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The worst NFL draft pick of all time by every team

By Erik Lambert

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 03: JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on January 3, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 03: JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on January 3, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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9 Nov 1997: Wide receiver Rae Carruth of the Carolina Panthers moves the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won the game, 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
9 Nov 1997: Wide receiver Rae Carruth of the Carolina Panthers moves the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won the game, 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /

5. Carolina Panthers

87. . WR. Colorado. Rae Carruth . 5. player

There were high hopes for Carruth coming out of Colorado in 1997. He was athletic with speed and could create big plays the Carolina Panthers had been lacking at that position. His rookie year went fine, posting over 500 yards with four touchdowns. The next year was when things really started to go downhill for him. Carruth broke his foot just a couple of games into his second season and was unable to return after that. Still, hopes were high for 1999.

Then, five games into the year, Carruth was charged and eventually arrested for conspiracy to commit murder of his former girlfriend Cherica Adams. Carruth blockaded her car from moving, allowing a colleague named Van Brett Watkins to shoot her four times. She was pregnant at the time. Though she died at the hospital, doctors saved the child who became severely brain damaged. Carruth was cut by Carolina and eventually sentenced to 18-24 years in prison.

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