The 10 Worst Number 1 Draft Picks in NFL History

The NFL Draft is often a franchise’s best chance to turn its fortunes around, especially when they have the coveted first overall pick. However, drafting first doesn’t always mean drafting best. Here’s a look at the 10 worst No. 1 draft picks in NFL history.

JaMarcus Russell – Oakland Raiders (2007)

JaMarcus Russell was drafted by the Raiders out of LSU because of his impressive arm strength, but his lack of work ethic and struggles with his weight made his career short-lived. In fact, after just three seasons and a 7-18 record as a starter, Russell was released.

Courtney Brown – Cleveland Browns (2000)

Known for his athleticism and incredible potential, Courtney Brown sadly never lived up to his hype due to constant injuries. In fact, the defensive end played only one full season in his six-year career.

David Carr – Houston Texans (2002)

As the Texans’ first-ever draft pick, David Carr faced incredibly high expectations. However, due to a very weak offensive line, he was sacked an NFL-record 76 times as a rookie. While Carr did show promise, he was unable to overcome the psychological and physical toll of his early struggles.

Ki-Jana Carter – Cincinnati Bengals (1995)

Ki-Jana Carter was drafted first overall due to his dynamic college career at Penn State, but he suffered a torn ACL on his third carry in the preseason. Sadly, injuries plagued his entire career, and he never managed more than 464 rushing yards in a single season.

Steve Emtman – Indianapolis Colts (1992)

Coming off a dominant college career at Washington, Steve Emtman was expected to be a game-changer for the Colts. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from making a consistent impact. Torn knee ligaments, a ruptured disc, and other injuries limited him to only 50 games in his career.

Tim Couch – Cleveland Browns (1999)

The Cleveland Browns selected Tim Couch as their franchise quarterback after their NFL return in 1999 and it was a major mistake. Unfortunately, Couch was plagued by poor offensive line play, and never quite reached his potential. He was out of the league by 2003.

Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams (2010)

Sam Bradford was drafted due to his accuracy and football IQ, but his career was derailed by numerous injuries. Although he showed flashes of potential, he was unable to stay on the field consistently.

Jeff George – Indianapolis Colts (1990)

Known for his impressive arm strength, Jeff George never lived up to his #1 draft position. His tumultuous relationships with teammates and coaches, as well as his lack of leadership, limited his ability on the field.

Aundray Bruce – Atlanta Falcons (1988)

Touted as “the next Lawrence Taylor,” Aundray Bruce fell far short of that comparison. His impact on the field never matched his pre-draft hype, and he was soon moved to a backup role.

Andre Ware – Detroit Lions (1990)

Andre Ware won the Heisman Trophy and was selected by the Lions to bring a dynamic passing game to Detroit. However, his skill set didn’t translate to the NFL and he struggled with decision-making and accuracy.