft, and that was one with four Hall of Famers in the first five picks, and five HoFers total. He even made the All-Madden Team while he was in college. A first-round pick, especially one with that kind of hype, isn't drafted to have a "just okay" career of six seasons. He's supposed to be a perennial Pro Bowler, at the very least, for a decade or more. And out of those 63 games, guess how many he started his rookie year? That's right, a big fat goose-egg. He was gone from Green Bay after 3 seasons. Once he was off steroids, all his power and quickness disappeared and he became JAG.

[@seanbond6454]

1:07 Warren Sapp: “A NIIINE!” 🤣

[@Madvillainy48]

#10: Josh Rosen Rosen: "There were 9 mistakes ahead of me"

[@Gr33nbayfreak187]

Dam remember watching these during the nfl off season in 08 when i started getting into HS football 😂

[@lordmanshaft1112]

Narrator 2007: Art Schlicter is giving it one more chance to go straight Narrator 2020: He did not.

[@sirekumasutra7022]

What he did to that one lady is awful.

[@sikecar534]

@Harry Engel awful things. He cheated his way into her life and made her an assistant in his schemes. She wrote a book - Qurterbac's sneak. Terrible stuff!

[@CandlestickSec7]

You can see in this how he ran his schemes. He’s really charming and articulate, even a little remorseful, when in fact he was gambling away someone else’s money when this was filmed.

[@hgonz14]

He should change his nickname from straight arrow to straight to jail

[@kyleshiflet9952]

@@hgonz14 or broken arrow cause he's a nuclear mistake to be around

[@Whiston555]

I’m glad Leaf managed to turn his life around. Guy easily could’ve been like Schlichter or Phillips.

[@frankgonzalez7432]

Tyler L well he did got arrested multiple times for drug abuse.

[@Whiston555]

Frank Gonzalez true he was definitely going down that path for a while but it sounds like he’s doing better now

[@josephmirenda6645]

"On May 22, 2020, Leaf was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery in Palm Desert, CA" - Wikipedia

[@Whiston555]

Joseph Mirenda well unfortunately a lot of the time people just crash and burn again.

[@josephmirenda6645]

@ Tyler.....Self-destructive behavior..... Drugs or alcohol or both are typically the ignition source.....

[@Jrodsly]

Seeing how Leaf was at this point in his life and seeing how he's turned everything around now is amazing. Yeah, he has had some stumbles along the way, but he genuinely has turned things around to become an inspiration to many and I'm happy that he has. His NFL career didn't work out, but he's at least made good on his second chance in the media.

[@luvmenow33]

You think Johnny Football will be anywhere near how Leaf has turned out in twenty years?

[@Jrodsly]

@@luvmenow33 I'd like to think Manziel will eventually figure his life out and start redeeming himself like Leaf has, but I'm not 100% sure with him. We'll see what happens, but I'm hopeful he'll figure it out over there too.

[@deroncastro7151]

It's cool seeing the combine stats run on the bottom. Most of those people became stars

[@htownq3300]

also the top 100 lol to see sum of the players still playing when these was made

[@natnat1975]

6:28 "Is Heath Shuler a hunk or what (giggle)?" My God....that sounded so much like an Eighties John Hughes film.

[@EdmacZ]

It was the 90's, which was the 80's but with more computers and internet.

[@MRB16th]

That sounds like something from high school football, so yeah, you're right.

[@andrewhoyle1521]

I remember the BEARS trading for RICK MIRER. The BEARS were laughed at by everyone, the worst trade in franchise history.

[@mmacaine]

Dhop tops that

[@animelytical8354]

@@mmacaine that might be worst in league history Edit: I just saw Mirer's. His might be worse

[@johncreed08]

Now we are laughing at them for trading up for Trubisky when Watson and Mahomes were available.

