Sam Cowart

Sam Cowart is another case of the Jets signing a player who they thought was in the prime of his career but was on the downfall instead.

Going into 2001, Cowart was highly regarded as a member of the Buffalo Bills and was even mentioned as one of the best linebackers in the game alongside Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. Unfortunately for Cowart, a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener brought an end to his 2001 season. He was never the same player after that.

Cowart would go on to sign a six-year, $31 million deal with the Jets that offseason, but he only played three years in New York before being released.