Feb 02, 2013; New Orleans, LA USA; Mike and Jake Dandrea, of Sandy Hook, Conn., pose on the mock NFL draft stage inside the NFL Experience, pro football
Every year around draft time, along with all the mock drafts we are all treated to the ‘Worst Draft Picks’ lists from everyone and their grandma.
No other team knows draft busts like the Detroit Lions.
From Andre Ware to Charles Rogers, the Lions are as synonymous with bad draft picks as Ryan Leaf is to the worst pick ever.
But when you look at the Lions picks in the last decade, bust isn’t the correct term to use. Instead, the word is disappointment. The players the Lions selected were in no way shape or form busts per se.
A bust is defined as a player who just fizzles and fizzles fast. The players the Lions selected have gone on to other teams at high prices, something busts aren’t associated with. The Lions just really lucked out on a majority of the players they selected that are no longer on the roster.
There are busts, but the overall consensus is disappointment at what could have been.
Honorable Mention
These aren’t first round selections, but they’re still warrants a spot for them somewhere on this list.
-Boss Bailey (2003) Rd. 2/Pick 34
The younger brother of the far more talented Champ, Boss never came into his own in Detroit or the NFL.
-Shaun Rogers (2001) Rd. 2/Pick 6
Rogers inconsistency kept him from reaching his full potential. He returned an interception for a touchdown against Denver after which he suffered brief cardiac arrest in the end zone. He played with Cleveland last year but has moved on to New Orleans.
-Teddy Lehman (2004) Rd. 2/Pick 37
Lehman was so hyped by mastermind Matt Millen you would have expected him to spend a first round pick on him. Needless to say, Lehman was never more than a backup special teamer.
Next: Gosder Cherilus