[@andrewhoyle1521]

@@johncreed08 yeah but now even bears fans like me are laughing. Nobody thought MAHOMES and Watson would be the franchise Qb's they are. Some certainly thought they'd be better than trubisky

[@MrKylej7110]

Until they ultimately ended up trading away two draft picks to move up spot in the draft to get Mitch Trubisky over DeSaun Watson and Pat Mahomes 😂😂😂

[@jjamiejackson]

This list needs a good updating from 2007

[@Shifty1940]

QB situations were so bad back in the day that a complete dumpster fire would be sent out of town and immediately named starter at the next town.

[@LimaFX]

we need a update

[@leevellmack8898]

Like how Phillips died in prison.

[@leevellmack8898]

@Harry Engel Thank you for the update.

[@leevellmack8898]

@Harry Engel I work for a retired NFL cameraman as a landscaper. I always tell him he had a great job.

[@leevellmack8898]

@Harry Engel Plus I pass NFL films every week.

[@goldensteeltv8546]

Add JaMarcus Russell to the list and replace Brian Bosworth at number 3. I feel like Bosworth is being unfairly labeled as a bust because it wasn’t his fault that he became as such, but he was drafted to a bad team instead of who he wanted to play for

[@MuhammadAli-cf2or]

“Until Larry Johnson, Penn State was a factory for Draft Disappointments” - I am effing floored💀💀💀

[@pts5217]

Harry Engel Unfortunately yes, although those Jets teams sucked for there was no blocking or passing threat to support him.

[@pts5217]

Franco Harris and Curt Warner were great PSU RB draft picks and Ki-Jana Carter is unfairly called a bust bc his knee injury is worst case scenario for RBs.

[@richardyoung7112]

@@pts5217Lenny Moore and Lydell Mitchell were both high draft picks out of Penn State. Not like every RB out of Penn State was a bust.

[@Eternally_Sardonic]

I forget how old these are. They got to Tony at 2 and I was thinking "JaMarcus Russell is the clear #1, where was Ryan Leaf?" 😂😅

[@heeleyez1260]

#derrickhenry King Henry: This is a Stiff Arm ✋🏾 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYa7f4qcqdFmb8k

[@jackechevarria3669]

In 2013 Miami Dolphins drafted Dion Jordan #3 pick in the draft and I can't remember him ever making a tackle

[@RGTitan901]

Facts

[@67marlins81]

This was an excellent documentary, thanks for posting. Even growing up a Steelers fan, your info was so thorough you had ME feeling sorry for David Klingler at Cincinnati- poor guy didn't have much of a chance there.... Plus with poor Heath Shuler, I remember even the Baltimore papers cheering on Gus Frerotte.

[@DreamlandIndustries]

Yeah, and looks like Cincinnati wants to repeat history with Joe Burrow now. The Bungles indeed.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Imho- Tim Couch could have been much better if he hadn't been drafted by the Browns especially this 2nd version of them. The Rams I believe dumped Jerome Bettis for Lawrence Phillips. If Ryan Leaf had either gone later in the draft by a team with better talent or sat on the bench kinda like Aaron Rodgers did MAYBE he would have turned out better. Brian Bosworth desperately wanted to go to either the Raiders or the Rams both in Los Angeles at the time and if he had might not be on this list today. Also David Klingler on a different team might have succeeded. Much like David Carr would have. Some players go to awful situations with zero chance of success.

[@ricosavage4281]

I remember my buddy jerry got a tim couch jersey for Christmas he was sooo happy it was tim couch's rookie year. Everyone thought he would be a star

[@The_king567]

Barry sanders had a good career at a bad team.

[@themaninthesuit5729]

Interesting thoughts Jayson. Personally, being a quarterback in the NFL isn't just about talent, team chemistry, and decision making abilities. It's also about leadership, dedication, tenacity, and (above all) Mental Toughness. Leaf just didn't have ANY of these qualities. That's why I can't see him riding the bench like a Luck or Rogers or Young and becoming something better than he was. Furthermore, those three guys might have rode the bench...but that's only because there was a Hall of Famer playing in front of them. And Ryan Leaf never seemed like the kind of guy who was gonna take a back seat to ANYBODY.

