Biggest Draft Busts and Steals

[RKO Orton]

The NFL Draft is almost upon us. In two weeks, 252 collegiate athletes will be selected to join the National Football League. The Draft has had many infamous moments: The Vikings being late on their pick in 2003, Donavan McNabb being booed after being picked, Rocket Ismail signing with the CFL, etc. It's also produced some great steals and some horrible picks. Here are my top 3 busts of the NFL Draft, and Steals.

Busts:

Tony Mandarich (1989, 2nd Overall Pick)- The 89 draft was a star-studded one to say the least, and Mandarich was thought to be one of those stars. Considered the best Offensive Lineman ever to come to the draft, his career in the NFL lasted 6 years, 2 three year stints. Some guys picked after him were future Pro-Bowlers Derrick Thomas, Deion Sanders, and a guy named Barry Sanders.

Tim Couch (1999, 1st Overall Pick)- The 1998 Heisman Trophy Finalist from Kentucky was selected with the 1st overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. A lot of his time in Cleveland was spent on the sidelines, as he was injured constantly. After being released by the Browns, Couch tried to sign with many other NFL teams, but they turned him down.

Ryan Leaf (1998, 2nd Overall Pick)- Many thought Leaf and future Pro-Bowler and MVP Peyton Manning were the best two players and were going to be picked #1 and #2. Manning was taken by the Colts, and Leaf was taken by the Chargers. Leaf was plagued by injuries throughout his career and his NFL career ended after 4 seasons.

Now here are my top 3 steals.

Hines Ward (1998, 92nd Overall Pick)- Ward was picked as the last pick of the third round and since coming to the Steelers has had great successes. Some of his accomplishments include: 5 straight Pro-Bowls from 2001-2005, Super Bowl XL MVP, Steelers All-Time Receiving Yards and Touchdowns leader.

Aaron Kampman (2002, 156th Overall Pick)- Campman, a Defensive End out of Iowa, was selected in the fifth round by the Packers. He was second in sacks in 2006 and was selected to the Pro-Bowl in both 2006 and 2007. He was also on the All-Pro team those years.

Tom Brady (2000, 199th Overall Pick)- Just look at what he's done since he's been drafted out of Michigan: 4 time Pro-Bowler (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007) 3 Super Bowl Victories (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) 2 Super Bowl MVP's (XXXVI, XXXVIII) 1 Regular Season MVP (2007) AP Male Athlete of the Year (2007) AP Offensive Player of the Year (2007). I think I've said enough.

Now it's your turn. Who are your top 3 busts and steals of the NFL Draft. Tell them here.

 

[klunderbunker]

Busts- (In no order)

Heath Shuler. This guy was picked to lead the redskins to the promised land and has anyone heard of him since he was a rookie? The guy was great in college but in the pros he made leaf look like montana.

Ryan Leaf. Can't say much more than was already said. Leaf just wasn't what he was cracked up to be. He couldn't really do anything in the NFL, and after seeing everything that's happened, the Colts GM must be very glad with the choice he made.

Akili Smith. DAunte Culpepper, Donovan Mcnabb, Ricky Williams. These are the people that could've been the top pick for indy in 1998, but they took SMith. Where is this guy? I don't even remember him playing in the league, although he might've for a game or two. Just a case of what could we have had for Cinci.

Steals (Again in no order)

Tom Brady. Hard to argue this one. He might go down in the top 3 qb's of all time. The players picked before him are too many to list here. Just a pick that seemingly was thrown out there and look how it turned out.

Joe Montana. While he was a big name already, he fell to the third round. He wasn't that highly rated coming out of ND and was barely noticable his rookie year. He eventually wins 4 superbowls and might be the best of all time.

Derek Anderson. Couldn't really think of another one off the top of my head. While it's early in his career, it's clear that Anderson has a good chance of success in the league. He took the Browns to the brink of the playoffs with very limited talent around him. To have been taken with the 213th pick, He seems like a much more likely future big time qb than brady quinn, at least at this point in their careers.

Also, I disagree with Tim Couch being on the list. No he didn't come close to the expectations put before him, but at the time and for several seasons thereafter, no on could get the browns to be a contender. They were young and inexperienced and he had nothing around him to help him. While he was never going to be a top player and McNabb should have been the #1 pick, I don't think Couch was as much of a bust as he is considered to be.

 

[BooCocky]

I'm saying the biggest bust is Ryan Leaf. He did nothing memorable in the nfl except chew out an announcer or interviewer. he was picked infront of Manning so that would have been some pretty big shoes to fill.

Biggest steal: I have 4.

Hines Ward. The man came in as a special team player. He is now hte greatest receiver in Steeler history.

Tom Brady: the man was picked in the 6th round. He now has many records and supebowl wins so i say he was a huge steal.

Terrell Davis: I believe he was picked around where Brady was picked. Davis ran for over 2000 yds in a season and was a beast up until his injury, and he got a ring for John Elway.

Joe Montana: Four superbowl wins for a 3rd round pick.... enough said.


Some honorable mentions are the other picks in the 1974 nfl draft. Webster, Lambert, and Stallworth