The Worst Draft Classes of the Last Decade

The day after the NFL Draft every year, people come running with their analysis of “Who won the draft?” or “Who lost the draft?” We’ll do that at the end of the month for this year’s draft as well. But today, I’m taking a step back from that and looking into the past. Let’s look back at each draft from the last 10 years to find the worst draft classes from each year and the teams that got worse by the most from one year to the next. For worst draft classes, how you handle Day 1 is paramount — you’re not supposed to find a star on Day 3, but if you can’t even get a starting-caliber player in the first round, you’re screwing up. And of course, the more recent the draft class, the more up in the air the selections are — things could change very quickly.

Draft Losers of the Last 10 Years

2016

Biggest Win Decrease

Carolina Panthers (15-1 to 6-10)

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 12: Cam Newton (1) quarterback of Carolina during a NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on September 12, 2019, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire)

The Panthers went 15-1 in 2015 and made it to the Super Bowl. Cam Newton was MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Ron Rivera was Coach of the Year. Dave Gettleman was Executive of the Year. Everything was gravy. A year later, they fell to 6-10 and last place in the NFC South. Newton fell from a 35:10 TD:INT ratio with 10 rushing scores to 19:14 with 5. That wasn’t because of draft failings, it was just a bad year. Honorable Mention Cincinnati Bengals (12-4 to 6-9-1) Arizona Cardinals (13-3 to 7-8-1) New York Jets (10-6 to 5-11)

Worst Draft Class

Arizona Cardinals

The only player in the Cardinals’ 2016 class who ever even sort of became a starter is fourth-round C Evan Boehm, who started eight games in 2017, left the team after the year and was out of the league after his first contract. First-rounder Robert Nkemdiche only made it three years in Arizona. Honorable Mention Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Vernon Hargreaves III, Roberto Aguayo) Minnesota Vikings (Laquon Treadwell, Moritz Böhringer) Denver Broncos (Paxton Lynch, Devontae Booker)

2017

Biggest Win Decrease

New York Giants (11-5 to 3-13)

The Giants went 11-5 in 2016 and won a Wild Card. That’s good! They lost in the Wild Card Round, but hey, it happens. … They haven’t won even 10 games in a season since. In 2017, they fell to 13-3. Ben McAdoo got fired. Eli Manning got (briefly) benched. They earned the second overall pick in the next year’s draft, but they used it on a running back. Honorable Mention Oakland Raiders (12-4 to 6-10) Houston Texans (9-7 to 4-12)

Worst Draft Class

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders have had their fair share of disaster drafts in recent history, but 2017 is near the worst. Gareon Conley only made it three years in the league (2.5 with the team) and was never that good. Obi Melifonwu made it less than that, one after one season. You blow Rounds 1 and 2 that conclusively, you had a rough draft. Honorable Mention New England Patriots (Derek Rivers, Deatrich Wise Jr.) Miami Dolphins (Charles Harris, Raekwon McMillan)

2018

Biggest Win Decrease

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6 to 5-11) Arizona Cardinals (8-8 to 3-13)

The Jags had finished third or fourth in the AFC South six straight years before a first-place 2017 buoyed by free agency. And then … they fell right back, fourth place in each year 2018-2021. When you’re signing a bunch of older players to deals, sometimes you don’t get a lot of longevity. The Cardinals had only gone .500 in 2017, but .500 is at least the kind of record that gets you on “In the Hunt” graphics in Week 14, Week 15. In 2018, it fell apart, with the team going 3-13. First-rounder, 10th overall pick Josh Rosen flamed out hard, and Larry Fitzgerald started to show real age for the first time. Honorable Mention Minnesota Vikings (13-3 to 8-7-1) Philadelphia Eagles (13-3 to 9-7) Carolina Panthers (11-5 to 7-9)

Worst Draft Class

Houston Texans

They had no first- or second-round pick. Justin Reid became a perfectly quality player, but after him the highlight is … Keke Coutee’s two career hundred yard games, both against the Colts, which convinced the team to add him in 2021? The team parlaying Martinas Rankin into a year of Carlos Hyde plodding to 1,070 yards? There’s nothing here. Honorable Mention Kansas City Chiefs (Breeland Speaks, Derrick Nnadi) Pittsburgh Steelers (James Washington, Mason Rudolph) New York Jets (Sam Darnold, Chris Herndon)

