Every draft has its share of “what were they thinking?” moments. Sometimes it’s not that the player was bad—it’s just that someone taken later turned out to be an all-time great.
This list isn’t meant to roast these guys (okay, maybe just a little), but rather highlight how wild the draft can be. Hindsight is undefeated, and these picks will forever live in the shadow of the legends taken after them.
14. Tyson Jackson (2009)
Tyson Jackson was a safe pick for the Chiefs that turned into, well, a very average career. A few spots down the board? Clay Matthews, who made a career out of terrorizing quarterbacks.
13. Johnathan Sullivan (2003)
The Saints rolled the dice on Sullivan and basically came up empty. A few picks later, the Ravens nabbed Terrell Suggs, who went on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
12. Troy Williamson (2005)
Minnesota tried to replace Randy Moss with speedster Troy Williamson, and let’s say it didn’t work out. Roddy White went later in that same first round and ended up being the star the Vikings were hoping for.
11. Vernon Gholston (2008)
The Jets thought they were getting the next big edge rusher in Vernon Gholston, but he never recorded a single sack. Meanwhile, Aqib Talib and Joe Flacco went on later and had long, impactful careers.
10. Darrius Heyward-Bey (2009)
Al Davis loved speed, and DHB had plenty of it, not the hands to match. Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, both taken after him, ended up being much more reliable targets.
9. Mike Mamula (1995)
Mamula crushed the Combine and tricked the Eagles into drafting him way too high. Five picks later, the Bucs landed Warren Sapp, who turned out to be one of the greatest defensive tackles of all time.
8. Aaron Curry (2009)
Curry was seen as the safest pick in the draft, but he fizzled out fast. Just a few picks later, Green Bay took Clay Matthews, who ended up being the exact linebacker teams thought Curry would be.
7. Cedric Benson (2005)
Benson had a decent career, but not exactly what you want at No. 4 overall. Aaron Rodgers went 20 picks later and gave the Packers two decades of elite quarterback play.
6. Kevin White (2015)
Kevin White had all the tools—size, speed, hype—but injuries crushed his potential from the start. Meanwhile, Todd Gurley, who went just a few picks later, lit the league on fire before his knees gave out.
5. Courtney Brown (2000)
Brown had some solid years, but nowhere near the dominance expected from a No. 1 pick. Just a few slots later, Brian Urlacher became the face of the Bears’ defense for a decade.
4. Blaine Gabbert (2011)
Gabbert never really found his footing as an NFL starter. One pick later, J.J. Watt went to Houston and proceeded to wreck offensive lines for years.
3. Trent Richardson (2012)
The Browns thought they were getting a workhorse in Richardson, but it turned into one of their many draft disasters. The Bucs took Lavonte David, who became a model of consistency and leadership.
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2. Mitchell Trubisky (2017)
The Bears traded up to take Trubisky, and you already know where this is going. Just a few picks later, Patrick Mahomes became the quarterback everyone else wishes they had drafted.
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1. Alex Smith (2005)
Smith had a good, long career—nothing to scoff at. But unfortunately for him, the guy taken later was Aaron Rodgers, who turned into one of the most talented quarterbacks the league has ever seen.
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