NFL Draft: The Top 10 Biggest Quarterback Busts of All Time

Every quarterback in the 2011 draft class seems to have bust potential. There is talk of Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton being selected with the first overall pick. No quarterback seems to be a sure thing.

The NFL is a quarterback driven league. Everybody is looking for a franchise quarterback. Historically, teams reach for gunslingers with "upside" and a "high ceiling." Quarterback is one of the most risky positions to draft.

Let's take a look at the top 10 quarterback busts of all time.

No. 10: Jim Drukenmiller, 1997, 26th Overall Pick

Jim Drukenmiller is one of the few quarterbacks ever selected in the first round to have a career QB rating of under 30. The 49ers needed a successor at QB to carry on the 49ers' legacy.

Joe Montana, Steve Young...Jim Drukenmiller?

Drukenmiller's career in the NFL was simply an embarrassment. On the 49ers, he appeared in only six games. One touchdown in a 49er uniform probably isn't what management had in mind.

Drukenmiller's life gets even sadder after his departure from the 49ers. After a couple of stints with other NFL teams, Drukenmiller took his "talents" to the XFL. Drukenmiller began the revolving door at quarterback for the 49ers. They have not recovered since.

No. 9: Dan McGwire, 1991, 16th Overall Pick

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 28: Quarterback Dan McGwire #10 of the Seattle Seahawks looks down field for a receiver during the exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on August 28, 1992 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers

Dan McGwire stands at 6'8". He remains the tallest player ever drafted. His accolades end there.

McGwire was so unimpressive during his time in Seattle, the Seahawks drafted Rick Mirer in the first round of the 1993 draft—just two years after they drafted McGwire. Mirer went down with an injury in 1994, allowing McGwire to step into the starting role for three games.

He threw a touchdown in the NFL, which is something he can tell his grandchildren one day. He retired after spending a season with the Miami Dolphins in 1995.

No. 8: Todd Marinovich, 1991, 24th Overall Pick

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4 Oct 1992: Quarterback Todd Marinovich of the Los Angeles Raiders looks on during a game against the New York Giants at the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium in os Angeles, California. The Cowboys won the game, 13-10Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport

Todd Marinovich was groomed from birth to be the perfect NFL quarterback. His father had him on a strict diet and there are rumors that he even tied Todd's right arm down to force him to be left handed. Marinovich excelled at USC, and his father's unconventional methods appeared to be effective.

Marinovich has been arrested numerous times. Many speculate his infatuation with drugs probably stems from his father's reluctance to allow him to eat candy. Marinovich's indulgence in drugs led to his football career spiraling out of control.

Marinovich wasn't in the NFL long enough to succeed. The Raiders held an intervention after his first season, placing him in a rehab facility. He failed multiple drug tests in a few short years and never returned to the NFL.

No. 7: Cade McNown, 1999, 12th Overall Pick

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04 Aug 2001: Cade McNown #8 of the Chicago Bears looks for the open man during the NFL pre-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. The Bears defeated the Bengals 16-13 in overtime. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jonat

Cade McNown had an okay rookie season and steadily regressed from then on. Just two years after McNown was drafted by the Bears, they scrapped him for a few late-round picks from the Miami Dolphins. His injuries and losing habits made it clear the Bears had whiffed on him.

After failing to obtain even a backup role in Miami, he was traded to San Francisco. The 49ers' GM had ties to UCLA, and a seventh-round pick was worth the gamble. The fresh start did nothing for him. After injuring his shoulder again in the preseason, McNown was forced to have season-ending surgery.

He never saw the field again.

No. 6: Art Schlichter, 1982, Fourth Overall Pick

Art Schlichter is more well-known for his gambling problems than his ability to play football. Schlichter has lost millions of dollars by betting on sports in his lifetime, including NFL games while he was in the NFL.

He was convicted of being involved in a multimillion dollar sports betting operation. He has been convicted of over 20 felonies and has done a decade of hard time. He was even caught gambling while behind bars.

He never became what the Colts wanted him to be. After a number of failed chances for redemption, Schlichter was banned from the league.

No. 5: Tim Couch, 1999, First Overall Pick

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Tim Couch #2 of the Cleveland Browns calls the play at the line of scrimmage during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 17, 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Browns defeated the

The Cleveland Browns have not had good luck selecting at the top of the draft.

In 1999, the Browns drafted Tim Couch to be their franchise quarterback. After five miserable seasons, the Browns parted ways with Couch.

In 2002, Couch led the Browns to the playoffs. Leading a team with that kind of talent to the playoffs is impressive, but Couch was not able to finish what he started. After falling to injury yet again, Couch never recovered.

With steroid allegations swirling, injury nightmares and his comical comeback attempts, the Browns were happy to have this number one overall pick in their review mirror.

No. 4: Heath Shuler, 1994, Third Overall Pick

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4 SEP 1994: WASHINGTON QUARTERBACK HEATH SHULER DELIVERS A PASS FROM THE POCKET DURING THE REDSKINS 28-7 LOSS TO THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT RFK STADIUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/ALLSPORT

Heath Shuler is an accomplished ____. You can fill in the blank with a lot of important positions, but NFL quarterback is not one of them.

The Redskins took him with the third overall pick, expecting him to lead them back to glory.

Shuler led two lackluster seasons before the team turned to fellow 1994 draft pick Gus Frerotte, who went to the Pro Bowl that same year. Shuler was traded, but continued to fail miserably.

Don't feel too bad for Shuler though. He was named to the US House of Representatives and is an accomplished business man and politician.

No. 3: Akili Smith, 1999, Third Overall Pick

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Akili Smith #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 29, 2002 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Buccaneers won 35-7. (Photo by

The Bengals fell in love with Akili Smith's athleticism and upside. They drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick in order to bring a new element to the offense.

Smith never lived up to the hype. He showed flashes of brilliance, but failed to perfect the playbook. He started in 17 games with the Bengals and never became a legitimate starter.

He was always overly concerned with his contract and became the poster of the Bengals' failed QB projects over the years.

No. 2: Ryan Leaf, 1998, Second Overall Pick

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10 Sep 2000: Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers gets ready to pass the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Saints defeated the Chargers 28-27.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Ryan Leaf or Peyton Manning? Easy decision now, but not so much in 1998.

Leaf had torn apart the college ranks. Some thought Manning was the more pro-ready QB, but that Leaf had the upside.

Leaf's arrogance was his downfall. After a very public spat with a reporter in the locker room, a number of tirades and a lackluster career in San Diego, Leaf is widely known as the biggest bust ever.

He went on to try his hand at coaching, but after trying to buy prescription drugs off of one of his players, that career path ended in shambles as well. In 2009, he was indicted for burglary and controlled substance charges.

Leaf was ineffective and cancerous in every phase of his life. If he isn't number one, who could it possible be?

No. 1: JaMarcus Russell, 2007, First Overall Pick

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback JeMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Al Davis fell in love with JaMarcus Russell because of his huge arm and winning attitude. Russell can throw the ball a mile, but he can't connect with a receiver on a slant route.

Russell held out of training camp in his rookie year. After putting together lackluster season after lackluster season, it became clear that Russell simply was not the answer in Oakland. His work ethic was questionable.

He put on a serious amount of weight and some speculated he was tipping the scales at 300 pounds. He was subsequently arrested for his possession of codeine syrup. The Raiders cut him in 2010.

He has been unable to find a team since.