32 worst first round draft picks in NFL history

mug0mug · 2011-01-19T23:20:21-08:00

This list has players who failed for a variety of reasons; some funny, some tragic, and some that just weren't very good. The list, compiled by Bleacher Report, was pretty interesting to go through. I didn't know the stories of some of the failures listed. Many of the failures weren't even due to lack of ability, but breaking the law, being crazy, injuries (which I kinda felt shouldn't be included), getting banned, or a variety of other reasons. There are 2 Niners on the list (and a third who wasn't drafted by the Niners, but effectively ended Steve Young's career while playing for us). It doesn't list a bunch of guys from the 60's or whenever, as it seems to focus more on the past 30 or so years rather than "all time," but that's fine by me. Also, a couple of the players listed may still have a chance to earn their way off the list so I may not have included them personally, but it's a fun list to look through nonetheless. Anyone you would add? Enjoy. 32 Worst first round picks in NFL history

Jan 19, 2011 at 11:30 PM

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,663

Rashaun Woods at 17

Draft: 31st Pick in 2004

What Happened: Woods just wasn't good enough. His rookie season, he had seven catches for 160 yards and one touchdown. He spent the 2005 season on injured reserve before being traded to the San Diego Chargers. He eventually was traded to the Broncos before the season even started.

One failed physical later, Woods' NFL career was over.

Jim Druckenmiller at 6

Draft: 26th Pick in 1997

What Happened: Druckenmiller was a bust in every sense of the word. He threw a total of 52 passes in his NFL career for 239 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. He was traded to the Dolphins for the 1999 season, but then was released.

Jan 19, 2011 at 11:43 PM

j3xperience
Veteran
Posts: 2,068

Oh look no Alex Smith.

to the Smith haters,

SHUT THE F*CK UP.

Jan 19, 2011 at 11:47 PM

fanmusclecars
Veteran
Posts: 9,222

The Don Rogers story is just sad.

A good player who fell victim to the 1980's cocaine pandemic.

Jan 19, 2011 at 11:53 PM

JoseCortez
Veteran
Posts: 13,751

No tim couch. Surprising.

Jan 19, 2011 at 11:53 PM

mug0mug
Veteran
Posts: 16,724

Funny: Bernard Williams, OT, Eagles

Draft: 15th Pick in 1994

What Happened: Bernard Williams liked to smoke the ganja. After his rookie season, Williams was suspended by the NFL for failing a drug test.

Fifteen failed drug tests later (yes, you read that right, 15), Williams was banned from the NFL.

Tragic: Don Rogers, S, Cleveland Browns

Drafted: 18th Pick in 1984

What Happened: Don Rogers was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1984, and played another season with the Browns as they went to the playoffs in 1985.

Then he died of a cocaine overdose the day before his wedding on June 27,1986, eight days after Len Bias died for the same reason.

WTF: Russell Erxleben, K/P, New Orleans Saints

Drafted: 11th Pick in 1979

What Happened: Not only did the New Orleans Saints draft a kicker in the first round, it turned out he wasn't a very good one.

If you're going to draft a kicker or a punter in the first round, he better be Hall of Fame material from the word go. Erxleben wasn't even remotely close.

Jan 19, 2011 at 11:54 PM

jimrat
Veteran
Posts: 23,964

Originally posted by j3xperience:
Oh look no Alex Smith.

to the Smith haters,

SHUT THE F*CK UP.

He will soon!

Jan 20, 2011 at 5:10 AM

Chief
Veteran
Posts: 28,272

Lawrence Phillips, RB, St. Louis Rams

Draft: Sixth Pick in 1996

What Happened: Phillips couldn't control his temper. Phillips was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend in college. Despite this, the Rams traded Jerome Bettis to the Pittsburgh Steelers before drafting Phillips.

The Rams cut him after he got into a dispute with head coach Dick Vermeil. He continued to have trouble related to his temper off the field and the Rams cut him in 1997. He played for a few more teams, but had trouble wherever he went.

