NFL Draft: 30 worst first-round picks of the 21st century

We already talked about the 2005 NFL Draft once with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking a quarterback-turned-receiver in Matt Jones from Arkansas. We return to that same draft and look at another wideout here, this time with Mike Williams of the Detroit Lions.

Williams gained notoriety for challenging the NFL’s rule about waiting three years from high school to enter the league. He and former Ohio State turned Denver Broncos running back Maurice Clarett tried to enter the 2004 NFL Draft, but were unsuccessful in their attempt. They were also both unsuccessful in their careers.

At least for the Broncos, they didn’t pick Clarett until No. 101 minimizing their risk slightly, but the Lions went all in on the player who had to sit out all of 2014. Going for a player with questions at No. 10 overall rarely goes well and that was the case with Williams.

He lasted just two seasons with the Lions, playing in just 22 games while making six starts. After his time with the Lions, he landed with the Oakland Raiders in 2007, but didn’t finish his season there. He ended up playing with the Tennessee Titans that same season.

After a few years out of the league, Williams made a comeback with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. He had a great season that year, catching 65 passes for 751 yards and a couple of scores.

Well, maybe not great, but considering where he was when he left the league, it was very impressive. It was also short-lived as Williams played just one more season and only had 18 catches in 2011.