Training camp is a magical time of year when hope springs eternal and every player is “in the best shape of their life.” But sometimes the hype gets a little out of hand—especially when it’s based more on practice highlights than actual performance.
Over the years, countless players have been labeled the “next big thing” in July, only to fade into obscurity by October. These are the 16 most overhyped training camp legends—guys who dominated the headlines but not the field.
16. Stephen Hill
Jets fans thought they had a superstar after Hill’s blazing speed and size popped in early workouts. Turns out, he couldn’t catch a cold once the real games started.
15. Christine Michael
Every August, Seahawks camp buzzed about Michael finally breaking out. But once the season hit, he always seemed buried on the depth chart or fumbling away opportunities.
14. Jarrett Boykin
He looked like the next great Packers receiver in camp, making diving grabs and drawing rave reviews. But when the lights came on, he completely vanished from the offense.
13. Nate Davis
49ers camp insiders swore he was the future at quarterback thanks to a few deep bombs in practice. But in real games, he struggled to keep up with even the third string.
12. Rico Gathers
A former college basketball player turned tight end, Gathers was hyped up as a secret weapon for the Cowboys. Unfortunately, the raw athleticism never translated to actual production.
11. Alex Tanney
The “trick shot QB” became a training camp darling with his YouTube stardom and flashy throws. But he spent nearly a decade bouncing around practice squads without meaningful snaps.
10. Marcus Vick
Following in his brother Michael’s footsteps, Marcus got a shot with the Dolphins and made waves in camp. But his NFL career never materialized beyond a few preseason flashes.
9. Chad Kelly
“Swag Kelly” was an instant fan favorite in Denver with his arm talent and attitude. That preseason love affair ended quickly once off-field issues and inconsistency crept in.
8. Dorial Green-Beckham
At 6’5″ with freakish athleticism, he looked like an All-Pro in shorts. But despite multiple chances, DGB couldn’t run crisp routes or catch consistently enough to stick.
7. Bryce Petty
He lit up Jets training camp with deep balls and “starter buzz” in the summer. But by fall, he was routinely overwhelmed and out of sync in actual games.
6. Adam “Pacman” Jones
After a break from the league, he showed flashes in Ravens camp that had people talking about a redemption arc. But the comeback fizzled before it ever got started.
5. Brody Croyle
Every year, Chiefs camp reports hinted Croyle was on the verge of taking the reins. But once the preseason ended, he consistently looked out of his depth as a starter.
4. Jake Locker
Titans fans wanted him to be the guy so badly that even routine practice throws became viral moments. But accuracy issues and injuries made the hype impossible to live up to.
3. David Wilson
The Giants hyped Wilson as a game-changer during camp with his electric speed and kick returns. But a short career plagued by injuries and fumbling issues cut the buzz short.
Read more: Ranking the 15 Most Overhyped Quarterbacks of All Time
2. Tim Tebow
Tebowmania didn’t stop just because he wasn’t a starter—his training camp cameos were endlessly discussed. But neither stint ever amounted to anything more than a media circus.
Read more: 17 First-Round Quarterback Picks Who Were Spectacularly Overhyped
1. Matt Leinart
Leinart was constantly praised in camp for his poise and mechanics, giving fans hope he’d rebound. But the hype never matched reality, and his career quietly faded into backup oblivion.
Read more: The 20 Most Overhyped Quarterbacks of All Time
