Top 5 Most disappointing draft picks in NFL history

Every year, teams towards the top of the NFL Draft aim to make a selection that will change their future. They often do, but it's not always for the better. Those who follow the NFL will always remember both the biggest steals as well as the biggest busts of all time. They both drastically changed the fortunes of the team that selected them.

Expectations weighed against career performance are what determines the value of a player. Expectations coming out of college and into the NFL can determine exactly where a player is drafted. The career performance that follows should, in theory, match the draft position. These are the five most disappointing draft picks in NFL history that failed to meet their expectations.

Biggest NFL Draft busts of all time

#5 - QB Akili Smith, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals QB Akili Smith

Quarterback Akili Smith was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the third overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft out of the University of Oregon. When any player is selected that high, especially a quarterback, the expectations are that he is going to be the future of the franchise. That was not the case for Akili Smith.

He has played only four seasons in the NFL and started just 17 games total with an ugly 3-14 career record. He completed just 47 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

#4 - EDGE Vernon Gholston, New York Jets

New York Jets EDGE Vernon Gholston

Edge rusher Vernon Gholston was selected by the New York Jets as the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He set a single-season record at Ohio State with 14 sacks in his final season in college. He was considered a "can't miss" pass rushing prospect by most scouts. They were wrong.

Vernon Gholston didn't record a single sack in 45 games across three seasons with the New York Jets. It's almost hard to believe, but it's true. Dominant edge rushers have always been popular picks high in the NFL Draft, and Gholston was one of the most hyped of all time. He didn't live up to it.

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Also check out: Complete 2020 NFL Draft Results

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3 Worst NFL Draft picks of all time

#3 - RB Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns RB Trent Richardson

Running back Trent Richardson was selected by the Cleveland Browns as the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama. The Browns traded away multiple draft picks to move up just one spot to make sure they were able to get Richardson.

They could have saved their extra draft picks because he only lasted a little more than one season in Cleveland. He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts two games into his second season. His career was short and disappointing. He recorded just 2032 total rushing yards for 3.3 yards per carry.

#2 - QB JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell

Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was selected by the Oakland Raiders as the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of LSU. He had a ton of red flags coming out of college related to his work ethic and accountability. In hindsight, the Raiders shouldn't have ignored them, but they did.

JaMarcus Russell started things off on the wrong foot. He held out for the majority of his rookie year over a contract dispute. He played in just one game and threw four interceptions. He started just 25 games in his career and threw 23 interceptions before he was cut.

A big part of what made Russell one of the biggest draft busts of all time, besides being selected first overall, were his actions off the field and his lack of commitment to being a professional athlete. He notoriously did not learn the playbook and consistently showed up out of shape and not ready to play.

#1 - QB Ryan Leaf, San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers QB Ryan Leaf

Quarterback Ryan Leaf was selected by the San Diego Chargers as the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft out of Washington State University. He was a highly rated prospect and just about every scout believed he would have a bright future. The Chargers gave up two first-round picks and a second-rounder to draft him.

Ryan Leaf was famously selected right after Peyton Manning in the NFL Draft. Many "experts" believed the Indianapolis Colts made a mistake, and that Leaf would be better than Manning. Their careers couldn't have been more opposite than they ended up being.

Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He is a Hall of Famer and has won the NFL MVP five times, the most in NFL history. Ryan Leaf is one of the biggest draft busts ever. He has only won four of his 18 career starts while throwing a massive 36 interceptions and just 14 touchdowns.