30 biggest draft busts in NFL history

19. Blair Thomas, RB, New York Jets

The first round of the 1990 NFL draft is known for producing three Hall of Famers, along with a number of other strong players. Unfortunately, the Jets passed on all three with the No. 2 overall pick and took Thomas instead, one of the biggest busts in franchise history.

Thomas served as a reserve player on the 1986 National Champion Penn State team before his career in Happy Valley really took off. As a junior in 1987, Thomas topped the 1,400 yard mark, and earned All-American honors in 1989 despite missing the entire previous season. Thomas finished his career less than 100 yards shy of Penn State’s all-time rushing record, held by Curt Warner.

After quarterback Jeff George went first overall, the Jets picked Thomas second, 15 spots ahead of Emmitt Smith. Injuries and poor play would limited Thomas’s career, while Smith went on to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

Thomas missed 13 games in four seasons with the Jets due to various nagging injuries. Overall, he rushed for 2,009 yards in New York, and never had more than 728 rushing yards or three touchdowns in a single season.

Three other teams would give Thomas a shot in 1994 and 1995, but he only appeared in 13 games over the rest of his NFL career.

Next: 18. Steve Emtman, DE, Indianapolis Colts