Detroit Lions: Six worst first-round draft picks of all-time

Charles Rogers

The Michigan State Spartan failed to produce at the NFL level.  Rogers, with the Spartans, had been nothing short of spectacular in two college seasons.

Charles Rogers accumulated 2821 receiving yards along with 27 touchdowns in two seasons.  One of Michigan State’s finest but failed to find his legs in Detroit after the Lions selected him with the second overall pick in 2003.

Injuries are to blame for a slow start to his professional career.  Rogers burst onto the scene, scoring a pair of touchdowns in his NFL debut but broke his clavicle before week six of his rookie season, ending it abruptly.

It would only take three plays in his first game back from the injury in 2004 before he broke his clavicle again.  Rogers struggled with substance abuse, something he’d battle with for the rest of his life. General Manager Matt Millen had always said he regretted sending Charles home and away from the team to rehab his season-ending injuries.

During that time, Rogers would be caught three times as a member of the Detroit Lions for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.  In 2006 leading up to the start of the regular season, a four-game suspension was handed down to Charles by the NFL. The Detroit Lions decided to release Rogers.  Charles also served time for driving under the influence.

He’d never find his way back onto another NFL roster.  At just 26 years old, the Flint Michigan native’s career came to an end, leaving us with much to desire.

Rogers had all the talent in the world; he just struggled to put it all together after college.  The second overall pick would only appear in 15 career games recording 440 yards on 36 grabs and four touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Rogers passed away this past November at the age of 38.