10 Quarterbacks Who Were Drafted Too High – and It Showed

Every NFL Draft features at least one quarterback taken way earlier than they should have been. Whether it was a case of overhyping their potential, desperate teams reaching for a franchise savior, or scouts ignoring obvious red flags, some picks just didn’t pan out.

These quarterbacks were expected to change the fate of a franchise but instead left fans shaking their heads. Here are 10 quarterbacks who were drafted too high – and it definitely showed.

10. Christian Ponder – 12th Overall, 2011 (Minnesota Vikings)

Christian Ponder
Flickr

The Vikings needed a quarterback, but reaching for Ponder at 12th overall was a classic case of desperation. He never developed into a reliable starter, and by the time Minnesota moved on, it was clear he should have been a second-round pick at best.

9. Jake Locker – 8th Overall, 2011 (Tennessee Titans)

Jake Locker
Wikimedia Commons

Locker had all the physical tools but lacked accuracy and consistency, two pretty important traits for an NFL quarterback. Injuries and erratic play derailed his career, making him one of the biggest reaches in a draft full of quarterback busts.

8. Joey Harrington – 3rd Overall, 2002 (Detroit Lions)

Joey Harrington
YouTube | Backup Quarterback Highlights

The Lions hoped Harrington would finally bring stability to the franchise, but instead, they got years of mediocrity. He struggled with turnovers and never looked comfortable as a franchise leader, proving that being a great college quarterback doesn’t always translate to the NFL.

7. Sam Darnold – 3rd Overall, 2018 (New York Jets)

Sam Darnold
Openverse

Darnold was supposed to be the quarterback to finally fix the Jets, but instead, he became another chapter in their long history of disappointing picks. His flashes of talent were overshadowed by bad decision-making, poor accuracy, and a tendency to see ghosts against aggressive defenses.

6. Mark Sanchez – 5th Overall, 2009 (New York Jets)

Mark Sanchez
Openverse

Sanchez actually started his career with back-to-back AFC Championship appearances, but let’s be real – those Jets teams were carried by their defense. Once he had to take on a bigger role, it became clear he wasn’t a top-five quarterback, and his infamous “butt fumble” sealed his legacy.

5. Blaine Gabbert – 10th Overall, 2011 (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Blaine Gabbert
Wikimedia Commons

Gabbert looked the part of an NFL quarterback but never played like one, struggling with pocket presence and accuracy from the moment he took the field. The Jaguars hoped he’d be their franchise guy, but he was out as a starter within a couple of years.

4. Josh Rosen – 10th Overall, 2018 (Arizona Cardinals)

Josh Rosen
Wiki Commons

Rosen famously said there were “nine mistakes” taken ahead of him in the draft, but he ended up being the real mistake. He was benched after one rough season, and multiple teams gave up on him in record time, proving that confidence alone doesn’t make an elite quarterback.

3. Mitch Trubisky – 2nd Overall, 2017 (Chicago Bears)

Mitchell Trubisky
Wikipedia

The Bears infamously traded up to take Trubisky over both Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, a decision that haunts the franchise to this day. Despite a Pro Bowl season, his inconsistent play and inability to push the ball downfield made it clear he was drafted way too high.

Read More: 10 Reasons Seattle Seahawks Fans Should Be Excited About Sam Darnold

2. Zach Wilson – 2nd Overall, 2021 (New York Jets)

Zach Wilson
Openverse

Wilson looked flashy at BYU, but the NFL quickly exposed his weaknesses, particularly his struggles with decision-making and handling pressure. The Jets thought they were getting the next big thing, but instead, they got a quarterback who seemed lost on the field more often than not.

Read More: The Most Disastrous NFL Quarterback Draft Picks of All Time

1. JaMarcus Russell – 1st Overall, 2007 (Oakland Raiders)

JaMarcus Russell
Youtube | Highlight Heaven

Russell had all the physical tools, but his work ethic and commitment to the game were nonexistent. His NFL career was over before it really started, making him one of the biggest draft busts in league history and the ultimate cautionary tale of drafting based on potential alone.

Read More: 19 NFL First-Round Draft Busts That Nobody Saw Coming

Related Articles
Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The 15 Most Awkward Runners in NFL History
Whether it was stiff limbs or a complete lack of coordination, these 15 players made you do a double-take...
Read More
Payne Stewart
12 Golf Greats Who’d Be Totally Exposed on Modern Courses
Whether it’s the equipment, the competition, or the course design, these golf greats would have a rough...
Read More
Oct 29, 2000; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Vikings receiver (80) Cris Carter in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Chapman-USA TODAY Sports
20 NFL Players Who Changed Teams and Instantly Leveled Up
From forgotten backups to franchise cornerstones, these 20 players proved that sometimes all it takes...
Read More
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) tosses the pine tar rag before hitting in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park.
14 MLB Players With Animalistic Strength
From legendary home run kings to modern-day powerhouses, this list celebrates 14 MLB players whose strength...
Read More
Apr 9, 2018; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images
16 NBA Stars Who Were Better as Sidekicks
Whether it was playing next to a dominant big man or an all-time great, here are 16 NBA stars who proved...
Read More
Feb. 8, 2008; Pebble Beach, CA, USA; Greg Norman smiles after making a putt on the 17th hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament at the Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach, CA. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
15 Golf Stars Who Carried a Chip and an Attitude
These 15 golf stars didn’t just walk the fairway—they strutted down it with a chip on their shoulder...
Read More

As an Amazon Associate, The Quick Report earns from qualifying purchases.

Part of the Castaway Studios media network.