Top 10 All Time Jags Draft Busts
NFL draft day hasn't been too kind to the Jacksonville Jaguars over the last decade. Here are a few Jags selections taken before NFL stars Aaron Rodgers, Frank Gore, JJ Watt and Troy Polamalu. Today, here's a list of the top 10 all time Jags draft busts.
10. Bryan Anger
https://www.theonion.com/articles/jacksonville-3rdround-pick-punter-bryan-anger-i-wi,28088/
Bryan Anger was selected 70th overall in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Anger was the first punter drafted by the Jags since 2007, and was also the highest drafted punter since 1995.
While Anger received high praise as a kicker and averaged 7th overall in 2012 and 2013, most Jags fans and football outsiders still can't understand the high pick. The Jags had so many other choices: Nick Foles, Alfred Morris, Blair Walsh, and future Super Bowl winner, Russell Wilson.
Selected before: Russell Wilson, Nick Foles, Alfred Morris
9. Byron Leftwich
https://sportschick7.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html
In 2003, Byron Leftwich was drafted as a quarterback to the Jags 7th overall in the draft. Leftwich started 44 games for the Jags, holding a record of 24-20. He also threw for over 10,000 yards and racked up close to 60 touchdowns.
While Leftwich was by no means a "terrible" QB, he was a bust insofar as he wasn't worth a 7th overall pick. Moreover, for the investment the Jags out in, Leftwich never really materialized or reached his full potential. He was cut from the team in 2007 with the introduction of David Garrard.
Selected before: Terrell Suggs, Troy Polamalu, Anquan Boldin
8. Eben Britton
https://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/01/jacksonville-jaguars-bench-eben-britton-for-poor-performance/
Eben Britton was drafted 39th overall in the second round of the 2009 Draft. Britton was considered one of the best players to draft and many people were surprised he took so long to get picked. Britton started strong, playing the right side next to Eugene Monroe. Britton would start 15 games in his first year.
Unfortunately, Britton then begin to be riddled by injury after injury, resulting in only 15 more games total over 3 years. Because of this,the Jags decided to release him in 2012. He was picked up by the Chicago Bears but has yet to play a game.
Selected before: LeSean McCoy, Mike Wallace
7. Reggie Nelson
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Reggie_Nelson_Reggie_Wayne_MNF.jpg
The Jags drafted Reggie Nelson 21st overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Jags had traded down with the Broncos, who in turn drafted Jarvis Moss.
Nelson started strong and showed promise for the Jags. He had 11 defended passes and 5 interceptions in his first season alone. While Nelson was "all over the field," his deficiencies began to show. He often would bite on play action passes, look too much into the backfield, and take a bad angle when perusing the ball. He struggled the next two years, and was virtually permanently benched by 2009. He wouldn't start for the Jags again before being traded for the 2010 season.
Selected before: Brandon Meriweather, Eric Weddle, Paul Posluszny
6. Justin Blackmon
https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/justin-blackmon-jaguars.jpg?w=1200
The one on the list who could potentially redeem himself, Justin Blackmon was drafted to the Jags in 2012. The Jags used the 5th pick in the first round of the draft, trading with the Tampa Bay Bucs their number seven selection and a fourth round pick.
Blackmon proved to play well-- achieving the third-most amount of yards by a rookie in a single game as well as the second-most in franchise history. He finished his first season with 64 receptions and over 800 yards.
So what makes him a bust, then? The Jags gave up a lot in the draft to get Blackmon. While he played well, he has as of now, been indefinitely suspended due to substance abuse violations.
Selected before: Doug Martin, Russell Wilson, T.Y. Hilton
5. Reggie Williams
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Jacksonville_Jaguars_Reggie_Williams.jpg
Reggie Williams was the 9th overall pick in the 2004 Draft. The Jags drafted Williams as a wide receiver; someone who could eventually replace some of their aging players. Williams showed a lot of promise and a lot of enthusiasm-- something he was known for due to his frequent, excessive on-field celebrations.
Williams started in 53 games from 2004 to 2008, but wound up with only 2,322 receiving yards. Williams was let go in 2009 and just in time-- as he faced a possession of cocaine charge shortly after.
Selected before: Ben Roethlisberger, Vince Wilfork, Bob Sanders
4. Matt Jones
https://www.rantsports.com/nfl/files/2014/03/Matt-Jones.jpg
In 2005, the Jags drafted matt Jones 21st overall. This was risky in itself, as the Jags chose him as a wide receiver, and Jones had never been a full-time one to that point. Risky as it was, Jones had several plays, and the size, to potentially be an amazing WR-- and for the first season or two, he was.
However, by 2007 the Jags would start to see that Jones lacked the drive. He was only active for 12 games and didn't do much in them, comparatively.
In the 2008 off-season, Jones was arrested for drug possession and suspended the final 4 games of the season for violating NFL substance abuse policies. In the following off-season, he would be arrested for violating his parole and was dropped from the team. Jones would end up only starting in 16 games over his 4 year career.
