In the storied history of the Detroit Lions, the NFL Draft has been a source of optimism and heartache.
As one of nine teams part of the inaugural NFL Draft in 1936 , the Lions have drafted hundreds of players. Some selections include all-time greats such as Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson and Herman Moore.
However, among the triumphs of legendary picks, there exist those who have failed to live up to expectations.
Here are the greatest busts in Lion’s history by decade.
2000s: WR Charles Rogers | Michigan State University
Rogers, a former unanimous All-American and Fred Bilentnikoff Award winner was the Lions’ second overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft.
At the start of the 2003-04 NFL season, Rogers got off to a decent start as a rookie, recording 22 catches, 243 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in five games as a starter.
However, before his sixth game as a Lion, Rogers broke his clavicle in practice , an injury that sidelined the wideout for the rest of the year.
The following season, on the first set of downs for the Lions offense, Rogers broke his clavicle again . Just two days later, Rogers was placed on the injured reserve list, ending his season short for the second year in a row.
In his third season, Rogers appeared in nine games for the Lions following a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for the third time. The following season, Rogers was cut in training camp and never appeared in another NFL game.
After the selection of Rogers, 34 pro bowlers were drafted, including wide receiver Andre Johnson, linebacker Terell Suggs, and Hall-of-Fame safety Troy Polamalu. Notably, the Houston Texans took Johnson just one pick after Rogers.
1990s- QB Andre Ware | University of Houston
After taking home the Heisman Trophy in 1989, the Lions selected Ware seventh overall in the 1990 NFL Draft.
Ware’s time as a Lion was relatively unmemorable. The signal-caller appeared in only 14 games and started six in his four-year stint with the Lions.
Following his unsuccessful time with the Lions, Ware signed with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. Ware never took the field for either team and was cut by both teams, ending his career in the NFL.
The following year, Ware went on to play in the Canadian Football League. Notably, Ware only attempted 161 passes in the NFL. In comparison, the current Lions starting quarterback, Jared Goff, has attempted more than 300 passes through just nine games this NFL season.
Interestingly, 25 pro bowlers and three Hall of Farmers — running back Emmitt Smith, safety LeRoy Butler, and wide receiver Shannon Sharpe — were selected after Ware in the draft.
1980s- DE Reggie Rogers | University of Washington
The Lions selected Rogers, a two-sport athlete and consensus All-American, seventh overall in the 1987 NFL Draft.
After some off-the-field issues , the defensive tackle played in just 11 games for the Lions across two seasons. Notably, that’s the fewest games played by a first-round pick selected by the Lions since the NFL-AFL merger in 1966 .
Before the beginning of the 1989 NFL season, the Lions released Rogers. He then had brief stints with the Buffalo Bills and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rogers never appeared in another NFL game after suiting up for the Buccaneers in 1992.
Eventually, Rogers played in the Canadian Football League for three seasons before retiring from football. Remarkably, 30 pro bowlers and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson were picked after Rogers.