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The 2026 NFL Draft is here with the annual event getting underway in Pittsburgh on Thursday 23 April.
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft after a 3-14 record in 2025.
Few No. 1 overall picks have ever been as clear cut as they are this year, with it all but guaranteed that the Silver and Black will select former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza as the first name off the board.
It is the first time since 2007 the franchise has the top overall selection in the draft. That was long before the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, but just like this year, back then they were looking to kickstart their rebuild with a franchise quarterback.
However, instead of getting a new face of the franchise who could lead the team to Super Bowl glory, what they actually got was one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
JaMarcus Russell was a major miss for the Oakland Raiders
Top selections rarely become the best players and there have been some serious busts in league history.
Tony Mandarich is widely considered to be the biggest bust of all time, the former Green Bay offensive lineman was a No. 2 pick in 1989.
Ryan Leaf, another huge draft bust, was taken second in 1998, one spot behind Peyton Manning.
When it comes to the biggest bust as a No. 1 pick, that award is reserved for a quarterback who was supposed to be a franchise-changer but ended up barely playing for the team that drafted him.
JaMarcus Russell was a prized selection for the Oakland Raiders in 2007.
“The skill level he has is certainly John Elway-like,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
Yet 18 years later, Russell is almost forgotten by NFL fans, despite receiving a huge $61 million contract.
“It has been a long time and I am happy that everything is finally over and I get a chance to be a football player again,” said Russell after a tense holdout that lasted throughout camp and into the season finally ended.
At the time, the former LSU QB signed the richest rookie deal in NFL history.
But it never went right for the 6ft 6in and 265lb Russell in the pros and, in many ways, things only got worse.
Russell’s lengthy holdout forced him to miss critical practice time.
As a result, he only played in four games (one start) as a rookie with the Raiders in 2007.
His stats were also off target. Russell only completed 54.5 per cent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Turnover problems plagued the ex-Tiger — Russell finished his NFL career with more picks (23) than TDs (18) — and he completed less than 50 percent of his pass attempts during his last year in the pros.
But off-the-field issues were even more problematic.
Russell regularly appeared overweight — he reportedly approached 300 pounds — while questions lingered about his willingness to study the Raiders’ playbook.
The former No. 1 pick quickly fell out of favor in Oakland, falling down the depth chart and struggling to stay on the field.
From 2007-09, Russell went 7-18 as a starter.
During his final season in the pros, he threw 11 interceptions compared to just three TDs.
A year later, Russell was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance — codeine syrup.
He finished his NFL career with a 52.1 completion percentage and 131.7 passing yards per game.
NFL’s Greatest……
Ranking the top 10……
“I didn’t feel like they were there for me,” said Russell, describing his football relationship with the Raiders.
Russell told ESPN in 2010 that he had tested positive for codeine after becoming the Raiders’ No. 1 pick, and acknowledged using codeine without a prescription.
The former LSU star attempted to find his way back into the NFL and make a come back, but a path never materialized.
He recently returned to Baton Rouge on Tuesday to attend spring practice with new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin.
“Our building’s open to former players, and I’ve talked to a number of them,” Kiffin said. “Some have come around, and I’ve reached out to others to make sure that they understood that. This is a place they put together and built.”
“It was really neat to see JaMarcus,” Kiffin added. “The first time I was in this building was for his NFL Pro Day.”
Russell pushes back on ‘draft bust’ tag
Russell ultimately let the Raiders down, then become untouchable across the league.
The 40-year-old only played three seasons in the pros and is still considered to be the worst No. 1 pick of all time.
However, speaking on the Raw Room podcast recently, Russell didn’t hold back while addressing the bust tag that still follows him everywhere he goes
“I haven’t played for four years,” he said. “I’m mad as f***. So don’t you think I’m mad enough for you to come play with me, b****? I’ll get at your a**…that you come up and talk crazy, that you play with me like I won’t do something to you, my n****, like f****** with me? Man, that’s harassment. You are harassing me. … I feel like I have to defend myself now.”
“They’re calling me the biggest bust because I was the best that didn’t turn out well. I can understand that. Motherf***** loves saying it. But they weren’t better than me. That’s why they’re saying I’m the biggest bust. I understand that. I feel that. That’s cool with me,” Russell added.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
The 2026 NFL Draft is here with the annual event getting underway in Pittsburgh on Thursday 23 April.
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft after a 3-14 record in 2025.
Few No. 1 overall picks have ever been as clear cut as they are this year, with it all but guaranteed that the Silver and Black will select former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza as the first name off the board.
