NFL's greatest draft mistakes?

Question

What are the greatest draft mistake of a team in nfl history?
I think that houston made a huge mistake by passing on reggie bush. Or another great mistake was New orleans giving a lot of draft picks to the redskins to move forward in the draft to pick ricky williams

Answer 1

Ryan Leaf.

One of the biggest NFL bust's in a long time

Answer 2

In HISTORY? That's too tough of a question for me. As for this year, the first pick was the worst pick. The Texans passing on Reggie Bush. Look at how the Saints are doing versus the Texans.

I mean, come on. Te draft isn't all about talent. Part of draft choice is MARKETABILITY. I can't even remember that other guy's name. I'm sure the Saints have already made a TON off Reggie in increased ticket sales. More money = more money to pay your team = a better team. Another HUGE factor is that players who will want to win a Super Bowl will now look at the Saints as an option, but they are definitely not looking at the Texans.

Answer 3

In 1998 there were 20 teams that passed up on Randy Moss who fell all the way down to the 21st pick. All he did that year was catch 69 passes for 1,311 yards and 17 TD's and win Rookie of the Year, and go on to be one of the NFL's best playmakers.

This was also the same draft that the Bears took Curtis Enis with the #5 pick taking him over Fred Taylor who went 9th. And we all know this is the same draft were the Chargers took Leaf with the 2nd pick. That's 3 pretty big mistakes in the first round.

Answer 4

1) Ryan Leaf, QB Washington State
Selected by the San Diego Chargers with the No. 2 overall pick in 1998, Leaf threw just 13 touchdown passes to 33 interceptions, along with countless well-publicized tantrums before being released in 2000. It seems almost unbelievable now that some teams felt Leaf was better pro material the Peyton Manning. And adding insult to injury, Chargers GM Bobby Beathard gave up the No. 3 pick, a second-round selection, a first-round choice in 1999, and two players to Arizona to move up just one spot.


2) Tony Mandarich, OT Michigan State
Drafted No. 2 overall by the Packers coming out of Michigan State, Mandarich was believed by many to be the safest pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. However, he never came close to living up to expectations, and after just three years, he was cut. Because of a drastic loss in weight upon entering the NFL, there was a lot of speculation that his success at the collegiate level was fueled by the use of steroids. Compounding the hurt is the fact that Barry Sanders was selected at No. 3 by the Lions.


3) Brian Bosworth, LB Oklahoma
Winner of the first two Butkus Awards, Bosworth was kicked off the Oklahoma squad because of steroid use, which fueled his entry into the 1987 supplemental draft, where he was selected by the Seahawks in the first round. Bosworth was perhaps the most over-hyped player to exit the collegiate ranks, recording just four sacks through three seasons. Unfortunately for Seattle, the most memorable play of his career featured RB Bo Jackson plowing him over for a TD on Monday Night Football.

Answer 5

I agree with the New Orleans draft day deal that sent Ricky Williams to them for all there picks that year. What about Minnisota Vikings letting the draft clock run out on them two years straight?

Answer 6

Ryan Leaf second pick in 1998. He set the franchise back 5 years, and to think people thought he should have been the 1st pick on draft day. Colts choose correctly in a 2 time MVP.

Answer 7

I hate to "me too" but I REALLY love "lilgilley's" three excellent picks and his explanations. Those were certainly three of the all time worst draft picks of history!

(And I don't really "get" this "The San Francisco 49ers choose QB Jim Drunkinmiller instead of Jake Plummer...pretty bad." Maybe THIS year Plummer MIGHT amount to something if the Broncos keep winning, but otherwise I don't seem much difference at all.........)

Answer 8

Everyone thought Ryan Leaf was good when the Chargers drafted him, but when we drafted Sammy Davis over Troy Polamalu when we all wanted to draft Troy, that was one of the greatest blunders ever.

Update: Most people are putting busts (e.g. Ryan Leaf), but he asked about draft mistakes, not busts.

Answer 9

Houston mistake wasn't even close to the greatest. they still got a potential Julius Peppers type player. Ryan Leaf was not a good pick. another one was the broncos drafting Maurice clarett.

Answer 10

Well let's see there was Ryan Leaf. Then you had all the teams passing on Willie Parker, although he didn't play much in college and the Steelers were simply not drafting him because they knew no one else would. The Broncos drafted Maurice Clarrett.

Answer 11

I would say leaf but the argument of him being good then is pretty much true --he would be biggest draft bust, not mistake (he and peyton were expected to go first, and chargers were expected to pick whoever was left). The Sammie>Troy was pretty bad though. I support my 2ndary, and Kiel is better than he's given credit for...but can you imagine how good our D would be now with Troy!?