Selected before: Aaron Rodgers, Roddy White, Frank Gore, Vincent Jackson
3. R. Jay Soward
https://a.fn.fncdn.com/images/content/getty/comp/IAc0Sn.jpg
R. Jay Soward was drafted 29th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. While his pure talent in college made him desirable to the Jags, Soward would ultimately end up being ill-suited and problematic for the team. Coach at the time Tom Coughlin reportedly had to send a limousine to Soward's house every day, to ensure he would come to practice. Soward still managed to be suspended for multiple instances of tardiness despite that.
If that wasn't trouble enough, when the season started Soward would face serious legal troubles. He was suspended first season for breaking the substance abuse policies of the NFL-- marijuana and severe alcohol usage to blame. Soward was also arrested after threatening a police officer when he was pulled over.
Soward's suspension would be indefinite and his lone season would end with 108 yards and no touchdowns.
Selected before: Keith Bulluck, Laveranues Coles, Tom Brady
2. Blaine Gabbert
https://thebiglead.com/2014/07/30/the-all-nfl-bust-team-the-big-12-conference/
In 2011, Blaine Gabbert forewent his senior year to be drafted in the first round by the Jags. Gabbert was the 10th overall pick; the Jags trading 6 spots with the Redskins. Gabbert signed a 4 year contract for 12 million dollars.
Gabbert wasn’t supposed to be the starting QB, but two weeks in David Garrard was released and Luke McCown was performing poorly. Gabbert would struggle his rookie year, though—getting sacked over 40 times, lacking any sort of pocket presence, and fumbling 14 times. Gabbert also had the second worse completion record in the league, completing only 50% of his passes.
Gabbert would start the 2012 season with an impressive game against the Vikings, but would struggle in the weeks that followed. In a game against the Raiders, Gabbert tore a muscle in his non-throwing shoulder. Injuries would continue to plague Gabbert, placing him on injury reserve and eventually becoming replaced by Chad Henne.
Selected before: JJ Watt, Mike Pouncey, DeMarco Murray
1. Derrick Harvey
https://downerjagfan.blogspot.com/2013/03/first-round-flops-jaguars-worst-first_16.html
Derrick Harvey was drafted by the Jags in 2008. The Jags picked Harvey 8th overall, trading up with the Ravens and giving up the 26th overall pick, two third-rounders, and a future-fourth rounder. Harvey was offered a 5 year, 23.8 million dollar contract, with over 70% of that to be guaranteed.
The Ravens used the picks they got to draft current franchise quarterback Joe Flacco, while the Jags lost 20 million to Harvey, who only put up eight sacks in three years.
Selected before: Branden Albert, DeSean Jackson, Jamaal Charles
Article by Kristen Pickrell and Steve Congro
https://www.theonion.com/articles/jacksonville-3rdround-pick-punter-bryan-anger-i-wi,28088/
Bryan Anger was selected 70th overall in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Anger was the first punter drafted by the Jags since 2007, and was also the highest drafted punter since 1995.
While Anger received high praise as a kicker and averaged 7th overall in 2012 and 2013, most Jags fans and football outsiders still can't understand the high pick. The Jags had so many other choices: Nick Foles, Alfred Morris, Blair Walsh, and future Super Bowl winner, Russell Wilson.
Selected before: Russell Wilson, Nick Foles, Alfred Morris
9. Byron Leftwich
https://sportschick7.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html
In 2003, Byron Leftwich was drafted as a quarterback to the Jags 7th overall in the draft. Leftwich started 44 games for the Jags, holding a record of 24-20. He also threw for over 10,000 yards and racked up close to 60 touchdowns.
While Leftwich was by no means a "terrible" QB, he was a bust insofar as he wasn't worth a 7th overall pick. Moreover, for the investment the Jags out in, Leftwich never really materialized or reached his full potential. He was cut from the team in 2007 with the introduction of David Garrard.
Selected before: Terrell Suggs, Troy Polamalu, Anquan Boldin
8. Eben Britton
https://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/01/jacksonville-jaguars-bench-eben-britton-for-poor-performance/
Eben Britton was drafted 39th overall in the second round of the 2009 Draft. Britton was considered one of the best players to draft and many people were surprised he took so long to get picked. Britton started strong, playing the right side next to Eugene Monroe. Britton would start 15 games in his first year.
Unfortunately, Britton then begin to be riddled by injury after injury, resulting in only 15 more games total over 3 years. Because of this,the Jags decided to release him in 2012. He was picked up by the Chicago Bears but has yet to play a game.
Selected before: LeSean McCoy, Mike Wallace
7. Reggie Nelson
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Reggie_Nelson_Reggie_Wayne_MNF.jpg
The Jags drafted Reggie Nelson 21st overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Jags had traded down with the Broncos, who in turn drafted Jarvis Moss.
Nelson started strong and showed promise for the Jags. He had 11 defended passes and 5 interceptions in his first season alone. While Nelson was "all over the field," his deficiencies began to show. He often would bite on play action passes, look too much into the backfield, and take a bad angle when perusing the ball. He struggled the next two years, and was virtually permanently benched by 2009. He wouldn't start for the Jags again before being traded for the 2010 season.
