2005: Troy Williamson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Troy Williamson with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, and envisioned him being the replacement for the departed Randy Moss (whom they traded that offseason). It didn’t really bother them that Williamson had less than 500 yards receiving in two of the three years he was at the University of South Carolina, even though it should have in retrospect. Williamson struggled mightily with dropped passes during his three seasons in Minnesota, and was out of the NFL two seasons later.
When Minnesota drafted Williamson, there was a young quarterback from the University of Cal who was still on the board. His name was Aaron Rodgers – ever heard of him? The Vikings ended up with a receiver who 99% of NFL fans already don’t remember, and the Green Bay Packers ended up with one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.