JaMarcus Russell Heads List of Draft Busts This Century

No NFL team wants to draft another JaMarcus Russell.

His size, skill and natural talent made the former LSU quarterback an easy choice for the No. 1 overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2007.

But Russell flopped.

He lasted only three seasons in Oakland, started 25 games and collected $36.4 million of the six-year, $68 million contract he signed. Russell became the impetus for owners’ insistence on a rookie salary scale in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.

Here’s a top five of draft busts by position this century.

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Quarterbacks

Russell.

Jake Locker, No. 8, 2011, Tennessee Titans. Retired after four seasons and nine wins as starter.

Matt Leinart, No. 10, 2006, Arizona Cardinals. Started 18 games in seven seasons.

Blaine Gabbert, No. 10, 2011, Jacksonville Jaguars. Lasted three seasons with Jags, starting 27 games.

Byron Leftwich, No. 7, 2003, Jacksonville Jaguars. Spent four seasons with the Jags, going 24-20 as starter.

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Running backs

Trent Richardson, No. 3, 2012, Cleveland Browns. Three teams in four years, only 2,032 yards rushing.

Chris Perry, No. 26, 2004, Cincinnati Bengals. Played 36 games, ran for 606 yards.

Jahvid Best, No. 30, 2010, Detroit Lions. Ran for 945 yards in three seasons.

Darren McFadden, No. 4, 2008, Oakland Raiders. One 1,000-yard season.

William Green, No. 16, 2002, Cleveland Browns. Lasted four seasons, ran for 2,109 yards.

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Wide receivers

Charles Rogers, No. 2, 2003, Detroit Lions. Only 36 career receptions.

David Terrell, No. 8, 2001, Chicago Bears. Averaged 26 catches in five seasons.

Troy Williamson, No. 7, 2005, Minnesota Vikings. Had 87 receptions in five seasons.

Justin Blackmon, No. 5, 2012, Jacksonville Jaguars. Suspended indefinitely for substance abuse violations after two seasons.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, No. 7, 2009, Oakland Raiders. Averaged 35 catches in four seasons in Oakland.

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Tight ends

Bennie Joppru, second round (No. 41), 2003, Houston Texans. Never caught a pass in the NFL.

Richard Quinn, second round (No. 64), 2009, Denver Broncos. One career catch.

Joe Klopfenstein, second round (No. 46), 2006, St. Louis Rams. Had more starts (38) than receptions (34).

Teyo Johnson, second round (No. 63), 2003, Oakland Raiders. Caught 26 passes in three seasons.

Ben Troupe, second round (No. 40), 2004, Tennessee Titans. Averaged 21 receptions in five seasons.

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Offensive linemen

Jason Smith, No. 2, 2009, St. Louis Rams. Started 26 games in four seasons.

Derrek Sherrod, No. 32, 2011, Green Bay Packers. Started one game for Packers, cut in 2014.

Danny Watkins, No. 23, 2011, Philadelphia Eagles. Age 26 when drafted, made 18 starts, went back to being firefighter.

Jeff Otah, No. 19, 2008, Carolina Panthers. Lasted four years, started 29 games.

Chris McIntonsh, No. 22, 2000, Seattle Seahawks. Made 13 starts in only two seasons.

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Defensive linemen

Courtney Brown, No. 1, 2000, Cleveland Browns. Had 19 sacks in five seasons.

Vernon Gholston, No. 6, 2008, New York Jets. Zero sacks.

Aaron Maybin, No. 11, 2009, Buffalo Bills. Started one game in four seasons.

Johnathan Sullivan, No. 6, 2003, New Orleans Saints. Had 1 1/2 sacks.

Jamal Reynolds, No. 10, 2000, Green Bay Packers. No starts, three sacks.

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Linebackers

David Pollack, No. 17, 2005, Cincinnati Bengals. Lasted only two seasons.

Cody Brown, second round (No. 63), 2009, Arizona Cardinals. Never played an NFL game.

Sergio Kindle, second round (No. 43), 2010, Baltimore Ravens. Played three games.

Jordan Dizon, second round (No. 45), 2008, Detroit Lions. Zero starts in two seasons.

Eddie Moore, second round (No. 49), 2003, Miami Dolphins. Three starts in two seasons.

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Defensive backs

Tye Hill, No. 15, 2006, St. Louis Rams. Only 25 starts, five interceptions.

Rashard Anderson, No. 23, 2001, Carolina Panthers. Lasted just two seasons.

Andre Woolfolk, No. 28, 2003, Tennessee Titans. Started 11 games in four years.

Willie Middlebrooks, No. 24, 2001, Denver Broncos. Two starts, one sacks.

Mike Rumph, No. 27, 2002, San Francisco 49ers. Made 19 starts in five seasons.

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