Fansided

30 biggest draft busts in NFL history

By Nathaniel Reeves

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 24: Ryan Leaf
SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 24: Ryan Leaf /
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25 Sep 1994: Quarterback Heath Shuler of the Washington Redskins looks to pass the ball during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at RFK Stadium in Washington, D. C. The Falcons won the game, 27-20.
25 Sep 1994: Quarterback Heath Shuler of the Washington Redskins looks to pass the ball during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at RFK Stadium in Washington, D. C. The Falcons won the game, 27-20. /

6. Heath Shuler, QB, Washington Redskins 

The Redskins went from Super Bowl champions to 3-13 over a period of two years in the early 90s. Looking to turn things around, they selected what appeared to be a potential franchise quarterback early on the 1994 draft. Instead, they got one of the biggest draft busts of the era.

Shuler set numerous Tennessee records (later broken by Peyton Manning) as the starting quarterback for the Volunteers from 1992-1993. His best season came in 1993, when he completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,354 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The performance earned him a second place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting, right behind Charlie Ward.

By all accounts, Shuler was supposed to be a can’t-miss prospect with very few holes in his game. However, Shuler struggled from the get-go, and only lasted four seasons in the NFL.

Shuler’s accuracy disappeared and he completed less than half his passes at the professional level. Given the chance to start in his rookie season, Shuler had a TD:INT ratio of 10:12 and was involved a quarterback controversy with seventh-round pick Gus Frerotte.

Things only got worse for Shuler after that. He continued to struggle with interceptions, and the Redskins limited his playing time before trading him to the New Orleans Saints. Shuler had a more successful career off the field, getting elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina in 2007.

Next: 5. Brian Bosworth, LB, Seattle Seahawks

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