30 biggest draft busts in NFL history

17. David Klingler, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

A long list of first-round draft mistakes cost the Bengals in the 1990s, and the franchise has only recently recovered from the damage. Klingler was the first pick of that forgettable era.

Taking over for Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware as the starting quarterback at the University of Houston in 1990, Klingler re-wrote the NCAA record book. He compiled gaudy career statistics of 726 completions, 9,430 passing yards and 91 touchdowns. In 1990, Klingler tossed 54 touchdown passed (including 11 in one game against Eastern Washington), a then-NCAA record that would last until 2006, even as the game got more and more pass oriented.

While head coach Jack Pardee’s run-and-shoot offense helped those numbers, Klingler received plenty of hype heading into the 1992 draft. With a need to replace Boomer Esiason at quarterback, the Bengals selected Klingler sixth overall.

Klingler started just 24 games over four seasons with the Bengals and never came close to matching his college production. The Bengals gave Klingler the chance to be the full-time quarterback in 1993, but he could only manage a quarterback rating of 66.6.

After another seven starts in 1994, Klinger was a reserve over the next three years for the Bengals and Raiders. He finished his NFL career with a TD:INT ratio of 16:22.

Next: 16. Tim Couch, QB, Cleveland Browns