Here are the TOP 10 draft busts in NFL history! Some iconic names on here, including my personal favorite, “Johnny Football!” Make sure to drop your thoughts and feedback in the comment section!
No. 10: QB Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns, 2014
Johnny Manziel was a draft miss that most could see coming from a mile away. Still, the Cleveland Browns took a chance on the kid, selecting him with the 22nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The laundry list of off-the-field problems with Manziel overshadowed any of the mild success he found on the field. Manziel lasted just two seasons in the NFL and started only eight games for the Browns. He has become an important cautionary tale for teams to study ever since.
No. 9: QB Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals, 2006
The Arizona Cardinals thought they were drafted a historically good quarterback prospect in Matt Leinart with the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Leinart was the Heisman Trophy winner in 2004 and is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in USC program history. However, Leinart did not live up to the hype in the NFL and finished his four years with the Cardinals having thrown only 14 touchdowns to 20 interceptions.
No. 8: QB Sam Darnold, New York Jets, 2018
The New York Jets took QB Sam Darnold with the third-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, hoping to finally land a franchise quarterback for the first time in a very long time. Instead, they got three seasons of bad quarterback play and immediately jumped at the opportunity to draft Darnold’s successor in the 2021 NFL Draft. Darnold is now a journeyman backup in the NFL.
No. 7: RB Lawrence Phillips, St. Louis Rams, 1996
Lawrence Phillips didn’t even last two full seasons with the St. Louis Rams before being traded away. The Rams selected Phillips with the sixth-overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft and traded him away during his second season due in large part to his off-the-field struggles. Phillips spent just three years in the NFL and totaled only 1,453 career rushing yards.
No. 6: QB Zach Wilson, New York Jets 2021
The infamous “Trevor Lawrence Year.” The New York Jets had a chance at the first-overall pick and the opportunity to land Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, they won a couple of meaningless games during the 2020 regular season, and ended up with the second-overall pick. That selection ended up being spent on BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, who got traded away before his rookie contract came to an end. Wilson started 33 games for the Jets across three seasons and threw just 23 touchdowns with 25 interceptions before being replaced by Aaron Rodgers and traded to the Denver Broncos.
No. 5: LB Vernon Gholston, New York Jets 2008
The New York Jets spent a top-10 pick on a pass-rusher who never recorded a single sack in his career with the team. Vernon Gholston was a highly-touted prospect entering the 2008 NFL Draft after racking up a record-breaking 14 sacks in a single season for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2007. The Jets spent the sixth-overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft on Gholston but got nearly nothing in return. He started just five games for the Jets across three seasons.
No. 4: WR Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2012
Justin Blackmon was projected to be a special talent entering the 2015 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars thought they were getting their own version of Calvin “Megatron” Johnson when they selected Blackmon with the fifth-overall pick. However, Blackmon was with Jacksonville for just two seasons, appearing in 20 games and totaling only six touchdowns before being suspended for the entirety of the 2017 season due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. Blackmon never played another down in the NFL again.
No. 3: QB Trey Lance, San Fransisco 49ers, 2021
The San Fransisco 49ers sold the farm to trade up and acquire Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 49ers sent three first-round picks to Miami (2021, 2022, 2023) along with a 2022 third-round pick to acquire Lance. He ended up starting just four games for them before being traded away in 2023. It all worked out in the end for the 49ers, though. They took QB Brock Purdy with the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and he has gone on to become their franchise quarterback. Meanwhile, Lance is competing to become a backup for the Dallas Cowboys.
No. 2: QB JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders, 2007
The Oakland Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell with the first-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, expecting him to be their franchise quarterback. Instead, he compiled only 18 passing touchdowns compared to 23 interceptions across 25 starts in three seasons. Stories have since surfaced detailing Russell’s lack of care for the NFL and the preparation it takes to be a successful quarterback. This was a draft bust that many could see coming from a mile away.
No. 1: QB Ryan Leaf, San Diego Chargers, 1998
The San Diego Chargers drafted QB Ryan Leaf with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, hoping he would be the franchise quarterback to lead them for the next decade-plus. Leaf was in discussion to be the first-overall pick in that draft class, but the Indianapolis Colts opted to go with Peyton Manning instead. A lucky break for the Colts, a stroke of misfortune for the Chargers. Leaf started just 18 career games for the Chargers across two seasons, throwing 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.