Selected before: Brandon Meriweather, Eric Weddle, Paul Posluszny
6. Justin Blackmon
https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/justin-blackmon-jaguars.jpg?w=1200
The one on the list who could potentially redeem himself, Justin Blackmon was drafted to the Jags in 2012. The Jags used the 5th pick in the first round of the draft, trading with the Tampa Bay Bucs their number seven selection and a fourth round pick.
Blackmon proved to play well-- achieving the third-most amount of yards by a rookie in a single game as well as the second-most in franchise history. He finished his first season with 64 receptions and over 800 yards.
So what makes him a bust, then? The Jags gave up a lot in the draft to get Blackmon. While he played well, he has as of now, been indefinitely suspended due to substance abuse violations.
Selected before: Doug Martin, Russell Wilson, T.Y. Hilton
5. Reggie Williams
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Jacksonville_Jaguars_Reggie_Williams.jpg
Reggie Williams was the 9th overall pick in the 2004 Draft. The Jags drafted Williams as a wide receiver; someone who could eventually replace some of their aging players. Williams showed a lot of promise and a lot of enthusiasm-- something he was known for due to his frequent, excessive on-field celebrations.
Williams started in 53 games from 2004 to 2008, but wound up with only 2,322 receiving yards. Williams was let go in 2009 and just in time-- as he faced a possession of cocaine charge shortly after.
Selected before: Ben Roethlisberger, Vince Wilfork, Bob Sanders
4. Matt Jones
https://www.rantsports.com/nfl/files/2014/03/Matt-Jones.jpg
In 2005, the Jags drafted matt Jones 21st overall. This was risky in itself, as the Jags chose him as a wide receiver, and Jones had never been a full-time one to that point. Risky as it was, Jones had several plays, and the size, to potentially be an amazing WR-- and for the first season or two, he was.
However, by 2007 the Jags would start to see that Jones lacked the drive. He was only active for 12 games and didn't do much in them, comparatively.
In the 2008 off-season, Jones was arrested for drug possession and suspended the final 4 games of the season for violating NFL substance abuse policies. In the following off-season, he would be arrested for violating his parole and was dropped from the team. Jones would end up only starting in 16 games over his 4 year career.
Selected before: Aaron Rodgers, Roddy White, Frank Gore, Vincent Jackson
3. R. Jay Soward
https://a.fn.fncdn.com/images/content/getty/comp/IAc0Sn.jpg
R. Jay Soward was drafted 29th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. While his pure talent in college made him desirable to the Jags, Soward would ultimately end up being ill-suited and problematic for the team. Coach at the time Tom Coughlin reportedly had to send a limousine to Soward's house every day, to ensure he would come to practice. Soward still managed to be suspended for multiple instances of tardiness despite that.
If that wasn't trouble enough, when the season started Soward would face serious legal troubles. He was suspended first season for breaking the substance abuse policies of the NFL-- marijuana and severe alcohol usage to blame. Soward was also arrested after threatening a police officer when he was pulled over.
Soward's suspension would be indefinite and his lone season would end with 108 yards and no touchdowns.
Selected before: Keith Bulluck, Laveranues Coles, Tom Brady
2. Blaine Gabbert
https://thebiglead.com/2014/07/30/the-all-nfl-bust-team-the-big-12-conference/
In 2011, Blaine Gabbert forewent his senior year to be drafted in the first round by the Jags. Gabbert was the 10th overall pick; the Jags trading 6 spots with the Redskins. Gabbert signed a 4 year contract for 12 million dollars.
Gabbert wasn’t supposed to be the starting QB, but two weeks in David Garrard was released and Luke McCown was performing poorly. Gabbert would struggle his rookie year, though—getting sacked over 40 times, lacking any sort of pocket presence, and fumbling 14 times. Gabbert also had the second worse completion record in the league, completing only 50% of his passes.
Gabbert would start the 2012 season with an impressive game against the Vikings, but would struggle in the weeks that followed. In a game against the Raiders, Gabbert tore a muscle in his non-throwing shoulder. Injuries would continue to plague Gabbert, placing him on injury reserve and eventually becoming replaced by Chad Henne.
Selected before: JJ Watt, Mike Pouncey, DeMarco Murray
1. Derrick Harvey
https://downerjagfan.blogspot.com/2013/03/first-round-flops-jaguars-worst-first_16.html
Derrick Harvey was drafted by the Jags in 2008. The Jags picked Harvey 8th overall, trading up with the Ravens and giving up the 26th overall pick, two third-rounders, and a future-fourth rounder. Harvey was offered a 5 year, 23.8 million dollar contract, with over 70% of that to be guaranteed.
The Ravens used the picks they got to draft current franchise quarterback Joe Flacco, while the Jags lost 20 million to Harvey, who only put up eight sacks in three years.
Selected before: Branden Albert, DeSean Jackson, Jamaal Charles
Article by Kristen Pickrell and Steve Congro