What makes a bust? Usually, it's a combination of a high pick followed by poor performance over a short career. Sometimes, it's a pick so obviously bad when it's made that the team busted, not the player. And then there are those classics where a team takes a high bust while passing over a future Hall of Famer, such as Jerry Rice. Here's a look at some notable draft busts over the past two decades, not necessarily the biggest busts, but among the more interesting, with their overall NFL draft position in parenthesis.

QB Ryan Leaf, (No. 2, 1998, Chargers), Washington State: After debating for months over which quarterback would be taken first, him or Peyton Manning, Leaf's career lasted about that long, months.

OT Tony Mandarich (2, 1989, Packers) Michigan State: All 'roided up and ready to go, this Sports Illustrated cover boy had the poor misfortune of entering the league in the first year it dished out steroids punishment. Pack bypassed Barry Sanders (3), Derrick Thomas (4) among others.

QB Akili Smith (3, 1999, Bengals), 1999, Oregon: Cincinnati also fanned on QB David Klingler with the sixth pick in 1992. Carson Palmer (1, 2003) became the third QB Bengals drafted in top six in dozen years.

LB Brian Bosworth (2, 1987, Seahawks), Oklahoma: Three seasons, 24 games, 4 sacks. The only thing his NFL career surpassed was his film career.

CB Bruce Pickens (3, 1991, Falcons), Nebraska: More like slim Pickens. Played 5 seasons, had 2 interceptions. Falcons had foresight to draft Brett Favre in the second round that year, but then traded him to Green Bay.

RB Alonzo Highsmith (3, Miami, Oilers), RB Brent Fullwood (4, Auburn, Packers), LB Mike Junkin (5, Duke, Browns) and QB Kelly Stouffer (6, Colorado State, Cardinals), 1987: All four were mighty busts and the picks of Junkin and Stouffer came unexpectedly high, which allowed the Steelers to accept Rod Woodson as a gift at No. 10.

RB Blair Thomas (2, 1990, Jets), Penn State: 2,236 yards rushing in 8 seasons. The first of a trio of big Nittany Lions busts at the position in the decade. The Bengals drafted Ki-Jana Carter No. 1 in 1995 and the Bears drafted Curtis Enis No. 5 in 1998.

QB Heath Shuler (3, 1994, Redskins), Tennessee: Four seasons, 29 games, 593 passes. Right school, right position, four years too early for Washington.

QB Andre Ware (7, 1990, Lions), Houston: Four seasons, 14 games, 161 passes. Could have had OT Richmond Webb to block for Barry Sanders.

OL Brian Jozwiak (7, 1986, Chiefs), West Virginia: At 6-5, 304 he was a mountain man. Three years, 28 games later he was told to head back to the hills.