JaMarcus Russell, Raiders, 2007
The debate will go on forever: who was the biggest draft mistake of all time, Russell or Ryan Leaf? Russell’s case is compelling: he washed out after three seasons, $40 million in salary, 18 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and seven wins.
Tim Couch, Browns, 1999
The first pick in a franchise’s history can’t be botched, and the first pick in the restored history of a legendary franchise really has to be right. Couch never clicked in Cleveland, couldn’t stay healthy, and his job was up for grabs by his third season; he only played five.
David Carr, Texans, 2002
Another time the first pick in franchise history bombed out, largely because the Texans didn’t bother to give him any protection (249 sacks in five years). Still was no better five years in than he was on the day he was drafted.
Jeff George, Colts, 1990
Possibly the biggest tease of all time, always seducing teams with his arm and later angering them with his head. Five teams in 12 years, tons of big plays, ridiculous mistakes, temper tantrums, two playoff appearances, no Pro Bowls.
Vinny Testaverde, Buccaneers, 1987
For 21 years, was good enough to get a job, but not good enough to keep one. The Bucs traded Steve Young to make room for him. Bill Belichick picked him over Bernie Kosar in Cleveland. A torn Achilles disrupted a career renaissance with the Jets. Unique career arc, but not exactly Manning or Elway.
Steve Bartkowski, Falcons, 1975
Best known today as being the first client of not-yet-super-agent Leigh Steinberg. He had his moments: three playoff trips and two Pro Bowls, but also five double-digit loss seasons. Randy White was picked second that year, Walter Payton fourth.
Terry Baker, Rams, 1963
The biggest name in college sports in 1962-63, when he won the Heisman Trophy, was Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and played in the Final Four for Oregon State. But he lasted three years as a third-stringer with the Rams, then one in Canada. Threw 58 career NFL passes.
Sam Bradford, Rams, 2010
Instead of establishing himself as a franchise guy, Bradford is rehabbing a knee injury for the second straight year. Was injury-prone in college, too. The Rams are running out of patience, understandable since Bradford has played two full seasons out of five.
Matthew Stafford, Lions, 2009
Like Sam Bradford, picked first a year later, Stafford has made a lot of money, had some impressive statistical seasons, and has the league waiting to see if this is all there is. Unlike Bradford, he doesn’t have injuries as an excuse. One playoff trip (a loss), one late-season fold, no Pro Bowls, one long-suffering, impatient fan base.
Randy Duncan, Packers, 1959
Runner-up for the 1958 Heisman and led Iowa to a Rose Bowl win. Picked by the Packers in Vince Lombardi’s first year, with Bart Starr his quarterback choice, so Duncan took a bigger offer from the CFL. Two years later, played one year for the AFL Dallas Texans, started two games and retired.
