10 Biggest Georgia Bulldogs NFL Draft busts of all time
8. player. 54. . CB. Philadelphia Eagles. Ben Smith
Georgia Bulldogs NFL Draft bust No. 8: Ben Smith
1990 NFL Draft, Round 1, Pick 22
Philadelphia Eagles 1990-1993
Denver Broncos, 1994
Arizona Cardinals, 1995-1996
The Philadelphia Eagles used their first-round pick in 1990 to take what they thought would be the next great shutdown corner on their defense.
What they got was far from that. Ben Smith was one of the bigger busts in the 1990s.
Smith did have an impressive rookie season, starting 13 games and logging three interceptions and 91 combined tackles – garnering him PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. However, in his second year, Smith saw a rapid decline appearing in only 10 games for the Eagles after tearing his ACL.
Sitting out the 1992 season while rehabbing his knee, Smith had hoped to return to form in 1993.
By the time the 1993 season was completed, Smith only appeared in 13 games, starting only three of them. He simply no longer had the speed and cutting ability to play at a high level, and it spelled the end of his time in Philadelphia.
Smith had a moderately successful single season in Denver, but for all intents and purposes, his NFL career was done. Becoming a bust due to injuries is one of the worst ways to go out.