Top 7 Biggest Sports Draft Misses Of All Time From All Sports

#2 because the final validated order places "Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan — 1984 NBA Draft" here with 79 framework points. It trails #1 "JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall — 2007 NFL Draft" by 4 points. It is placed above #3 "Brien Taylor No. 1 overall — 1991 MLB Draft" by the deterministic evidence, prompt-fit, source-count, and title tie-breaks.

Portland took Bowie at No. 2, one pick before Michael Jordan. Bowie's injuries limited his impact, while Jordan became a six-time NBA champion and the sport's defining global star.

#3 because the final validated order places "Brien Taylor No. 1 overall — 1991 MLB Draft" here with 79 framework points. It follows #2 "Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan — 1984 NBA Draft" after those deterministic tie-breaks. It leads #4 "Ryan Leaf after Peyton Manning — 1998 NFL Draft" by 4 points.

The Yankees made Taylor the No. 1 pick and gave him a record bonus, but a shoulder injury after an off-field fight derailed his career before he reached MLB. For baseball, it remains one of the starkest examples of a top pick producing zero major-league value.

#4 because the final validated order places "Ryan Leaf after Peyton Manning — 1998 NFL Draft" here with 75 framework points. It trails #3 "Brien Taylor No. 1 overall — 1991 MLB Draft" by 4 points. It is placed above #5 "Darko Miličić before Carmelo, Wade and Bosh — 2003 NBA Draft" by the deterministic evidence, prompt-fit, source-count, and title tie-breaks.

Leaf went No. 2 after Indianapolis chose Peyton Manning No. 1. Manning became a Hall of Fame quarterback, while Leaf's NFL career collapsed quickly amid poor play and off-field issues.

#5 because the final validated order places "Darko Miličić before Carmelo, Wade and Bosh — 2003 NBA Draft" here with 75 framework points. It follows #4 "Ryan Leaf after Peyton Manning — 1998 NFL Draft" after those deterministic tie-breaks. It is placed above #6 "Alexandre Daigle No. 1 overall — 1993 NHL Draft" by the deterministic evidence, prompt-fit, source-count, and title tie-breaks.

Detroit selected Darko No. 2 in a legendary draft, ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Darko became a marginal NBA contributor while multiple future Hall of Fame-level stars went immediately after him.

#6 because the final validated order places "Alexandre Daigle No. 1 overall — 1993 NHL Draft" here with 75 framework points. It follows #5 "Darko Miličić before Carmelo, Wade and Bosh — 2003 NBA Draft" after those deterministic tie-breaks. It is placed above #7 "Tony Mandarich before Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders — 1989 NFL Draft" by the deterministic evidence, prompt-fit, source-count, and title tie-breaks.

Ottawa drafted Daigle first overall with superstar expectations, but he never became an elite NHL player. Chris Pronger, taken No. 2, became a Hall of Fame defenseman and Stanley Cup champion.

#7 because the final validated order places "Tony Mandarich before Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders — 1989 NFL Draft" at the publication cutoff with 75 framework points. It follows #6 "Alexandre Daigle No. 1 overall — 1993 NHL Draft" after those deterministic tie-breaks.

Green Bay took Mandarich No. 2, ahead of three Hall of Famers: Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders. Mandarich's Packers stint was a major disappointment despite enormous pre-draft hype.