New York Giants: 10 worst draft busts of Jerry Reese era

No. 5 – Ramses Barden WR, Cal Poly 3rd Rd (85) 2009

Yet another example of Reese over-drafting due to athletic upside, Ramses Barden was drafted in 2009 to be the air apparent to Plaxico Burress. While both freaks of nature are 6-6, 230 lbs., that is about all they had in common when it came to the football field.

Although Barden did put up huge numbers at Cal Poly, including 50 career touchdowns, there were numerous questions about his technical abilities and the level of competition he faced at an FCS school. Pegged by most analysts as a day three guy, the Giants relinquished an extra fifth rounder and traded up with their archival Philadelphia to select Barden in the third round.

Despite being given every chance in the world to prove himself, Barden never took advantage. Billed as a red zone nightmare and a touchdown machine, the four year Giant failed to hit pay dirt a single time in his career. With just 29 catches for 394 yards, Barden was a colossal failure who gave the organization as close to zero return as you can get for what amounted to two mid-round draft picks.