The NFL Draft is supposed to be where teams build for the future, but sometimes, they do the exact opposite.
Whether it’s reaching for a bust, trading away a superstar, or making a move that makes no sense at all, some decisions age like spoiled milk. Here are the 15 worst draft day decisions in NFL history.
15. The Seahawks Draft a Punter in the First Round – 1978
Seattle shocked the world by taking punter Bryan Anger in the first round, a move that was instantly mocked. He lasted just a few seasons and never justified being picked that high.
14. The Jaguars Draft Blaine Gabbert – 2011
Jacksonville thought they found their franchise quarterback in Blaine Gabbert, but what they really got was years of disappointment. He never developed into a reliable starter, and the Jaguars were back in the QB market in no time.
13. The Browns Draft Johnny Manziel – 2014
Johnny Football had the hype, the swagger, and absolutely no plan for life in the NFL. The Browns ignored the red flags, and Manziel flamed out of the league after two chaotic seasons.
12. Washington Drafts Dwayne Haskins – 2019
Dwayne Haskins had one good year at Ohio State, but Washington bet their future on him anyway. He struggled with maturity issues and poor play before being cut after just two seasons.
11. The Lions Draft Charles Rogers – 2003
The Lions thought they were getting the next Randy Moss, but Charles Rogers barely made it on the field. Injuries and off-the-field issues derailed his career before it ever really started.
10. The Saints Trade Their Entire Draft for Ricky Williams – 1999
Mike Ditka was so obsessed with Ricky Williams that he gave up every single one of the Saints’ draft picks to get him. Williams was a solid player, but New Orleans set their team back years with this reckless move.
9. The 49ers Pick Jim Druckenmiller Over Future Hall of Famers – 1997
The 49ers thought Jim Druckenmiller would be Steve Young’s heir, but he barely lasted in the league. Meanwhile, guys like Ronde Barber and Tiki Barber were still on the board.
8. The Browns Pass on Ben Roethlisberger – 2004
The Browns desperately needed a quarterback, but instead of drafting Ben Roethlisberger, they went with tight end Kellen Winslow II. Big Ben went on to torment Cleveland for nearly two decades while the Browns cycled through QBs.
7. The Jets Draft Ken O’Brien Over Dan Marino – 1983
The Jets had the chance to take Dan Marino, but instead, they went with Ken O’Brien. While O’Brien was decent, he wasn’t an all-time great like Marino, leaving Jets fans wondering what could have been.
6. The Vikings Miss Their Draft Pick – 2003
Minnesota literally ran out of time on draft day, allowing other teams to jump ahead of them and steal their picks. They still ended up with Kevin Williams, but the draft room chaos was legendary.
5. The Colts Draft Jeff George – 1990
The Colts thought Jeff George was a can’t-miss prospect, so they gave up a fortune to get him. Instead, they got a quarterback with a big arm, an even bigger ego, and very few wins.
4. The Raiders Take JaMarcus Russell – 2007
JaMarcus Russell was the definition of a draft bust, but the Raiders still made him the No. 1 pick. He was out of the league in three years, with more stories about his lack of effort than his actual on-field play.
3. The Bears Trade Up for Mitch Trubisky – 2017
The Bears not only picked Mitch Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, but they traded up to do it. Chicago fans will never get over this one, and rightfully so.
Read More: The 10 Worst Trades in Sports History
2. The Chargers Draft Ryan Leaf – 1998
Ryan Leaf was supposed to be as good as Peyton Manning, but he turned out to be one of the biggest busts ever. His bad attitude and worse play made him a disaster for San Diego.
Read More: 19 NFL First-Round Draft Busts That Nobody Saw Coming
1. The Falcons Trade Brett Favre – 1992
Atlanta drafted Brett Favre, then decided they didn’t need him and shipped him to Green Bay for a second-round pick. The rest is history, as Favre became one of the greatest quarterbacks ever while the Falcons were left wondering what could have been.
Read More: The 15 Most Shocking NFL Trades That Completely Backfired
