10 Most Disappointing First-Round Draft Busts of All Time
Every year, the draft promises future stars, but not every first-round pick delivers. They either flame out quickly or fade painfully slowly. These are the cautionary tales; the names fans still mutter in disbelief. Here’s a look at the most disappointing first-round draft busts ever.
JaMarcus Russell (NFL, 2007)
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You’d think a cannon-armed, 6’6″ quarterback who torched Notre Dame in a bowl game would be a sure thing. JaMarcus Russell had all the tools, but no toolbox. He showed up out of shape, unmotivated, and memorably admitted to skipping film study. The Oakland Raiders paid big. He paid attention… eventually, to a different career.
Anthony Bennett (NBA, 2013)
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Scouts fell in love with the body, not the basketball. Anthony Bennett shocked everyone as the No. 1 pick in 2013, and then promptly averaged 4.2 points as a rookie. He bounced through four teams in four years. Canada still scratches its head over that one.
Ryan Leaf (NFL, 1998)
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The San Diego Chargers loved the arm, scouts liked the swagger, and Ryan Leaf loved yelling at reporters. After being taken right after Peyton Manning, he gave one of the all-time “what were they thinking?” selections. In three miserable seasons, he threw 14 touchdowns, 36 picks, and a lot of tantrums. He’s now great at public speaking.
Kwame Brown (NBA, 2001)
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Michael Jordan’s first-ever No. 1 pick, Kwame Brown, didn’t go quite as planned. He entered the NBA straight from high school and got bullied on the court and off. He played 12 seasons but never averaged double-digit points. He later gained internet fame calling out critics, so hey, some glow-up came way off the court.
Tony Mandarich (NFL, 1989)
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Everyone thought the Packers had drafted a real-life superhero. Magazines called Tony Mandarich “the best offensive line prospect ever.” He hit the NFL and forgot how to block. Intoxication rumors, poor play, and a flashy ego didn’t help. He flopped hard while Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Derrick Thomas went after him.
Greg Oden (NBA, 2007)
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Every scout drooled over his size, timing, and footwork, but Greg Oden’s knees had other plans. Picked before Kevin Durant, Oden played 105 games in seven years. Portland’s medical staff probably aged 20 years during their time there. It wasn’t his fault, but man, what a bummer.
Akili Smith (NFL, 1999)
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One great college season made the Bengals believe they’d found a franchise QB in Akili Smith. He had speed, arm strength, and sky-high potential. Then reality showed up. In four seasons, he threw five touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The team reportedly gave him a 700-page playbook. He may have read three pages.
Hasheem Thabeet (NBA, 2009)
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Apparently, even being 7’3″ doesn’t get you more than two points a game. The Grizzlies drafted Hasheem Thabeet second overall, right before James Harden, by the way. His hands were stone, his footwork slow, and he mostly looked lost. Though tall, he didn’t seem talented. The NBA was clearly too fast for him.
Justin Blackmon (NFL, 2012)
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Scouts saw a sure-thing wideout with elite hands and game-breaking speed, and they weren’t wrong about the talent. But Justin Blackmon’s career got derailed fast by repeated off-field issues and suspensions for substance abuse. He showed flashes of brilliance, then disappeared completely. If you blinked, you might’ve missed his NFL career altogether.
Adam Morrison (NBA, 2006)
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College fans swore he was the next Larry Bird, but Adam Morrison’s NBA story played out way differently. He averaged 7.5 points and two rings while barely playing. At least he got some epic memes out of it.
Tim Couch (NFL, 1999)
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The Browns returned to the NFL and handed the keys to Tim Couch, a college superstar with a golden arm. All they got in return was a bad roster, an even worse O-line, and a quarterback who couldn’t stay healthy. He took 166 sacks in five years.
Darko Miličić (NBA, 2003)
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The Detroit Pistons picked him second, ahead of Carmelo, Bosh, and Wade. That one still stings. Darko Miličić played like a guy who won a sweepstakes to join the Pistons. “The human victory cigar” rode the bench, collected a ring, and later became a kickboxer.
Trent Richardson (NFL, 2012)
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He looked like a tank at Alabama and ran like one, too, so the Browns figured Trent Richardson was the answer. They were wrong. He scored touchdowns but averaged fewer than four yards per carry. The Colts later traded a first-round pick for him.
Sam Bowie (NBA, 1984)
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As the guy Portland selected over Michael Jordan, Sam Bowie could never escape that shadow. It wasn’t all his fault—injuries did most of the damage, but missing out on MJ makes this pick legendary for all the wrong reasons. “Boo” had skills, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. Basketball gods can be cruel.
Courtney Brown (NFL, 2000)
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Courtney Brown looked like a can’t-miss defensive force. He started hot, even leading the Browns in sacks his rookie year. But his injuries piled up fast; knees, elbows, everything. He played six seasons but never quite lived up to the hype.