The anticipation surrounding the NFL draft is palpable each year, a beacon of hope for fans and teams alike. This event, now one of the marquee moments in sports, serves as a gateway for the next generation of stars to make their mark on the league. However, the draft is as much a game of chance as it is of skill, and when teams miscalculate on a top prospect, the consequences can reverberate for years.
While the NFL has seen its share of brilliant draft picks, the league’s history is also littered with monumental draft busts. These unfortunate selections have not only altered the course of franchises but also shaped the NFL landscape in significant ways. Here, we delve into the 20 most notorious draft busts in NFL history.
While the NFL has seen its share of brilliant draft picks, the league’s history is also littered with monumental draft busts. These unfortunate selections have not only altered the course of franchises but also shaped the NFL landscape in significant ways. Here, we delve into the 20 most notorious draft busts in NFL history.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Drafted second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson quickly became one of the most talked-about busts in recent memory. Some within the Jets' organization even considered Wilson superior to Trevor Lawrence, which only underscores the magnitude of their error.
Wilson's professional stats are a testament to his struggles: a 12-21 record, a 71.9 QB rating, a 57% completion rate, 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions, an average of 189.3 passing yards per game, and a staggering 113 sacks taken. Reflecting on Wilson's college career at BYU, it's evident he thrived behind an exceptional offensive line and against relatively weak competition, masking potential flaws that were brutally exposed in the NFL.
Wilson's professional stats are a testament to his struggles: a 12-21 record, a 71.9 QB rating, a 57% completion rate, 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions, an average of 189.3 passing yards per game, and a staggering 113 sacks taken. Reflecting on Wilson's college career at BYU, it's evident he thrived behind an exceptional offensive line and against relatively weak competition, masking potential flaws that were brutally exposed in the NFL.
By 2024, the Jets had conceded defeat, trading Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a meager return. Despite the hope that a new environment under Sean Payton might revive his career, Wilson's tenure with the Jets ensures his place among the biggest draft busts in history.
Isaiah Wilson, Tennessee Titans
It was with great anticipation that the Tennessee Titans selected Isaiah Wilson with the 29th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, expecting him to slot in immediately at right tackle, following a glittering college career at the Georgia Bulldogs. Instead, Wilson's off-field issues—including a DUI arrest, multiple stints on the COVID-19 list, and various team suspensions—derailed his career almost instantly.
Such were his struggles, that Wilson was traded to the Miami Dolphins within a year, but his tenure there was equally disastrous. His inability to adhere to team protocols led to his release, and by 2022, Wilson was out of the league entirely.
Akili Smith, Cincinnati Bengals
The 1999 NFL Draft saw the Cincinnati Bengals take a gamble on highly rated Quarterback, Akili Smith, hoping to rejuvenate their struggling roster and reinvigorate the team. Smith's impressive college stats at The University of Oregon — amassing 3,763 passing yards and a 32-8 TD-INT ratio in his final season —convinced the Bengals he was the man to rebuild their franchise around.
In hindsight, the Bengals’ decision to reject Mike Ditka's offer of the New Orleans' 1999 draft collateral, along with future first-round picks, is one of the most significant missed opportunities in NFL history. Smith's poor performance, marked by benchings and an inability to adapt to the professional level, left the Bengals in a prolonged state of mediocrity.
Tony Mandarich, Green Bay Packers
Whilst the he 1989 NFL Draft has achieved legendary status for the depth of talent it yielded, the Packers’ selection of Tony Mandarich remains a cautionary tale. With future Hall of Famers like Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders available, Green Bay's choice of Mandarich—amidst rumors of steroid use and poor work ethic—proved disastrous and was undoubtably one of the biggest failures of all time.
Mandarich's failure to live up to his college billing left a glaring hole in what could have been a franchise-defining draft class for the Packers. Given the opportunity they had with a top-five pick, the choice to select Mandarich rather than a host of the league's most legendary players proved to be a mistake that they rued for many years to follow.
Brian Bosworth, Seattle Seahawks
Brian Bosworth’s entry into the NFL via the supplemental draft was unconventional, but the Seahawks believed in his potential. Known for his flamboyance and collegiate dominance, Bosworth's professional career was short-lived and unremarkable. Indeed, such was his conviction in himself entering into the draft, that he insisted that he would not turn out for the Seattle until being in receipt of the largest rookie contract in league history.
His bravado led to a memorable but humiliating moment against Bo Jackson, cementing his legacy more as a figure of hype rather than substance. Chronic shoulder injuries forced Bosworth into early retirement, making him a prime example of unfulfilled potential.
Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns’ 2014 NFL Draft is one they’d prefer to forget, largely due to the selection of Johnny Manziel. Drafted 22nd overall, Manziel brought a mix of celebrity appeal and raw talent that many hoped would elevate the Browns. Carrying the moniker "Johnny Football", the character and potential for Manziel to invigorate a franchise in need of an injection of talent drew the Browns towards the Quarterback.
However, Manziel's penchant for off-field antics and a lack of professional commitment led to a brief and tumultuous NFL career. He played just 15 games over two seasons, throwing seven touchdowns against seven interceptions, before off-field issues and immaturity ended his tenure.
David Carr, Houston Texans
As the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, David Carr faced the monumental task of leading the newly-formed Houston Texans. Despite his stellar college performance, Carr's NFL career was hampered by an atrocious offensive line that saw him sacked 76 times as a rookie—an NFL record and in stark contrast to the impressive numbers he racked up during his time at Fresno State.
The constant pressure and physical toll left Carr a shell of his collegiate self, marking him as a significant draft bust through no fault of his own, but rather due to the dire circumstances into which he was thrown within a team that took its time to settle into the league more widely.
Bo Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bo Jackson's place on this list is unique, given his incredible athletic prowess. Drafted first overall in 1986 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jackson had made it clear he would not play for them. The Buccaneers ignored his warnings and were subsequently left empty-handed when Jackson refused to sign, due to his desire to combine a baseball career with his efforts on the football field.
Jackson’s choice to join the Los Angeles Raiders a year later, where he thrived as a dual-sport athlete, underscored the Buccaneers' folly and cemented his status as a draft bust through their mismanagement and a lack of due diligence, rather than his performance.