NFL Draft: Power Ranking the 10 Biggest Running Back Flops Since 1980

Drafting a running back early in the first round is always a high risk pick. These 10 players drafted since 1980 have set the bar for the biggest flops at any position.

Whether it was due to injury, a position change or just bad scouting, these players all found themselves failing to perform up to the lofty expectations placed on them.

Here is a look at the 10 biggest flops at running back since 1980.

10. Tommy Vardell, Fullback, Cleveland Browns

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10 Oct 1993: Running back Tommy Vardell of the Cleveland Browns moves the ball during a game against the Miami Dolphins in Cleveland, Ohio. The Dolphins won the game, 24-14.

Not many teams can say they have drafted a fullback in the top 10 picks. The Cleveland Browns can.

Even more hilarious: Bill Belichick is the one who made the pick for the Browns.

Vardell was the No. 9 pick overall in 1992.

In eight NFL seasons, Vardell paved the way for the Browns, 49ers and Lions.

In the modern era, Vardell is the highest drafted fullback, a position most teams find in rounds four through seven.

9. Tim Biakabutuka, Running Back, Carolina Panthers

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10 SEP 1994: MICHIGAN RUNNING BACK TIM BIAKABUTUKA CARRIES THE FOOTBALL DURING THE WOLVERINES 26-24 VICTORY OVER THE FIGHTING IRISH AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. Mandatory Credit: Gary Mook/ALLSPORT

"Touchdown Tim" was never able to play more than 12 games per year for the expansion Carolina Panthers after being drafted No. 8 overall in 1996.

Biakabutuka lasted just six seasons in the NFL before injury and a lack of NFL talent forced him out.

8. Curtis Enis, Running Back, Chicago Bears

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6 Sep 1998: Running back Curtis Enis #39 of the Chicago Bears in action during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Jaguars defeated the Bears 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Despite being drafted No. 5 overall in 1998 Curtis Enis only played 36 games in three NFL seasons. In that time, he accumulated a meager 1,497 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

He retired at the premature age of 24 in 2001 due to a degenerative condition in his left knee.

While injury is the chief reason for Enis' brief career, he remains an example used for why you should never draft a running back in the top 10 picks of the first round.

7. Brent Fullwood, Running Back, Green Bay Packers

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30 Oct 1988: Running back Brent Fullwood of the Green Bay Packers gets tackled during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won the game, 28-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

How many players score a one on the Wonderlic test and still find themselves drafted No. 4 overall?

That's what Brent Fullwood did in 1987. The lone point was awarded for writing in his name.

Fullwood's NFL career was slightly more impressive.

He played just four seasons and never topped 1,000 yards rushing in any year.

6. Lawrence Phillips, Running Back, St. Louis Rams

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2 JAN 1996: RUNNING BACK LAWRENCE PHILLIPS #1 OF THE NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS BREAKS THE TACKLE OF STRONG SAFETY LAWRENCE WRIGHT OF THE FLORIDA GATORS ON HIS WAY TO A 42 YARD TOUCHDOWN DURING THE FIESTA BOWL AT SUN DEVIL STADIUM IN TEMPE, ARIZONA. Mandator

Lawrence Phillips is the poster-child for why NFL teams should avoid players with character issues.

Phillips was suspended for one game at Nebraska after being arrested for assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

Despite many red-flags, the Rams made Philips the No. 6 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.

In his checkered NFL career, Phillips lasted less than two years with the Rams before playing two games with the Miami Dolphins and bouncing around the NFL Europe, the CFL and AFL.

5. Alonzo Highsmith, Running Back, Houston Oilers

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Fullback Alonzo Highsmith of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Houston Oilers hoped to make Alonzo Highsmith the heir apparent to Earl Campbell when they drafted him No. 3 overall in the 1987 NFL Draft.

He played in just six NFL seasons from 1987 to 1992 for the Oilers, Cowboys and Buccaneers.

Due to a series of knee injuries, Highsmith retired from professional football after the 1992 football season.

4. Blair Thomas, Running Back, New York Jets

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Running back Blair Thomas of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs down the field during a game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

The Jets made Blair Thomas the No. 2 overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft.

In return, he gave them 2,000 yards and five touchdowns in his four seasons with the Jets.

Thomas suffered a series of nagging injuries beginning in 1992 and was released by the Jets following the 1993 season.

His career ended with short stints in New England, Dallas, Atlanta and the Carolina Panthers.

3. Reggie Bush, Running Back, New Orleans Saints

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints runs past Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers to score a touchdown at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Few players have ever entered the NFL under higher expectations or greater media attention.

Reggie Bush was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2006 NFL draft, behind only defensive end Mario Williams.

In five seasons, Bush has accounted for only 2,090 yards rushing and 29 total touchdowns.

2. The Top Three Running Backs of the 2005 Draft Class

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball in the first half against the New England Patriots on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Selected in picks two through five in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft Ronnie Brown (No. 2 overall), Cedric Benson (No. 4) and Cadillac Williams (No. 5) were supposed to re-shape the face of the running back position in the NFL.

Instead, they have spent more time in the training room, jail and the bench to have made an impact.

While Brown and Benson have enjoyed small success, Williams' NFL career has been an afterthought.

1. Ki-Jana Carter, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals

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2 Jan 1995: Tailback Ki-Jana Carter of the Penn State Nittany Lions stands on the field during the Rose Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Penn State won the game 38-20.

The Cincinnati Bengals made Ki-Jana Carter the first overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft. Three carries in to his rookie preseason, Carter tore a ligament in his knee and never fully recovered.

Carter played for the Washington Redskins from 2001–2002 and the New Orleans Saints from 2003-2004.

His career best of 464 rushing yards tells the whole story on what is a landmark in NFL bust history.