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I’m forgotten No. 1 NFL Draft pick who played three seasons and got arrested after $61million contract
With Cam Ward set to come off the board first in Thursday’s NFL Draft, it is time to look at what could go wrong for the Tennessee Titans. Top selections rarely become the best players and there have been some serious busts in league history. GettyJaMarcus Russell was a monumental miss for the Raiders[/caption] Tony Mandarich is widely considered to be the biggest bust of all time, the former Green Bay offensive lineman was a No. 2 pick in 1989. Ryan Leaf, another huge draft bust, was taken second in 1998, one spot behind Peyton Manning. When it comes to the biggest bust as a No. 1 pick, that award is reserved for a quarterback who was supposed to be a franchise-changer but ended up barely playing for the team that drafted him. JaMarcus Russell was a prized selection for the Oakland Raiders in 2007. “The skill level he has is certainly John Elway-like,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. Yet 17 years later, Russell is almost forgotten by NFL fans, despite receiving a huge $61million contract. “It has been a long time and I am happy that everything is finally over and I get a chance to be a football player again,” said Russell after a tense holdout that lasted throughout camp and into the season finally ended. At the time, the former LSU QB signed the richest rookie deal in NFL history. But it never went right for the 6ft 6in and 265lb Russell in the pros and, in many ways, things only got worse. Russell’s lengthy holdout forced him to miss critical practice time. GettyRussell had a huge arm but it quickly went downhill after he went No. 1[/caption] GettyHe fell out of favor with the Raiders and slid down the depth chart[/caption] GettyHis weight became an issue in the pros while his off-the-field issues mounted[/caption] As a result, he only played in four games (one start) as a rookie with the Raiders in 2007. His stats were also off target. Russell only completed 54.5 per cent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Turnover problems plagued the ex-Tiger — Russell finished his NFL career with more picks (23) than TDs (18) — and he completed less than 50 percent of his pass attempts during his last year in the pros. But off-the-field issues were even more problematic. Russell regularly appeared overweight — he reportedly approached 300 pounds — while questions lingered about his willingness to study the Raiders’ playbook. The former No. 1 pick quickly fell out of favor in Oakland, falling down the depth chart and struggling to stay on the field. NFL's Greatest...... Ranking the top 10...... Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady? Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top? Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barrie Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmett Smith and more Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare? Russell’s football career peaked in college at LSUGetty View Tweet: https://t.co/xazgQdzYLx From 2007-09, Russell went 7-18 as a starter. During his final season in the pros, he threw 11 interceptions compared to just three TDs. A year later, Russell was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance — codeine syrup. He finished his NFL career with a 52.1 completion percentage and 131.7 passing yards per game. “I didn’t feel like they were there for me,” said Russell, describing his football relationship with the Raiders. Russell told ESPN in 2010 that he had tested positive for codeine after becoming the Raiders’ No. 1 pick, and acknowledged using codeine without a prescription. The former LSU star attempted to find his way back into the NFL and make a come back, but a path never materialized. He had let the Raiders down, then become untouchable across the league. The 38-year-old only played three seasons in the pros and is still considered to be the worst No. 1 pick of all time. Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
With Cam Ward set to come off the board first in Thursday’s NFL Draft, it is time to look at what could go wrong for the Tennessee Titans.
Top selections rarely become the best players and there have been some serious busts in league history.
Tony Mandarich is widely considered to be the biggest bust of all time, the former Green Bay offensive lineman was a No. 2 pick in 1989.
Ryan Leaf, another huge draft bust, was taken second in 1998, one spot behind Peyton Manning.
When it comes to the biggest bust as a No. 1 pick, that award is reserved for a quarterback who was supposed to be a franchise-changer but ended up barely playing for the team that drafted him.
JaMarcus Russell was a prized selection for the Oakland Raiders in 2007.
“The skill level he has is certainly John Elway-like,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
Yet 17 years later, Russell is almost forgotten by NFL fans, despite receiving a huge $61million contract.
“It has been a long time and I am happy that everything is finally over and I get a chance to be a football player again,” said Russell after a tense holdout that lasted throughout camp and into the season finally ended.
At the time, the former LSU QB signed the richest rookie deal in NFL history.
But it never went right for the 6ft 6in and 265lb Russell in the pros and, in many ways, things only got worse.
Russell’s lengthy holdout forced him to miss critical practice time.
As a result, he only played in four games (one start) as a rookie with the Raiders in 2007.
His stats were also off target. Russell only completed 54.5 per cent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Turnover problems plagued the ex-Tiger — Russell finished his NFL career with more picks (23) than TDs (18) — and he completed less than 50 percent of his pass attempts during his last year in the pros.
But off-the-field issues were even more problematic.
Russell regularly appeared overweight — he reportedly approached 300 pounds — while questions lingered about his willingness to study the Raiders’ playbook.
The former No. 1 pick quickly fell out of favor in Oakland, falling down the depth chart and struggling to stay on the field.
NFL's Greatest......
Ranking the top 10......
Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?
Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?
Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barrie Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmett Smith and more
Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?
From 2007-09, Russell went 7-18 as a starter.
During his final season in the pros, he threw 11 interceptions compared to just three TDs.
A year later, Russell was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance — codeine syrup.
He finished his NFL career with a 52.1 completion percentage and 131.7 passing yards per game.
“I didn’t feel like they were there for me,” said Russell, describing his football relationship with the Raiders.
Russell told ESPN in 2010 that he had tested positive for codeine after becoming the Raiders’ No. 1 pick, and acknowledged using codeine without a prescription.
The former LSU star attempted to find his way back into the NFL and make a come back, but a path never materialized.
He had let the Raiders down, then become untouchable across the league.
The 38-year-old only played three seasons in the pros and is still considered to be the worst No. 1 pick of all time.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
