The NFL Draft is football’s version of Christmas morning — except sometimes, the shiny new toy immediately breaks. Every year, teams talk themselves into believing they just found the next superstar, only to watch their “can’t-miss” prospect somehow miss everything.
Some players had all the hype, all the commercials, and all the fanfare, but when it came to producing on Sundays, they completely vanished. Here are 20 NFL Draft picks with all the buzz and none of the results, ranked from 20 to 1.
20. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football had an aura about him that made the Browns believe they finally had their guy. It turns out they just had a ton of drama and two forgettable seasons.
19. Kevin White
The Bears thought they were getting a franchise wide receiver, but Kevin White’s NFL career felt more like a ghost story. Injuries robbed him of any chance to prove the hype right.
18. Charles Rogers
Charles Rogers was supposed to dominate for the Lions, but bad luck and bad choices ensured that didn’t happen—one of the saddest what-could-have-been stories in NFL history.
17. Dion Jordan
Dion Jordan looked like a defensive nightmare coming out of college. Instead, he became a footnote in the Dolphins’ long list of misfires.
16. Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen confidently declared nine mistakes ahead of him in the draft. A few years later, he was the one desperately searching for a job.
15. Vernon Gholston
The Jets thought they drafted a pass-rushing terror in Vernon Gholston. They got a masterclass in running directly into offensive linemen and doing nothing else.
14. Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson looked like a bulldozer at Alabama but played like a bumper car in the NFL. Teams kept giving him chances, and he kept averaging two yards per carry.
13. Justin Blackmon
Justin Blackmon could not have been more hyped as a top-tier receiver. Unfortunately, off-field issues and suspensions derailed what should have been a remarkable career.
12. Isaiah Wilson
Isaiah Wilson barely got onto the field before completely spiraling off it. When your career highlight is getting suspended by two different teams, that’s never a good sign.
11. Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart won a Heisman and a national title but never looked remotely ready for NFL speed. He just floated through the league while everyone waited for the spark that never came.
10. Tim Couch
Being the first-ever pick of the Cleveland Browns reboot came with way too much pressure. Tim Couch had a few flashes but mostly looked like a man trapped in a never-ending nightmare.
9. Aaron Curry
Aaron Curry was once called the “safest pick in the draft.” He was so safe that he hardly ever made a game-changing play.
8. Jason Smith
Jason Smith was supposed to anchor the Rams’ offensive line for a decade. Instead, he barely held onto a starting job before quietly fading away.
7. JaMarcus Russell
No one ever looked the part of a star quarterback more than JaMarcus Russell. Sadly, looks don’t win games; work ethic does.
6. Justin Gilbert
The Browns thought they landed a shutdown corner with Gilbert, but he mostly shut himself down. He quickly earned a reputation for not caring, which tends to be a problem.
5. Robert Nkemdiche
Robert Nkemdiche possessed every physical attribute one could ask for. But the production never even came close to matching the athleticism.
4. Courtney Brown
Courtney Brown was billed as the next dominant edge rusher. He was a footnote in an era when the Browns could do nothing right.
3. Ryan Leaf
Ryan Leaf was supposed to be neck-and-neck with Peyton Manning. Turns out he wasn’t even neck-and-neck with backup quarterbacks.
Read More: 10 NFL Teams That Drafted the Wrong QB (and Paid the Price)
2. Zach Wilson
The Jets hyped Zach Wilson as their shiny new franchise savior. They couldn’t get him off the field fast enough a couple of seasons later.
Read More: 15 NFL Players Doomed by the Teams That Drafted Them
1. Brian Bosworth
Brian Bosworth had the hair, the attitude, and the larger-than-life persona. It’s too bad that the actual football part never quite worked out.
