Every team wants to believe they’ve struck gold with their next big star. So they roll out the red carpet, plaster their face on billboards, and fire up the hype machine like it’s Super Bowl week. But sometimes, that flashy marketing masks a player who just… doesn’t have it.
From quarterbacks dubbed “the future” to wideouts who were supposed to be the next big thing, these guys were sold as franchise saviors but ended up being more sizzle than steak. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit 20 NFL stars who were hyped to the moon—and crashed just as hard.
20. Kevin White
The Bears treated Kevin White like he was their long-awaited WR1 savior. But after injuries and inconsistency, fans barely remember he was even drafted.
19. Matt Leinart
He came into the league with Hollywood looks and a Heisman resume. But he fizzled fast and was more clipboard holder than QB1.
18. Darius Heyward-Bey
The Raiders hyped his speed like he was part cheetah. Turns out catching the football is kind of important, too.
17. Blake Bortles
Jacksonville tried to make “Bortlesmania” a thing. Unfortunately, it was more blooper reel than highlight tape.
16. Trent Richardson
The Browns hyped him like the second coming of Jim Brown. He ran more like he had ankle weights on.
15. Tavon Austin
St. Louis sold him as a human joystick. But his actual NFL impact was closer to a dead battery.
14. Brock Osweiler
Denver hyped him as Peyton Manning’s heir. Texans paid him like a star, and he played like a third-stringer.
13. Vince Young
He had the college highlight reel and a rookie year that sparked excitement. But the magic wore off fast, and the production never matched the potential.
12. Josh Rosen
Chosen Rosen had the look, the interviews, and the draft pedigree. But by year two, teams were already tossing him aside like expired milk.
11. Reggie Bush
The Saints marketed him like a generational weapon. He was good, sure, but never close to the all-time great status they pushed.
10. Sammy Watkins
Buffalo traded up for him and expected fireworks. What they got was a flickering sparkler and a whole lot of injuries.
9. Robert Griffin III
RGIII had the marketing machine working overtime after his electric rookie year. But injuries and drama derailed what looked like a Hall of Fame path.
8. David Boston
He looked like a bodybuilder and was hyped like a megastar. But his actual production couldn’t keep up with the flex.
7. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football was supposed to change everything in Cleveland. He did—just not in a good way.
6. JaMarcus Russell
The Raiders hyped him like he was the future of the franchise. But he brought more bust than boom—and a serious love for purple drank.
5. Larry Johnson
Kansas City built the offense around him and hyped him to the heavens. But his prime was brief and his fall-off was fast.
4. Justin Blackmon
The Jags thought they had a superstar in the making. Off-field issues made sure he never even came close.
Read More: 19 QBs Who Got Way More Hype Than Their Play Deserved
3. Michael Crabtree
The 49ers expected a game-changer when they drafted him. What they got was solid, but nowhere near the WR1 hype he came in with.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Overconfident QBs to Ever Play the Game
2. Tim Tebow
Tebow had the jersey sales, the attention, and the media circus. But actual quarterbacking? Not exactly his strong suit.
Read More: 15 NFL Quarterbacks Who Couldn’t Handle the Pressure
1. Chase Daniel
He’s made a career out of being a professional backup, but teams constantly sold him like he might be “the guy.” Spoiler alert: he never was.
Stay in the Game With the Latest Scores, Highlights, and Stories — Follow GamerKoala on MSN.