He became famous for missing a block in 1999 while playing for the San Francisco 49ers, allowing Aeneas Williams to hit Steve Young, knocking him out, and giving him the concussion that effectively ended Young's career

In December of 2009, Phillips was sentenced to more than 31 years in prison for attacking his girlfriend and driving his car into three teens.

Jan 20, 2011 at 5:33 AM

SoCold
Hall of Dumb
Posts: 132,685

Originally posted by Chief:
Lawrence Phillips, RB, St. Louis Rams

Draft: Sixth Pick in 1996

What Happened: Phillips couldn't control his temper. Phillips was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend in college. Despite this, the Rams traded Jerome Bettis to the Pittsburgh Steelers before drafting Phillips.

The Rams cut him after he got into a dispute with head coach Dick Vermeil. He continued to have trouble related to his temper off the field and the Rams cut him in 1997. He played for a few more teams, but had trouble wherever he went.

He became famous for missing a block in 1999 while playing for the San Francisco 49ers, allowing Aeneas Williams to hit Steve Young, knocking him out, and giving him the concussion that effectively ended Young's career

In December of 2009, Phillips was sentenced to more than 31 years in prison for attacking his girlfriend and driving his car into three teens.

Not paying Ricky Watters started a downward spiral hell storm

Jan 20, 2011 at 5:43 AM

Rubberneck36
HOF
Posts: 141,822

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Rashaun Woods at 17

Draft: 31st Pick in 2004

What Happened: Woods just wasn't good enough. His rookie season, he had seven catches for 160 yards and one touchdown. He spent the 2005 season on injured reserve before being traded to the San Diego Chargers. He eventually was traded to the Broncos before the season even started.

One failed physical later, Woods' NFL career was over.

Jim Druckenmiller at 6

Draft: 26th Pick in 1997

What Happened: Druckenmiller was a bust in every sense of the word. He threw a total of 52 passes in his NFL career for 239 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. He was traded to the Dolphins for the 1999 season, but then was released.

Man, I was so pissed when they picked Woods...god, what a waste. Both of these are horrible.

Jan 20, 2011 at 6:01 AM

#10

Paul
Veteran
Posts: 6,729

Originally posted by JoseCortez:
No tim couch. Surprising.

Couch really wasn't even that bad, he had 64 career tds with 67 career ints. Not a huge fan of the list, Boller was a bad pick and so was Leinart but worse than picks such as Brady Quinn or Cade McNown?

I actually think Russell is the worst choice ever since he went number 1 overall

Jan 20, 2011 at 6:04 AM

#11

49ersalldaway126
Veteran
Posts: 14,549

Originally posted by jimrat201:
Originally posted by j3xperience:
Oh look no Alex Smith.

to the Smith haters,

SHUT THE F*CK UP.

He will soon!

he wont cause the orginization screwed him over more than he screwed the niners over its obvious he has talent just niners were never able to do anything with it and failed to build around him

Jan 20, 2011 at 8:02 AM

#12

mcbaes72
Veteran
Posts: 9,679

Originally posted by j3xperience:
Oh look no Alex Smith.

to the Smith haters,

SHUT THE F*CK UP.

So, you're saying that all these years of him as our starter, never once reached the playoffs nor won our division, injuries, excuses, etc. is a SUCCESS? Heck, he's not even coming back to SF.

Why do you enlighten us all and prove how he accomplished and filled the role and expectations of #1 overall draft pick. Otherwise, you STFU instead!

Edit: Alex Smith should be at #33 on that list.

[ Edited by mcbaes72 on Jan 20, 2011 at 8:03 AM ]

Jan 20, 2011 at 8:04 AM

#13

Sjceruti
Veteran
Posts: 1,528

Originally posted by j3xperience:
Oh look no Alex Smith.

to the Smith haters,

SHUT THE F*CK UP.

Jan 20, 2011 at 8:33 AM

#14

DaDivaRecieva15
Veteran
Posts: 37,964

Originally posted by j3xperience:
Oh look no Alex Smith.

to the Smith haters,

SHUT THE F*CK UP.

ace130 agrees