25 most sought after NFL quarterback draft prospects of all time
By Zach Bigalke
Given the trajectory of his career, it is easy to forget just how highly sought JaMarcus Russell was by NFL teams at the 2007 NFL Draft. A two-year starter at LSU, Russell offered the kind of NFL Scouting Combine-type measurables that get scouts excited. He also had a track record of success in two years piloting the Tigers offense.
Russell took over the starting job full-time in Baton Rouge as a redshirt sophomore, and immediately led the team to a 10-1 regular season. Though they lost to Georgia in the SEC Championship, they returned to Atlanta and downed a top-10 Miami team in the Peach Bowl.
Russell followed that sophomore campaign up with an even better junior year, as LSU finished third in the polls after another 11-2 season. Russell completed 67 percent of his passes for more than 3,200 yards, with 28 touchdowns against only eight interceptions.
Russell had all the physical tools to excel in the NFL. He was interviewed by multiple teams, in the unlikely event that Oakland passed on the SEC-seasoned star. But given his love of a strong downfield passing game, Al Davis and his Raiders had no intention on selecting anyone other than the cannon-armed quarterback from Louisiana.
Those interviews raised several questions about Russell’s focus and work ethic. The questions surrounding Russell intensified, as the Raiders struggled to sign him to a rookie contract. Eventually, the two sides worked out a six-year contract with $31.5 million in guaranteed money. Russell would only remain in the NFL for half of that time.
In three years with Oakland, Russell went 7-18 as a starter and completed only 52 percent of his passes. He threw 23 interceptions against only 18 touchdowns. As a runner he added little, averaging fewer than seven yards per game on the ground.
By the end of 2009, Russell had been relegated to third on the depth chart. After his release, no other team sought his services. But while Russell was a major draft bust, that is only because he was so highly touted entering that draft.