Sports Illustrated Names Akili Smith As Cincinnati Bengals Worst Draft Pick In Franchise History

 Sports Illustrated's Matt Verdarame had an infamous name ready for his pick as the Bengals' worst draft selection in team history. Quarterback Akili Smith took the title for the Bengals.

Verdarame named the worst draft selection for all 32 NFL teams this week. Smith was one of a few horrific top Bengals picks in the 1990s.

"There are so many Bengals to choose from in the 1990s alone, including fellow quarterback David Klingler. But we go with Smith, who was taken one spot after Donovan McNabb," Verdarame wrote. "Smith took over for Jeff Blake and never found his footing, completing 46.6% of his attempts with five touchdowns and 13 interceptions."

The Oregon product was the third overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.

He played just four NFL seasons, amassing two total Approximate Value points according to Pro Football Reference. For context, safety Nick Scott had a rough 2023 season for the Bengals and he still produced four AV across one campaign, compared to Smith's two in four seasons.