5 Biggest NFL Draft busts since 2000 in USC football history
![Dec 27, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns. Dec 27, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2396,h_1347,x_0,y_87/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/144/01hwazebtkfjanckntkp.jpg)
. . Matt Leinart. USC draft busts. 2006 NFL Draft. Round 1, Pick 10. Matt Leinart. player. 1. 32
Not all Heisman trophy winners went on to have the Heisman curse in the NFL, but unfortunately for Matt Leinart, he did get hit by the curse and he got hit hard. Leinart won the Heisman trophy in his senior season and then went on to be the 10th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Leinart showed a little bit of promise his rookie season throwing for over 2,500 yards in 12 games and 11 touchdowns, but he did throw 12 interceptions. After his rookie season though, everything went downhill. After going 4-7 his rookie season, Leinart went 3-2 in his second season throwing for only 647 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions.
After his rookie season, Leinart was constantly fighting for the starting position for four years in Arizona and then again in Houston and Oakland. In his rookie season, Leinart started just five games in his second season. However, after that, Leinart started just two more games in his career.
Leinart was never able to find that magic he had once at USC that won his championship games and a Heisman trophy. Unfortunately, Leinart had it rough in the NFL making him the final USC NFL draft bust.
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