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

The 1990s were not kind to Cincinnati.

Oct 22, 2000; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Akili Smith (11) scrambles with the ball during the game against Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski (53) at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals beat the Broncos 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images / Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — 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.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below as part of our in-depth coverage of the team:

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, insight, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Star Free-Agent Safety Justin Simmons Expresses Desire To Play For Bengals

Stat of the Jay: How Many Ohio State Players Have the Bengals Drafted, and Where Does That Rank Among All Teams?

Top 50 Prospect With Bengals Connection via Al Golden To Hold Positional Workout Days Before the NFL Draft

Film Breakdown: Alabama Linebacker Jihaad Campbell May be Perfect Fit in New-Look Cincinnati Bengals' Defense

North Dakota State Lineman Grey Zabel Official Contender to be Bengals First Round Pick in 2025 NFL Draft

Where Do All the Good Guards Come From, and Do the Bengals Need to Find One To Return to Postseason?

Zac Taylor, Bengals Tweaking Season On-Ramp To Avoid Slow Starts

Zac Taylor Updates Bengals Plan At Guard Entering NFL Draft Month

Stat of the Jay: Predicting the Bengals' Preseason Opponents as Others Announce Joint Practices

Mock Draft 1.0: Cincinnati Bengals Add Instant Impact Players, Bolster Key Weaknesses

Look: Zac Taylor at NFL League Meetings, Takes Annual Photo With Head Coaches

Look: Complete List of Cincinnati Bengals' Selections in 2025 NFL Draft

Look: Contract Details For Tee Higgins New Extension With Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals Bringing in Free Agent Guard Lucas Patrick for Visit

Look: Contract Details For Ja'Marr Chase's BIG Extension With Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals Film Breakdown: What T.J. Slaton and Oren Burks Add to Defense

Look: NFL General Manager Explains LONG-TERM Impact of Bengals' Contracts With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins

Danielle Hunter's New Contract Could Impact Trey Hendrickson's Future With Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Free Agent Breakdown: The Many Hats of a Modern Nose Tackle With T.J. Slaton

Cincinnati Bengals Veteran Named to NFLPA Executive Committee

Bengals Must Sign Two Starting Guards and Improve Pass Rush in Free Agency, Even if They Re-Sign Their Stars

Ja'Marr Chase's Trainer Hints at New Contract With Bengals: 'Earned Every Penny!'

Report: 'Nothing Imminent' With Trey Hendrickson's Bengals Contract, Trade Talks

'Praying They Keep That Special Guy' - Joseph Ossai Wants Bengals to Retain Trey Hendrickson

Don't Call It a Prove-It: Bengals Defensive End Joseph Ossai Details Why He Signed a One-Year Deal To Come Back

Report: Bengals Free-Agent Guard Target Teven Jenkins Visiting Seattle Seahawks Next Week

Former Bengals Defensive Tackle Jay Tufele Signs With New York Jets

Watch: Top Draft Prospect Luther Burden Picks Joe Burrow to Catch Passes From Above Other NFL Stars

CBS Sports Gives Bengals Mediocre Grade Following First Few Days of 2025 NFL Free Agency

Look: Bengals Earn Incomplete Grade From Yahoo! For 2025 Free Agency Haul Thus Far

'Everybody Around The League Knows That's Me' - T.J. Slaton Highlights Key Role He Expects To Fill With Bengals

'I've Always Wanted To Come Back' - Samaje Perine Discusses Return To Cincinnati, Role He Expects To Play

-----

Join the 46,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok