Ranking the Worst Draft Picks in the History of the NFL

The NFL Draft is one of the most important events in professional football, but it doesn’t always turn out the way teams hope. Over the years, many big-name draft picks have ended up being disappointments. Here are the 30 worst draft picks in NFL history, ranked from best to worst, based on their performance, impact, and expectations.

27. Matt Leinart (Arizona Cardinals, 2006)

Matt Leinart was drafted 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2006 to be the replacement for Kurt Warner. However, Leinart struggled and never lived up to expectations, throwing only 15 touchdowns and 21 interceptions during his short career. He played just 17 games for the Cardinals and eventually lost his starting job to Warner.

26. Isaiah Wilson (Tennessee Titans, 2020)

Isaiah Wilson was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but his NFL career was very short. He played only three games during his rookie season and had a lot of off-field issues, which led to his release from the Titans. Despite getting opportunities with the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants, Wilson’s NFL career came to an abrupt end.

25. Andre Ware (Detroit Lions, 1990)

Andre Ware won the Heisman Trophy in 1989, and the Detroit Lions had high hopes when they drafted him in 1990. Unfortunately, his college success did not carry over to the NFL. Ware played in only six games, throwing five touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he fumbled seven times during his career.

24. Heath Shuler (Washington Commanders, 1994)

Heath Shuler was the third overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft by Washington, but he did not live up to expectations. He struggled with accuracy, completing only 47% of his passes over three seasons. Shuler’s poor performance led to him leaving Washington, and his NFL career quickly faded.

23. Johnny Manziel (Cleveland Browns, 2014)

Johnny Manziel, also known as “Johnny Football,” was drafted 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2014. Despite the hype, Manziel’s NFL career was overshadowed by off-field issues and inconsistent play. In 15 games, he threw seven touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he was out of the league after just two seasons.

22. Brian Bosworth (Seattle Seahawks, 1987)

Brian Bosworth was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 1987 with a lot of hype and controversy. However, his NFL career was cut short because of injuries and off-field problems. Over two seasons, Bosworth recorded just four sacks and three fumble recoveries before retiring.

21. Tony Mandarich (Green Bay Packers, 1989)

Tony Mandarich was picked second overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 1989 NFL Draft and was hyped as the “Incredible Bulk” because of his size and strength. Despite impressive workouts, Mandarich never lived up to expectations and never started a game for Green Bay. He eventually left the league after seven seasons with very little to show for his once-promising career.

20. Akili Smith (Cincinnati Bengals, 1999)

Akili Smith was drafted third overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1999, but he struggled as an NFL quarterback. Smith started just 17 games over four seasons, throwing only five touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He never adjusted to the NFL and was released after a short career.

19. Kevin Allen (Philadelphia Eagles, 1985)

Kevin Allen was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985 with hopes of becoming a dominant offensive tackle. However, his performance was disappointing, and he was out of the league after just one season. Off-field issues also caused problems, and Allen faced legal trouble.

18. Blair Thomas (New York Jets, 1990)

Blair Thomas was picked second overall by the New York Jets in 1990, but he never lived up to expectations. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency and never rushed for more than 728 yards in a single season. Thomas was out of the league by 1995 and is remembered as one of the Jets’ biggest draft busts.

17. Kelly Stouffer (Seattle Seahawks, 1987)

Kelly Stouffer was drafted sixth overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1987, but he didn’t sign with the team due to a contract dispute. He was eventually traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he played only 22 games over four seasons. Stouffer struggled with accuracy, completing just 52.4% of his passes, and was out of the league by 1992.

16. Vernon Gholston (New York Jets, 2008)

Vernon Gholston was drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in 2008, but he never recorded a single sack in his NFL career. He struggled to adjust to the professional level and could not make an impact as a pass rusher. Gholston was released by the Jets in 2011 and never played another down in the NFL.

15. Lawrence Phillips (St. Louis Rams, 1996)

Lawrence Phillips was picked sixth overall by the St. Louis Rams in 1996 despite concerns about his off-field behavior. He showed some talent, but his personal issues continued to cause problems throughout his career. Phillips was released by the Rams after two seasons and had short stints with other teams before leaving the league.

