Detroit Lions: 5 worst NFL Draft picks in franchise history

Charles Rogers was the pick a majority of hometown fans wanted. He grew up in Saginaw, Mich., went to college at Michigan State and was drafted No. 2 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2003 NFL Draft. Just one year after they selected fellow bust Joey Harrington with the third overall selection, the Lions chose Rogers second. What a life to lead as Lions fans.

Like most of the other former players on this list, Rogers was thought to be a top talent, and if it wasn’t Detroit picking him No. 2 overall, it would have been another team. He had a tremendous collegiate career with Michigan State, playing two seasons and earning All-American honors.

Coming out of Michigan State, he was compared to Randy Moss and everything about him was intriguing. He caught 135 passes for 2,821 yards and 27 touchdowns in his two years with the Spartans and his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame screamed ‘superstar’.

However, after catching 22 passes for 243 yards in his first five career games, he broke his clavicle in practice. He came back the next year and broke the clavicle yet again on the third play of the 2004 season. Millen let him walk away from the team for the remainder of the year because he was so emotionally distraught.

Rogers failed multiple drug tests during his remaining time in the league and finished his Lions career with 36 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns. He had so much talent, but he was into the wrong things off the field, leading to multiple suspensions and a downward spiraling career.

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