Top 3 Biggest Draft Busts
With the NBA Draft right around the corner, we got to thinking about some of the more disappointing draft picks across all sports. Here is short list of guys that never lived up to their potential.
1. Brien Taylor, New York Yankees
Taylor was the number one overall pick in the 1991 MLB Amateur Draft, receiving a then-record signing bonus of $1.55 million. Taylor's fall began almost immediately, and his career was derailed when he suffered an arm injury in a bar fight. His post-playing career wasn't much better, as he's spent a good majority of it in trouble with the law.
2. Lawrence Phillips, St. Louis Rams
Phillips enjoyed a stellar career at the University of Nebraska, but found himself in legal trouble before even joining the NFL. While at Nebraska, he faced charges including, but not limited to: receiving illegal benefits, assault, vandalism, and domestic violence. The Rams took a flyer on Phillips anyway; in under two years with the team, he spent a total of 23 days in jail. His time in St. Louis ended when he stormed out of the facility after losing his starting job. Phillips bounced around the league before completely flaming out, and now resides at Kern Valley State Prison.
3. Todd Marinovich, Oakland Raiders
Marinovich, thanks to his father Marv, was seen as a prototypical workout warrior at quarterback. Coming out of USC, Marinovich was coined The Next Big Thing - but the pressure of being a top pick, combined with high expectations from his father, led Marinovich down a path of addiction. Todd's story has a happier ending than the other two, though: he's successfully battled his drug problems and found a new life as an artist.
