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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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INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 02: Keith Rivers #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals is pictured before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 02: Keith Rivers #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals is pictured before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Keith Rivers. . team. 56. . 2008, 9th overall.

A high school superstar, Keith Rivers had the athleticism to make it wherever he played, be it high school, USC, or the NFL A consensus All-American at USC, Rivers wore the famed #55 jersey at USC once worn by Junior Seau.

Rivers was immediately slotted as the WILL linebacker for Marvin Lewis and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Cincinnati made Rivers the first linebacker picked in 2008, one spot ahead of Pro Bowler Jerod Mayo, who won Rookie of the Year.

No other linebacker drafted that year would make a Pro Bowl, but Jerrell Freeman and Wesley Woodward would be undrafted free agents.

FOXBORO, MA – AUGUST 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots feels the pressure of Keith Rivers #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on August 20, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – AUGUST 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots feels the pressure of Keith Rivers #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on August 20, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Rivers had a strong start to his career, but a broken jaw suffered at the hands of Hines Ward cost him nine games as a rookie, and led to the Hines Ward Rule that limited blindside hits to the head.

Over the next two years Rivers started 26 games, but the numbers didn’t keep up with his starts. The linebacker only had two interceptions and two sacks in three seasons, far from the type of production expected from the eighth overall pick.

Cincinnati would trade Rivers to the Giants for a fifth-round pick where he lasted two seasons starting sporadically. After one year in Buffalo and an offseason with the Cowboys Rivers retired.

The former USC star finished his career with 183 tackles, two interceptions, and three sacks.

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