[@The_king567]

Swish Dipper same thing could be said for the browns then.

[@75aces97]

Real issuenthere was that it was first year expansion team. I didn't think any quarterback they got would fare too well. At the time I wondered if Cleveland should just trade their #1 pick for some more picks and beef up their front lines.

[@thomasg2488]

Sadly, I think Tim Couch had the potential to be a really good QB but his situation was set up for failure with a Browns team that was awful. Same with David Carr who's brother is showing that he could've been good but Derek has players around him

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

Couch and Carr aren't busts

[@jakedasnake7703]

Andre Bruce was probably the best “bust” on this list especially considering the draft he was in he actually had a okay career. Played for 10 years or so and also somehow played TE as well. I honestly wouldn’t say that’s really bad.

[@hgonz14]

How is Steve Etmann not on this list he was the 1st overall pick in 1992 (worst draft of all time). And did nothing in the NFL, at least Bruce played multiple seasons

[@tonytiger8248]

Emtman was great befor he got hurt. He wasn’t a bust.

[@duanegroves975]

Yeah, how is a guy that stayed in the league 10 years considered a "bust" ?

[@TheCrazyInsomniac14]

The thing that makes drafting Phillips seem worse was the fact the Rams ditched none other than Jerome Bettis for him only for Bettis to go on to solidify a hall of fame career with the Steelers and win a Superbowl.

[@nix420stuntd7]

But if Bettis stayed in Saint Louis and/or L. Phillips worked out, there would have been no Marshall Faulk or the greatest show on turf. They might not have even hired Mike Martz, maybe trying to be a running, smash mouth offense. GOD BLESS

[@TonyDanza4Lyfe]

And then he murdered a dude lol

[@deserthobo8266]

The Bo/Boz play is the most overblown play in sports history

[@SirDawkster]

Thanks a lot for uploading these. A lot of these top 10s have been lost.

[@jpmnky]

When Dick Vermiel can’t help you, you’re in trouble. Big trouble.

[@christhecommentator3411]

3:06 - look at the bottom of the screen, my how time has flown by!! 😳

[@jamesbryant3482]

Emmitt was speaking the truth. Just sad man

[@jeffclark7888]

He speaks the truth with Ebonics. Stupid. “They” lives.

[@datnigganameTJ92]

True, bit theres some irony in his words considering his teammates at that time

[@kenrickeason]

@@jeffclark7888 While he made millions, winning champions, not a criminal, donate to causes, hold records on Highschool, College and Pro, and a Hall of Famer all you can say is *"He's not intelligent cause he made an error? I have heard Bret Favre drop the (G's) in his words sounding all like a back wood person but I bet you wouldn't say anything negative about that would you?"*

[@mariofan2867]

Jeff Clark What’s wrong with dialects? Don’t question them.

[@markjackson6134]

@@jeffclark7888 But Smith maxed out his potential by becoming a top player, $$s, fame,... Which is anything but stupid. That would be like calling Gronk, James Brown or Kid Rock stupid,..when they too maxed out in their fields.

[@100spurs]

Oh yeah, this video was made before the Raiders picked Russell.

[@stanhankins3175]

Ryan Leaf baby !!! All night in Las Vegas!!! 4 wins in 3 years baby !!!

[@gabrielmcguoirk6106]

Love the combine scores on the bottom. Those players have been in the league forever lmao

[@tonyarceneaux286]

I miss the NFL Top Ten shows.

[@TheMattTrakker]

Peyton Manning gave a Peyton Manning answer...cut to Peyton Manning giving a Peyton Manning response. Well done. Listening to him call games is cool because he's less robotic, but that guy absolutely nailed how Peyton Manning the player responded to everything

[@rainaftersnowplease3786]

Always had a problem with Bosworth being labeled a bust. He got hurt, otherwise he probably would have been an above-average linebacker for a long time.