2019

Biggest Win Decrease

Los Angeles Chargers (12-4 to 5-11)

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) runs into the tunnel after an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)

Philip Rivers made the Pro Bowl in 2016, 2017 and 2018, with 93 touchdowns against 43 picks in those years. He and the team generally fell apart in 2019, falling to 5-11 and his worst career TD:INT ratio at 23:20. It signaled the end of Rivers in Los Angeles, but it also led to them drafting Justin Herbert. Honorable Mention Washington (7-9 to 3-13) Los Angeles Rams (13-3 to 9-7) Cincinnati Bengals (6-10 to 2-14) Chicago Bears (12-4 to 8-8)

Worst Draft Class

Chicago Bears

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 03: Chicago Bears Running Back David Montgomery (32) makes a reception in the second half during the game between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles on November 03, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

No Day 1/Day 2 pick. David Montgomery as a fine running back, but his greatest success came after he left the Bears. Riley Ridley and Duke Shelley barely played for the Bears, Kerrith Whyte Jr. never played for the Bears, and Stephen Denmark never played for anyone. Honorable Mention Cincinnati Bengals (Jonah Williams, Ryan Finley) New England Patriots (N’Keal Harry, Jarrett Stidham) Philadelphia Eagles (Andre Dillard, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside)

2020

Biggest Win Decrease

San Francisco 49ers (13-3 to 6-10)

There were so many injuries in San Francisco in 2020. Jimmy Garoppolo started six games. Nick Mullens eight. C.J. Beathard two. George Kittle missed half the season. Deebo Samuel missed more than half. No one ran for more than 600 yards. No one caught 750. Just a mess. Honorable Mention Houston Texans (10-6 to 4-12)

Worst Draft Class

Tennessee Titans

It’s really a toss-up between the Titans and Jags for the 2020 class, but I’m using Isaiah Wilson as the tiebreaker. The Titans used their first-rounder on him in 2020 and got all of four NFL snaps out of the player before dumping him, and he never played again. Worst first-round pick in a generation. Honorable Mention Jacksonville Jaguars (C.J. Henderson, K’Lavon Chaisson, Laviska Shenault Jr.) New York Jets (Denzel Mims, Ashtyn Davis)

2021

Biggest Win Decrease

Seattle Seahawks (12-4 to 7-10)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson (3) makes a pass in the first half during the game between the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles on November 24, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Russell Wilson was a Seattle institution … right up until it turned out that no one really liked him, and as soon as the results weren’t there (the team fell from first place in the NFC West to last), it became time to ship him out of town and turn things over to Geno Smith. Honorable Mention New Orleans Saints (12-4 to 9-8) Cleveland Browns (11-5 to 8-9) Baltimore Ravens (11-5 to 8-9)

Worst Draft Class

Seattle Seahawks

Sure, most of this is because they barely had a 2021 draft class, but also they didn’t nail any of their picks. The best was sixth-rounder Stone Forsythe, who didn’t even really become a starter until after leaving the Seahawks last year, starting 13 games for the Raiders and earning a 55.2 PFF grade. Honorable Mention New York Giants (Kadarius Toney, Aaron Robinson) New York Jets (Zach Wilson, Elijah Moore) Arizona Cardinals (Zaven Collins, Rondale Moore)

2022

Biggest Win Decrease

Los Angeles Rams (12-5 to 5-12) Arizona Cardinals (11-6 to 4-13)

A year after winning the Super Bowl, the Rams lost Matthew Stafford to injury and had to start John Wolford, Baker Mayfield and Bryce Perkins. Cooper Kupp missed half the season. Allen Robinson turned out to be old. Nothing really worked in Los Angeles. Speaking of nothing working, the Cardinals lost Kyler Murray to a torn ACL late in the year and had to use Colt McCoy, Trace McSorley and David Blough, while DeAndre Hopkins missed half the year to injury as well. Honorable Mention Tennessee Titans (12-5 to 7-10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4 to 8-9) Green Bay Packers (13-4 to 8-9)

