Indianapolis Colts: The 15 Biggest Draft Busts in Recent Memory
Every team has hopes of players they draft. Every player has hopes of becoming the next Peyton Manning, Emmitt Smith or Jerry Rice. But sometimes, it just doesn't work that way.
The Indianapolis Colts, known as a team that drafts exceedingly well, has had their fair share of problems, too—just like every other team.
Some players have turned out well (Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne), and others just haven't lived up to the expectations of the fans, teammates and the franchise.
So, with that being said, here are the biggest busts for the Indianapolis Colts franchise in the last 25 years.
15. Jerome Pathon, 1998 (2nd Round, 32nd Overall)
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Jerome Pathon was taken 32nd overall by the Colts in the 1998 Draft. Unfortunately, he wasn't the best Colts player to be drafted (cough, Peyton Manning).
Pathon was a decent player for the Colts, but the selection of him that early meant that he was supposed to be the second receiver on the team behind Marvin Harrison. He never really lived up to that, showing that he was a legitimate third option at best.
In his four seasons with the Colts, Pathon never had a season with more than 700 receiving yards or four touchdowns. His best season was 2000 as the receiver caught 50 passes for 646 yards and three touchdowns. The following season, his last with the Colts, he managed to play in just four games (three starts), registering 24 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
He would then go on to play for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons and eventually retired after the 2005 season.
His time with Colts was decent, but since he didn't live up to the front office's expectations, he earns the 15th spot on this list.
Colts Stats
46 games (30 starts), 138 receptions, 1,650 yards, six touchdowns
Who They Could Have Drafted
Flozell Adams, Patrick Surtain, Samari Rolle, Olin Kreutz, Ahman Green, Hines Ward, Matt Hasselbeck, Jamal Williams
14. Mike Doss, 2003 (2nd Round, 58th Overall)
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Doss, a star at Ohio State, was chosen by the Colts with the 58th overall pick.
The Colts were hoping that Doss, along with Idrees Bashir, would combine to make a formidable combination.
However, injuries would derail Doss' career.
He started 15 games in his rookie season before only playing in 10 the following season. He came back healthy in his third season, playing in 15 games again, while having a great season at safety.
Injuries caught up to him again during his fourth season and he played in just six games.
Doss would make one-year stops in Cincinnati and Minnesota before not catching on to a team after the 2008 season.
Colts Stats
46 games (42 starts), 198 tackles, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles
Who They Could Have Drafted
Lance Briggs, Jason Witten, Bradie James, Terrence McGee, Asante Samuel, Ike Taylor, David Diehl, Yeremiah Bell
13. Idrees Bashir, 2001 (2nd Round, 37th Overall)
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The Colts used the 37th overall pick on Bashir (Memphis), hoping that he would become one of their premier safeties.
Despite good performances, Bashir never lived up to the expectations of a second-round pick. He was a decent player in his four years with the Colts, but in the end, he just wasn't the player the Colts were hoping he would become.
Bashir, along with defensive backfield teammate, the aforementioned Mike Doss, were one of the most talented, young tandems in the NFL, but both seemed to fluster as time went on.
After starting 29 games in his first two seasons, Bashir managed to start just nine games in his third year with the team. 2004, his last season with the Colts, saw him start just 13 games as injuries began to derail him.
With an up-and-coming player named Bob Sanders, the Colts felt that they did not require Bashir's services after the 2004 season. He was suddenly cut and made one-year stints with the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions.
Colts Stats
51 games (all starts), 159 tackles, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries
Who They Could Have Drafted
Kris Jenkins, Matt Light, Shaun Rogers, Adrian Wilson, Steve Smith (Carolina), T.J. Houshmandzadeh
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12. Roosevelt Potts, 1993 (2nd Round, 49th Overall)
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Taken with the 49th overall selection, the Colts thought Roosevelt Potts would become the power back they were looking for.
The Colts were a horrible team on the ground during the 1992 season with leading rusher Anthony Johnson only netting 592 yards. As a team, they only managed to run for 1,102 yards. Statistically, they were one of the worst running teams in the league.
That's where Potts came in.
The 250-pound running back was supposed to add another dimension to their game. However, he never really lived up to the hype as he just sank into mediocrity.
