15 of the Biggest NFL Draft Busts

Seeing 15 of the biggest NFL draft busts ruin their careers was tough back in the day. But some of them brought their problems on themselves.

Andre Ware

It is tough to watch such a great prospect falter and fail when they go pro. Some say Ware’s coaches never gave him a real shot to excel, but others state that the pressure of pro ball was too much.

Heath Schuler

The type of play that made Schuler a joke makes it tough to think why he would hold out of training camp to negotiate his contract. Despite his skill, it wasn’t enough to justify such a move.

Johnny Manziel

This guy was a hot prospect coming out of college like a lot of NFL stars are. But the problem is that he allowed the hype to go to his head and started skipping out on practice and getting in trouble. That’s not how a star is born.

Ryan Leaf

The loss to Michigan in the ’98 Rose Bowl wasn’t a stumbling block since it was a great game. However, his NFL career was an embarrassment, especially considering that he was supposed to be on the same level as Peyton Manning.

Brian Bosworth

The hype a player receives is often too much pressure and can contribute to their downfall. When Boz came to the Seahawks, he was a hot commodity, but he cooled down quickly as the months wore on.

Tony Mandarich

Ego doesn’t go that far in the NFL unless you can back it up. Mandarich was an impressive physical specimen, but He couldn’t meet the demands of the game, and his failure became evident very quickly.

JaMarcus Russell

What’s funny is that Russell wasn’t the worst player in the NFL’s history, but he wasn’t worth the money he was paid. After an up-and-down career, it’s best to think that he was a skilled jobber who got what he could before moving on.

Isaiah Wilson

If you cause an issue with a team, they’re not likely to forget it. Between suspensions, missing practice, and having a poor attitude, Wilson was a talented bust who couldn’t get his act right.

Matt Leinart

A guy who spends a lot of time as a backup QB isn’t in the worst position. But, when he showed that he wasn’t reliable and started accruing injuries, it was clear that he wasn’t the team’s future.

Derrick Harvey

Not only was he kind of annoying as a rookie since he held out on his contract for longer than many people, but he wasn’t that great after college. This happens to way too many athletes who think they’re great but are exposed when they hit another level.

Kevin White

It must be frustrating for GMs and owners to hire a player and then realize that their bones are going to keep breaking. Unfortunately for White, his physical health didn’t improve when he was brought into the NFL.

Josh Rosen

Rosen’s attitude after the draft, calling the picks before him “mistakes,” might have been why fate orchestrated his initial downfall. The Arizona Cardinals could tell you how great he wasn’t during his rookie season.

Justin Gilbert

It’s amusing how top prospects can go downhill so quickly. Gilbert was released from the NFL after a substance abuse scandal and went to play indoor football.

Andy Katzenmoyer

Andy is one of the only guys on this list to do quite well up until a neck injury. He walked out on his own after worrying over his health, which might have been a smart move.

Bobby Carpenter

Carpenter’s time in the NFL wasn’t ill-spent, but like many players, injuries started to plague his career. This is a commonality that causes many players to fold before they’re ready.