13. Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders (2008):
Walker truly broke out in 2004. Racking up 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 scores, the hype train was rolling. But he threatened to retire if he was not granted a renegotiated contract with Green Bay after the season. A large standoff ensued, and Walker threatened to hold out before ultimately reporting to training camp. In a rough twist of events, he missed the majority of the season after tearing his ACL in the first game of 2005.
But that’s not why he’s one of the biggest free agent busts ever. No, that came later. Walker was traded from Green Bay to Denver and played two years for the Broncos, one good and one mediocre. The Broncos released him after the 2008 season when they could not trade him. Oakland saw it fit to lavish a six-year, $55 million deal that included $16 million in guaranteed money on Walker. What followed was truly a massive bust, with Walker playing in only eight games and amassing 15 catches for 196 yards and only one touchdown in his sole season with Oakland. He played only three games the following year and had no catches. Ouch.