Potts only lasted three total seasons in Indianapolis, starting 45 games for the Colts. He was traded to the Dolphins in 1997, after just playing two games for the Colts that season. He would then make a stop in Baltimore before being released and never showing his face in the NFL again.
Colts Stats
49 games (45 starts), 322 carries, 1,357 yards, one touchdown; 73 receptions, 668 yards, two touchdowns
Who They Could Have Drafted
Qadry Ismail, Jason Elam, John Lynch, Lorenzo Neal, Mark Brunell, Richie Anderson, Frank Wycheck, Brock Marion, Jessie Armstead, Elvis Grbac, Trent Green
11. Larry Tripplett, 2002 (2nd Round, 42nd Overall)
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Tabbed with the Colts' second selection right after Dwight Freeney, the Colts thought that Tripplett and Freeney would combine to make a formidable force for the Colts.
However, Freeney is still in the league (and dominating), while Tripplett has been sitting at home since the end of the 2007 season. Not too good for a second round selection.
Tripplett lasted four seasons with the Colts, starting exactly half of the games he played. He started 26 games in his first two seasons, but only managed to start four in the final two seasons.
Even though playing as a defensive tackle, Tripplett never had a season where he racked up over 30 tackles in a single season. In his Colts career he totaled five sacks, but four of those came in his final season with the team (2005).
The Colts front office thought that Tripplett (300 pounds) would be a dominant run stopper, but that turned out to not be the case. Tripplett was seemingly thrown around the field by opposing offensive linemen.
After the 2005 season, Tripplett was subsequently released, but quickly latched on to the Buffalo Bills, a place where he would spend the next two seasons. No one has heard from him since then.
Colts Stats
60 games (30 starts), 99 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries
Who They Could Have Drafted:
Clinton Portis, Deion Branch, Antwaan Randle El, Brian Westbrook, Chris Hope, David Garrard, Larry Foote, Aaron Kampman, Raheem Brock
10. Quentin Coryatt, 1992 (1st Round, 2nd Overall)
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Coryatt, who spent the most time with the Colts than any other player on this list, was taken with the second-overall pick in the 1992 Draft.
A linebacker, Coryatt was thought to be one of the next great players in the league. Although he did have a somewhat decent career, it wasn't worthy of a second-overall selection.
He played six seasons with the Colts and did fairly well in all six of those seasons.
Coryatt was highly touted coming out of college, primarily known for his big hits at Texas A&M. He was a second team All-American in his junior season after leading the Aggies to the first-ranked defense in the nation. Many thought that he was a "can't-miss prospect."
Unfortunately, he wasn't a can't-miss prospect.
He had a subpar career in the NFL, and he just didn't live up to the hype that surrounded him prior to the 1992 NFL Draft.
Coryatt spent six seasons with the Colts. He was placed on injured reserve for the 1998 season and was released after the season was over. He spent the 1999 season with the Dallas Cowboys and retired once the season came to a close.
Colts Stats
78 games (77 starts), 441 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three interceptions, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries
Who They Could Have Drafted:
Terrell Buckley, Desmond Howard, Troy Vincent, Tommy Maddox, Jimmy Smith, Darren Woodson, Levon Kirkland, Jason Hanson, Jeff Blake, Brad Johnson
9. Scott Slutzker, 1996 (3rd Round, 82nd Overall)
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Yes, I know he was a third-round selection, so he technically shouldn't be on this list. But with the stats that he has, it's kind of hard not to put him on this list.
Slutzker was taken with the 82nd overall pick in the 1996 Draft and was immediately thought to get some amount of playing time.
The previous season, the Colts drafted Ken Dilger, who would play as the team's starting tight end for quite a few seasons. Slutzker was hoping to be Dilger's backup.
However, Slutzker never was really able to see the field and remained low on the depth chart.
Colts Stats
27 games (2 starts), 3 receptions, 22 yards, zero touchdowns
Who They Could Have Drafted
Terrell Owens, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards, Jon Runyan, Joe Horn, Zach Thomas, La'Roi Glover
8. Vincent Burns, 2005 (3rd Round, 92nd Overall)
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Yes, technically third-round draft picks shouldn't be considered busts. But in this occasion, this one should qualify as a bust.
Burns was chosen 92nd overall by the Colts in the 2005 Draft.
