Top 5 NFL Draft Busts

With the 2009 NFL Draft a day away, let's look back at who many consider as the top draft picks that never met scouts' or their teams' expectations. Womp womp womp...

1. Ryan Leaf, QB Washington State

Selected by the San Diego Chargers with the No. 2 overall pick in 1998, Leaf threw just 13 touchdown passes to 33 interceptions, along with countless well-publicized tantrums before being released in 2000. It seems almost unbelievable now that some teams felt Leaf was better pro material than Peyton Manning. And adding insult to injury, Chargers GM Bobby Beathard gave up the No. 3 pick, a second-round selection, a first-round choice in 1999, and two players to Arizona to move up just one spot.

2. Tony Mandarich, OT Michigan State

Drafted No. 2 overall by the Packers coming out of Michigan State, Mandarich was believed by many to be the safest pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. However, he never came close to living up to expectations, and after just three years, he was cut. Because of a drastic loss in weight upon entering the NFL, there was a lot of speculation that his success at the collegiate level was fueled by the use of steroids. Compounding the hurt is the fact that Barry Sanders was selected at No. 3 by the Lions.

3. Brian Bosworth, LB Oklahoma

Winner of the first two Butkus Awards, Bosworth was kicked off the Oklahoma squad because of steroid use, which fueled his entry into the 1987 supplemental draft, where he was selected by the Seahawks in the first round. Bosworth was perhaps the most over-hyped player to exit the collegiate ranks, recording just four sacks through three seasons. Unfortunately for Seattle, the most memorable play of his career featured RB Bo Jackson plowing him over for a TD on Monday Night Football.

4. Akili Smith, QB Oregon

Smith, who was drafted third overall by the Bengals in 1999, started just 17 games over four years with Cincinnati. He played only two games during the 2001 season and was cut in 2002. In 2003, he was again cut, this time by the Packers. And in 2005, he failed in a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

5. Lawrence Phillips, RB Nebraska

Despite serious questions about his character, Phillips was drafted sixth overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, but lasted just 25 games with the franchise before being released in 1997 for insubordination. Phillips got a second chance when the Dolphins picked him up later in the 1997 season, but was cut after just two games after pleading no contest to assaulting a woman. He attempted a comeback in 1999 with the 49ers, but was cut again in mid-season for skipping a practice.
Excerpt from About.com