5 worst first overall picks in NFL draft history

Five worst first overall NFL Draft picks ever

#3 - Ki-Jana Carter

Ki-Jana Carter of the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals took Penn State running back Ki-Jana Carter with the first pick in the 1995 draft, but his career was almost over before it began. He tore a ligament in his knee on his third ever carry in a preseason game, missing his entire rookie year.

During his career, Carter would battle various injuries, including kneecap, shoulder, and wrist troubles. Carter managed seven years in the league despite the injury woes but only had 1,144 rushing yards in his career.

#2 - Steve Emtman

Steve Emtman

The Indianapolis Colts drafted defensive end Steve Emtman first overall out of Washington in the 1992 NFL Draft. Despite being voted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Emtman would never replicate his college form in the pros.

Across six seasons, Emtman ended the season on the injured reserve list in half of them. He would only have 8.0 sacks across a disappointing career for the Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Redskins.

#1 - JaMarcus Russell

Players Rookie Premiere

Not just the biggest No. 1 draft pick but arguably the biggest draft bust in league history, JaMarcus Russell tops our list. The LSU quarterback was taken first overall in 2007 by the Oakland Raiders but never had the discipline or work ethic to make it into the pros.

Russell never seemed to be committed to the Raiders, and his 7-18 record as a starter meant he was out of the NFL by 2009 after passing for just 18 touchdowns against 23 interceptions in 25 starts.

According to a Sports Illustrated report published in 2016, Russell said:

"When I was initially drafted into the NFL as the Number 1 overall pick there were enormous expectations heaped upon me. It did not help that I went to a struggling team that lacked infrastructure and veteran leadership. It also did not help that I was 20 years old and became a millionaire overnight.”