2011 NFL Draft: Tim Tebow and the Biggest 'Oops' in NFL Draft History

The NFL Draft is supposed to provide teams with a chance to turn their franchise around or upgrade what is already a quality roster.

But oftentimes teams will swing for the fences with their first-round draft picks, and they won't just miss. They'll miss by a country mile.

Whether it's because the player they select winds up being a troublemaker off the field or just can't produce on it, they get virtually nothing from a guy who was supposed to be a big-time playmaker.

And it leaves that team wondering, "OK, so why exactly did we draft this guy?"

Here's a look at the 20 biggest "oops" in NFL Draft history.

20. Aundray Bruce (Atlanta Falcons, 1998)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

12 Nov 1989: Linebacker Aundray Bruce of the Atlanta Falcons in action during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport

Aundray Bruce was the No. 1 overall pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1988, and the linebacker's production in his first two seasons (six sacks in each one) gave Falcons fans something to be excited about.

Or so they thought.

Bruce never took his game to the next level and was cut by Atlanta after the 1991 season. He spent the next seven seasons in Oakland with just seven starts there and wound up starting just 42 career games.

The thing that made this pick so bad, though, was that Bruce was selected in front of 15 first-round players who would either make it to the Pro Bowl or the Hall of Fame.

That's pretty rough.

19. Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos, 2010)

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks on as he faces the Houston Texas at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Texans 24-23. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Im

It's not that Tim Tebow has been terrible in the NFL, because he's only seen limited action for the Denver Broncos and has actually played pretty well.

But Denver's defense was flat out awful in 2010, ranking 25th against the pass, 31st against the rush, 32nd in total yards allowed and 32nd in points allowed.

Needless to say, the Broncos could have added a defensive player—any defensive player that would make them even a tiny bit better—but instead they reached on Tebow, even though Kyle Orton was going to be the team's starter.

Then, to make matters worse, Tebow's biggest supporter, head coach Josh McDaniels, got the boot and is no longer in Denver.

So Tebow is left in limbo, while Orton's going to continue to start and Denver's defense will likely still struggle.

Do-over, anyone?

18. Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers, 2005)

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 26: Fred Robbins #98 of the St. Louis Rams sacks Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers at the Edward Jones Dome on December 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the 49ers 25-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers were set for years at quarterback, as Joe Montana, Steve Young and Jeff Garcia kept the team in good shape at the position until 2004 when Garcia moved on to Cleveland.

So when the 2005 NFL Draft came around, the 49ers chose Utah quarterback Alex Smith in hopes of continuing that great quarterback lineage the franchise had since the 1980s.

So much for that.

Smith's completed just 57.1 percent of his passes and has thrown only 51 career touchdown passes, while the "other" quarterback that the 49ers passed on, Aaron Rodgers, just won a Super Bowl.

Does anyone think that San Francisco wouldn't choose Rodgers if there was a 2005 NFL Re-Draft?

Hell no.

17. Tedd Ginn, Jr. (Miami Dolphins, 2007)

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - AUGUST 23: Punt returner Ted Ginn Jr. #19 of the Miami Dolphinsruns for a 59 yard touchdown return during a pre season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on August 23, 2008 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Image

Who remembers the reaction to the Miami Dolphins drafting Tedd Ginn, Jr. with the ninth overall pick in 2007?

I sure do. It was, "Huh? What? Why? That makes no sense."

And Ginn's done nothing to justify the pick, as he's only caught more than 38 passes in a season once, has just six career touchdown catches and isn't even with Miami anymore.

Plus, he was taken 14 picks ahead of Dwayne Bowe, 35 picks ahead of Sidney Rice and 42 picks ahead of New York's Steve Smith.

Come on, man.

16. Matt Leinart (Arizona Cardinals, 2006)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 24: Matt Leinart #7 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Monster Park on December 24, 2006 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Look, there are far worse draft picks in NFL history than Matt Leinart, but the dude has been a major disappointment in his five years in the NFL.

He was supposed to be a franchise quarterback, but he's been a sparely used backup instead.

