Periodically, the five of us who cover the top five selections in this year’s draft for ESPN NFL Nation will examine an issue collectively.

Today, we take a closer look at who is the least productive player selected by your team in the first round in the past decade:

1. Tennessee Titans: After selecting the University of Washington product with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 draft, the Titans didn’t get close to first-round production out of quarterback Jake Locker. The quarterback battled injuries and problems with accuracy for a team that fell in love with a committed player who understood what it took to be an NFL quarterback on game days. But that contrast with Vince Young did not make up for his limitations, and the Titans bottomed out. Locker retired last year in March after his rookie contract ran out. And Tennessee drafted Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 overall selection a month later in the 2015 draft as Locker’s replacement. -- Paul Kuharsky

2. Cleveland Browns: In Cleveland, there are a few to choose from. Running back Trent Richardson (third overall) lasted one year before being traded. Linebacker Barkevious Mingo (sixth) has yet to deliver. Quarterback Brady Quinn and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley were traded the same day, a "that’s so Browns" moment if ever there was one. Johnny Manziel ... well ... enough said. This honor, though, goes to a player still on the team. Cornerback Justin Gilbert was the hand-picked choice of Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer to be the cover guy the team wanted opposite Joe Haden. His resume for two seasons includes 23 games, three starts, one interception and several torchings of his professionalism and approach by his teammates. New Browns coach Hue Jackson says he is eager to see Gilbert on the field. To say Gilbert is on his last chance with the Browns probably is accurate. -- Pat McManamon

3. San Diego Chargers: Selected No. 30 overall in the 2007 draft out of LSU, receiver Craig "Buster" Davis never emerged as a playmaker for the Chargers. He totaled 51 receptions, 558 yards and two touchdowns in 26 games during his four seasons in San Diego, including two starts. Davis finished the 2008 and 2010 seasons on the injured reserve, and had trouble staying on the field during his time in San Diego because of injuries. Finishing a close second is pass-rusher Larry English. The No. 16 overall selection by the Chargers in the 2009 draft, English also never lived up to expectations, totaling just 11 sacks in five seasons in San Diego before his 2014 release. -- Eric D. Williams

4. Dallas Cowboys: Like with the most productive debate that came down to Dez Bryant and Tyron Smith, the least productive debate comes down to two players: Bobby Carpenter in 2006 and Morris Claiborne in 2012. Carpenter was a 2006 first-round pick who could not find a true home with the Cowboys and was eventually traded to the St. Louis Rams. The Cowboys traded up to the sixth overall pick to take Claiborne. At the time the move was hailed as a thing of brilliance, because Claiborne was the Cowboys' highest rated cornerback since Deion Sanders and considered the best cornerback available. But injuries have curtailed his career. Claiborne has not played a full season. He also has not been the playmaker the Cowboys anticipated with just three career interceptions. The Cowboys chose not to pick up Claiborne’s fifth-year option, and he eventually re-signed on a one-year deal worth up to $3.75 million. Carpenter was the 18th pick in the opening round. Claiborne was the sixth and cost the Cowboys a second-round pick to move up to get him. He gets the vote for the least productive first-round pick. -- Todd Archer

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: There are multiple names from which to choose, which is why the Jaguars haven’t had a winning season since 2007 and haven’t won more than five games in a season since 2010. Receiver Justin Blackmon has played in only 20 of a possible 64 games since he was drafted in 2012 because of suspensions for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, but the former Oklahoma State standout was very productive when he was on the field (93 catches for 1,280 yards and six TDs). Quarterback Blaine Gabbert went 5-22 as a starter, battled injuries, and was traded away for a sixth-round pick in March 2014. They are good candidates, but they at least had moments when they were productive. Gabbert at least had some moments where he looked like a very good NFL quarterback and did throw for 300 yards once. However, the least productive first-round pick over the past decade has to be defensive end Derrick Harvey. The Jaguars gave up their first-round pick (No. 26), two third-round picks, and a fourth-round pick to move up to No 8 and take the former University of Florida standout in 2008. He missed only one game in three years, but managed only 8.0 sacks and the Jaguars released him in July 2011. He played in five games for Denver in 2011 and was out of the league.

Source:
courtesy of ESPN

by Eric D. Williams

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]