NFL Draft: 10 biggest quarterback busts of all-time

Apr 28, 2007 - New York, NY, USA - The NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. JaMarcus Russell was selected by the Raiders with the no. 1 overall pick. Calvin Johnson went to the Lions with the second pick. Gaines Adams went to the Buccaneers with the 4th pick. Adrian Peterson went to the Vikings with the 7th pick. Brady Quinn went to the Browns with the 22nd pick. PICTURED: JAMARCUS RUSSELL. (Photo by John Dunn/Sporting News via Getty Images) /

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12 Nov 2000: Quarterback Akili Smith #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs up the middle during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/ALLSPORT /

Akili Smith lifted his draft stock after his senior season with the Oregon Ducks, throwing for 3,763 yards, 30 touchdowns and only seven interceptions and adding four touchdowns on the ground.

By no means was he an all-American candidate, but his strong senior season piqued the interest of the NFL, which landed him the third spot in the 1999 NFL Draft, owned by the Cincinnati Bengals.

After holding out for much of camp due to contract disputes, Smith finally joined the team for minicamp. He started in four games his rookie season, only winning one, resulting in the decision to bench him for the rest of the season.

But in 2000, he was named the starter of the Bengals, only to 2-9 in his 11 starts, finding himself on the bench once again. From there, he would only start two more games in the next two seasons, putting an end to his NFL career.

It was a bit of a gamble taking him so early in the draft, especially after one above average season at Oregon. The Bengals paid for it.

Next: 5. Joey Harrington

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