WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The players from Peyton Manning's legendary 1998 NFL Draft

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  • The 1998 NFL Draft was one of the biggest hit-or-miss drafts in NFL history.

  • Many first rounders made at least one Pro Bowl in their careers, but some fell out of the league early on.

  • Here's where the players from Peyton Manning's 1998 NFL Draft class are now.

  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

The 1998 NFL Draft was one of the most memorable hit-or-miss drafts.

While many of the prospects taken in the first round made at least one Pro Bowl during their careers, several others quickly washed out of the league.

While these players have since left their playing days behind them, some are still involved in football in some capacity while others have gone on to do other things.

One player founded a church, another started a country-music band, and one has gone into comedy.

*Ari Gilberg contributed to this post*

Peyton Manning was picked No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

Peyton Manning 1996 NFL Draft
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Manning will go down as one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, winning two Super Bowls before retiring in 2016. He hosts two ESPN+ shows and shoots plenty of commercials in his life after football.

Peyton Manning Broncos
Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Ryan Leaf was picked No. 2 overall by the San Diego Chargers.

Ryan Leaf NFL draft
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

He had multiple run-ins with the law and served two years in prison for felony drug possession and burglary charges. He's been called one of the biggest draft busts of all-time.

Ryan Leaf mugshot
Handout/Getty Images

Source: USA Today, NFL.com

Andre Wadsworth was picked No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

Andre Wadsworth
Al Bello/Getty Images

Shortly after knee injuries derailed his three-year career, Wadsworth founded the ministry Impact Church, where he's an executive pastor.

Andre Wadsworth Impact Church

Source: Cover32

Charles Woodson was picked No. 4 overall by the Oakland Raiders.

Charles Woodson NFL Draft
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Woodson signed a deal with ESPN in 2016 and earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

charles woodson.JPG
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Source: ESPN

Curtis Enis was picked No. 5 overall by the Chicago Bears.

Curtis Enis draft
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Enis played just 36 games in the NFL. He ran into trouble with the law in 2017 and pleaded guilty for assault.

Curtis Enis bradford high school football coach

Source: ESPN, Dayton Daily News

Grant Wistrom was picked No. 6 overall by the St. Louis Rams.

Grant Wistrom Rams
Mike Powell/Getty Images

He now runs Revival 98 LLC - a Missouri-based medical marijuana company - with his wife. He's a firm proponent of marijuana legalization efforts.

Grant Wistrom retired

Source: News Channel Nebraska

Kyle Turley was picked No. 7 overall by the New Orleans Saints.

Kyle Turley saints
Tom Hauck/Getty Images

Shortly after retiring in 2007, Turley formed a country music band and has opened for the likes of Hank Williams III, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church, Joe Nichols, and more. He has also been critical of the NFL on player safety.

Kyle Turley music

Source: SI, Vice, Reverb Nation

Greg Ellis was picked No. 8 overall by the Dallas Cowboys.

Greg Ellis Cowboys
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

He pursued a career in Hollywood after retiring, and was an executive producer for the film "Carter High."

Greg Ellis Carter High

Source: IMDB, TMZ Sports

Fred Taylor was picked No. 9 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fred Taylor Jaguars
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Taylor mentored his son, Kelvin (pictured below), who was a running back for his alma matter, the Florida Gators, before going pro himself.

kelvin johnson
AP Photo/Darron Cummings

Source: Jacksonville.com, ESPN

Duane Starks was picked No. 10 overall by the Baltimore Ravens.

Duane Starks Ravens
Al Bello/Getty Images

He was hired as a scouting intern by the Ravens a few years back. He also announced their 2nd-round pick at the 2015 draft.

Duane Starks

Source: Baltimore Ravens

Tra Thomas was picked No. 11 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tra Thomas
Brian Bahr/Getty Images

He spent two years as an assistant coach with the Eagles before taking on offensive line coaching responsibilities at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Tra Thomas

Source: SB Nation, Eagles Wire

Keith Brooking was picked No. 12 overall by the Atlanta Falcons.

Keith Brooking Falcons
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

After a legal fight with Wells Fargo in 2012 over a $2 million loan, Brooking has kept a low profile. He attended the NFL Business Management & Entrepreneurial Program in 2014.

Keith Brooking

Source: NBC Pro Football Talk, NFL Communications

Takeo Spikes was picked No. 13 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Takeo Spikes Bengals
Al Bello/Getty Images

He's now an analyst on NBC's "Pro Football Talk" and a radio host for Sirius XM.

Takeo Spikes
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Source: NBC Sports Group Press Box, Sirius XM

Jason Peter was picked No. 14 overall by the Carolina Panthers.

Jason Peter panthers
Al Bello/Getty Images

In 2009, Peter published his memoir titled "Hero of the Underground," which detailed his drug- and alcohol-addiction problems. It became a New York Times bestseller.

Jason Peter ESPN
ESPN

Source: Amazon

Anthony Simmons was picked No. 15 overall by the Seattle Seahawks.

