30 biggest draft busts in NFL history

14. Andre Ware, QB, Detroit Lions

Plenty of Heisman Trophy winners have been unable to replicate their success in the NFL, but few have busted quite as hard as Ware.

Like Klingler, Ware put up huge numbers in the run-and-shoot offense at Houston. After sharing the starting quarterback role with David Dacus in 1988, Ware took off the next year, leading the nation with 4,699 passing yards and 64 touchdowns. Those numbers earned Ware the 1989 Heisman Trophy and plenty of buzz heading into the subsequent draft.

The Lions took Ware seventh overall, looking to pair a franchise quarterback with star running back Barry Sanders, who they selected the previous year. However, Ware started only six games in four years and totally failed to meet lofty expectations.

Ware didn’t receive much playing time over his first two years in the NFL, even in garbage time, which may have hurt his development. Detroit gave Ware three starts in 1992, and he threw for 677 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

After another season mostly spent riding the bench, Ware signed with the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, but was cut before the season. Ware finished his NFL career with just over 1,100 passing yards and five touchdowns before finishing out his career in the CFL and NFL Europe.

Next: 13. Courtney Brown, DE, Cleveland Browns