Draft night is where dynasties are born—or completely derailed. Some teams consistently strike gold, while others seem like they’re picking names out of a hat after too many Red Bulls and not enough scouting reports.
From passing on all-time greats to reaching so far they needed a ladder, these draft rooms looked utterly lost when it mattered most. Here are the most clueless draft rooms in NFL history, ranked from merely questionable to full-on chaotic.
14. 2013 Cleveland Browns
They drafted Barkevious Mingo sixth overall in a pick that felt like it was made purely off name recognition. Mingo never made the impact the Browns desperately needed on defense.
13. 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville traded up to draft Blaine Gabbert, who looked terrified anytime the pocket collapsed. It was a panic move that set the franchise back years at quarterback.
12. 2017 Chicago Bears
The Bears traded up one spot to draft Mitchell Trubisky over both Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. The bold move backfired in spectacular, meme-worthy fashion.
11. 2006 Buffalo Bills
Buffalo shocked everyone by drafting Donte Whitner eighth overall, far higher than anyone projected. It screamed “we forgot our board at home” energy.
10. 2010 Denver Broncos
Denver took Tim Tebow in the first round, a pick that felt more like a sermon than a strategy. They got a playoff win out of it, but it still wasn’t smart football planning.
9. 2012 Seattle Seahawks
Bruce Irvin turned out okay, but Seattle taking him 15th overall had scouts blinking in confusion. It felt like they were trying to be too cute with a pick that didn’t need flair.
8. 2005 Minnesota Vikings
In 2005, they made two first-round picks — Troy Williamson and Erasmus James — both of whom were busts.
7. 2020 Green Bay Packers
Instead of getting Aaron Rodgers help, they drafted his replacement, Jordan Love, while still in a championship window. Cue years of drama and tension that could’ve been avoided with, say, a wide receiver.
6. 1998 Indianapolis Colts (Almost)
The Colts considered taking Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning before finally making the right call. The fact it was even a question lands their draft room dangerously close to disaster.
5. 2003 Detroit Lions
Detroit selected Charles Rogers second overall, a pick marred by injuries and off-field issues. The Lions’ inability to evaluate wide receivers became a sad running joke.
4. 2014 Cleveland Browns
They picked Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel in the first round. One couldn’t cover anyone, the other couldn’t stop partying—neither could play.
3. 2016 Los Angeles Rams
They gave up a haul to take Jared Goff first overall, only to move on from him a few seasons later. It felt like a Madden trade gone wrong in real life.
Read More: 10 Teams That Underperformed at the 2025 NFL Draft
2. 1999 New Orleans Saints
Mike Ditka traded away his entire draft for Ricky Williams, then posed for High Times with him afterward. The pick was wild, the process was wilder, and the results were a disaster.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Worst Draft Picks in NFL History
1. 2009 Oakland Raiders
The Raiders took Darrius Heyward-Bey seventh overall despite better receivers on the board. Al Davis loved speed, but this pick felt more like a track meet invitation than a football decision.
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