[@SgtPrice1000]

Heath Shuler's and Brian Bosworth are real ones for even interviewing for this. Both of them managed to be successful after their failed playing careers ended. Ryan Leaf for the most part too. It's a damn shame about Art Schlichter and Lawrence Phillips though. Those guys could not stay out of trouble.

[@deanschwabe1943]

Crazy to see on the ticker tape at one point about nfl draft linebacker prospects bench press and Luke Kuechly name there, now he’s retired

[@iverar]

Thanks for putting this together! Boz may have been just an average players and his career was cut short by injury. But props to him for being a good marketer and self promoter. The ESPN 30 for 30 program on him is also very good.

[@MRB16th]

His level of marketing and self-promotion is unmatched as far as I know - my definition of bust doesn't cover him, but I have him in top 10 most unusual pro football careers.

[@andrewomahony9260]

Boz wasn't that bad in the NFL

[@justsomemincedgarlic]

“Is Heath Shuler a hunk or what?” Yeah a hunk of shite haha

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

26:56 The first round pick that Randy Mueller got happened to be Ohio State University defensive back Shawn Springs (3rd overall selection in 1997) Intercepted 33 passes in his career with the Seahawks and Redskins in 2000s Made the Pro Bowl in 1998

[@weirdbeard1980]

I grew up in Washington and had a couple cousins who went to WSU and had several run ins with Ryan Leaf. They should of spoken to them before they drafted him becuase they said he was like a junior high kid and was the most entitled A-hole in the world. I specifically remember being at a family gathering shortly after he was drafted and my cousin Amy saying they would regret picking him. She was certain he would be a bust! Lol

[@Mario_N64]

LAY OFF MAN

[@timg2088]

When Art Schlicter was in college, I remember hearing him referred to as "The Can't Miss Kid".

[@cityhawk]

Probably because you couldn’t miss him at an OTB.

[@MRB16th]

@@cityhawk My take is that Art Schlicter should have stuck with the classic vices of drugs and alcohol instead of gambling, and traded in his "Straight Arrow" nickname for "Rockstar". It would have helped him a lot in life: for instance, instead of conning people out of money to blow at the track (and spending 20 years in prison for it), he would have conned opposing teams into attending his wild night-before-game parties (and the Colts would have won most of the time).

[@jamielancaster01]

Heath Shuler went back to Knoxville Tennessee & started the most successful real estate company in the state! The people of the Tennessee still love him just as they did when he won the Heisman Trophy.

[@Canedude08]

He didn't win the Heisman.

[@TheDarkAntares]

When Heath Shuler was drafted it effectively ended that glory trail of the redskins. ‘91 they won the super bowl.’92 the cowboys and 49ers were better but they still had a really good team. ‘93 had expectations of another playoff run but was upended by a lot of injuries. They were always competitive

[@binks2413]

That offensive line for tim couch was horrid.

[@KingCanada]

The NFL Network in 2007 (presumably, before the Draft): These are the Top 10 NFL busts of all time. JaMarcus Russell: Hold my beer.

[@Nflguy4949]

Lawrence Phillips life got even worse after this video aired. He ran over some teens with his car, assaulted his gf several more times, killed a guy in prison then finally killed himself in prison.

[@KMC5240]

Russell and Manziel definitely need to be on the list now. Also the 1st round receivers of the 2016 Class I think should be considered. Corey Coleman, Josh Docton, Laquon Treadwell. WIll Fuller has shows flashes, but he's hasn't been able to stay healthy. Also Lawrence Phillips took his own life while in prison. It's sad when guys with the talent and opportunity that millions would kill for end up blowing it. Art Schlichter looked like post-NFL he was finally right, but he's now serving time in prison for some kind of fraud scheme. And everyone knows about Ryan Leafs life post-NFL, but after hitting the lowest of low, he's finally righted the ship.

