Best examples of failed 1st rounders who revived their careers?

[Rubes]

Since we're almost upon the draft, I thought I'd bring up this annual topic:

 

First rounders are believed, by most, to have the best chance of success in the NFL, on average. But as we all know, the draft is largely a crapshoot, and first rounders fail to live up to expectations all the time (looking at you, Elam). Sometimes we chalk it up to poor player evaluation, or poor player adjustment to the NFL, among other things. In some cases, we also think the specific situation they're drafted into is the cause, whether it's poor coaching, poor team culture, lack of supporting cast, and so on.

 

If that latter point is the case it stands to reason those players could be successful in a different situation, on a different team.

 

I'm wondering how often we see that this is the case with 1st rounders. That is, how many first rounders fail on the teams that drafted them, only to be released or traded to another team to become as successful as originally projected when they were drafted? Is the specific drafting team situation really a thing that has been proven by those who have changed teams? Or is it mostly a convenient excuse?

 

What are some strong examples of first rounders who failed to live up to expectations on their drafting team, and then left to go to another team and achieved the success that eluded them? Does Jerry Hughes fit this? Are there others?

 

[akcash]

Ahhhhhh I was going to say Jerry Hughes!! Well played!

[MiracleAtRich1393]

Leonard Floyd?

[Rubes]

Just now, MiracleAtRich1393 said:

Leonard Floyd?

 

Was he really a failed first rounder?

 

[Billy Claude]

Steve Young obviously.

 

Not a new team but a new coach, Alex Smith was a bust until Jim Harbaugh.

 

Geno Smith?

 

Edited April 17 by Billy Claude

[oldmanfan]

6 minutes ago, Rubes said:

Since we're almost upon the draft, I thought I'd bring up this annual topic:

 

First rounders are believed, by most, to have the best chance of success in the NFL, on average. But as we all know, the draft is largely a crapshoot, and first rounders fail to live up to expectations all the time (looking at you, Elam). Sometimes we chalk it up to poor player evaluation, or poor player adjustment to the NFL, among other things. In some cases, we also think the specific situation they're drafted into is the cause, whether it's poor coaching, poor team culture, lack of supporting cast, and so on.

 

If that latter point is the case it stands to reason those players could be successful in a different situation, on a different team.

 

I'm wondering how often we see that this is the case with 1st rounders. That is, how many first rounders fail on the teams that drafted them, only to be released or traded to another team to become as successful as originally projected when they were drafted? Is the specific drafting team situation really a thing that has been proven by those who have changed teams? Or is it mostly a convenient excuse?

 

What are some strong examples of first rounders who failed to live up to expectations on their drafting team, and then left to go to another team and achieved the success that eluded them? Does Jerry Hughes fit this? Are there others?

 

Jim Plunkett.

[Rubes]

Just now, oldmanfan said:

Jim Plunkett.

 

Definitely a good one. But also, that's going back like what, 40 years ago?

 

Any others?

 

1 minute ago, Billy Claude said:

Steve Young obviously.

 

Not a new team but a new coach, Alex Smith was a bust until Jim Harbaugh.

 

 

That's a good one, I think. That fits the argument since the Bucs were a hot mess back then.

 

Still seems like a rarity, though.

 

[akcash]

Ryan Tannehill (I cheated)

[Billy Claude]

Ryan Tannehill.

 

[billsfanmiamioh]

Ricky Williams?

[NoSaint]

5 minutes ago, Augie said:

I am from the future. 

 

A man named Elam. 

 

They have alcohol in the future. 

 

EDIT: And present.   🤷‍♂️

 

 

.

 

augie used to drink a lot

 

he still does, but he used to too

 

(and will in the future)

[Rubes]

1 minute ago, akcash said:

Ryan Tannehill (I cheated)

 

Cheated how? Not a bad choice, though I don't know if I'd say he achieved the success expected of an 8th overall pick.

 

1 minute ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

Ricky Williams?

 

Ew.

 

[Virgil]

Drew Brees?

[akcash]

Just now, Rubes said:

 

Cheated how? Not a bad choice, though I don't know if I'd say he achieved the success expected of an 8th overall pick.

 

 

Ew.

 

That’s true. Went to pro football reference and scanned ever first round pick for every draft back to 2006 before I found tannehill in whatever year he was drafted 😂

[DapperCam]

I think Maybin became an artist. Oh, you meant football career?

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, Virgil said:

Drew Brees?

 

2nd rounder. So was Geno Smith.

[Beck Water]

8 minutes ago, Rubes said:

Since we're almost upon the draft, I thought I'd bring up this annual topic:

 

First rounders are believed, by most, to have the best chance of success in the NFL, on average. But as we all know, the draft is largely a crapshoot, and first rounders fail to live up to expectations all the time (looking at you, Elam). Sometimes we chalk it up to poor player evaluation, or poor player adjustment to the NFL, among other things. In some cases, we also think the specific situation they're drafted into is the cause, whether it's poor coaching, poor team culture, lack of supporting cast, and so on.

 

If that latter point is the case it stands to reason those players could be successful in a different situation, on a different team.

 

I'm wondering how often we see that this is the case with 1st rounders. That is, how many first rounders fail on the teams that drafted them, only to be released or traded to another team to become as successful as originally projected when they were drafted? Is the specific drafting team situation really a thing that has been proven by those who have changed teams? Or is it mostly a convenient excuse?

 

What are some strong examples of first rounders who failed to live up to expectations on their drafting team, and then left to go to another team and achieved the success that eluded them? Does Jerry Hughes fit this? Are there others?

 

 

Do they have to have moved to another team before they succeeded?

 

The classic recent case is Alex Smith, #1 overall pick of the 2005 draft.  At one point, he was on a list of "top 5 draft busts of all time".  He's splitting starts with the like of Shaun Hill and Troy Smith.

 

Then Harbaugh takes over as HC, the team goes 13-3, and Smith is playing in the conference championship.  But wait, there's a twist - he gets benched for Colin Kaepernick, rides out the SB loss on the pine, gets traded to KC and his quality QB play resumes.

 

 

[akcash]

2 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Do they have to have moved to another team before they succeeded?

 

The classic recent case is Alex Smith, #1 overall pick of the 2005 draft.  At one point, he was on a list of "top 5 draft busts of all time".  He's splitting starts with the like of Shaun Hill and Troy Smith.

 

Then Harbaugh takes over as HC, the team goes 13-3, and Smith is playing in the conference championship.  But wait, there's a twist - he gets benched for Colin Kaepernick, rides out the SB loss on the pine, gets traded to KC and his quality QB play resumes.

 

 

That’s a good one.

[Billy Claude]

Would Jared Goff count?

[Rubes]

3 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Do they have to have moved to another team before they succeeded?

 

The classic recent case is Alex Smith, #1 overall pick of the 2005 draft.  At one point, he was on a list of "top 5 draft busts of all time".  He's splitting starts with the like of Shaun Hill and Troy Smith.

 

Then Harbaugh takes over as HC, the team goes 13-3, and Smith is playing in the conference championship.  But wait, there's a twist - he gets benched for Colin Kaepernick, rides out the SB loss on the pine, gets traded to KC and his quality QB play resumes.

 

 

 

Yeah, @Billy Claude mentioned Alex Smith earlier, but I didn't remember his story until you mentioned it. That's a really good one.