Some examples are; Ryan Leaf- 2nd overall, Aaron Maybin- 1st round, and JaMarcus Russell- 1st overall.
Here is my list for the biggest busts in the past 10 years.
TOP 5 NFL BUSTS
5. Vernon Gholston (Outside Linebacker)
6th overall pick in 2008 by the New York Jets, retired after 4 years without recording a sack.
Career Stats:
- 45 games played
- 0 sacks
- 42 tackles
- 0 forced fumbles
4. Sam Bradford (Quarterback)
1st overall pick in 2010 by the St. Louis Rams, suffered two torn ACL's in only 5 years.
Career Stats:
- 49 games in 5 seasons
- 79.3 career quarterback rating
- 38 interceptions
- 27 fumbles
3. Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (Running Back)
5th overall in 2005 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, retired 5 years later
Career Stats:
- 4,000 career yards in 7 seasons
- average of 3 yards per carry
- 12 fumbles
- 20 rushing touchdowns in 7 seasons
2. Mark Sanchez (Quarterback)
5th overall pick in 2009 by the New York Jets, known primarily for his infamous "butt-fumble" during a playoff game against the New England Patriots
- 72.5 career Quarterback rating
- averages 1 interception every 4 passes
- 71 career interceptions
- sacked 835 times in his career
- 64 games played in 6 seasons
1. JaMarcus Russell (Quarterback)
1st overall pick in 2007 by the Oakland Raiders, released and retired due to poor performance and failure to stay in shape
Career Stats:
- only played 31 games in his short career
- averages 2 interceptions every 6 passes
- 48.1 completion pecentage
- 65.2 total QBR
- 18 career touchdowns
