Drafting a franchise quarterback is the dream. Unfortunately, for every Patrick Mahomes, there’s a JaMarcus Russell. Some teams have a history of drafting QB disasters, while others made just one glaring mistake that still haunts their fanbase.
So, who made the worst blunder of them all? Let’s rank the most disastrous quarterback draft picks in every NFL team’s history, from bad to downright franchise-crushing.
32. Denver Broncos – Paxton Lynch (2016, 1st Round, 26th Overall)
John Elway thought he had found his next great QB. Instead, he got a guy who couldn’t beat out Trevor Siemian or Brock Osweiler. Lynch lasted just two seasons and is now a cautionary tale for “tall guy with a big arm” scouting mistakes.
31. Miami Dolphins – John Beck (2007, 2nd Round, 40th Overall)
The Dolphins were desperate for a quarterback post-Dan Marino and thought Beck was the answer. He wasn’t. He lasted just one season in Miami before becoming an afterthought in the league.
30. New York Giants – Dave Brown (1992, 1st Round, 1st Overall in Supplemental Draft)
The Giants went all-in on Brown in the Supplemental Draft, expecting him to replace Phil Simms. Instead, they got five years of mediocrity and a whole lot of regret.
29. Minnesota Vikings – Christian Ponder (2011, 1st Round, 12th Overall)
Taking a QB out of desperation rarely works, and Ponder proved that. The Vikings reached for him, and he responded with four forgettable seasons before being shown the door.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars – Blaine Gabbert (2011, 1st Round, 10th Overall)
Jacksonville thought Gabbert was their franchise QB. Turns out, they just drafted a master of the “deer in headlights” look. He went 5-22 as a starter before the Jags moved on.
27. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel (2014, 1st Round, 22nd Overall)
The Browns were hoping for a superstar; they got a reality show. Manziel’s off-field antics overshadowed his brief, disastrous career in Cleveland.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Rick Mirer (1993, 1st Round, 2nd Overall)
The Seahawks thought Mirer was the next Joe Montana. Spoiler alert: he wasn’t. He had one decent rookie season before falling apart completely.
25. Green Bay Packers – Rich Campbell (1981, 1st Round, 6th Overall)
Drafted to be the next great Packers QB, Campbell never even started a game in four seasons. He threw just 9 career passes and is easily Green Bay’s biggest draft bust.
24. Las Vegas Raiders – JaMarcus Russell (2007, 1st Round, 1st Overall)
Russell is one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. He had a massive arm but zero work ethic, famously showing up overweight and failing to grasp the playbook (even when given blank tapes to study).
23. Chicago Bears – Mitch Trubisky (2017, 1st Round, 2nd Overall)
The Bears could have drafted Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson, but instead, they traded up to take Trubisky. He had a few decent moments but never developed into the franchise QB Chicago desperately needed. Meanwhile, Mahomes turned into a generational superstar, making this pick sting even more for Bears fans.
22. New Orleans Saints – Danny Wuerffel (1997, 4th Round, 99th Overall)
He dominated in college, but his arm strength (or lack thereof) was brutally exposed in the NFL. Wuerffel was never more than a backup.
21. Buffalo Bills – J.P. Losman (2004, 1st Round, 22nd Overall)
Buffalo believed Losman could be their franchise QB. Instead, he struggled with accuracy and decision-making, lasting just five years in the league.
20. Cincinnati Bengals – Akili Smith (1999, 1st Round, 3rd Overall)
The Bengals ignored warning signs and picked Smith anyway. He started just 17 games and threw 5 career touchdowns. Ouch.
19. Arizona Cardinals – Matt Leinart (2006, 1st Round, 10th Overall)
Leinart had the college hype but lacked the arm strength and leadership to succeed in the NFL. He was quickly replaced by Kurt Warner.
18. Philadelphia Eagles – Kevin Kolb (2007, 2nd Round, 36th Overall)
Kolb was supposed to replace Donovan McNabb. Instead, he was constantly injured and inconsistent, making only 7 starts for the Eagles.
17. Dallas Cowboys – Quincy Carter (2001, 2nd Round, 53rd Overall)
Carter had a few flashes of talent but struggled with turnovers and off-field issues. He was released just three years into his Cowboys career.
16. New England Patriots – Tony Eason (1983, 1st Round, 15th Overall)
Eason actually started a Super Bowl… and then got benched midgame. He never lived up to expectations and was quickly replaced.
15. Atlanta Falcons – Joey Harrington (2007, Free Agency)
The Falcons didn’t draft Harrington, but they sure tried to make him a thing. He wasn’t.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mark Malone (1980, 1st Round, 28th Overall)
Drafted to replace Terry Bradshaw, Malone instead set the franchise back years. He finished with more INTs than TDs.
13. Detroit Lions – Andre Ware (1990, 1st Round, 7th Overall)
Ware dominated in college but never adjusted to the pro game. The run-and-shoot didn’t translate, and neither did he.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Freeman (2009, 1st Round, 17th Overall)
Freeman had one great season before flaming out due to inconsistency and off-field concerns.
11. Houston Texans – David Carr (2002, 1st Round, 1st Overall)
Not entirely his fault—Carr was sacked 76 times as a rookie. But he never recovered from the beating.
10. Kansas City Chiefs – Todd Blackledge (1983, 1st Round, 7th Overall)
KC could have had Marino or Kelly. Instead, they got Blackledge, who was benched within three years.
9. Tennessee Titans – Jake Locker (2011, 1st Round, 8th Overall)
Locker had talent but couldn’t stay healthy or accurate.
8. Carolina Panthers – Jimmy Clausen (2010, 2nd Round, 48th Overall)
Carolina quickly realized their mistake and drafted Cam Newton the next year.
7. Baltimore Ravens – Kyle Boller (2003, 1st Round, 19th Overall)
Boller had a cannon arm but zero accuracy. This wasn’t a great pick.
6. Washington Commanders – Heath Shuler (1994, 1st Round, 3rd Overall)
Washington picked Shuler over Trent Dilfer. Even Dilfer laughs about it.
5. San Francisco 49ers – Jim Druckenmiller (1997, 1st Round, 26th Overall)
The 49ers thought they had Steve Young’s successor. They did not.
4. Los Angeles Chargers – Ryan Leaf (1998, 1st Round, 2nd Overall)
Leaf’s legendary meltdowns and lack of work ethic make him a top-tier bust.
3. Indianapolis Colts – Art Schlichter (1982, 1st Round, 4th Overall)
Schlichter’s gambling addiction ruined his career before it started.
2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson (2021, 1st Round, 2nd Overall)
The Jets tried something with Zach Wilson and it just didn’t quite work out. Now Wilson’s on his way to Miami, where maybe he’ll be able to re-write his story.
Read More: The Most Unexpected Draft Picks Who Became NFL Superstars
1. Los Angeles Rams – Sam Bradford (2010, 1st Round, 1st Overall)
Took $130M and never played a full season. Bust and bank robber.
Read More: The 20 Most Disastrous NFL Quarterback Draft Picks, Ranked