Leinart has played in just 29 career games, completed only 57.1 percent of his passes, tossed more interceptions (20) than touchdowns (14) and thrown for just 3,893 yards.

His career stats look like those of a bad season, and he was taken in front of a number of studs, including Haloti Ngata, Antonio Cromartie, Tamba Hali, DeAngelo Williams and Nick Mangold...just in the first round.

The Cardinals probably would have won a Super Bowl had they drafted one of these guys instead of Leinart.

15. Dewayne Robertson (New York Jets, 2003)

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Dewayne Robertson #63 of the New York Jets looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 17, 2006 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

When the New York Jets were on the clock with the fourth overall pick in 2003, they decided to take Kentucky defensive tackle DeWayne Robertson.

If only they could take that clock and turn back time.

Robertson spent five seasons in New York, totaling just 14.5 sacks there and never making the sort of impact you expect out of a top-five DT.

And not only was Robertson chosen ahead of defensive studs like Terrell Suggs and Troy Pomalalu, but he was selected just five spots ahead of fellow DT Kevin Williams, who is a six-time Pro-Bowler and five-time First-Team All-Pro selection.

Oh, what could've been in New York. 

14. Courtney Brown (Cleveland Browns, 2000)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

26 Nov 2000: Courtney Brown #92 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the field during the game against the Baltimore Ravnes at the PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 37-7.Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport

The Cleveland Browns chose Courtney Brown with the No. 1 overall pick in 2000, and the Penn State defensive end had a very solid rookie season, with 4.5 sacks and 70 tackles.

Then, he seemingly fell off the face of the Earth.

Injuries forced Brown to miss at least three games in every season for the rest of his career, and he wound up with just 19 career sacks before being out of the league for good by 2005.

Perhaps Cleveland should have drafted Thomas Jones, John Abraham or Brian Urlacher instead. That's just a hunch, though. 

13. Charles Rogers (Detroit Lions, 2003)

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DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 7: Wide receiver Charles Rogers #80 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 7, 2003 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Cardinals 42-24. (Photo by

No one can predict injuries, which is why it's hard to hate on Detroit's decision to draft Charles Rogers, especially after the way he played in his first three career NFL games (22 catches, 243 yards and three touchdowns).

But once Rogers broke his collarbone after those first three games in 2003 and suffered the same injury on the third play of the 2004 season, you know the Lions were thinking, "Oh, crap."

And they should have been, as Rodgers was suspended by the NFL in 2005 for failing a drug test and was sent to jail in 2009 for violating probation that stemmed from an arrest on charges of assault and battery.

He finished his career with 36 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns.

Did I mention that he was drafted one pick ahead of Andre Johnson and in front of guys like Nnamdi Asomugha, Troy Polamalu and Dallas Clark as well?

Yeah, he was. 

12. The 2002 First-Round Quarterback Class

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 8: Quarterback Joey Harrington #3 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on December 8, 2002 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.. The Cardinals won in overtime 23-20. (Photo by S

Three quarterbacks were chosen in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft: David Carr went to the Houston Texans at No. 1 overall, Joey Harrington was selected by the Detroit Lions with the third pick, and Patrick Ramsey was chosen by the Washington Redskins with the 32nd pick.

Now, let's just take a look at their career stats.

Carr: 59.7 completion percentage, 14,433 passing yards, 65 touchdown passes, 71 interceptions, 40 lost fumbles

Harrington: 56.1 completion percentage, 14,693 yards, 79 touchdown passes, 85 interceptions, 18 lost fumbles

Ramsey: 56.0 completion percentage, 5,930 yards, 35 touchdown passes, 30 interceptions, 20 lost fumbles

The 2002 NFL Draft: Where busts happen. 

11. Blair Thomas (New York Jets, 1990)

George Rose/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 2: Running back Blair Thomas #32 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on December 2, 1990 in San Diego, California. The San Diego Chargers won 38-17

In the 1990 NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected Penn State running back Blair Thomas with the No. 2 overall pick.

Thomas lasted only four seasons with the team, totaling just 2,009 rushing yards and four touchdowns, before moving on to brief stints with Dallas, New England and Carolina.

And guess who was the second running back taken in that draft?

