Biggest non-quarterback draft busts
Be it because of injuries or off-the-field issues, it simply didn't work out for this group
Mel Kiper
ESPN Insider
Last week, I wrote about draft busts at the quarterback position, admitting how much I liked Andre Ware, Joey Harrington and several others in the process. Many asked, so I'll follow that up with a look at the guys I consider the biggest busts at positions other than quarterback. Again, these are the guys who were in the league during the time I have evaluated. It really wouldn't be fair to go outside of that range.
I put out my first draft guide in 1978, so it will encapsulate the period since then. We'll consider only guys drafted within the top ten picks. After that, is there an exact criteria? Not really. Overall performance matters, and some guys fell prey to injuries. In some cases, the arc matters -- did a guy show flashes and build up hope only to disappear? In other cases, hype factors in. No evaluator is immune to a little bit of overexcitement on a player. Finally, very recent players aren't considered. They could still find a way back. In the end, it's a subjective list, but a conversation-starter, I'm sure. Here you go; 40 to chew on ...
Vernon Gholston, OLB, No. 6 overall to New York Jets in 2008
Finally time to call it what it is. Amazing physical skills, but not even Rex Ryan could save him.
Troy Williamson, WR, No. 7 overall to Minnesota in 2005
An absolute burner, but just 87 career receptions.
Reggie Williams, WR, No. 9 overall to Jacksonville in 2004
Should have done more, given immense physical skills. The high point was 2006.
Charles Rogers, WR, No. 2 overall to Detroit in 2003
Just 36 career receptions. What might have happened had he stayed healthy?
Dewayne Robertson, DT, No. 4 overall to New York Jets in 2003
Only 16 sacks in his career for a guy we though would really penetrate and be a menace.
Johnathan Sullivan, DT, No. 6 overall to New Orleans in 2003
Out of the game in just three years, Sullivan had a ton of ability and could really move.
Mike Williams, OT, No. 4 overall to Buffalo in 2002
An absolute mammoth at 370-plus pounds, Williams got starts but never lived up.
Ryan Sims, DT, No. 6 overall to Kansas City in 2002
Played in 105 career games but never was able to produce to the level we thought he would.
David Terrell, WR, No. 8 overall to Chicago in 2001 Loved the hype but couldn't take criticism and was very inconsistent for the Bears.
Koren Robinson, WR, No. 9 overall to Seattle in 2001
A talented but troubled guy, Robinson came in with immense skills but couldn't get out of his own way.
Jamal Reynolds, DE, No. 10 overall to Green Bay in 2001
Three total sacks for a guy who had Pro Bowl talent based on what he did for Florida State.
Courtney Brown, DE, No. 1 overall to Cleveland in 2000
Just never put it all together. Had 19 career sacks but seemed destined to do that in a year.
Peter Warrick, WR, No. 4 overall to Cincinnati in 2000
A 79-catch season in 2003 doesn't scream "bust," but Warrick was never the guy we saw in college.
David Boston, WR, No. 8 overall to Arizona in 1999
Was not a pure bust, with one monster season, but out of the NFL by 27 years old. Steroids suspension and attitude questions.
Curtis Enis, RB, No. 5 overall to Chicago in 1998
Maxed out at 287 yards in a season and finished his career with fewer than 500. Ouch.
Tommy Knight, CB, No. 9 overall to Arizona in 1997
Three career INTs for a guy who looked to be a Pro Bowl corner when he went in the top 10.
Lawrence Phillips, RB, No. 6 overall to St. Louis Rams in 1996
Talent was never the question. Phillips torched his career with off-the-field troubles.
Ki-Jana Carter, RB, No. 1 overall to Cincinnati in 1995 Got hurt before he ever got started. Never eclipsed 500 yards in a season.
Michael Westbrook, WR, No. 4 overall to Washington in 1995
Stuck around long enough for 285 catches but was never the star the Skins thought he'd be.
Mike Mamula, DE, No. 7 overall to Philadelphia in 1995
Not a total bust as some think, Mamula finished with 31.5 sacks. But the hype didn't help.
J.J. Stokes, WR, No. 10 to San Francisco in 1995
Hung around the league a long time but never the difference-maker he was at UCLA.
Trev Alberts, OLB, No. 5 overall to Indianapolis in 1994
Not much to say: 29 career games, 49 career tackles. Injuries got in the way.
Eric Curry, DE, No. 6 overall to Tampa Bay in 1993
Just 12.5 career sacks for a guy who was a monster at Alabama.
Steve Emtman, DT, No. 1 overall to Indianapolis in 1992
Injuries robbed Emtman of what he could have become, but he was still a statistical bust. Unstoppable while at Washingtion, an all-timer.
