This article lists the biggest NFL Draft busts for each of the 32 NFL teams, highlighting players who failed to meet expectations after being selected in the first round. Notable examples include Ryan Leaf and Mitch Trubisky.
Key points
NFL Draft busts are painful misses for teams
The article covers all 32 NFL teams
Players often fail due to various factors
Notable busts include Ryan Leaf and Mitch Trubisky
The analysis dates back to the 1970 merger
Ryan LeafMitch TrubiskyLarry Stegent
This was originally published on April 20, 2024. It has since been updated with new information (read: more NFL Draft busts)
There's no place you're more likely to find a franchise cornerstone than the first round of the NFL Draft. That makes the misses all the more painful.
The league is littered with disappointments who never quite lived up to the hype, but only a select few have the honor of a Day 1 selection and the fervor (and guaranteed money) that come with it. Some players shrink under the spotlight they've been given, whether that's due to a bad fit, weak coaching, off-field issues or just a straight-up lack of talent that everyone somehow missed.
Let's talk about those guys. These are the biggest first round draft busts for all 32 NFL teams, dating back to the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Kelly Stouffer was a mess who forced his way out of the franchise without playing a single snap for the Cardinals, but at least he brought back three draft picks via trade (before ultimately being a disaster for theĀ Seattle Seahawks). Steve Pisarkiewicz made only four starts at quarterback and compiled a 49.4 passer rating in two seasons with St. Louis. Josh Rosen was, famously, Josh Rosen.
But Stegent was a top 10 pick who injured his knee in a preseason game and had exactly one play that counted in the official NFL stat book ā a 12-yard catch.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Kelly Stouffer, QB Steve Pisarkiewicz, QB Josh Rosen
Pickens had all the athletic ability in the world but couldnāt turn that into on-field production. He made only eight starts in two-plus seasons with the Falcons and was charged with rape in 1993 before having the charges dropped days later. Honorable mention goes to Joe Profit, the seventh overall pick in 1971 who would have the most productive stretch of his career two years later after joining the arch rivalĀ New Orleans Saints.
: RB Joe Profit, RB Tony Smith, WR Shawn Collins
Q&A
Who are the biggest NFL Draft busts in history?
Some of the biggest NFL Draft busts include Ryan Leaf, Mitch Trubisky, and Larry Stegent.
What factors contribute to NFL Draft busts?
Factors include poor fit with the team, weak coaching, off-field issues, and sometimes a lack of talent that was overlooked.
Which NFL teams have the most notable draft busts?
Every NFL team has its share of notable draft busts, with each team represented in the list of biggest first round disappointments.
When did the NFL Draft bust phenomenon begin?
The phenomenon of NFL Draft busts has been present since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
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There have only been 33 first round picks in Ravens franchise history and most of them have been pretty good. Boller was a mid-round lottery ticket who failed to pan out but still managed to be a competent placeholder quarterback who was a contingency plan, not a starter.
(Dis)honorable mention: CB Matt Elam, WR Breshad Perriman, TE Hayden Hurst
Tuttle had 150 catches in his four-year Clemson career ā 126 more than heād have in two seasons as a Bill. The collegiate deep threat failed to translate that game-shifting playmaking to the NFL and was out of the league after three seasons. Two-time All-Pro Mike Quick was selected by the Eagles with the very next pick before going on to have the career Buffalo hoped it would get out of Tuttle.
(Dis)honorable mention: DT Phil Dokes, RB Booker Moore, DE Erik Flowers
Carruth failed to meet his potential on the field and was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of conspiring to murder a woman who was eight months pregnant with his child. Heās garbage all around.
(Dis)honorable mention: A bunch of guys who were never involved in conspiracy charges.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 13: Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 takes the field during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Soldier Field on December 13, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 13: Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 takes the field during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Soldier Field on December 13, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Year: 2017
Armed with a chance to change the trajectory of their moribund franchise, the Bears took Trubisky, a one-year āwonderā at North Carolina.
A player with negative pocket presence. A player who left more than a handful of deep balls short every game he played with that orange C on his helmet. A player who couldnāt decipher a basic zone defense even if you told him exactly where to throw the ball on every play.
And the rotten cherry on top? The Bears passed over Patrick Mahomes, who may be known as the best football player ever by the time his career is over, to pick Trubisky. (Note: Mahomes was second on their draft board!) Thatās not merely rubbing salt in the wound for Bears fans. Thatās slowly pouring a tub of it while cackling at their pain.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Kevin White, OT Stan Thomas, DE Michael Haynes
There are so, so many choices here. Garbage quarterbacks like Johnny Manziel, Brandon Weeden and Brady Quinn. Linebackers like Mike Junkin and Cliff Charleton, who were drafted in back-to-back years and started eight combined games for Cleveland. Craig Powell, whose NFL career consisted of two recorded tackles.