[@johnnguyen270]

As did Tony Mandrich! If you hear his own story: From THE INCREDIBLE BULK where he admitted he WAS ON STEROIDS prior to going to Green Bay; turning into a full fledged drug addict and became the INCREDIBLE BUST! He did go through a 12 step addiction program and that's where he made his comeback. Plus his post-nfl career is very interesting...... photography in Las Vegas; BEAUTIFUL WOMEN ;)

[@cityhawk]

John Nguyen It was good to see Mandrich remake himself as a Guard for the Colts. He didn’t settle on being called a bust, and decided to put in the time and effort to become the player that many thought he should have been. Sometimes, it’s when your at your lowest when you find your true self.

[@jesust6463]

They should definitely redo the list with the newer names

[@ATLASNEVERSHRUGS]

I thought they have updated the list? I swear there's a newer version of this episode floating around, i think it's on the Fanzone or NFL Films youtube channels??

[@notsauer]

Manziel?!?!? Bruh he wasn’t even drafted in the top 20! Every non-pro bowler drafted after 20 is a bust now?

[@robertv6276]

Glad to see you back and uploading.

[@shaunbang]

I think it’s safe to say that football is by far the most difficult sport to successfully draft players without them becoming a bust considering the change in levels of play from college to pros but also how injury prone the sport itself is. As a fan of the NBA, NFL and NFL, not only is it almost impossible to remember high draft picks for football compared to the NBA and NHL, but football also has the most draft bust for number 1 picks which is just crazy as so many number one guys are players that absolutely dominated in college winning heismans and national titles. While draft busts are much more common in football the beauty of it is you get way more hidden gems and late draft picks and even Undrafted players that end up becoming superstars with the best example being Tom Brady whom was a sixth round 199th pick to go on and become the GOAT of the sport

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

13:56 1982 Draft also included Andre Tippett OLB- 2nd round pick by the Patriots Ray Childress DE- 1st round pick by the Houston Oilers Marcus Allen Running back- 1st round pick by the Los Angeles Raiders (1982 NFL ROTY) Jim McMahon 1st round pick by the Bears 🐻

[@crystalglass7106]

Jerry glanville thought Brett farve was a bust so he traded him to Green Bay

[@luisreyes1963]

D'OH! 😫

[@rigeur071]

Going to Wisconsin to sober up? That's a switch.

[@MikeHL78]

@@chadfrobouck2655 exactly. Even Brett Favre himself has said, publicly, something like "even I would have traded me back then".

[@Mario_N64]

Jerry Glanville was full of hot air.

[@KTF0]

Also Holmgren was a good coach.

[@macofalltrades6396]

If you watch recent Ryan Leaf interviews, you learn the meaning of the term "successful failure." He got a clue, and has owned himself pretty admirably. I'm a fan.

[@the3rdmorice]

Tony Mandarich's NFL story is both sad and frustrating. Sad because he fell as low as he could go given how high he was expectation wise. Frustrating because his run in Indy showed everyone including himself, that he had the talent in him all along. He didn't need steroids to make it. Sadly, he didn't see it in himself that a younger Nick Saban saw in him. He wouldn't have been the number 2 pick, but he could have had a successful career as a guard. He didn't have the feet to play the Tackle position, but he had the skill set to play Guard.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

6:38 Aeneas Williams (35) Phoenix Cardinals CB Williams intercepts a Heath Shuler pass

[@nix420stuntd7]

Williams and Corey Chavous were a nice CB tandom

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

@@nix420stuntd7 Corey played CB? Wow 😳 I forgot he played CB I remember his tenure at safety with Minnesota

[@rodroller6634]

From a Colts fan. Thank you R Leaf for being enough of a self centered diva in college to push my Colts to picking P Manning. Too bad Leaf continued to end up in prison for various offenses. Very sad tale.

