Biggest NFL Bust: Jamarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf?

JR

JR

Leaf. Russell shot up after the Sugar Bowl. Draft experts were extremely high on Leaf all year. He was talked about being picked over Peyton! Yeah JR went first but Leaf had more hype.

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They both only played 3 seasons. I'd say Jarmarcus simply because his contract hit was that much worse.

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Have to factor in that while yes JR had the larger contract, the cap was much lower when Leaf played as well.

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I'd say Jarmarcus simply because his contract hit was that much worse.

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Contract-wise (which IMO is a poor measure considering the inflation inherent in NFL rookie contracts between 1998 and 2007), it's obviously Russell given the amount of money he was given. Then again, that partially falls on the agents who had bid up the cost every year for over a decade thanks to the NFL's popularity.

Hype-wise, obviously Ryan Leaf. Many people considered Leaf equal to, or superior, to Peyton Manning prior to the draft. In contrast, many people felt that JaMarcus Russell was overrated prior to the draft.

I personally think that Leaf was the bigger bust due to the fact that many thought he was better than Manning while quite a few people thought Russell would be another Leaf.

So it really depends on your point of view and how you want to judge it.

JR, and the best part is I think he could still make and NFL team.

Terry Baker was worse.

But out of those two, Russell, since he was the #1 overall pick.

Leaf. He was a much more polished passer than JR. JR was drafted more for talent and size.