Anthony Simmons
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

He's since developed a salon franchise called Sharkey's Cuts for Kids.

anthony simmons

Source: SeahawksLegends.com, Style Seat

Kevin Dyson was picked No. 16 overall by the Tennessee Oilers.

Kevin Dyson Titans
Mike Powell/Getty Images

Dyson is famous for scoring the Titans "Music City Miracle" game-winning touchdown. After leaving the gridiron, he earned two masters degrees and a doctorate to become a middle school principal.

kevin dyson
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for LEGACY PR

Source: New York Post

Brian Simmons was picked No. 17 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Brian Simmons Bengals
David Seelig/Getty Images

After his 10-year career ended, Simmons became a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars and then worked as a commentator covering his alma mater at Tar Heels network.

Brian Simmons jaguars

Source: Jacksonville Jaguars, Chapelboro

Robert Edwards was picked No. 18 overall by the New England Patriots.

Robert Edwards patriots
Al Bello/Getty Images

For a time, he was the head football coach at Greene County High School in Georgia.

robert edward

Source: Greene County High School

Vonnie Holliday was picked No. 19 overall by the Green Bay Packers.

Vonnie Holliday
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

In 2010, Holliday was honored by "Black Gives Back" as one of the most charitable African American celebrity philanthropists.

Vonnie Holliday

Source: Black Gives Back

Terry Fair was picked No. 20 overall by the Detroit Lions.

Terry Fair Lions
Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

He spent two years as the defensive backs coach at Colorado State before returning to the coaching staff at his alma mater - the University of Tennessee.

Terry Fair

Source: Knox News

Randy Moss was picked No. 21 overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

Randy Moss Vikings
Paul Battaglia/AP

A legend of the game and a Hall of Famer, Moss is now an analyst for ESPN. He also runs his own football academy, and helps train current NFL players.

randy moss.JPG
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Source: Randy Moss Academy, ESPN

Tebucky Jones was picked No. 22 overall by the New England Patriots.

Tebucky Jones
Tom Hauck/Getty Images

He spent nine seasons as the head football coach at New Britain High School in Connecticut before stepping away to spend more time with his family.

Tebucky Jones
Michael Howard

Source: The New Britain Herald

Mo Collins was picked No. 23 overall by the Oakland Raiders.

Mo Collins raiders
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

After being hired as the head football coach at West Charlotte High School in North Carolina, Collins passed away in October 2014. He was 38.

Mo Collins coach

Source: West Charlotte Observer

Shaun Williams was picked No. 24 overall by the New York Giants.

Shaun Williams Giants
Al Bello/Getty Images

He's now the defensive coordinator at William Paterson University.

Shaun Williams 2015 nfl draft
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Source: William Patterson University

Donovin Darius was picked No. 25 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

donovin darius jaguars
Aubrey Washington/Getty Images

He was a Transition Coach with the NFL's Transition Assistance Program but has since run into some mental health and legal trouble. He was arrested for a DUI in early 2020.

Donovin Darius

Source: NFL Player Engagement, ESPN

Alan Faneca was picked No. 26 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Alan Faneca steelers
Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

He has lost more than 100 pounds since retiring, and competed in the 2014 New Orleans Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon.

alan faneca marathon

Source: Runner's World

Victor Riley was picked No. 27 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Victor Riley
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

He retired in 2006, after starting 93 games in his career, and has kept a low profile since.

Victor Riley texans
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Source: 100 Things Chiefs Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

R.W. McQuarters was picked No. 28 overall by the San Francisco 49ers.

R.W. McQuarters 49ers
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

He founded the RW McQuarters Foundation, which provides financial aid to other non-profit organizations. In 2014, he said his foundation started building homes for veterans.

RW McQuarters

Source: R.W. McQuarters' Facebook page, Tulsa Community College

John Avery was picked No. 29 overall by the Miami Dolphins.

john avery dolphins
Al Bello/Getty Images

Although his NFL career lasted just 28 games, Avery went on to play one season in the XFL and five in the CFL. He's since embarked on a career in comedy.

John Avery

Source: The DM Online

Marcus Nash was picked No. 30 overall by the Denver Broncos.

Marcus Nash Broncos
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

After washing out of the NFL in 2000, he went on to play in the Arena Football League for six seasons. He moved on from the pros as a strength and conditioning trainer at City Athletic Club in Las Vegas.

Marcus Nash arena football league
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, City Athletic Club

Leon Bender was picked No. 31 overall by the Oakland Raiders.

Leon Bender
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

A month after being drafted, he passed away after suffering an apparent seizure. He was 22.

Leon Bender
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Jerome Pathon was picked No. 32 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

jerome pathon colts
Al Bello/Getty Images

In 2011, he was one of 12 players who sued the NFL alleging the league didn't take the necessary steps to protect players from concussions and other long-term injuries.

Jerome Pathon

Source: Seeger Weiss

Now check out what Tom Brady and the 2001 Super Bowl champions Patriots are up to today...

Tom Brady 2002 super bowl mvp
Kathy Willens/AP

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Tom Brady's 2001 Patriots team that started the dynasty

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