Trent Richardson Now Challenging Ryan Leaf for Biggest Draft Bust

For the longest time there was no discussion about who the greatest draft bust in NFL history was. Now Trent Richardson may be changing that.

Ryan Leaf still holds that dubious title. A #2 overall pick in 1998, he was expected to be on the same level as Peyton Manning, the man who went ahead of him at #1. For the first couple games of his career Leaf looked like the real deal. Then it all unraveled in rapid succession. He went just 4-14 in his time with the San Diego Chargers, completing just 48% of his passes and throwing 33 interceptions to just 13 touchdowns.

To top it off he dealt with substance abuse problems that landed him in jail shortly after he retired at the age of 25. It was impossible to think anybody could top that. At least until Richardson came along. Here was a phenom from Alabama who had broken records in 2011. He had nine 100-yard games, finished third in the Heisman voting and led the way to a second-straight Tide national championship.

He became the 3rd overall pick to the Cleveland Browns that off-season. Though he had a decent rookie season, it was apparent early on that he had problems both with vision and conditioning. Soon enough both reared their ugly heads. Within four years Richardson would be out of football, having managed just 2,032 yards rushing total. Less than 300 yards more than his 2011 season at Alabama.

Now, like Leaf he’s capping his bust factor with an ugly arrest. This one might be even worse too.

"“When police got to the scene, they say the victim, an adult female, had scratches and bruises on her face. Paramedics treated her at the scene and she didn’t require any further medical attention.Investigators say the suspect and victim had been arguing earlier at the Wal-Mart on John Hawkins Parkway and continued until arriving at the hotel.Police received calls reporting screaming coming from one of the guest rooms. Officers were escorted to the room by a hotel employee.”"

Drug charges are one thing, but potentially beating up a woman? That may just put Richardson in the running for the biggest NFL draft flop ever, which more sad than it is anything else. Here’s hoping he can get his life turned around at some point because he has clearly lost control of it.