Every NFL Draft brings hype, hope, and a handful of head-scratchers. Few positions are gambled on more than quarterback, and when a team falls in love with the idea of finding “The Guy,” things can go off the rails fast.
This list is for the top 10 quarterback picks who didn’t live up to the billing. Whether it was poor play, bad situations, or unpreparedness, these signal-callers proved that going early doesn’t always mean going far.
15. Jack Thompson
The “Throwin’ Samoan” had a cool nickname and not much else. The Bengals took him third overall in 1979, but he never became their needed franchise leader.
14. Josh Rosen
He once said there were nine mistakes ahead of him in the draft. The NFL responded by trading him a year later and then collectively ghosting him.
13. Mitch Trubisky
Taken second overall, ahead of two future MVPs, Trubisky was always more promise than production. He had flashes, but Chicago fans still try to forget that decision.
12. Akili Smith
The Bengals bet big on Smith in 1999, and he gave them almost nothing in return. He started just 17 games and looked lost most of the time.
11. Vince Young
Electric in college is inconsistent in the pros. The Titans tried to build around him, but his rollercoaster career never found stable ground.
10. Mark Sanchez
He’ll always have the AFC Championship appearances… and the butt fumble. That about sums up the weird legacy of this top-five pick.
9. Joey Harrington
Detroit thought it had found its franchise quarterback. Instead, it got a turnover machine with a piano-playing side hustle.
8. Cade McNown
Chicago reached for McNown in the first round, and it backfired instantly. He was benched, booed, and out of the league before you could spell his last name.
7. Ryan Leaf
If there’s a Mount Rushmore of draft busts, Leaf has a spot carved out. Immense talent, but even bigger immaturity issues derailed everything.
6. Blaine Gabbert
Scouts fell in love with the measurables. Defenders fell in love with playing against him.
5. Christian Ponder
The Vikings worked hard and paid the price. He struggled with accuracy and pocket presence, two things you ideally want in a quarterback.
4. Trey Lance
The 49ers traded the farm to take him at No. 3 and barely used him. Three starts and a ticket out of town later, it’s a cautionary tale in draft risk-taking.
3. Jake Locker
Tennessee went all-in on Locker’s tools, but injuries and inconsistency ruined the plan. He retired early, and most fans probably forgot he was even in the league.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Need to Prove They’re Still “That Guy” This Year
2. Blake Bortles
The Jags thought they had their guy. Instead, they had “the boat” — a meme, not a mainstay.
Read More: 20 NFL Quarterbacks Who Were All About the Locker Room
1. JaMarcus Russell
The king of unfulfilled potential. He had the size, the arm, and the payday, but never the production.
Read More: 10 NFL Quarterbacks Who Went in Round 1 – But Shouldn’t Have
