Every NFL coach knows the draft can be a career-maker or a career-ender. Hit big on a first-rounder, and you’re a genius. It was badly missed, and suddenly your headset was in a cardboard box. It’s a cruel business where one pick can sink the ship before it even sets sail.
Some of these picks looked like sure things—franchise saviors with all the right measurables and hype. Others were head-scratchers from the jump, but either way, they helped fast-track their coaching staff’s exit. Here are 15 first-rounders that left coaches updating their résumés way earlier than expected.
15. Christian Ponder – Minnesota Vikings, 2011
The Vikings reached for a quarterback when they didn’t have to, and it showed. Ponder’s inconsistencies didn’t just stall the offense—they made life miserable for Leslie Frazier and company.
14. Justin Gilbert – Cleveland Browns, 2014
Gilbert had elite athleticism and zero interest in being coached. Mike Pettine didn’t last long after trusting his future to a corner who couldn’t cover or care.
13. E.J. Manuel – Buffalo Bills, 2013
The Bills shocked everyone by making Manuel the first QB off the board. Doug Marrone got one full season of chaos before realizing this experiment was going nowhere fast.
12. Kevin White – Chicago Bears, 2015
Kevin White looked like a monster at West Virginia but turned into a ghost in Chicago. His endless injuries didn’t help John Fox keep his job or prove his staff knew what they were doing.
11. Josh Rosen – Arizona Cardinals, 2018
Ten teams passed on him, and maybe they were all right. Steve Wilks only got one season to clean up the Rosen disaster before getting shown the door.
10. Johnny Manziel – Cleveland Browns, 2014
The Browns bet big on Manziel’s magic, but he brought more TMZ moments than touchdowns. Mike Pettine tried to manage the chaos but ended up swallowed by it.
9. Jake Locker – Tennessee Titans, 2011
Locker had the tools but not the durability or decision-making. Mike Munchak staked his job on him and didn’t make it through the fallout.
8. Paxton Lynch – Denver Broncos, 2016
Lynch was supposed to be the heir to Peyton Manning. Instead, he barely cracked the starting lineup and helped flame out Gary Kubiak’s second act.
7. Dwayne Haskins – Washington, 2019
Jay Gruden didn’t want Haskins in the first place, and the pick felt forced from the top down. The result? A messy QB situation and an even messier coaching exit.
6. Trent Richardson – Cleveland Browns, 2012
He was drafted to be a workhorse, but turned out to be a plodding dud. Pat Shurmur didn’t even make it to see Richardson’s second season.
5. Blaine Gabbert – Jacksonville Jaguars, 2011
Gabbert looked like a franchise guy in shorts and a t-shirt. Once the real games started, Jack Del Rio’s tenure spiraled out with every off-target throw.
4. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2009
Freeman had one promising year, then completely unraveled. Raheem Morris paid the price when the wheels came off faster than expected.
3. Zach Wilson – New York Jets, 2021
Drafting Wilson second overall was a massive gamble that backfired instantly. Robert Saleh’s still around (for now), but this pick has already haunted his entire tenure.
Read More: Ranking the Most Confusing NFL First-Round Picks Ever
2. Mitchell Trubisky – Chicago Bears, 2017
Trading up for Trubisky over Mahomes and Watson? That’ll follow a coach forever. Matt Nagy couldn’t scheme his way out of that mistake.
Read More: 18 NFL Running Backs Who Went in Round 1 – But Shouldn’t Have
1. JaMarcus Russell – Oakland Raiders, 2007
He had the arm, the size, and none of the intangibles. Lane Kiffin never stood a chance once Russell showed up late and unprepared every week.
Read More: 20 NFL Teams That Thought They Had Their Franchise QB
