No team in the NFL has shown more disdain for the first round of the NFL Draft than the Washington Redskins. In a span of 22 years (1969-1990), the Redskins held on to their first-round pick only three times. But they used those three picks wisely, electing Art Monk (No. 18 in 1980), Mark May (No. 20 in 1981), and Darrell Green No. 28 in 1983). But since that brief span, when General Manager Bobby Beathard ran the draft, the Redskins draft history has been spotty. The following are the Redskins’ top 10 draft busts:
10 » Richie Lucas • 1960 • No. 4 • QB
In consecutive years with the No. 4 overall pick, the Redskins selected dud QBs. In 1959 they took Boston College’s Don Allard, who played five NFL games. In 1960 they drafted Penn State’s Lucas, who lasted 22 games, the fewest among players selected that year in the first two rounds.
9 » Rod Gardner • 2001 • No. 15 • WR
Nicknamed “50-50,” for the chances he had of catching balls that hit him in the hands, Gardner looked bound for stardom in his sophomore year (71 catches, 1,006 yards, 8 TD) but never again approached those numbers. He left the Redskins after four years and never started another NFL game.
8 » Jim “Yazoo” Smith • 1968 • No. 12 • DB
Not so much a bust as just bad luck. The All-America from Oregon and Yazoo City, Miss., was having a promising rookie season at safety when he suffered a broken neck in the 1968 season finale, dropping his helmet and taking a big blow from Lions FB Danny Lewis.
7 » Tom Carter • 1993 • No. 17 • DB
Emerged in combine workouts after a mediocre college career at Notre Dame. Carter started four years in Washington, but never blossomed and the Redskins made no effort to retain him when his contract expired. Lasted four more years with Bears and Bengals.
6 » Bobby Wilson • 1991 • No. 17 • DT
Lasted four undistinguished years before a back injury ended his career. Had 136 tackles and 11 sacks. The next three defensive linemen selected in 1991 — Alfred Williams (59.5 sacks), Kelvin Pritchett (31.5 sacks) and Ted Washington (31.5 sacks) — were much more productive.
5 » Michael Westbrook • 1995 • No. 4 • WR
A bust considering where he was drafted. Prototype size and speed, but often injured and never reached his potential. Put up nice numbers in the only season he started all 16 games (65 catches, 1191 yards, 9 TD) in 1999. Best known for sucker-punching Stephen Davis in practice.
4 » Ray McDonald • 1967 • No. 13 • RB
The 6-4, 248-pound All-America fullback out of Idaho could run 100 yards in 9.9 seconds and was compared to Jim Brown. But McDonald lasted only two years in the NFL (52 carries, 224 yards), was arrested in D.C. for having sex (with a man) in public, and died of AIDS at age 48.
3 » Andre Johnson • 1996 • No. 30 • OT
The Redskins traded up to pick Johnson, a prototype left tackle from Penn State at 6-5, 315. But he never played a down in Washington. After a season on the taxi squad, Johnson was released and caught on with Detroit, but never started a game in the NFL.
2 » Desmond Howard • 1992 • No. 4 • WR
After Joe Gibbs wrestled control from Bobby Beathard, he presided over some terrible drafts. The worst choice was Heisman Trophy winner Howard, never more than a special teams player. The Skins weren’t alone in drafting a bust in 1992, however, as Steve Entman and Quentin Coryatt went No. 1 and No. 2.
1 » Heath Shuler • 1994 • No. 3 • QB
This Charley Casserly choice set the Redskins back years. Shuler lost the first seven games he started his rookie year. His best moment was an upset win at Dallas in 1995, but by then, the Redskins had figured out that Shuler didn’t have it. Career stats — 15 touchdowns, 33 interceptions.
