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NFL Draft: Every team’s biggest first round bust of last ten years

By George Stockburger

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Robert Griffin III (R) from Baylor holds up a jersey as he stands on stage with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after Griffin was selected #2 overall by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Robert Griffin III (R) from Baylor holds up a jersey as he stands on stage with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after Griffin was selected #2 overall by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Dominique Easley Bust
FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 23: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by Dominique Easley #99 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

. 2014, 29th overall. . Dominique Easley. . team. 47

After 10 years of Vince Wilfork manning the interior of New England’s defensive line, the Patriots began the search for the heir apparent to the five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. In an attempt to become more athletic up front, the Patriots used the 29th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft on Florida’s Dominique Easley.

Easley tore both his left and right ACL’s in college and was brought along slowly by New England. He spent the majority of his two seasons with the Patriots as a situational pass rusher, recording just 25 tackles and three sacks. However, Easley couldn’t hide from the injury bug, as he finished each of his first two seasons on injured reserve.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 06: Dominique Easley #91 of the Los Angeles Rams reaches for quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on November 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 06: Dominique Easley #91 of the Los Angeles Rams reaches for quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on November 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

In April 2016, the Patriots decided to part ways with the oft-injured Easley and return to a philosophy similar to the one used when Wilfork was the heart of the New England defense. Easley was coming off a torn quad, was battling legal issues, and had his reliability come into question. Despite all that, the move came as a surprise.

A month after his release, Easley signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Rams. He played well in his first season with Los Angeles, racking up 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks, both higher than his career totals in New England. His success didn’t last long as he once again tore his ACL, this time prior to the 2017 season.

Easley remains with the Rams and was recently activated from the physically unable to perform list. Whether or not he can string together multiple healthy seasons remains to be seen as knee injuries have derailed Easley’s career and labeled the former first-round pick a bust.

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