The NFL Draft is supposed to be a time of hope, hype, and highlight reels. But for some teams, it’s more like a yearly tradition of tripping over their own clipboards.
Whether it’s reaching for a guy no one had on their board or whiffing year after year, some franchises just can’t seem to get it right. These are the teams whose draft rooms should probably come with a warning label.
10. Chicago Bears
The Bears have spent 20 years trying to find a quarterback and usually picking the wrong one. When your draft history makes fans nostalgic for Jay Cutler, you know it’s been rough.
9. New York Giants
The Giants have been throwing darts at the draft board and hoping one lands near the bullseye. For a proud franchise, it’s been a confusing stretch of reaches, busts, and “wait, what?” picks.
8. New York Jets
The Jets draft like someone who only skimmed the scouting report. Every time it feels like they’ve figured it out, they hit the reset button again.
7. Detroit Lions (Pre-2021)
Before the Dan Campbell era, Detroit was basically running a revolving door of draft-day regret. From wide receiver overdrafts to QB misfires, it was a hot mess for a long time.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders draft like they’re picking from a different script than the rest of the league. Speed, size, vibes—anything but actual on-field success.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has had so many early picks and somehow still ended up with rosters full of “Who?” Guys. For a team that always drafts high, they rarely hit the jackpot.
4. Cleveland Browns (Pre-2020)
The Browns had a decade-long draft disaster movie with no happy ending. Quarterback roulette, wasted first-rounders, and constant turnover made it a factory of sadness for real.
3. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals can’t seem to figure out what kind of team they’re trying to be, and their drafts reflect that. It’s like building a puzzle with pieces from five different boxes.
Read More: 19 NFL First-Round Draft Busts That Nobody Saw Coming
2. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ draft room somehow makes the obvious picks way too complicated. Trading back, reaching early, missing late—it’s a full buffet of missed opportunities.
Read More: The 10 Worst Number 1 NFL Draft Picks in History
1. Indianapolis Colts (Post-Luck)
Once Andrew Luck retired, the Colts have been drafting like they’re blindfolded in a maze. They’ve missed on premium picks, shuffled through QBs like socks, and now find themselves back at square one.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Worst NFL Draft Day Decisions of All Time
