#2 Ryan Leaf, San Diego Chargers
Runner-up on the list of Top NFL Draft Busts of the Modern Era, Ryan Leaf, quarterback, San Diego Chargers. Photo Credit â€" Wikipedia Commons.
Top 12 NFL Draft Busts of the Modern Era.
Ahead of the 1998 draft, the Colts were faced with the decision of choosing between two remarkable college athletes in Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. Both at the time were regarded as supremely gifted individuals that could turn around a franchise. Leaf was considered to have the “stronger arm and greater potential†while Peyton was regarded as the safer selection of the two, citing his maturity. At the time, both were thought to be locks to succeed in the NFL, it was more a matter of preference and system fit between the presume surefire quarterbacks.
The Colts holding the number one pick elected to go with Tennessee Quarterback, Peyton Manning, with Ryan Leaf falling to the San Diego Chargers. Leaf’s pro career wouldn’t have many high notes as he struggled mightily in his first pro season, eventually being benched for good. He missed his entire second year due to injury and his third season would be marred by poor play and character criticisms that eventually landed Leaf on the chopping block. Leaf spent the next two years trying to resurrect with three different teams before finally retiring at the age of 26 (wikipedia).
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