Worst Draft Class

Miami Dolphins

What’s your favorite pick here? Skylar Thompson’s four career starts and a 1:5 TD:INT ratio? Erik Ezukanma’s 25 career scrimmage yards? Channing Tindall’s and Cameron Goode’s one combined career start? The lack of a pick in the first or second round? It’s tough! Honorable Mention Las Vegas Raiders (Henry Ruggs III, Damon Arnette, Lynn Bowden Jr.) New England Patriots (Cole Strange, Tyquan Thornton) Washington Commanders (Jahan Dotson, Phidarian Mathis)

2023

Biggest Win Decrease

Minnesota Vikings (13-4 to 7-10)

Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles at midseason and the Vikings went into a tailspin, ultimately losing six of their last seven games as the Nick Mullens/Joshua Dobbs/Jaren Hall triumvirate didn’t do much. And Alexander Mattison’s shot as a starter in the wake of Dalvin Cook’s departure didn’t amount to much, either. Honorable Mention Los Angeles Chargers (10-7 to 5-12) Carolina Panthers (7-10 to 2-15) Washington Commanders (8-8-1 to 4-13)

Worst Draft Class

San Francisco 49ers

There were some bad drafts in 2023. But the 49ers hastened their fall in 2024 by almost completely whiffing. In their defense, they didn’t pick in the first or second round, but they also didn’t find much in the way of bargains. Dee Winters developed into a starter in the sixth round, but that was at least in part because everyone else on the defense got hurt last year. No first- or second-round pick, a kicker in the third round who was bad for two years before getting hurt, and no real contributors anywhere in the draft. Bad times. Honorable Mention Denver Broncos (Marvin Mims Jr., Drew Sanders) Washington Commanders (Emmanuel Forbes, Quan Martin) Dallas Cowboys (Mazi Smith, Deuce Vaughn)

2024

Biggest Win Decrease

Cleveland Browns (11-6 to 3-14)

The Browns had the Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 as they made a surprise run to the postseason. You have to hope that memory is enough to sustain them, because 2024 was an outright disaster. They went 3-14. Deshaun Watson played poorly and then tore his Achilles. Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe weren’t any better. Jerry Jeudy had a Winston-inspired breakout, but no one else reached 600 rushing or receiving yards. Just a mess. Honorable Mention San Francisco 49ers (12-5 to 6-11) Dallas Cowboys (12-5 to 7-10) Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8 to 4-13)

Worst Draft Class

Atlanta Falcons

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 29: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) surveys the field for an open receiver during the Atlanta Falcons game versus the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 29, 2024, in Landover, MD. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire)

Michael Penix Jr. sits at 4-8 through two NFL seasons with yet another significant knee injury on his history), and the team brought in Tua Tagovailoa this offseason to compete with him (and/or fill in for him). He’s the prize of the draft class for Atlanta right now, with DT Brandon Dorlus getting nine starts last year the only other real contender. The third-rounder Trice has never even played due to an ACL tear and then aggravation. Honorable Mention Cleveland Browns (Michael Hall Jr., Jamari Thrash) Minnesota Vikings (J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner) Buffalo Bills (Keon Coleman, Ray Davis)

2025

Biggest Win Decrease

Kansas City Chiefs (15-2 to 6-11)

The Chiefs had a disaster in 2025, and it was a disaster even before Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL late in the season. Pretty much nothing went right for the team. The good news? They’re running it back in 2026 (well, it should theoretically be good news, since that team was pretty good before 2025). Honorable Mention Washington Commanders (12-5 to 5-12) Detroit Lions (15-2 to 9-8)

Worst Draft Class

Green Bay Packers

The jury isn’t totally back on first-rounder Matthew Golden yet, but a paltry 361 receiving yards as a rookie was a huge disappointment for the first receiver the team had taken in the first since Javon Walker in 2002. And that was way better than Savion Williams, who had only 78 receiving yards. Anthony Belton garnered a fair handful of starts on the OL, but he wasn’t any great shakes. Honorable Mention Minnesota Vikings (Donovan Jackson, Tai Felton) Los Angeles Rams (Terrance Ferguson, Jarquez Hunter) Miami Dolphins (Kenneth Grant, Ollie Gordon II)