10 Biggest NFL Draft Busts

9. Akili Smith

Akili Smith had an average first season for the Oregon Ducks when he came onto the scene in 1997, but his second season attracted plenty of attention after tallying up 3,763 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, while he also topped the Pac-10 conference in several stats, including: passing yards, yards per attempt, passing TDs, and passing efficiency rating. He was drafted at Number 3 overall in the 1999 Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, and played just 22 games (17 starts) in four seasons as he never quite secured the starting spot. He racked up 2,212 passing yards and a measly 5 TDs before moving on for a brief, unsuccessful spell in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders before retiring in 2007.
 
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What Culture contributor. NCTJ accredited Sports Journalist. Regret-filled Sunderland AFC season ticket holder. Optimism-filled NFL fan. Lover of all things Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead & more.