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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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Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Biggest NFL Draft bust from Arizona Cardinals history: Matt Leinart, QB

Stats: 

  • 4,065 passing yards
  • 15 touchdowns
  • 21 interceptions
  • 57.1 completion percentage

Matt Leinart was one of the most prolific passers in college football history. Not only were his numbers terrific but he was also a major piece on several great USC teams. During his three years there, Leinart never threw for less than 3,300 yards. He also kept his interceptions to a minimum, never putting together a double digit-season.

Leinart essentially won every major award. He was a Heisman Trophy winner, Rose Bowl MVP, AP Player of the Year and has several other notable accolades under his belt.

The Arizona Cardinals took hold of Leinart with the tenth overall pick in 2006 after compiling over 10,000 passing yards, 99 touchdowns and only 23 interceptions. Instead of becoming the face of the franchise, Leinart was a bench warmer for Kurt Warner. In his first year, however, Leinart started in 11 games and it was easy to see why he never became a full-time starter. Leinart led his ball club to a 4-7 record while throwing for 2,547 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

After a few seasons of producing underwhelming results, Leinart began bouncing around the league, backing up every quarterback wherever he went and making a fool of himself when he entered the game. His career came to a close in 2013 after losing to the unheralded Thad Lewis for the fourth-string quarterback position on the Buffalo Bills.

Simply put, if you can’t beat out Thad Lewis, then it’s time to hang ’em up.

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