14. Aundray Bruce (Atlanta Falcons, 1988)

Aundray Bruce was the first overall pick in the 1988 draft by the Atlanta Falcons, but he never lived up to the hype. Over 11 seasons, Bruce recorded only 32 sacks, which was far below expectations for a first-overall pick. He spent most of his career as a backup linebacker.

13. Charles Rogers (Detroit Lions, 2003)

Charles Rogers was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2003, but injuries and off-field issues derailed his career. Rogers broke his collarbone twice, and substance abuse problems led to his early exit from the league. He played only 15 games, recording 36 receptions and four touchdowns.

12. Rick Mirer (Seattle Seahawks, 1993)

Rick Mirer was the second overall pick in the 1993 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, but his career was disappointing. He struggled with accuracy, throwing 76 interceptions compared to just 50 touchdowns over his career. Mirer bounced around the league as a backup before retiring in 2004.

11. Aaron Curry (Seattle Seahawks, 2009)

Aaron Curry was drafted fourth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in 2009 and was expected to be an impact linebacker. However, Curry struggled with consistency and was traded to the Oakland Raiders after just two and a half seasons. He was out of the league by 2013, making him one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory.

10. Curtis Enis (Chicago Bears, 1998)

Curtis Enis was drafted fifth overall by the Chicago Bears in 1998, but his career was cut short by injuries. Enis played just three seasons, rushing for a total of 1,497 yards and four touchdowns. He retired after the 2000 season, leaving the Bears without the star running back they had hoped for.

9. Dion Jordan (Miami Dolphins, 2013)

Dion Jordan was drafted third overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2013, but he struggled to make an impact as a pass rusher. Jordan dealt with injuries and suspensions for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He recorded only three sacks over his entire career with the Dolphins.

8. Trent Richardson (Indianapolis Colts, 2013)

Trent Richardson was drafted third overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2012, but his performance never matched his draft status. Although he had a good rookie season, his production quickly declined, and he struggled with his decision-making as a running back. He played for the Browns, Colts, and Raiders, but his NFL career ended by 2014.

7. Tim Couch (Cleveland Browns, 1999)

Tim Couch was the first overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Couch was expected to be the face of the newly reinstated Browns franchise, but he never lived up to the hype. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency, finishing his career with 64 touchdowns and 67 interceptions.

6. Steve Emtman (Indianapolis Colts, 1992)

Steve Emtman was the first overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, injuries plagued his career from the start, and he played in only 19 games over three seasons with the Colts. Emtman never lived up to his potential as a dominant defensive lineman and was out of the league by 1997.

5. Ki-Jana Carter (Cincinnati Bengals, 1995)

Ki-Jana Carter was drafted first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995 but suffered a devastating knee injury in his first preseason game. The injury derailed his career, and he never regained his college form. Carter finished his career with just 1,144 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns over seven seasons.

4. Tony Eason (New England Patriots, 1983)

Tony Eason was drafted 15th overall by the New England Patriots in the 1983 NFL Draft, a class that included several Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Eason struggled with consistency throughout his career, and his poor performance in Super Bowl XX led to his benching. He ended his career with 61 touchdowns and 51 interceptions, never living up to his draft status.

3. Blair Kiel (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1984)

Blair Kiel was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1984 NFL Draft but never made an impact in the league. He bounced around as a backup for several teams and never started a game. Kiel’s career was largely forgettable, making him one of the biggest busts of his draft class.

2. Ryan Leaf (San Diego Chargers, 1998)

Ryan Leaf was the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, selected right after Peyton Manning. Leaf’s career was a disaster due to his poor play, bad attitude, and off-field problems. He threw 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in his career, making him one of the biggest busts in NFL history.

1. JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders, 2007)

JaMarcus Russell was the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. Despite his strong arm and physical talent, Russell struggled with work ethic, weight issues, and a lack of commitment to the game. He finished his career with 18 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, and a reputation as the worst draft pick in NFL history.