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NFL Draft: Biggest bust from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

LOS ANGELES, CA - CIRCA 1988:Aundray Bruce of the Atlanta Falcons against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1988 in Los Angeles,California on November 20th 1988. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - CIRCA 1988:Aundray Bruce of the Atlanta Falcons against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1988 in Los Angeles,California on November 20th 1988. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Leaf
Ryan Leaf. Mandatory Credit: David Taylor /Allsport /

Biggest NFL Draft bust from Los Angeles Chargers history: Ryan Leaf, QB

Stats: 

  • 3,666 passing
  • 14 touchdowns
  • 36 intercetions
  • 48.4 completion percentage

There was no way quarterback Ryan Leaf would be a bust. Sure it could happen to anyone, but Leaf? He appeared to be a virtual lock to have future success at the next level.

Leaf attended Washington State in the mid-1990s and dominated teams during his two years as a starter. 1997 was particularly outrageous, Leaf threw for 3,968 yards, 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He finished third in the Heisman voting and there was a truly heated debate between taking Leaf or Peyton Manning with the number one overall pick in the 1998 draft. Although Manning would eventually win out, heading to the Colts, the Chargers happily snatched up Leaf with the second overall pick.

Fans of the franchise who believed they got the better of the two quarterbacks quickly found out that was a lie. Leaf was laughably bad in his first season. The accuracy he displayed in college abandoned him as he completed just 45.3 percent of his passes. He managed to throw for just 1,289 yards in ten games. His two touchdown passes on the year and 15 interceptions forced fans to place a bag over their head in pure shame.

A shoulder injury saw Leaf go down before the beginning of the following season. He would rehab and make his return the next year. However, it was the same ole Leaf as he struggled yet again. Leaf was let go by year three and subsequently retired after failing to latch on long term with a team. While the Chargers sulked in misery, they were forced to sit back and watch as Manning and the Colts went on to have a decade-plus run of great football.

To give you a comparison as to how far and away the Chargers got this one wrong, Leaf ended his career with 3,666 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. Manning, on the other hand, wrapped up his career with 71,940 passing yards to go along with 539 touchdowns.

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