The NFL Draft is where dreams come true, but sometimes, it’s where nightmares are born. Every team has had at least one first-round disaster that makes fans wince at the mere mention of their name.
Whether it was bad luck, terrible scouting, or just an all-time head-scratching decision, these picks still haunt franchises to this day. Let’s rank the most embarrassing first-round picks for every team on this list, from mildly disappointing to downright catastrophic.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jarvis Jones (2013, LB)
Pittsburgh doesn’t miss on draft picks often, but when they do, they do it with style. Jones was a dominant force at Georgia, but in the NFL? He was about as effective as a wet paper towel against a pass rush.
31. Baltimore Ravens – Kyle Boller (2003, QB)
The Ravens thought they found their franchise QB. What they actually got was a guy whose claim to fame was throwing a football 50 yards while kneeling—too bad he wasn’t as good while standing.
30. San Francisco 49ers – A.J. Jenkins (2012, WR)
Jenkins played three games and recorded zero catches before the Niners gave up on him. That’s less of a bust and more of a magic trick.
29. Seattle Seahawks – Aaron Curry (2009, LB)
Touted as the “safest pick in the draft,” Curry turned out to be a linebacker who couldn’t really tackle or cover. That’s like a chef who can’t cook.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Jonathan Baldwin (2011, WR)
The Chiefs spent a first-round pick on Baldwin, a receiver who caught fewer touchdowns than some defensive players. Oof.
27. Indianapolis Colts – Jeff George (1990, QB)
A cannon for an arm, a pea for a brain when it came to leadership. The Colts traded away half their assets to get George, and he rewarded them by being a locker room headache.
26. Washington Commanders – Heath Shuler (1994, QB)
Shuler lost his job to Gus Frerotte, which is kind of like losing a dance battle to your uncle at a wedding.
25. Buffalo Bills – Aaron Maybin (2009, DE)
A first-round defensive end who finished his Bills career with exactly zero sacks. How is that even possible?
24. Chicago Bears – Mitchell Trubisky (2017, QB)
The Bears traded up to pick Trubisky… over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Chicago still hasn’t recovered.
23. Los Angeles Chargers – Ryan Leaf (1998, QB)
The poster child for draft busts. He had the attitude of a Hall of Famer but the playing ability of a guy who should’ve stuck to coaching high school.
22. Carolina Panthers – Jimmy Clausen (2010, QB)
Taken as the “QB of the future,” Clausen was gone the moment the Panthers drafted Cam Newton.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Akili Smith (1999, QB)
The Bengals skipped on future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey for this guy, who threw five career touchdowns.
20. Minnesota Vikings – Troy Williamson (2005, WR)
Williamson was drafted to replace Randy Moss. He replaced him the way a soggy paper straw replaces a metal one.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bo Jackson (1986, RB)
The Bucs wasted a first-round pick on a guy who refused to play for them. That’s just next-level embarrassing.
18. New Orleans Saints – Johnathan Sullivan (2003, DT)
Sullivan had six career sacks. The Saints essentially drafted a traffic cone.
17. Detroit Lions – Charles Rogers (2003, WR)
An incredible talent who, unfortunately, let injuries and off-the-field issues derail his career.
16. Miami Dolphins – Dion Jordan (2013, DE)
Miami traded up for a pass rusher who barely ever played. Imagine trading your lunch money for an empty sandwich bag.
15. New York Giants – Ereck Flowers (2015, OT)
The human turnstile himself. Eli Manning probably still wakes up in a cold sweat thinking about him.
14. Tennessee Titans – Jake Locker (2011, QB)
Locker had all the athleticism in the world but the durability of a graham cracker in milk.
13. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel (2014, QB)
The most Browns pick of all time. Manziel spent more time partying than preparing, and it showed.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars – Blaine Gabbert (2011, QB)
Gabbert was afraid of pressure, which is not ideal for a quarterback.
11. Arizona Cardinals – Matt Leinart (2006, QB)
Leinart enjoyed being an NFL quarterback—just not the part where you actually play well.
10. Philadelphia Eagles – Danny Watkins (2011, G)
Watkins loved firefighting more than football. The Eagles might as well have drafted a guy from the fire department.
9. Dallas Cowboys – Mo Claiborne (2012, CB)
Dallas traded up for Claiborne, who had the same number of career interceptions as some linebackers.
8. Green Bay Packers – Tony Mandarich (1989, OT)
The “Incredible Bulk” was supposed to be a Hall of Famer. Instead, he was just incredible at underperforming.
7. New England Patriots – N’Keal Harry (2019, WR)
Belichick’s rare first-round WR pick turned out to be a rare disaster.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Bruce Pickens (1991, CB)
Pickens never really learned how to play cornerback. Minor issue.
5. Denver Broncos – Paxton Lynch (2016, QB)
Lynch made “NFL quarterback” look harder than it actually is.
4. Las Vegas Raiders – JaMarcus Russell (2007, QB)
Russell watched blank tapes and pretended he studied film. Enough said.
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3. New York Jets – Vernon Gholston (2008, DE)
Zero career sacks from a supposed “elite” pass rusher. Classic Jets.
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2. Houston Texans – David Carr (2002, QB)
Carr was sacked 76 times his rookie year. He might still be seeing ghosts.
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1. Los Angeles Rams – Lawrence Phillips (1996, RB)
A talented player with off-field issues that made his selection an absolute disaster.
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