The NFL Draft is where teams hope to find the next generation of superstars, but sometimes, things go horribly wrong. Whether due to injuries, poor performance, bad work ethic, or off-field issues, some players simply never live up to the hype.
Here are the 30 worst draft picks in NFL history, ranked based on their expectations, impact (or lack thereof), and overall performance.
30. Matt Leinart (Arizona Cardinals, 2006)
Leinart was drafted 10th overall to be the Cardinals’ quarterback of the future, but he never developed into a reliable starter. He played just 17 games for Arizona, throwing more interceptions (21) than touchdowns (15) before losing his job to Kurt Warner.
29. Isaiah Wilson (Tennessee Titans, 2020)
Wilson barely had an NFL career, playing just three games before off-field issues derailed his career. The Titans moved on from him after one season, and despite brief stints with the Dolphins and Giants, he never saw the field again.
28. Andre Ware (Detroit Lions, 1990)
The 1989 Heisman Trophy winner never adjusted to the NFL. Drafted by Detroit in 1990, Ware played just six games, throwing five touchdowns and eight interceptions before fading out of the league.
27. Heath Shuler (Washington Commanders, 1994)
Taken third overall in 1994, Shuler was a disaster at quarterback for Washington. His 47% completion rate and 15 touchdowns to 33 interceptions ratio sealed his fate as one of the league’s biggest busts.
26. Johnny Manziel (Cleveland Browns, 2014)
“Johnny Football” was one of the most hyped players in draft history, but his NFL career was a trainwreck. Off-field partying, lack of preparation, and poor play led to his exit after just two seasons.
25. Brian Bosworth (Seattle Seahawks, 1987)
“The Boz” came into the league with a larger-than-life personality but never lived up to his own hype. His short, injury-riddled career was defined by getting steamrolled by Bo Jackson on Monday Night Football.
24. Tony Mandarich (Green Bay Packers, 1989)
Billed as the “Incredible Bulk,” Mandarich was one of the most physically gifted linemen ever drafted. Unfortunately, he never started a game for Green Bay and was out of the league after seven disappointing seasons.
23. Akili Smith (Cincinnati Bengals, 1999)
Drafted third overall, Smith never adapted to the pro level, throwing just five touchdowns and 13 interceptions in four seasons. The Bengals gave him multiple chances, but he never panned out.
22. Kevin Allen (Philadelphia Eagles, 1985)
Taken in the first round to anchor the Eagles’ offensive line, Allen played just one season before off-field issues and legal trouble ended his career.
21. Blair Thomas (New York Jets, 1990)
The second overall pick in 1990, Thomas never delivered on his promise. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency, never rushing for more than 728 yards in a season before leaving the league in 1995.
20. Kelly Stouffer (Seattle Seahawks, 1987)
Stouffer never played a game for the team that drafted him (the Cardinals) due to a contract dispute. When he finally got his chance with Seattle, he lasted just 22 games, completing only 52% of his passes.
19. Vernon Gholston (New York Jets, 2008)
The sixth overall pick in 2008, Gholston never recorded a single sack in his NFL career. Despite his freakish athleticism, he simply couldn’t translate it into on-field production.
18. Lawrence Phillips (St. Louis Rams, 1996)
Despite major red flags off the field, the Rams drafted Phillips sixth overall. He showed flashes of talent but was ultimately undone by legal troubles and poor decision-making.
17. Aundray Bruce (Atlanta Falcons, 1988)
Drafted first overall, Bruce never lived up to expectations. He recorded only 32 sacks over 11 seasons, which is far from what you’d expect from a top pick.
16. Charles Rogers (Detroit Lions, 2003)
The second overall pick in 2003, Rogers struggled with injuries and off-field problems. He played just 15 games, catching 36 passes before being released.
15. Rick Mirer (Seattle Seahawks, 1993)
Mirer was supposed to be the next great NFL quarterback, but he never figured out how to consistently move the ball. He threw 76 interceptions to just 50 touchdowns in a largely forgettable career.
14. Aaron Curry (Seattle Seahawks, 2009)
The fourth overall pick in 2009, Curry was supposed to be a dominant linebacker but never made a significant impact. He was traded to the Raiders after just two and a half seasons.
13. Curtis Enis (Chicago Bears, 1998)
Taken fifth overall, Enis lasted just three seasons before injuries and lack of production ended his career. He finished with only 1,497 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
12. Dion Jordan (Miami Dolphins, 2013)
Drafted third overall as a pass-rushing specialist, Jordan managed only three sacks in his time with the Dolphins. Suspensions for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy further derailed his career.
11. Trent Richardson (Indianapolis Colts, 2013)
After a promising rookie year, Richardson quickly fell off. Poor vision, bad decision-making, and conditioning issues made him one of the worst running back picks in recent memory.
10. Tim Couch (Cleveland Browns, 1999)
As the first overall pick in 1999, Couch was supposed to lead the reborn Browns to success. Instead, he struggled with injuries and inconsistency, throwing more interceptions (67) than touchdowns (64).
9. Steve Emtman (Indianapolis Colts, 1992)
Taken first overall in 1992, Emtman was a dominant college player whose career was derailed by injuries. He played just 19 games for the Colts before fizzling out of the league.
8. Ki-Jana Carter (Cincinnati Bengals, 1995)
Carter was a can’t-miss running back taken first overall, but he tore his ACL in his first preseason game and never recovered. His career ended with just 1,144 rushing yards.
7. Tony Eason (New England Patriots, 1983)
Eason was part of the famed 1983 quarterback class but never lived up to expectations. He was so bad in Super Bowl XX that he was benched mid-game, cementing his bust status.
6. Blair Kiel (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1984)
Kiel never started a game in the NFL. The Buccaneers drafted him in the fourth round, but he bounced around as a backup and never made an impact.
5. Ryan Leaf (San Diego Chargers, 1998)
Leaf was drafted second overall after Peyton Manning, but he was a complete disaster. Between his bad attitude, poor play, and off-field issues, Leaf is widely considered one of the biggest busts ever.
4. JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders, 2007)
Russell had all the physical tools, but his lack of work ethic doomed him. He infamously didn’t watch game film and finished his career with just 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
3. Bruce Pickens (Atlanta Falcons, 1991)
The third overall pick in 1991, Pickens was supposed to be a shutdown corner. Instead, he played just four seasons, never making a significant impact.
2. Rich Campbell (Green Bay Packers, 1981)
The Packers drafted Campbell with hopes of him being their future quarterback, but he threw just three career touchdowns and never won a starting job.
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1. Kevin Allen (Philadelphia Eagles, 1985)
Allen was the ninth overall pick in 1985 but was labeled by his own coach as “a disaster.” He lasted just one season before off-field issues ended his career, making him arguably the worst draft pick of all time.
