NFL Draft Risks That Didn't Pay Off

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 6, 2007

NFL Draft Risks That Didn't Pay Off

Maurice Clarett

Pre-Draft: Implicated in an academic scandal, suspended for the 2003 season for filing a false police report and receiving illegal benefits. Post-Draft: He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft by the Broncos, but never played in an NFL game. Clarett was convicted on robbery and concealed weapons charges in 2006.

William Green

Pre-Draft: Twice suspended at Boston College for alleged marijuana use. Post-Draft: A first-round pick by the Browns in 2002, Brown never lived up to draft status and was repeat violator of the league's substance abuse policy.

Koren Robinson

Pre-Draft: Reports of immaturity surfaced after he was suspended at North Carolina State. Post-Draft: Since being selected as a first-round pick by the Seahawks in 2001, Robinson has had numerous arrests involving alcohol. He's currently serving a year-long suspension for repeatedly violating league's substance abuse policy.

Jerramy Stevens

Pre-Draft: Numerous brushes with the law during his collegiate career, including an assault charge and he was cited for reckless driving and hit-and-run. Post-Draft: He's had several off-field incidents since joining the Seahawks in 2002. The team announced he wouldn't be back next season after he was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana in Scottsdale, Ariz., in March.

Lawrence Phillips

Pre-Draft: He pleaded no contest to a charge of domestic violence in a confrontation with a girlfriend at Nebraska. Post-Draft: He was the sixth pick in the 1996 draft, but his career was marred by off-field incidents. Phillips was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 2006.

Dimitrius Underwood

Pre-Draft: Rumors of mental health issues at Michigan State. Post-Draft: Drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 1999, but walked out of camp a day after signing with personal issues and his career was cut short because of several psychiatric issues.

Onterrio Smith

Pre-Draft: Kicked out of Tennessee for reported marijuana use and arrested for DUI in the winter of 2001. Post-Draft: The Vikings running back of Whizzinator fame was suspended by the NFL for a year after repeated violations of the substance abuse policy.

Cecil Collins

Pre-Draft: Collins was convicted on two felony counts of unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling and two misdemeanor accounts of simple battery after incidents at an apartment complex in Baton Rouge, La., when he was at LSU. Post-Draft: A fifth- round pick by the Dolphins in 1999, Collins rushed for 414 yards in eight games. After his playing days were over, he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for burglary.

Odell Thurman

Pre-Draft: Suspended twice at Georgia for various run-ins with the law. Post-Draft: Numerous off-field struggles since joining the Bengals in 2005. He is currently suspended for a year for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

R. Jay Soward

Pre-Draft: Several questions about his character and work ethic while at USC. Post-Draft: First-round pick by the Jags in 2000. He was suspended numerous times for violating the league's substance abuse policy and is currently playing in the CFL.