But Gilbert was an incredible talent who just couldn't put it together at the next level. Everything should have worked, it just didn't. His career was over after three seasons and one season-long suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Thomas was a well-built power back and blocker with a light resume; he'd run for only 935 yards and a pair of touchdowns in three seasons at Boston College. His Cowboys career lasted seven games without a single official offensive statistic.
(Dis)honorable mention: LB Billy Cannon, TE David LaFleur, LB Bobby Carpenter
Wideout Marcus Nash (30th overall in 1998) had four career NFL receptions. Quarterback Paxton Lynch couldnāt outplay Trevor Siemian or Brock Osweiler for a starting role. But Gregory came into training camp with a bad knee suffered in his final game at Boston College, got hurt even more in training camp, was subsequently traded to the Saints for another first-round bust (Shawn Knight) months after being drafted and played three career games in the league. Brutal.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Marcus Nash, QB Paxton Lynch, DE Jarvis Moss
This is a coin toss between two guys named Rogers who were top 10 picks and contributed absolutely nothing to the Lions. Charles, the second overall pick after racking up more than 2,800 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns at nearby Michigan State, had 36 catches over three seasons in the league. Thatās 1,026 fewer than Andre Johnson, who was drafted with the very next selection. The picture above, for reference, is from a preseason game.
Reggie Rogers, on the other hand, was an edge rusher drafted seventh overall in 1987 whoād go on to two starts and one sack in his Detroit career.
(Dis)honorable mention: EDGE Reggie Rogers, QB Andre Ware, WR Mike Williams
The Packers drafted a quarterback their offensive coordinator hated with a top-six pick. As a result, Campbell threw 68 NFL passes in his four-year career and, incredibly, had nine of those intercepted. The next quarterback selected, albeit in the second round, was two-time Pro Bowler Neil Lomax.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Jerry Tagge (a 3:17 career TD:INT ratio!), DE Jamal Reynolds, DT Justin Harrell, OT Derek Sherrod
Aug 18, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) leaves the game injured during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) leaves the game injured during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Year: 2015
There arenāt any egregious misses among the 20 first round picks in Texans history. Johnson is the worst ā a top-20 selection who made only 18 starts in four seasons with the team. Instead of being a difference maker on some Bill OāBrien playoff teams that couldnāt quite get over the hump he was just sort of a guy.
Jim Detwiler never played a game in the pros thanks to injury. Trev Alberts was a top five pick and had fewer than 70 career tackles. But Schlichter missed a season due to a gambling suspension, went 0-6 as a starter for the Colts with a 3:11 touchdown to interception ratio and ultimately did his best work in the Arena Football League. He was a harbinger of pain.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Randy Burke, LB Trev Alberts, DT Ken Novak
Soward had 14 catches as a rookie before running afoul of the leagueās substance abuse policy. He never played another regular season snap after that, but he did win a Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Justin Blackmon, DE K'Lavon Chaisson
Jenkins was supposed to be a blindside protecting building block. Instead he appeared in just nine games and made one start for the Chiefs over a three-year NFL career. Scott Gragg, the first tackle drafted after Jenkins, went on to play nine years as a starter on Sundays.
(Dis)honorable mention: G Brian Jozwiak, WR Sylvester Morris, WR Jonathan Baldwin
Todd Marinovich was a mess. Damon Arnette brandished guns, made death threats on video and was a mostly ineffective cornerback whose career lasted 13 games. But the top pick of 2007 made only 25 starts and won just seven of them.
His career ended after 2009, where he completed less than half his pass attempts, threw 11 interceptions against three touchdowns and was sacked on nearly 12 percent of his dropbacks. But hey, he could take a knee at the 50 and throw a football through the goalposts, which is neat.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Todd Marinovich, CB Damon Arnette, DE Bob Buczkowski
Nov 29, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Former NFL and Washington State Cougars quarter back Ryan Leaf walks the field before a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Former NFL and Washington State Cougars quarter back Ryan Leaf walks the field before a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Year: 1998
Leaf had a 39.0 passer rating as a rookie (two touchdowns, 15 interceptions). Firing every ball directly into the turf would have given him a 39.6. Things got better from there. Not by much.
(Dis)honorable mention: RB Leon Burns, WR Johnny Rodgers, WR Craig Davis
Despite incredible talent, Phillips was a mess off the field; he had fewer starts in two seasons as a Ram (20) than he had days spent in prison over the same span (23). Phillips had flashes of ability but averaged only 3.4 yards per carry in his NFL career.
(Dis)honorable mention: EDGE Bill Hawkins, CB Tye Hill, RB Elvis Peacock
Yatil Green was a top 15 pick who had 18 career catches despite WR1 projections. David Overstreet was drafted with the 16th pick in 1981 and ran for only 392 yards in his career as an NFL running back. But Jordan may be the biggest disappointment.
