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Fansided

One NFL player you wish never played for your favorite team

By Randy Gurzi

22 Aug 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers standing around talking before the pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers defeated the Colts 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squ
22 Aug 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers standing around talking before the pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers defeated the Colts 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squ /
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2022 NFL
September 20, 2009; Landover, MD, USA; St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Jason Smith (77) warms up before the start of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Rams: Jason Smith, OT

In need of a new franchise left tackle, the St. Louis Rams used the No. 2 overall pick in 2009 on Jason Smith from Baylor.

Smith had all the makings of a star player but for whatever reason, it just never worked out for him. He was gone after just three seasons and out of the NFL in four.

He was the second biggest draft bust in team history according to Hunter Noll of Clutch Points, who compared him to Greg Robinson, who came after Smith and had just as rough a time after going second overall.

"“Jason Smith was Greg Robinson before Greg Robinson. Getting drafted second overall (like Robinson) in the 2009 NFL Draft, he was well out of the league before the man that was number three on this list was even drafted. Smith spent three seasons with the Rams, appearing in 29 games (starting 26 of them). He was such a disappointment. Smith had size and an athletic build. But none of it seemed to translate to the NFL. After three seasons with the Rams, Smith went to play for the New York Jets in 2012. That was his last season in the NFL. Very very few highlights came from those four seasons.”"

It feels like whiffs on the offensive line are few and far in between now, but the Rams had a stretch where they would love to forget some of their draft picks along the line.

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