Heisman Trophy: 5 Biggest NFL busts since 2000
2. Marcus Mariota – 2014 Heisman Winner
Marcus Mariota at Oregon was one of the most dynamic quarterbacks that we’ve ever seen play college football. Whether it was as a precision passer, a big-play threat or someone who could take off and burn you with elite speed at the position, he seemed like an NFL superstar waiting to happen.
But after the Tennessee Titans made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, it soon became clear that there was work to do with Mariota. He was an accurate passer but he always seemed to play a bit timidly, afraid of making a costly mistake to the point that it limited him and the Titans offense.
His complete risk-aversion ultimately led to his benching in the 2019 season and the ultimate case for him being a bust came as a result of that. Ryan Tannehill took over the offense and made Tennessee look like a juggernaut on offense when they were mediocre at their best under Mariota’s watch.
1. Johnny Manziel – 2012 Heisman Winner
There’s no bigger Heisman bust in the NFL than Johnny Manziel and, frankly, it’s not all that close. Though he was exciting, electric, productive and undeniable at Texas A&M, Johnny Football had red flags all around given his off-field concerns and general overall demeanor.
Next. NFL picks, score predictions for Week 15. dark
When the Cleveland Browns made him a first-round pick, it was the worst-case scenario for a dysfunctional franchise and a player who needed discipline and stability. He went to the Browns and simply never lived up to his talent, which was unmistakable. The result is that he’s now out of the league after being drafted in just 2013 and has been for quite some time now. And no one can blame any team for not being willing to give him another chance at this point.