Fansided

15 biggest NFL quarterback busts of all-time

By John Buhler

368299 Todd Marinovich of the Los Angeles Raiders against the Rams in 1991/92 season. On APRIL 25, 2000 - LOS ANGELES, CA - Former gridiron goldenboy Todd Marinovich was arrested on suspicion of rape today by deputies from the sheriff''s Marina del Rey station, authorities said. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell/Allsport/Online USA
368299 Todd Marinovich of the Los Angeles Raiders against the Rams in 1991/92 season. On APRIL 25, 2000 - LOS ANGELES, CA - Former gridiron goldenboy Todd Marinovich was arrested on suspicion of rape today by deputies from the sheriff''s Marina del Rey station, authorities said. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell/Allsport/Online USA /
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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 03: JaMarcus Russell
OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 03: JaMarcus Russell /

Quarterback. LSU Tigers. JaMarcus Russell. 2. player. 28.

JaMarcus Russell had one of the strongest arms in recent memory coming out of LSU in 2007. He helped head coach Les Miles establish credibility in the SEC after former Tigers head coach Nick Saban bolted to the NFL to coach the 2005-06 Dolphins.

Russell went No. 1 overall to a dysfunctional Oakland Raiders team and many believe that was the worst No. 1 overall choice in NFL history. Russell busted after three NFL seasons in Oakland and was out of the league after the 2009 NFL season. Inconsistent play and poor physical shape made Russell a bust by the time he was 25.

To make this pick look even worse, 17 of the 32 first round selections in the 2007 NFL Draft went on to play in the Pro Bowl. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson went No. 2 to the Lions, offensive tackle Joe Thomas went No. 3 to the Browns, and running back Adrian Peterson went No. 7 to the Vikings. At one point, all three were considered the very best at their respective position in the NFL.

Looking at that first round entering the 2016, one could argue that six or even seven of the first-round selections will one day make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Oakland may be on the rise again in 2016, but their decision to draft Russell No. 1 overall in 2007 was one of the worst front office decisions of the last 10 years.

Russell finished his NFL career in 2009 with 4,083 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions with a quarterback rating of 65.2. Drafting Russell was in a way rock bottom for the lowly Raiders from 2003 to 2014.

Next: 1. Ryan Leaf

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