Fansided

Power ranking: The 13 biggest running back busts of all-time

By Robert Judin

Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 14
Next

View image | gettyimages.com

1. Ki-Jana Carter

The Cincinnati Bengals haven’t had the best of luck with the NFL Draft in the past, but they’ve done much better in recent years. Drafting Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Giovani Bernard, and Jeremy Hill seem to have restored their fan base’s faith in the team.

Though many Bengals fans still remember the horrific selection of Ki-Jana Carter in 1995, which may have actually proven that all running backs from Penn State are bound to disappoint.

Five years after Blair Thomas was selected by the New York Jets, the Bengals made Carter the No. 1 overall draft pick.

Carter finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1994. In his third and final season with the Nittany Lions, he rushed for 1,539 yards and punched the ball across the goal line 23 times. He ended his college career with 2,829 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns.

Had it not been for Colorado’s Rashaan Salaam’s 2,055 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns, Carter would have been the Heisman winner and even further solidified his case as the top pick.

Still, he appeared to be an absolute, can’t-miss stud. And the Bengals absolutely made the right choice in the moment to draft Carter.

Though it turned out to be the wrong decision in hindsight.

Even before the injury bug bit him in 1998, Carter’s first two seasons only resulted in a combined 728 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He only played a combined four games in 1998 and 1999 before moving on to the Washington Redskins.

His only year in Washington resulted in three touchdowns and 308 rushing yards. Carter then spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the New Orleans Saints and totaled just 89 rushing yards and one touchdown in 10 games.

Unfortunately, it isn’t a perfect world. Injuries are a part of the game and ultimately contribute to draft busts.

Carter is the poster boy for an injury-plagued draft pick.

Next: 30 Greatest NFL Running Backs Of All-Time

More from Buffalo Bills

Home/Buffalo Bills