Dallas Cowboys: 5 worst draft picks of all-time

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2 Oct 1994: Defensive lineman Shante Carver of the Dallas Cowboys works against the Washington Redskins during a game at RFK Stadium in Washington, D. C. The Cowboys won the game, 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

The Dallas Cowboys dynasty in the early 1990s was centered around a dominant offensive and defensive line. Their pass rushing was one of their biggest strengths and with the 23rd pick in the 1994 NFL Draft they added another piece to that line with Arizona State’s Shante Carver.

Carver never lived up to his draft status and made more headlines for his bad decisions. During his rookie season he wrecked his truck and decided the best way to remedy the situation was to abandon the vehicle and report it stolen. In 1996 Carver was suspended for six games for failing the leagues substance abuse policy, but luckily for the team they were already drafting for his replacement as they believed he would never turn the corner.

His best season came in his final year in Dallas, when he recorded six of his 11.5 career sacks. It wasn’t enough to earn him a second contract with America’s Team and wasn’t heard from in any football league again until 2000, when he had a brief stint with the CFL’s B.C. Lions.

From there Carver played one season in the XFL before returning to finish his career in Dallas. Of course, that was for the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He played for Jerry Jones’ other team from 2002 through 2004.

Next: 2. David LaFleur

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