Here's a hint: He was selected with the No. 17 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys.

Yep, it was Emmitt Smith. Enough said. 

10. Curtis Enis (Chicago Bears, 1998)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

8 Nov 1998: Running back Curtis Enis #39 of the Chicago Bears in action during a game against the St. Louis Rams at the Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Rams defeated the Bears 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Oh, Curtis Enis, how can the Chicago Bears even begin to justify taking him with the No. 5 overall selection in 1998?

Wait, wait, wait—in three seasons in Chicago, Enis rushed for 1,497 yards and four touchdowns!

Um, my point exactly.

Enis was taken just four spots ahead of Fred Taylor, who has 11,695 career rushing yards, 2,384 career receiving yards and 74 total touchdowns, and is actually still in the league.

Meanwhile, Enis was out of the NFL by 2000.

9. Vernon Gholston (New York Jets, 2008)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Vernon Gholston poses for a photo after being selected as the sixth overall pick by the New York Jets with National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell during the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26, 2008 at Radio City Music Hall in Ap

With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the New York Jets chose Ohio State's Vernon Gholston, a hybrid DE-LB whose physical skills and measurables were both off the charts.

But then the Jets realized he wasn't very good at football.

In three seasons in the NFL, Gholston has a whopping 42 tackles and as many career sacks as I do.

That's right. Zero.

The Jets have to be scratching their heads in disbelief, as five players selected after Gholston in the first round have been to the Pro Bowl and even more are solid and steady contributors to their teams.

8. David Klingler (Cincinnati Bengals, 1992)

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback David Klingler #7 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on October 16, 1994 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh defeated the Ben

After showing a ton of potential at Houston, David Klinger was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the sixth pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.

And I'd bet that franchise is still regretting that move to this day.

Ineffective doesn't even begin to describe Klingler, as the gunslinger started just 24 games in his first three seasons with the Bengals, compiling a 4-20 record and throwing just 16 touchdowns to 22 interceptions.

He saw hardly any action in his final season with the Bengals in 1995, and then, he went to Oakland, where he threw just 31 passes in two seasons with the Raiders.

Way to go, David.

7. Lawrence Phillips (St. Louis Rams, 1996)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

9 Nov 1997: Running back Lawrence Phillips of the St. Louis Rams runs with the ball during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Let's ignore the fact that Lawrence Phillips is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for assault with a deadly weapon, and instead, focus on his failures as an NFL running back.

After being selected with the No. 6 overall pick by the St. Louis Rams in 1996, Phillips did next to nothing in his rookie season—and by that, I mean he averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry—before being cut by the team in the midst of the 1997 season because of a feud with Rams head coach Dick Vermeil.

He was picked up by the Miami Dolphins but had just 18 carries for 44 yards there and only had 30 more carries with the 49ers in 1999 before his NFL career was over.

Maybe the Rams should have went with Eddie George (the 14th pick) instead. Nevermind. They should have taken Ray Lewis, who was selected with the No. 26 overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens.

6. The 1999 Quarterback Class (Minus Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper)

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

5 Dec 1999: Tim Couch #2 of the Cleveland Browns walks to the field during a game against the San Diego Chargers at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Deigo, California. The Chargers defeated the Browns 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

The 1999 NFL Draft saw one stud quarterback (Donovan McNabb) and one pretty good gunslinger (Daunte Culpepper) go in the top 32 picks, but it also featured three of the biggest busts in NFL history.

Quarterbacks Tim Couch (Cleveland), Akili Smith (Cincinnati) and Cade McNown (Chicago) were all chosen in the top 12, and none of them ever lived up to the huge expectations that come with being drafted in the top portion of the first round.

To make matters even worse, though, Smith and Couch were taken ahead of guys like Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Torry Holt and Champ Bailey, while McNown was selected ahead of Jevon Kearse, Damien Woody, Antoine Winfield and Al Wilson.

I wonder if the Browns, Bengals or Bears regret their picks at all.

