7 of the Biggest Sophomore Slumps in NFL History

Some NFL players jump out to great starts in their career and become elite in what they do. However, there is a group of players that do jump out to great starts but are unable to continue the progression towards elite status. 

For every Jerry Rice, there is a Reggie Bush. For every Dan Marino, there is a Steve Young. (Don't worry. I'll explain that one later.)

So, what I plan on doing today is taking a look at seven of those biggest sophomore slumps in the history of the NFL.

You will see a combination of Hall of Fame players and busts. In reality, this may be the only list that you will find the aforementioned Steve Young and Mel Farr on together. 

Let's take a look-see. 

7. RB Mel Farr

Rookie season: 860 rushing yards and six touchdowns. 

Second season: 597 rushing yards and three touchdowns. 

Farr started his career with the distinction of being named Rookie of the Year.

In just 13 games, he compiled over 1,200 total yards and helped lead the way to a rushing attack that combined for nearly 2,000 total yards for the Detroit Lions. 

The next season wasn't nearly as impressive and Farr fell off the proverbial map, only gaining a little over 2,000 yards in his next six NFL seasons. 

6. RB Reggie Bush

Rookie season: 1,307 total yards, 88 receptions and eight touchdowns. 

Second season: 998 total yards, 73 receptions and six touchdowns. 

Reggie Bush looked like he was going to be one of those great dual-threat running backs in the mold of Roger Craig during his rookie season. The former USC star had nearly 600 yards rushing and over 700 yards receiving that season. 

Battling injuries and other issues, Bush was only able to muster 417 receiving yards and less than 1,000 total yards. In fact, Bush's rookie season still stands as his best as a pro. 

5. RB Rashaan Salaam

Rookie season: 1,074 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Second season: 496 rushing yards and three touchdowns. 

The former Colorado standout may go down as one of the greatest all-time busts in the history of the NFL. Still, his rookie season was pretty damn good. 

A lot of people thought that Rashaan Salaam was destined to be the next great Chicago Bears running back. After all, he was a first-round pick and broke through big time as a rookie. 

It wasn't to be. 

Salaam only played in 17 games following his rookie season and only gained a little more than 600 yards during that span. 

4. DE-LB Leslie O'Neal

Rookie season: 82 tackles and 12.5 sacks. 

Second season: 28 tackles and four sacks. 

If it wasn't for a devastating knee injury following his rookie season, the former San Diego Chargers linebacker would probably be in the Hall of Fame right now. 

Leslie O'Neal had a monster rookie season with 12.5 sacks and dominated opposing offensive lines. 

The injury cost O'Neal his entire second season and most of the following year as well. It is hard to call it a sophomore slump, but he did only compile four sacks in nine games. 

Overall, the six-time Pro Bowl performer recorded 132.5 sacks in his great NFL career. 

3. QB Steve Young

Rookie season: 52.2 completion %, 935 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Sophomore season: 53.7 completion %, 2,282 yards, eight touchdowns and 13 interceptions. 

Few people realize that Steve Young's career was on a downward trajectory before he joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1987. The former BYU star had only thrown 11 touchdowns compared to 23 interceptions during his first two NFL seasons. 

His rookie struggles were understandable as most quarterbacks struggle initially. However, it was Young's second season that caught many people off guard. 

Young won only two of his 14 starts and had a paltry 65.8 quarterback rating. 

The following season with San Francisco, Young threw 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions, cementing his status as the franchise's quarterback of the future. 

2. Sam Bradford

Rookie season: 60.0 completion %, 3,512 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. 

Second season: 54.5 completion %, 1,768 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. 

There are a lot of factors that have contributed to Sam Bradford's struggles this season. He was asked to learn a new playbook without the ability to work with the coaches during the offseason. Additionally, Bradford doesn't have the necessary weapons to succeed in the NFL on offense. 

That said, a lot of the blame can be placed on Bradford. He is less accurate than last season and hasn't shown the ability to push the ball down the field so far. 

If the former Oklahoma standout doesn't get it together soon, there will be many labeling him a "bust." I am definitely not there yet. 

1. RB Franco Harris

Rookie season: 1,055 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Second season: 698 rushing yards and three touchdowns. 

Despite having a Hall of Fame career and winning four Super Bowls, Franco Harris struggled a great deal his second season. 

Following a rookie year that saw him rush for over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns, Harris struggled in 1973. He averaged less than four yards per rush and scored only three touchdowns. 

Following 1973, Harris ran off a string of six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and led the Steelers to one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the NFL.