These are the mistakes that will haunt an NFL GM forever. Well these and that time, he hit a homeless person with his car.
Ryan Leaf, QB — San Diego Chargers
Year: 1998
Pick: 2nd Overall
Why: To say Ryan Leaf came into the NFL with a chip on his shoulder would be like saying that Ron Artest seems somewhat unstable. Leaf was considered by many to be the best quarterback in the draft, but after blowing off his interview in Indianapolis, those idiot Colts went with some jerk named Peyton Manning. Dummies. The Chargers jumped at the opportunity and traded away multiple first round picks to move up one spot (from the third pick to the second) and guarantee they could take Leaf.
That was a mistake. Leaf's three year career was marked by a giant salary,screaming fits at his teammates, and a disdain for the media. All of this might have been okay if his career QB rating had been higher than 50 (of a possible 158.3). It wasn't.
JaMarcus Russell, QB — Oakland Raiders
Year: 2007
Pick: 1st Overall
Why: Coming out of LSU, Russell was supposed to be a franchise-changing quarterback. Instead he turned out to be a money-draining albatross. Russell turned the ball over constantly, made almost $40 million in three years, and was rarely in shape.
Tim Couch, QB — Cleveland Browns
Year: 1999
Pick: 1st Overall
Why: The Browns were looking for a cornerstone to start their franchise, and the draft of 1999 was loaded with potential choices: Donovan McNabb, Edgerrin James, Daunte Culpepper, Ricky Williams, and Champ Bailey, among others who would have very successful careers. But the Browns went with Tim Couch. A guy who couldn't evade a sack even if the defense had to count "5x" before rushing. He was out of the league in five years.
Charles Rogers, WR — Detroit Lions
Year: 2003
Pick: 2nd Overall
Why: This one is sad, because it doesn't feel like it was ever Rogers fault. The Michigan State star receiver had everything you could want from an NFL wideout. He was an athletic freak, who was almost always among the tallest and fastest guys on the field. Hell, in his debut he scored two touchdowns for the lowly Lions. But after only five games he broke his collarbone and was out for the year. The following year he broke his collarbone again in his first game back.
Rogers would eventually get in trouble for violating the league's substance abuse policy by testing positive for marijuana multiple times, but after the start his career had, can you blame him?
