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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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 07: Sedrick Ellis #98 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 07: Sedrick Ellis #98 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

. Sedrick Ellis. . team. 15. . 2008, 7th overall

New Orleans has made some fantastic picks in the first round over the last decade with Malcolm Jenkins, Cameron Jordan, Mark Ingram, and Brandin Cooks. They’re still waiting to see if some of their latest picks work out, but there’s one guy who stands out as their worst first round pick by far.

Sedrick Ellis came out of USC in 2008 as an All-American and reigning PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Playing just three seasons for the Trojans, Ellis had 17.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, and 142 tackles.

New Orleans traded a third round pick to New England to move up three spots, and received the Patriots fifth round pick back in the deal. New England ended up drafted Pro Bowler Jerod Mayo, while the Saints added Ellis in a first round that included 11 Pro Bowlers.

Ellis started all 70 games he appeared in over five years with New Orleans, but he never got an opportunity after his rookie contract expired. Despite getting extended playing time he only had 12.5 sacks and 100 tackles for New Orleans. In 2010 he led the Saints with six sacks and started all 16 games for the reigning Super Bowl champions.

After New Orleans didn’t re-sign Ellis past his five-year deal he signed a contract with the Bears, but never reported to camp. The 28-year-old instead retired from professional football and made no attempts at a comeback.

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