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Biggest Busts of the NFL Draft – Ryan Leaf

By ArtieFufkin

Ryan Leaf seems to be doing really well these days. Photo: Deadspin.com

Ryan Leaf has become the poster boy for the NFL Draft Bust.

The former all-American QB at Washington State was selected by San Diego with the 2nd pick in the 1998 draft, right after Indianapolis picked Peyton Manning.  The Chargers traded up to get Leaf, parting with their first round pick (3rd overall), second-round pick (32nd overall), their 1999 first-round pick, wide receiver Eric Metcalf and linebacker Patrick Sapp.  Shortly after the draft, Leaf declared, “I’m looking forward to a 15-year career, a couple of trips to the Super Bowl, and a parade through downtown San Diego.”

Not quite.  After winning his first 2 starts as a rookie, it quickly unraveled for Leaf, and he was benched after 9 games.  From there it was all downhill.  Injuries, locker room blow-ups, injuries, generally prickish behavior, and a breach of contract law suit from the Chargers led to his release after the 2000 season.  Leaf had brief stints with the Bucs and Cowboys before retiring from football at the age of 26 in 2002.

In 2006, Leaf joined the coaching staff of Division II West Texas A&M as QB coach, but was recently suspended after asking a player for painkillers.  So yeah.  Things are looking pretty good for ol’ Ryan.  The over/under on Leaf ending up with a drunken mug shot on The Smoking Gun is 18 months.

And you know you’ve officially become part of pop culture when The Simpsons are making fun of you: