30 biggest draft busts in NFL history

12. Aaron Curry, LB, Seattle Seahawks

The so-called “safest pick” of the 2009 NFL draft turned out to be anything but for the Seahawks.

As a two-star recruit coming out of high school, nobody expected Curry to star at Wake Forrest, let alone become a highly-touted NFL prospect. Curry piled up the accolades as a junior in 2007, earning second-team All-American status. He added 105 tackles in his senior year and won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in college football.

Coming into the draft, the buzz on Curry was that he had very few weaknesses and had the ability to play multiple positions, including dropping in coverage against tight ends and running backs. The rebuilding Seahawks took Curry fourth overall, making him the highest-drafted linebacker in nearly a decade.

It became clear very quickly that Curry couldn’t cut it in the NFL. He was given the chance to start right away and recorded 110 tackles and 5.5 sacks over his first two years. Those acclaimed coverage skills never showed, and Curry’s inability to recognize play types hurt his run defense.

Curry quickly lost his starting job in 2011 to K.J. Wright, who became an important part of Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning defense. The Raiders and New York Giants gave Curry a try before he retired in 2013.

Next: 11. Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Cincinnati Bengals