It is the first time since 2007 the franchise has the top overall selection in the draft. That was long before the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, but just like this year, back then they were looking to kickstart their rebuild with a franchise quarterback.
However, instead of getting a new face of the franchise who could lead the team to Super Bowl glory, what they actually got was one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
JaMarcus Russell was a major miss for the Oakland Raiders
Top selections rarely become the best players and there have been some serious busts in league history.
Tony Mandarich is widely considered to be the biggest bust of all time, the former Green Bay offensive lineman was a No. 2 pick in 1989.
Ryan Leaf, another huge draft bust, was taken second in 1998, one spot behind Peyton Manning.
When it comes to the biggest bust as a No. 1 pick, that award is reserved for a quarterback who was supposed to be a franchise-changer but ended up barely playing for the team that drafted him.
JaMarcus Russell was a prized selection for the Oakland Raiders in 2007.
“The skill level he has is certainly John Elway-like,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
Yet 18 years later, Russell is almost forgotten by NFL fans, despite receiving a huge $61 million contract.
“It has been a long time and I am happy that everything is finally over and I get a chance to be a football player again,” said Russell after a tense holdout that lasted throughout camp and into the season finally ended.
At the time, the former LSU QB signed the richest rookie deal in NFL history.
But it never went right for the 6ft 6in and 265lb Russell in the pros and, in many ways, things only got worse.
Russell’s lengthy holdout forced him to miss critical practice time.
As a result, he only played in four games (one start) as a rookie with the Raiders in 2007.
His stats were also off target. Russell only completed 54.5 per cent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Turnover problems plagued the ex-Tiger — Russell finished his NFL career with more picks (23) than TDs (18) — and he completed less than 50 percent of his pass attempts during his last year in the pros.
But off-the-field issues were even more problematic.
Russell regularly appeared overweight — he reportedly approached 300 pounds — while questions lingered about his willingness to study the Raiders’ playbook.
The former No. 1 pick quickly fell out of favor in Oakland, falling down the depth chart and struggling to stay on the field.
From 2007-09, Russell went 7-18 as a starter.
During his final season in the pros, he threw 11 interceptions compared to just three TDs.
A year later, Russell was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance — codeine syrup.
He finished his NFL career with a 52.1 completion percentage and 131.7 passing yards per game.
NFL’s Greatest……
Ranking the top 10……
“I didn’t feel like they were there for me,” said Russell, describing his football relationship with the Raiders.
Russell told ESPN in 2010 that he had tested positive for codeine after becoming the Raiders’ No. 1 pick, and acknowledged using codeine without a prescription.
The former LSU star attempted to find his way back into the NFL and make a come back, but a path never materialized.
He recently returned to Baton Rouge on Tuesday to attend spring practice with new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin.
“Our building’s open to former players, and I’ve talked to a number of them,” Kiffin said. “Some have come around, and I’ve reached out to others to make sure that they understood that. This is a place they put together and built.”
“It was really neat to see JaMarcus,” Kiffin added. “The first time I was in this building was for his NFL Pro Day.”
Russell pushes back on ‘draft bust’ tag
Russell ultimately let the Raiders down, then become untouchable across the league.
The 40-year-old only played three seasons in the pros and is still considered to be the worst No. 1 pick of all time.
However, speaking on the Raw Room podcast recently, Russell didn’t hold back while addressing the bust tag that still follows him everywhere he goes
“I haven’t played for four years,” he said. “I’m mad as f***. So don’t you think I’m mad enough for you to come play with me, b****? I’ll get at your a**…that you come up and talk crazy, that you play with me like I won’t do something to you, my n****, like f****** with me? Man, that’s harassment. You are harassing me. … I feel like I have to defend myself now.”
“They’re calling me the biggest bust because I was the best that didn’t turn out well. I can understand that. Motherf***** loves saying it. But they weren’t better than me. That’s why they’re saying I’m the biggest bust. I understand that. I feel that. That’s cool with me,” Russell added.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
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- Este artĂculo cubre aspectos importantes sobre NFL,Las Vegas Raiders,NFL Draft
- InformaciĂłn verificada y traducida de fuente confiable
- Contenido actualizado y relevante para nuestra audiencia
đź“š InformaciĂłn de la Fuente
| đź“° PublicaciĂłn: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Joshua Rogers |
| đź“… Fecha Original: | 2026-04-23 08:23:00 |
| đź”— Enlace: | Ver artĂculo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artĂculo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglĂ©s al español para facilitar su comprensiĂłn. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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