[@thesidelinegm1596]

Man, I used to love watching these Top 10 lists on NFL Network during summer break

[@joshuagamboaii741]

This has got to be my favorite NFL Top 10 episode I ever watched. A group of promised young men that did not live up to the big time.

[@joshuagamboaii741]

1:53 Andre Ware, and David Klingler. 4:57 Heath Shuler. 10:10 Lawrence Phillips. 13:24 Art Sclichter. 17:39 Aundray Bruce. 20:43 Tim Couch. 24:09 Rick Mirer. 27:53 Brian Bosworth*. 33:13 Tony Mandarich. 37:17 Ryan Leaf. *= Brian learned his lesson over his draft bust status. Who can replace him? I don't know, maybe JaMarcus Russell.

[@guodade2239]

​@@joshuagamboaii741I would replace Bosworth with JaMarcus Russell and Tim Couch with Vernon Gholston.

[@wesleypepple7525]

Just because you're good in college doesn't mean Jack when you get to the pros

[@okiban1]

30:39 Dude was HEATED about Boz's Jersey!🤣

[@markk9458]

I remember going to Charger's training camp at UCSD before Leaf's rookie year and everyone oohed and aahed over his arm strength. During the next season's training camp someone would drive by every ten minutes or so, slow down and yell, "Ryan Leaf sucks!"

[@MRB16th]

That's priceless.

[@tonytiger8248]

That’s funny

[@ericmarks7648]

Thanks for this channel. Poor Ware and Klingler.

[@ericscottstevens]

Top bust ever is Tony Mandarich as these players were available. Barry Sanders Deion Sanders Derrick Thomas But Green Bay got the consolation prize with Favre

[@Yeen125]

Eric Stevens One could make the argument that drafting Mandarich was ironically a good thing for the Packers as it lead than new president, Bob Harlan, to blow up the front office and hire Ron Wolf. Although drafting Barry Sanders would’ve helped the 90s Packers win more than one Super Bowl.

[@PInk77W1]

His dad was crazy

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

But he had a good run in Indianapolis while Leaf imploded

[@larrygonzales5245]

Yes but to his credit, he did end up being a serviceable player, he did not become a drug addict or convict.

[@Rockhound6165]

Not for nothing but Mandarich came back and played decently with the Colts so he wasn't a total bust.

[@thefateofslate9095]

Browns: "We need to get this pick right. Who do we have so far on our draft board?" "Tim Couch & Akili Smith" "What about that McNabb kid? He can fling it." "Don't be ridiculous. He's obviously not going to be by far the best QB in this class. Get Couch" Donovan McNabb: *a few months later* "Damn, I almost got picked by the Browns??"

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

McNabb Number two overall pick by the Eagles 🦅 Led his team to multiple conference championship games in the 2000s and a berth to SBXXXIX in 2005 6 Pro Bowls Most passing yards and touchdowns in Eagles 🦅 history

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Harry Engel No expansion whatsoever had immediate success in the league Unless you're Dom Capers and Tom Coughlin Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars were playoff contenders in the mid 90s Jaguars advanced to the conference championship game in 1997 & 2000

[@thefateofslate9095]

Big McNabb fan by the way. Loved watching him play he was amazing to watch

[@groyfrmmp4891]

Wow that's crazy I never heard of Schleister, his story is so crazy, number one pick to being in 44 different jails, vicious gambling addiction, bet on games and cleaning himself up hopeful for a 2nd chance....he needs a movie, or at least he should write a book

[@tonytiger8248]

Gambling addicted or the worse addicts. They would sell their kid for a 100 dollars

[@jbfarley]

He's back in prison, kid, he's just a piece of garbage

[@wyfyj]

Crazy seeing my boy Poe on the combine ticker. Loved seeing him in KC. Glad he got a TD pass too

[@dexterious006]

Enjoyed the opening remarks on toughness, from the man who wasted and traded away the toughest player in the history of the NFL. (Edit- thanks, Issac. In Jerry's defense, Brett didn't make a very good showing in Atlanta.)