NFL Draft: 30 worst No. 1 overall picks in league history

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Jadeveon Clowney #99 of the Tennessee Titans talks with teammates during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Colts defeated the Titans 34-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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George Rogers (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

30 worst No. 1 overall picks in NFL Draft history: 29. RB, George Rogers

Stats:

7,176 rushing yards
54 touchdowns

Running back George Rogers was a difficult choice, he wasn’t an awful player and actually appeared to be on his way to all-time status in the beginning. In his rookie year, he rushed for 1,674 yards, the single season record for a rookie back. He was a Pro Bowl selection that year, and the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

While playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college, Rogers always displayed this level of talent. Not only was he an All-American but he was also a Heisman Trophy winner, making him an easy selection for the New Orleans Saints with the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft. In four of his seven seasons in the league, Rogers rushed for over a thousand yards.

The problem with Rogers is a simple one, he simply couldn’t stay healthy.

From broken bones in his hand to shoulder and knee injuries, Rogers was banged up during most of his short career. In fact, although he hasn’t touched a Football in decades, Rogers still struggles with the beating he took over the course of his professional and collegiate career. At the age of 29, Rogers walked away from the game both battered and bruised. His placement on this list is mostly due to injuries as opposed to ineffective play.

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