Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
QBs, Mandarich among biggest blunders
The NFL’s 101st season was inarguably one of its weirdest, the COVID-19 pandemic emptying the league’s stadiums in 2020, wreaking havoc with the schedule and sending the draft into a virtual environment, among other aftereffects.
The NFL and world at large seem to be slowly returning to normalcy in 2021 with the league recently unveiling plans to stage this year’s draft in Cleveland with much of its familiar pomp and circumstance ... socially distanced, of course.
But a more recognizable draft season also comes with its annual fears – namely, concern that the players you target and select, or the trades you do or don’t make, blow up in your face.
Though the draft has been in existence since the Eagles picked inaugural Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger first overall in 1936, it was hardly a scientific (or particularly informed) process for decades. So this list’s scope will encompass drafts dating only to 1967, the first common draft following the agreement between the NFL and the AFL to merge.
Some words about the methodology: This ranking and analysis are certainly interspersed with opinion. But I tried not to view these wayward picks in a vacuum – taking into account what teams sacrificed to take a player, either in terms of trade currency or whom they opted not to select, when evaluating each bust. Some deals themselves are included since many prevented teams from choosing superior options.
Naturally, extra weight was given to quarterback gaffes – this is a draft piece, after all.
Lastly, I tried to have some fun and creativity in select spots to keep you (and me) engaged during this gargantuan undertaking, so try not to get too bent out of shape if that defensive tackle or tight end your team took in the top 10 before he petered out didn’t rate a mention.
With those considerations in mind, let’s begin this historical exercise by revealing
our top 20 biggest draft whiffs in NFL history. For more draft whiffs not included on this list, visit usatoday.com/sports/nfl.
1. QB Ryan Leaf, 2nd overall 1998, Chargers
It seems patently obvious more than two decades after the fact, but he was very much in the conversation to be this draft’s No. 1 pick. Of course, the Colts wisely chose Peyton Manning. Meanwhile, the Bolts set themselves back years by taking Leaf (4-14 in 18 starts for the club with a 48.8 passer rating), whose gross immaturity and inability to solve pro defenses trumped his vast physical talent. What cements his infamy is the price San Diego paid to simply swap its initial No. 3 pick to get Arizona’s spot at No. 2. But the freight the Cardinals commanded, aside from the switch, was a second rounder, an additional first rounder in 1999 and two veterans (WR Eric Metcalf and LB Patrick Sapp). Oof.
2. OT Tony Mandarich, 2nd overall 1989, Packers
The Sports Illustrated cover boy deemed “The Incredible Bulk” prior to the draft – he had uncommon athleticism and size for the position at the time – was labeled “The NFL’s Incredible Bust” only three years later. Mandarich’s steroid-fueled body and poor work ethic didn’t hold up against professional competition, and he later descended into drug and alcohol issues. Any value he later provided at guard might have helped the Colts but obviously didn’t do the Pack any good. But this context truly frames his failure: Mandarich was the only player selected in the top five that year who didn’t wind up in the Hall of Fame. Troy Aikman went No. 1, but Green Bay passed on Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders.
3. QB JaMarcus Russell, 1st overall 2007, Raiders
It turned out to be a miserable year for passers, the likes of Brady Quinn, Kevin Kolb and John Beck also taken high. But Russell, who began his career with a lengthy holdout, never fulfilled the hype generated by his howitzer arm and legendary pro day. He lasted only three seasons, losing 18 of 25 starts and compiling an abysmal 65.2 passer rating, before laziness and weight gain washed him out of the league. Who could Oakland have taken instead? Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch and Darrelle Revis all came off the board in the first half of Round 1.
4. QB Jeff George, 1st overall 1990, Colts
He looked like Uncle Rico, threw like him, too ... and basically played like the “Napoleon Dynamite” folk hero. George forced Indianapolis to surrender Pro Bowl OT Chris Hinton, future Pro Bowl WR Andre Rison and a first-round pick in 1991 to Atlanta – where George wound up himself in 1994 after wearing out his welcome with a bad attitude and 14-35 record for the Colts, who passed on three eventual Hall of Famers in the first round. Never particularly popular in the locker room, George played for five different teams.
5. RB Lawrence Phillips, 6th overall 1996, Rams
Bad player. Bad dude. And St. Louis should have known better. The Rams parted with DT Sean Gilbert to acquire the Phillips pick – Eddie George was still available – and they exported Jerome Bettis to Pittsburgh in a separate deal to clear the way for Phillips. Brutal.
6. Jets’ decisions to trade down in 1997
Brace yourself, NYJ fans; this is merely the first of many mentions. After going 1-15 in 1996, Gang Green most definitely earned the No. 1 pick of the ’97 draft – which they surely would have used for Manning ... had he opted not to
return to the University of Tennessee for his senior year. So in a bid to restock this roster, newly acquired coach Bill Parcells dealt down from No. 1 to No. 6, passing on the opportunity to snatch future Hall of Fame LT Orlando Pace. Then Parcells dropped from No. 6 to No. 8, passing on the opportunity to get future Hall of Fame LT Walter Jones. (Ugh and ugh.) LB James Farrior, who was much better in Pittsburgh later in his career than during his Gotham stint, “headlined” New York’s forgettable haul, which could have also included Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez, who went 13th.
