NFL Draft: 10 worst No. 1 overall picks

For Don James’ Washington Huskies, defensive end Steve Emtman was an absolute stud as a college football player. He was a unanimous All-American in 1991, starring for Washington’s undefeated national championship team. Emtman also took home both the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy in 1991, finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy race.

The Indianapolis Colts’ decision to draft Emtman No. 1 overall was absolutely justified. There wasn’t arguably a better defensive player in the country than Emtman out of the then Pac-10 Conference. However, three things led to Emtman’s failure as a professional: 1.) A losing culture in Indianapolis. 2). The catastrophic health effects of playing on AstroTurf. 3.) Frankly, the boom or bust nature of NFL pass rushers. Scheme fit and motor can often dictate everything.

Emtman lasted three years with the Colts, playing in only 18 games and starting in 14 for Indianapolis. He spent two underwhelming years with the Miami Dolphins in 1995-96 and three games with the 1997 Washington Redskins before calling it a career in 1997 at the age of 27.

With two brutal knee injuries, one on each leg, and considerable nerve damage from a ruptured disc that prevented him from being able to close his fists in 1994, it’s understandable that health was the biggest obstacle that unraveled Emtman’s promising NFL career.

While Emtman is a College Football Hall of Famer from his time at Washington, as a professional he is best remembered as one of the biggest busts to be drafted No. 1 overall in an NFL Draft.

Next: 4. Dan Wilkinson, Cincinnati Bengals, 1994