Bruce Pickens, CB, No. 3 overall to Atlanta in 1991 You don't expect to miss when you get a cornerback this high, but Atlanta did with Pickens.
Keith McCants, DE/OLB, No. 4 overall to Tampa Bay in 1990 Just 13.5 career sacks for a player Bama fans will fondly remember for what he did in that program.
Sammie Smith, RB, No. 9 overall to Miami in 1989
Smith played with a bruising style for FSU but wasn't explosive enough in the NFL.
Brent Fullwood, RB, No. 4 overall to Green Bay in 1987
He actually got a Pro Bowl nod in 1989 but just 1,702 career rushing yards.
Mike Junkin, ILB, No. 5 overall to Cleveland in 1987 Played in just 20 career games. The last Duke player to go in Round 1.
Reggie Rogers, DE, No. 7 overall to Detroit in 1987
Involved in a tragic car accident early in his career, he washed out of the league. Problems followed him.
Jon Hand, DE, No. 4 overall to Indianapolis in 1986
Not a total bust by any means, with 35.5 career sacks. But by no means the player we expected.
Anthony Bell, OLB, No. 5 overall to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986
He actually started 65 career games, but Bell was never an impact player at four career stops.
Brian Jozwiak, OT, No. 7 overall to Kansas City in 1986
A hip injury ended his career early. A great player at West Virginia, Jozwiak was done quickly.
Mossy Cade, CB, No. 6 overall to San Diego in 1984
Convicted of sexual assault after a couple uneventful years with San Diego, he never made it back.
Ricky Hunley, ILB, No. 7 overall to Cincinnati in 1984 A star at Arizona, Hunley sat out his first year and bounced around. Has had a long career in coaching.
Leonard Coleman, CB, No. 8 overall to Indianapolis in 1984
Played in 49 career games and picked off six passes. But not a great career given his talent.
David Verser, WR, No. 10 overall to Cincinnati in 1981
Just 23 career catches to go with an unspectacular career as a kick returner.
Tom Cousineau, ILB, No. 1 overall to Buffalo in 1979
He was kind of an undersized guy, even in 1979, and his career didn't match his work in Columbus.
Ken MacAfee, TE, No. 7 overall to San Francisco in 1978
A star in South Bend at tight end, MacAfee didn't want to play guard, and ended up a dentist instead.
Be it because of injuries or off-the-field issues, it simply didn't work out for this group
Mel Kiper
ESPN Insider
Last week, I wrote about draft busts at the quarterback position, admitting how much I liked Andre Ware, Joey Harrington and several others in the process. Many asked, so I'll follow that up with a look at the guys I consider the biggest busts at positions other than quarterback. Again, these are the guys who were in the league during the time I have evaluated. It really wouldn't be fair to go outside of that range.
I put out my first draft guide in 1978, so it will encapsulate the period since then. We'll consider only guys drafted within the top ten picks. After that, is there an exact criteria? Not really. Overall performance matters, and some guys fell prey to injuries. In some cases, the arc matters -- did a guy show flashes and build up hope only to disappear? In other cases, hype factors in. No evaluator is immune to a little bit of overexcitement on a player. Finally, very recent players aren't considered. They could still find a way back. In the end, it's a subjective list, but a conversation-starter, I'm sure. Here you go; 40 to chew on ...
Vernon Gholston, OLB, No. 6 overall to New York Jets in 2008
Finally time to call it what it is. Amazing physical skills, but not even Rex Ryan could save him.
Troy Williamson, WR, No. 7 overall to Minnesota in 2005
An absolute burner, but just 87 career receptions.
Reggie Williams, WR, No. 9 overall to Jacksonville in 2004
Should have done more, given immense physical skills. The high point was 2006.
Charles Rogers, WR, No. 2 overall to Detroit in 2003
Just 36 career receptions. What might have happened had he stayed healthy?
Dewayne Robertson, DT, No. 4 overall to New York Jets in 2003
Only 16 sacks in his career for a guy we though would really penetrate and be a menace.
Johnathan Sullivan, DT, No. 6 overall to New Orleans in 2003
Out of the game in just three years, Sullivan had a ton of ability and could really move.
Mike Williams, OT, No. 4 overall to Buffalo in 2002
An absolute mammoth at 370-plus pounds, Williams got starts but never lived up.
Ryan Sims, DT, No. 6 overall to Kansas City in 2002
Played in 105 career games but never was able to produce to the level we thought he would.
David Terrell, WR, No. 8 overall to Chicago in 2001 Loved the hype but couldn't take criticism and was very inconsistent for the Bears.