5. Ki-Jana Carter (Cincinnati Bengals, 1995)

David Seelig/Getty Images

8 Aug 1998: Running back Ki-Jana Carter #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during a pre-season game against the New York Giants at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New York. The Giants defeated the Bengals 24-17. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig

Just three plays into his first preseason game, Ki-Jana Carter suffered a torn ACL. He never recovered.

Carter missed his entire rookie season and totaled just 1,144 career rushing yards despite somehow managing to play for 10 seasons. You would think he'd rack up more yardage by accident, huh?

Anyway, Carter simply will live on as one of the biggest "Why, oh why, did we draft this guy?" players in NFL history.

As the No. 1 overall pick, he was taken ahead of Tony Boselli, Steve McNair, Kerry Collins, Joey Galloway, Warren Sapp, Ty Law and Derrick Brooks.

I'm sure the Bengals would gladly take any one of those guys instead.

4. Tony Mandarich (Green Bay Packers, 1989)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

8 Oct 1989: Offensive lineman Tony Mandarich of the Green Bay Packers moves down the field during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game, 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

A monster of an offensive tackle while at Michigan State, Tony Mandarich was taken by the Green Bay Packers with the No. 2 overall pick in 1989 after being labeled as the best offensive line prospect in NFL history by Sports Illustrated, which gave him the nickname the "Incredible Bulk." 

It should have been the "Incredible Suck."

Mandarich held out until right before the 1989 season, never really got going and then wound up playing mainly as a special teamer.

He then admitted to using steroids throughout his college career and being addicted to painkillers, which effectively killed his chances of being successful with the Packers.

Green Bay cut Mandarich after the 1991 season, officially solidifying his status as the ultimate NFL bust. 

He was taken just ahead of Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders in this draft.

Wow. 

3. Steve Emtman (Indianapolis Colts, 1992)

Gary Newkirk/Getty Images

1 Nov 1992: Defensive lineman Steve Emtman of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during a game against the San Diego Chargers at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers won the game, 26-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Newkirk /Allsport

When the Indianapolis Colts drafted Washington defensive end Steve Emtman with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft, they thought they were getting a stud defensive end, not unlike what they currently have in Dwight Freeney.

Boy, oh boy, were they wrong.

Emtman finished his NFL career with just eight sacks in six seasons and finished all three of his seasons with the Colts on injured reserve.

He retired in 1997 at just 27 years old, despite being chosen before 11 future Pro Bowlers in the first round.

Emtman wasn't very good, was he?

2. JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders, 2007)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 13: JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field after calling a time out during their game against the Washington Redskins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 13, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by

I know they say that hindsight is 20/20, but we have to wonder what Oakland raiders owner Al Davis was thinking when he chose quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 overall pick in 2007.

Sure, Russell had the size (6'6", 265 pounds) scouts drool over and a cannon of an arm, but he also had no work ethic, a fondness for cheeseburgers and allegedly had a bad habit of sipping purple drank (though those charges were later dismissed).

His weight ballooned to nearly 300 pounds, and he was eventually released by the Raiders in May 2010, ending his time in Oakland with a 52.1 completion percentage, 18 touchdown passes, 23 interceptions and 15 lost fumbles.

Russell—who was chosen ahead of guys like Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis—has been out of the NFL ever since and is reportedly considering making a comeback as an offensive tackle.

Just kidding.

1. Ryan Leaf (San Diego Chargers, 1998)

David Taylor/Getty Images

15 Nov 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Ravens 14-13. Mandatory Credit: David Taylor /Allsport

Looking back at the 1998 NFL Draft, I actually find it hilarious that there was even a debate over who should be chosen with the No. 1 overall pick: Ryan Leaf or Peyton Manning.

Manning has won a Super Bowl and four NFL MVPs, while Leaf's career was over before it even started. He threw just two touchdowns and 15 interceptions in his rookie season, missed all of 1999 and was out of San Diego after the 2000 season.

Leaf spent his final season (2001) with the Dallas Cowboys, but the only memorable moment there was his infamous "Just don't f------g talk to me, all right! Knock it off!" speech.

The Chargers will never be able make an excuse for this pick—it was just that bad.

Now, I'm not positive about this, but I assume San Diego would take either Charles Woodson or Randy Moss if they got a re-do.