The athletic marvel never quite put his skills together. He had just three sacks his first two seasons in the league, then missed the third due to a year-long drug suspension. Heād later catch on as a rotational edge rusher with other teams, but this was hardly the career expected of a top three pick.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Yatil Green, RB David Overstreet, EDGE Eric Kumerow
Troy Williamson failed to meet expectations. Dimitrius Underwood struggled with mental health issues and never played a down for the Vikings. And Hayden didnāt record a single stat in his lone season as a Viking, mostly playing special teams while battling drug addiction. He could have been a difference maker on a run-heavy 11-3 team that slunk out of the playoffs without a win, so Hayden gets the nod.
Dupard was the leading rusher on a pair of 10-win SMU teams, averaging more than 1,200 rushing yards per season in his final three years with the Mustangs. He ran for 574 yards total in three years as a Patriot, averaging just 3.1 yards per handoff. Two of the next three tailbacks selected, Neal Anderson and Dalton Hilliard, went on to long and successful careers.
New Orleans Saints: DE Shawn Knight (11th overall)
Year: 1987
Knight played three seasons in the NFL and has exactly one official statistic to his name; a fumble recovery in 1989. He clashed with Saints coaches in training camp and was traded for Ted Gregory in some incredible bust-on-bust action.
Thompson made just one start in a three-year NFL career and rushed for only 217 total yards as a Giant. Even worse, the two players selected after him were three-time Pro Bowler Jack Tatum and Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood.
(Dis)honorable mention: TE Derek Brown, RB David Wilson, CB Deandre Baker
New York Jets: DE Vernon Gholston (sixth overall)
Year: 2008
Gholston was an absolute monster at the combine (a 4.65-second 40 at 265 pounds) and was coming off a 14-sack season at Ohio State. That was 14 more than heād have in his NFL career.
(Dis)honorable mention: LB Michael Taylor, DE Ron Faurot, CB Dee Milliner
He made four starts as a rookie and was generally terrible. He tested positive for cocaine the following season, earned his release and was charged with rape days later. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. While he was released after 33 months, he never played another down in the NFL.
(Dis)honorable mention: DT Leonard Renfro, DE Jerome McDougle, EDGE Marcus Smith
The Steelers allegedly panicked and landed on Richardson, a 4-3 defensive end who didnāt have a place in the teamās 3-4 alignment (Alfred Williams, whoād go on to be an All-Pro edge rusher, and had 26.5 sacks in the Bengals 3-4 setup over four seasons, was selected three picks later). Pittsburgh forced him into an inside linebacker role, which failed to pan out. He played five games as a rookie and was traded for a seventh-round pick before year two.
(Dis)honorable mention: DT Gabe Rivera (his career lasted six games, the seven players after him combined for 23 Pro Bowls), OT Jamain Stephens, QB Kenny Pickett, kinda
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 19: Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 19: Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Year: 2021
It's stunning the 49ers have been as good as they have despite zero impact from first-round picks between 2021 and 2023. That's because it cost San Francisco three Day 1 selections to trade up for Lance, who made a total of four starts in burgundy and gold, underwhelmed, got injured and was eventually shipped to the Cowboys for a fourth round pick.
McGwireās selling points were that he was huge (6-foot-8) and the brother of Oakland slugger Mark. He had a big arm and had played well enough for decent San Diego State teams in the WAC, which convinced Seattle he could be a franchise QB.
This was false. His quarterback rating through his first two seasons was 23.6 and heād start just five games in the pros. 17 picks later, the Atlanta Falcons would select Brett Favre.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Rick Mirer, OT Chris McIntosh, LB Aaron Curry
Adams went from two-star recruit to unanimous All-American at Clemson, launching himself into top five consideration at the 2007 Draft. He played two-plus seasons for the Buccaneers and wasnāt bad by any stretch ā he just wasnāt as good as youād expect the fourth overall pick to be ā especially when you consider Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis were all drafted after him in the first round. Tragically, he died due to cardiac arrest before his fourth season in the league.
(Dis)honorable mention: TE OJ Howard, G Ray Snell but, for the most part, the Bucs have made solid first-round picks.
Wilson was arrested twice as a Titan and once as a Dolphin after being traded for a seventh-round pick. This all took place in roughly a seven-month span. He played in one NFL game, recording one snap.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Jake Locker, CB Andre Woolfolk
Washington Commanders: OT Andre Johnson (30th overall)
Year: 1996
Washington drafted a left tackle who couldnāt even crack the rotation as a rookie and was cut without ever playing a snap for the team. His NFL career lasted three games ā all with the Detroit Lions.
