Jamarcus, Tony Mandarich, and Johnny Football: 1st Round Draft Pick NFL Busts

When a player is drafted in the 1st round, the expectation is that they will be a star player for years to come. If they are drafted 1st overall, the expectations (and the pressures) are even higher. Some players crumble and perform poorly, and their poor play becomes legendary. Let's see how well you can identify these 1st round NFL busts!

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Dave Morrissey

Dave is an accomplished economics instructor with over two decades of experience in the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. His students have consistently ranked in the top 10% annually, and one year they achieved the highest overall class average in the world. This outstanding achievement led a UK publisher to request that he write a textbook, an offer he declined in favor of creating sports quizzes, which he found more engaging.

In addition to his teaching career, Dave is also a former high school football coach, having won a couple of local championships. While he wishes he had won more, he continues to be deeply involved in football as a scout, recruiter, and social media creator for a university football team.

Dave's passions extend beyond the classroom and football field. He is an avid fan of live music and international travel, often combining these interests. He has traveled to Spain, England, Iceland, and Chile to see bands perform. His greatest pride and joy is his daughter, who has recently excelled in powerlifting. In just a few years, she has become the Canadian record holder for the bench press in her weight class and finished second overall in the combined national event (bench, deadlift, and squat) in Moose Jaw in March 2024. She will be representing Canada at the World Bench Competition in Austin, Texas, in May 2024.

A die-hard fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, Dave has experienced his share of sports heartache, having seen them play in seven NFL cities with six losses. His all-time favorite athlete is Don Mattingly, reflecting his deep love for sports that spans many arenas.

Who drafted LSU QB JaMarcus Russell 1st overall in 2007?

What team wasted the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft on UCLA QB Josh Rosen?

What team drafted Texas A & M QB Johnny Manziel in the 1st round of the 2014 draft?

What Heisman Trophy winner in 2006 flamed out after a short career with Arizona, Houston, and the Raiders?

What team wasted a 1st round draft pick on Michigan DL Taco Charlton in 2017?

In 1989, what team wasted an early 1st round draft pick on Tony Mandarich?

What team wasted the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft on Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins?

What team wasted a 1st round draft choice on QB Paxton Lynch in 2016?

For what team was Ken Sims the #1 overall draft pick in 1982?

What team wasted the 8th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft on QB Jake Locker?

From what school did the Bills use a 1st round draft pick to draft QB J.P. Losman?

What team wasted a 1st round draft choice on QB Heath Shuler?

What QB was the 1st overall draft pick for the Houston Texans and then out of the league 5 years later?

In 1999, what team wasted a 1st round draft pick on QB Cade McNown?

What QB was picked 2nd overall in the 1989 draft right after Peyton Manning?

What team wasted the 7th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft on wide receiver Kevin White?

Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, and John Elway were all 1st round QB selections in 1983. Who else also was?

What team wasted the 5th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft on wide receiver Justin Blackmon?

What team wasted the 6th overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft on defensive end Vernon Gholston?

What team wasted the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft on RB Trent Richardson

In 1979, the New Orleans Saints used the 11th overall pick to draft a punter. What was his name?

Who drafted Kentucky QB Tim Couch with the #1 overall pick in 1999?

Aundray Bruce was an underperforming DE who was drafted #1 overall in 1988 by what team?

Who wasted an early 1st round draft pick on Oregon QB Akili Smith in 1999?

In 2000, what QB did the 49ers pick in the 2nd round (4 rounds before the Patriots chose Tom Brady)?

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