Worst Draft Picks – All Sports

Well, the Super Bowl is tomorrow. After that, the news will be all about the 2023 draft (April 27th, by the way).

My team, the Carolina Panthers, have had some good ones – Christian McCaffery, Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Julius Peppers … They’ve also had some turkeys – Vernon Butler, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Biakabutuka, Rae Caruth, Kerry Collins …

That got me thinking … What were some of the work picks in the NFL draft? Actually, lets make that the worst #1 picks. And how about the other major sports? 

Let’s get started…

NHL

Alexandre Daigle / OTT / 1993 / C

I am not a big hockey fan, so I’m afraid I’m a little outta my comfort zone with this one. Daigle does, though, seem to be something of a consensus pick here.

He was actually in the NHL for 8 years, but was then out of hockey at age 25, citing a lack of interest and a desire to never play hockey again. During those years, he was known for a lack of effort and a desire to be in the limelight instead of on the ice. Highlights of the former include posing in a nurse’s outfit and making a bomb joke on an airplane.

What did the Senators see in him? Well, it seems he was widely recognized as a can’t-miss, future superstar. Ottawa was, in fact, accused of tanking to get him with the #1 pick. This would actually lead to an investigation, as well as a change to the lottery the following year. 

Ottawa also gave him the largest starting salary in league history, a whopping $12.25M. Daigle was so bold as to quip, "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." By the way, that #2 was Chris Pronger, who would make it to the Hall of Fame.

After hanging up his skates, Daigle started an event promotion company, but soon grew bored. He then decided to return to the ice, playing 3 more years in the NHL, as well as some more in the AFL and over in Europe.

Today, he’s in the movie biz, working as a studio manager.

NBA
Larue Martin / PORT / 1972 / C

Martin was in the NBA for four years, with per-game averages of 14 minutes, 5.3 points, and 4.6 rebounds. Not too bad.

So, what did the Trailblazers see in him, especially when they passed over Bob McAdoo and Julius Irving in making him #1? Well, I’m sure being 6’11” had a lot to do with it. Unfortunately, he only had 200 to drape over that frame (i.e., BMI = stringbean; see below). 

He also had some pretty good college numbers, averaging 18.2 pts and 15.9 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, those were with the Loyola of Chicago Ramblers, a Div 1 school, but just barely. They also were only 25-54 while he was there. 

After retirement, Martin did pretty well for himself. He’s a manager with UPS and is on the board of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. He’s also involved with the City Club of Chicago, YMCA, Urban League, and Boys and Girls Club. He’s even won awards from the Urban League, as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award and the Black Heritage Award.

NFL
JaMarcus Russel / QB / OAK / 2007

Russell was up for 3 seasons total, notching a 52.1% pass completion rate, an 18/23 TD/INT ratio, and a passer rating of 65. He also managed to fumble 25 times, losing 15 of them. He didn’t make things any better by being a holdout his rookie year, having a notoriously poor work ethic, and being overweight (290 in his last year).

What did the Raiders see in him? Well, he was a star at LSU, being named MVP in the Sugar Bowl. Oh, he was also 6’5”, 265, and with throw-it-length-of-the-field arm strength.

How did it go after Oakland? Well, the Raiders sued him to recover $9.55M, if that gives you any idea. He also tried out with 4 other teams, without getting any offers. He then sent a letter to all 32 NFL teams, offering to play for 1 year free. Still no bites.

Life after his playing career ended reached its nadir when he was busted for possession of codeine syrup (“purple drank”). It sounds, though, like he was taking it all along, all the way back to the very beginning of his NFL career.

On the positive side, he did open up his place for Katrina refugees, including housing music star Fats Domino. He’s currently QB coach at Williamson HS, his alma mater, in Mobile, AL.

MLB
Brien Taylor / NYY / 1991 / P

Taylor is our only pick here who never made it to the majors. Over 7 years in the minors, he compiled a 22-30 record and a 5.12 ERA, never getting above class AA. Things actually were not going that bad, until he injured his shoulder in a fight.

What did the Yankees see? A lot, actually. In high school, Taylor reached 99 mph on the radar gun, as well as 213 Ks in 88 IP, a 29-6 record, and a 1.25 ERA. His agent, the infamous Scott Boras, actually got him a then-unheard-of bonus of $1.55M.

Life after baseball was not good. Taylor worked as a UPS package handler, a beer distributor, and a bricklayer, and ended up living at his father’s. He was also arrested for cocaine distribution, spending 3 years in prison.