But what makes him a bust?
I'll tell you.
Burns didn't play a single game for the Colts. Not a single one.
Burns, a defensive end, was a good player in college, but their respective games just didn't translate to the NFL.
He would never suit up to play for the Colts or any other team.
Who They Could Have Drafted (2005)
LeRoy Hill, Kyle Orton, Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs, Kerry Rhodes, Darren Sproles, Trent Cole, Michael Boley, Derek Anderson, Jay Ratliff, Matt Cassel, Ryan Fitzpatrick
7. Tony Ugoh, 2007 (2nd Round, 42nd Overall)
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In the 2007 Draft, the Colts traded a 2008 first-round pick to get the 42nd overall selection. They used that pick to draft Arkansas tackle Tony Ugoh, who many thought would become a great player in the NFL. WRONG.
With longtime, great tackle Tarik Glenn retiring in the 2007 offseason, Ugoh was thrust into the starting role at left tackle.
He did not live up to the hype as he was continually thrown onto his back and run over by opposing defensive linemen.
Apparently, he was no Tarik Glenn.
The Colts gave Ugoh ample opportunity to get his act together and become a decent offensive lineman. Unfortunately, even with a good amount of time to progress, Ugoh couldn't do that.
On September 8, 2010, he was released by the Colts after just three short seasons with the team.
Colts Stats
37 games (27 starts)
Who They Could Have Drafted
Sidney Rice, LaMarr Woodley, David Harris, Steve Smith (New York), Mike Sims-Walker, Eric Wright, Ryan Kalil, Kevin Boss, Brent Celek, Mason Crosby, Ahmad Bradshaw, Jared Gaither
6. Jeff George, 1990 (1st Round, 1st Overall)
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Jeff George: Where do I start?
The Colts traded to get George with the first-overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. Following the draft, the Colts went on to reward George with the then-richest rookie contract in NFL history.
During his four-year career with the Colts, George managed to hold out for an astounding 36 days, give ugly gestures to fans, argue and fight with head coach Ted Marchibroda and continually try to get traded by his hometown team.
Quite the first overall pick, huh?
Somehow, George just couldn't seem to integrate into the Colts' system.
Yes, the Colts were a horrible team in the early 1990s and George was a big reason for that. He seemed to have trouble running and remembering plays and one can say that he intentionally didn't play well because he hated being there. Who knows?
All I know now is that he was a horrible pick and unfortunately, the Colts were the main team that wanted to take a shot on him.
In his career with the Colts, he started 49 games and managed to have a horrendous 14-35 record. He also just managed to complete 57 percent of his passes while throwing for 9,551 yards.
Not worth a first-overall pick.
Colts Stats
52 games (49 starts), 874-for-1,532, 9,551 yards, 41 touchdowns, 46 interceptions
Who They Could Have Drafted
Junior Seau, Cortez Kennedy, Emmitt Smith, Ricky Proehl, Neil O'Donnell, Larry Centers, Brian Mitchell, Shannon Sharpe, Matt Stover
5. Eric Mahlum, 1994 (2nd Round, 32nd Overall)
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Mahlum was taken with the 32nd-overall pick, as the Colts were hoping that he could help a horrible offensive line.
During the 1993 season, the Colts' offensive line gave up 29 sacks. It isn't that horrible, but the line constantly failed to hold blockers and get Roosevelt Potts, and the rest of the cast, yards.
Mahlum failed to deliver in his rookie season, as he rarely played, starting only two games.
The next season, the Colts were hoping that Mahlum would become a better player. However, he only played in seven games, starting all of them.
In 1994, the offensive guard played in 13 games, starting nine of them. After the season concluded, Mahlum was released and failed to latch on to another team. He retired shortly thereafter.
Colts Stats
36 games (18 starts)
Who They Could Have Drafted
Isaac Bruce, Kevin Mawae, Larry Allen, Jason Sehorn, Rodney Harrison, Jamal Anderson, Tom Nalen
4. Dedric Mathis, 1996 (2nd Round, 51st Overall)
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After Marvin Harrison's selection, the Colts used their second pick in the draft on Houston cornerback Dedric Mathis.
Already with a talented cornerback squad, the Colts were hoping that Mathis would be the best.