7. Colts’ decision to draft John Elway No. 1 in 1983
His talent obviously justified the selection, but team brass should have taken Elway seriously when he threatened to play baseball rather than for Baltimore. In the end, he launched his Hall of Fame career in Denver while the Colts were left with Hinton, backup QB Mark Herrmann, a first-round pick in 1984 (spent on G Ron Solt) and, in a year’s time, a one-way ticket to Indianapolis.
8. QB Robert Griffin III, 2nd overall 2012, Washington
The team shipped three first-round picks and one in the second to the Rams for the chance to take RG3. Initially, it seemed a reasonable gambit as the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner won offensive rookie of the year honors while leading a charge to the NFC East title. The rest is unfortunate history. Washington is still picking up the pieces.
8a. Rams’ haul for Robert Griffin III
On the opposite end of the RG3 coin? St. Louis parlayed its bounty into Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead, Rokevious Watkins, Alec Ogletree, Stedman Bailey, Zac Stacy and Greg Robinson. Some decent (and notso-decent) players in there, but obviously not a group that came anywhere close to salvaging the NFL in The Gateway City.
9. OLB Aundray Bruce, 1st overall 1988, Falcons
Atlanta thought it was getting the next Lawrence Taylor. Nope. Bruce was no better than a sub package guy, including spot duty at tight end. There were five Hall of Famers picked elsewhere in Bruce’s draft and a pretty good pass rusher (Neil Smith) directly after him.
10. RB Bo Jackson, 1st overall 1986, Buccaneers
Don’t get it twisted – this isn’t a dig at a guy who might truly be a “once in a lifetime” talent. Instead, interpret it as a dig at a long-feckless franchise that chose to squander its pick even though Jackson had vowed never to play in Tampa, believing the team deliberately cost him his baseball eligibility at Auburn while trying to strong-arm him into a football-only career. The Bucs took Jackson anyway ... and he was soon stroking towering taters for the Kansas City Royals.
11. OT Robert Gallery, 2nd overall 2004, Raiders
He never approached his pre-draft hype and only became serviceable after moving to guard. Who could Oakland have had instead? Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, Sean Taylor and Ben
Roethlisberger heard their names called shortly after Gallery’s selection.
12. RB Blair Thomas, 2nd overall 1990, Jets
To think future Hall of Famers Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau were sitting there. Or, if New York really had to have a runner, eventual all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith was around until No. 17.
13. Bills’ decision to draft Tom Cousineau No. 1 in 1979
Buffalo owned the choice after dealing O.J. Simpson to the 49ers. But Cousineau took the Canadian Football League’s money and bolted, never playing a down for the Bills. Hall of Famers Dan Hampton and Kellen Winslow went later in that first round.
14. QB Sam Darnold, 3rd overall 2018, Jets
In the former USC star’s defense, New York did next to nothing to help him succeed, Darnold’s development further hampered by foot and shoulder injuries and mono. But given then-GM Mike Maccagnan surrendered the No. 6 overall pick (used by the Colts on future All-Pro G Quenton Nelson) and three high second-rounders to advance three slots in order to get into position for Darnold – and he seemed like a slam-dunk acquisition at the time – it’s hard to view this gamble as anything other than a failure given his inability to overcome his circumstances ... especially as QBs drafted later (2019 MVP Lamar Jackson, 2020 MVP runner-up Josh Allen) figured out how to thrive. Recently traded, maybe Darnold blossoms for the Panthers, though that won’t get the Jets any closer to relevance.
15. Seahawks’ decision to trade down in 1977
They were induced to deal out of No. 2 after Tony Dorsett threatened not to play in Seattle, so the Cowboys moved up for the future Hall of Fame back. The Seahawks instead reeled in Steve August, Tom Lynch, Terry Beeson and Glenn Carano. Who? Exactly. Guess who won the Super Bowl the following season ...
16. QB Art Schlichter, 4th overall 1982, Colts
On the field, he was horrendous (42.6 passer rating). Off the field, he was worse, his gambling problems leading to his suspension for the 1983 season and, later, prison. Schlichter’s issues also forced Baltimore into its ill-advised Elway pick the next year.
17. QB Jack Thompson, 3rd overall 1979, Bengals
The “Throwin’ Samoan” never threw very effectively in six seasons. Furthermore, Cincinnati was just fine under center with Ken Anderson, who would lead the Bengals to their first Super Bowl two years later. Also, Phil Simms was chosen four slots after Thompson ... or, if Cincy needed, like, a developmental quarterback, they could have had, uh, Joe Montana in Round 3 ...
18. DE Dion Jordan, 3rd overall 2013, Dolphins
The slender pass rusher has been repeatedly suspended and only rewarded Miami with three sacks in two seasons. The Dolphins paid a first- and secondround pick to Oakland to get the Oregon prospect.
19. WR Johnny “Lam” Jones, 2nd overall 1980, Jets
New York hoped his Olympic speed would translate into stardom. Not so much. Jones never looked natural as a receiver, often leaving his feet while trying to catch easy passes. The next player taken was Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, arguably the best left tackle of all time. The next receiver selected was Hall of Famer Art Monk.
20. DT Steve Niehaus, 2nd overall 1976, Seahawks
Seattle’s maiden draft selection didn’t turn out nearly as well as fellow expansion franchise Tampa Bay’s after the Bucs landed future Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon at No. 1. (The Seahawks recovered by acquiring Hall of Famer Steve Largent, who was taken by the Oilers in Round 4.)
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.