Over the next few weeks, we'll evaluate the best and worst top 10 picks in a 10-year span from 1999-2008. We capped this at 2008 because it's unfair to judge first- or second-year players. Today, the pick nine bust.
Pick: Nine overall
The player: Ted Ginn | WR | Miami Dolphins (2007)
NFL Draft successes and busts 10-year evaluation: 9th overall bust
When the Dolphins drafted Ted Ginn in 2007, he was supposed to be what DeSean Jackson is for the Eagles. At Ohio State, Ginn was a work in progress as a wide receiver. He was a superstar as a return man, but everyone knew what he was as a wide receiver.
He was a speed vertical threat only. The Buckeyes didn't send Ginn on any complex routes. He simply used his 4.3 40 speed to run past people.
When the Dolphins drafted Ginn, head coach Cam Cameron remarked how great of a return man Ginn would be. Unfortunately, that’s not what you’re supposed to look for in the ninth overall pick. Even more unfortunate is that Ginn was removed from his return duties at the start of his second season.
Ginn has spent his career with bursts of promise. He had 175 yards against the
in 2008. a 40-yard end-around against the
the same year. An 11-catch game against the
in 2009. But still, he was never consistent. The Dolphins dumped him on San Francisco for a pick that was eventually used on
.
With San Francisco, he had his worst year of his career with 12 receptions for 163 yards. He had a good season as a punt returner, but a player taken late in the draft or even undrafted can do that. The fifth-round pick San Francisco gave up for Ginn represents what his draft value should have been.
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