Instead, Mathis turned out to be the worst of the bunch. He struggled mightily in his rookie season, even though he appeared in all sixteen games.
Mathis had a number of issues on the field as he seemed to give up big play after big play. Not only that, but he also could not defend most receivers. Those struggles eventually led to his demise.
The cornerback played only two seasons in Indianapolis. After being released after the 1997 season, Mathis did not find another team, which eventually led him into retirement. That's why Dedric claims the No. 4 spot on this list.
Colts Stats
29 games (10 starts), 70 tackles, one interception
Who They Could Have Drafted
Brian Dawkins, Terrell Owens, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards, Jon Runyan, Joe Horn, Zach Thomas, La'Roi Glover
3. Shane Curry, 1991: 2nd Round, 40th Overall)
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In the midst of "The U" era in college football, Miami players were being selected left and right in the NFL Drafts. Surely, there were going to be a few busts here and there.
Unfortunately, for the Colts, they got one of those. Getting Curry with the 40th overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, the Colts thought that he would be their future franchise player.
During his time in Indy, the loyal Colts fans didn't even know when Curry was on the field. He failed to go through opposing team's offensive lines and seemingly got thrown on his back every time he was out there.
So, I guess he didn't live up to the hype.
Curry lasted only one year in Indianapolis and in the NFL. After his rookie season, Curry was cut and no teams seemed to want any of his services. 1991 would be Curry's first and last year in the NFL, while grabbing the third spot on this list.
Colts Stats: 9 games (zero starts), one sack
Who They Could Have Drafted: Aeneas Williams, Mo Lewis, Ed McCaffrey. John Kasay, Rocket Ismail, Leon Lett, Keenan McCardell
2. Trev Alberts, 1994 1st Round, 5th Overall)
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Alberts, one of the best players in Nebraska school history, was one of the most decorated athletes during his time there.
In 1993, Alberts won the Dick Butkus Award, which is annually given to the nation's top linebacker. He also earned consensus All-America honors in his last season, after recording fifteen sacks for the Huskers.
A heralded star at Nebraska, the Colts decided to use the fifth pick in the draft on Alberts.
Unfortunately for them, Alberts' college game did not translate to the NFL. Along with a failed transition, injuries derailed the prolific linebacker, as he was never able to become the star everyone had hoped for.
During his rookie season, Alberts played in only five games, starting none of them. He did, however, register five tackles, two of those being sacks.
He became healthier before the 1995 season, and played in fifteen games, but only making 25 tackles and two sacks. Injuries sidelined him again in his third season while playing in just nine games.
Alberts played only three seasons for the Colts before retiring after the 1996 season.
Colts Stats: 29 games (seven starts), 49 tackles, three forced fumbles, four sacks, one interception
Who They Could Have Drafted: Trent Dilfer, Aaron Glenn, Bryant Young, Isaac Bruce, Kevin Mawae, Larry Allen, Jason Sehorn, Rodney Harrison, Jamal Anderson, Tom Nalen
1. Steve Emtman, 1992 (1st Round, 1st Overall)
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In the 1992 Draft, the Colts had the first two picks in the draft. They failed to do anything with those two picks except draft two players that wouldn't do much in the NFL.
A star out of Washington, the Colts used the first overall pick on defensive end Steve Emtman.
However, injuries would haunt Emtman and he would not live up to expectations. In his first three seasons, Emtman ended each of his first three seasons on injured reserve.
Nine games into his rookie season, the defensive end blew out his left knee. During his second season, Emtman tore the patellar tendon in his right knee, an injury that no player had previously returned from. 1994, Emtman's second season, also ended badly.
During a game against the Seattle Seahawks, Emtman ruptured a disc in his neck after colliding with a teammate. Somehow, he played the rest of the game, but could not clinch his fists because of the nerve damage suffered from the collision.
He managed to play in three more games that season before undergoing season-ending surgery.
After his third season, Emtman was released by the Colts. He would go on to play for the Dolphins and Redskins before retiring after the 1997 season.
Colts Stats: 18 games (14 starts), 121 tackles, five sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
Who They Could Have Drafted: Terrell Buckley, Desmond Howard, Troy Vincent, Tommy Maddox, Jimmy Smith, Darren Woodson, Levon Kirkland, Jason Hanson, Jeff Blake, Brad Johnson
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