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Biggest NFL Draft Busts: Where Are They Now?

By on April 15, 2014

#2 - QB Ryan Leaf

Picked 2nd Overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers

Record as starter: 4-17

Career Stats:

14 TDs

36 INTs

48.4% completed passes

The infamous debate between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf as the best QB prospect in the 1998 NFL Draft was similar to the 2012 NFL Draft scenario with the Colts and Redskins where Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III went 1st and 2nd. The Chargers needed a new QB so they traded their 3rd overall pick, a future 1st round pick, a 2nd round pick, and 3-time Pro Bowl WR Eric Metcalf to Cardinals for the 2nd overall pick to select the whichever QB the Colts passed on. Ryan Leaf got off to a poor start from the day he was drafted after partying too much in Vegas and yawning throughout his first news conference as a Charger. Leaf also skipped the final day of the Rookie Symposium, costing him $10,000 in fines from the league. He then proceeded to burn bridges in the locker room when refused to pay the dinner bill in an act of “rookie hazing” and complained to the GM about it. His stature in the locker room became so bad that when linebacker Junior Seau knocked him down in practice after throwing an interception he was high-fived by teammates. At the end of his rookie season, Chargers safety Rodney Harrison was quoted saying “If I had to go through another year like that, I’d probably quit playing.” He missed his 2nd season in 2000 due to an injury in his first training camp practice and was released after going 1-15 in 2001. The Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Seahawks gave Leaf 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances that were short lived before Leaf was out of the league

Ryan Leaf - Jeff Gross Getty Images

Currently: Incarcerated for 7 years at Crossroads Correctional Facility in Shelby, Montana after pleading guilty to one count of felony burglary and one count of criminal possession of a dangerous drug



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One Comment

  1. Phil

    November 30, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    what about Art Schlister ? Blair Thomas ? Vernon Gholsten ?

    Reply

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