The 3 Biggest Draft Busts In Detroit Lions History

The Detroit Lions have had some wonderful luck in the NFL Draft over the years (see: Sanders, Barry), but they’ve also had a few draft busts who’ve broken our hearts with heaping spoonfuls of potential unfulfilled. Here’s our list of The 3 Biggest Draft Busts In Detroit Lions History.

3. QB Andre Ware (#7 in 1990)

You can make an argument for Joey Harrington in this spot, but Ware following up his 1989 Heisman Trophy win with a big, fat heaping vat of suck in Detroit gets the nod. After lighting up collegiate defenses with pinball-like passing numbers at Houston, Ware looked overmatched for the entirety of his four years with the Lions. Starting just six games over that span, Ware couldn't beat out the likes of Eric "Replacement Level" Kramer to cement a regular starting gig. Oof.

2. WR Mike Williams (#10 in 2005)

Oy vey. It's Matt Millen time. The then third-year GM already had one wide-receiving bust under his belt (more on that later), but he decided to follow it up by selecting the free-falling Williams at #10 in 2005. Struggling with weight issues and a perpetual lack of focus, the USC product caught just 37 passes in two years before being shipped to the Oakland Raiders in 2007 with QB Josh McCown for a fourth-round draft pick.

1. WR Charles Rogers (#2 in 2003)

Three seasons. Three NFL substance-abuse policy violations. Two broken clavicles (well one broken twice, but you get the point.) Rogers played just 14 games with the Lions, catching just 36 passes with four touchdowns. One of the forgotten all-time draft disasters lost in the stink clouds surrounding JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf, Rogers' name still elicits groans and indigestion from Lions fans around the world.

You have Matt Millen to thank for that...*shudder*

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