Koren Robinson, WR, No. 9 overall to Seattle in 2001
A talented but troubled guy, Robinson came in with immense skills but couldn't get out of his own way.
Jamal Reynolds, DE, No. 10 overall to Green Bay in 2001
Three total sacks for a guy who had Pro Bowl talent based on what he did for Florida State.
Courtney Brown, DE, No. 1 overall to Cleveland in 2000
Just never put it all together. Had 19 career sacks but seemed destined to do that in a year.
Peter Warrick, WR, No. 4 overall to Cincinnati in 2000
A 79-catch season in 2003 doesn't scream "bust," but Warrick was never the guy we saw in college.
David Boston, WR, No. 8 overall to Arizona in 1999
Was not a pure bust, with one monster season, but out of the NFL by 27 years old. Steroids suspension and attitude questions.
Curtis Enis, RB, No. 5 overall to Chicago in 1998
Maxed out at 287 yards in a season and finished his career with fewer than 500. Ouch.
Tommy Knight, CB, No. 9 overall to Arizona in 1997
Three career INTs for a guy who looked to be a Pro Bowl corner when he went in the top 10.
Lawrence Phillips, RB, No. 6 overall to St. Louis Rams in 1996
Talent was never the question. Phillips torched his career with off-the-field troubles.
Ki-Jana Carter, RB, No. 1 overall to Cincinnati in 1995 Got hurt before he ever got started. Never eclipsed 500 yards in a season.
Michael Westbrook, WR, No. 4 overall to Washington in 1995
Stuck around long enough for 285 catches but was never the star the Skins thought he'd be.
Mike Mamula, DE, No. 7 overall to Philadelphia in 1995
Not a total bust as some think, Mamula finished with 31.5 sacks. But the hype didn't help.
J.J. Stokes, WR, No. 10 to San Francisco in 1995
Hung around the league a long time but never the difference-maker he was at UCLA.
Trev Alberts, OLB, No. 5 overall to Indianapolis in 1994
Not much to say: 29 career games, 49 career tackles. Injuries got in the way.
Eric Curry, DE, No. 6 overall to Tampa Bay in 1993
Just 12.5 career sacks for a guy who was a monster at Alabama.
Steve Emtman, DT, No. 1 overall to Indianapolis in 1992
Injuries robbed Emtman of what he could have become, but he was still a statistical bust. Unstoppable while at Washingtion, an all-timer.
Bruce Pickens, CB, No. 3 overall to Atlanta in 1991 You don't expect to miss when you get a cornerback this high, but Atlanta did with Pickens.
Keith McCants, DE/OLB, No. 4 overall to Tampa Bay in 1990 Just 13.5 career sacks for a player Bama fans will fondly remember for what he did in that program.
Sammie Smith, RB, No. 9 overall to Miami in 1989
Smith played with a bruising style for FSU but wasn't explosive enough in the NFL.
Brent Fullwood, RB, No. 4 overall to Green Bay in 1987
He actually got a Pro Bowl nod in 1989 but just 1,702 career rushing yards.
Mike Junkin, ILB, No. 5 overall to Cleveland in 1987 Played in just 20 career games. The last Duke player to go in Round 1.
Reggie Rogers, DE, No. 7 overall to Detroit in 1987
Involved in a tragic car accident early in his career, he washed out of the league. Problems followed him.
Jon Hand, DE, No. 4 overall to Indianapolis in 1986
Not a total bust by any means, with 35.5 career sacks. But by no means the player we expected.
Anthony Bell, OLB, No. 5 overall to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986
He actually started 65 career games, but Bell was never an impact player at four career stops.
Brian Jozwiak, OT, No. 7 overall to Kansas City in 1986
A hip injury ended his career early. A great player at West Virginia, Jozwiak was done quickly.
Mossy Cade, CB, No. 6 overall to San Diego in 1984
Convicted of sexual assault after a couple uneventful years with San Diego, he never made it back.
Ricky Hunley, ILB, No. 7 overall to Cincinnati in 1984 A star at Arizona, Hunley sat out his first year and bounced around. Has had a long career in coaching.
Leonard Coleman, CB, No. 8 overall to Indianapolis in 1984
Played in 49 career games and picked off six passes. But not a great career given his talent.
David Verser, WR, No. 10 overall to Cincinnati in 1981
Just 23 career catches to go with an unspectacular career as a kick returner.
Tom Cousineau, ILB, No. 1 overall to Buffalo in 1979
He was kind of an undersized guy, even in 1979, and his career didn't match his work in Columbus.
Ken MacAfee, TE, No. 7 overall to San Francisco in 1978
A star in South Bend at tight end, MacAfee didn't want to play guard, and ended up a dentist instead.
