It's the offseason and the draft is approaching, which means the NFL world is full of reminiscing about years and drafts gone by, whether they be good or bad. But mostly bad, including the following grouping of players who will make your head and heart hurt depending on your allegiance.
Who is your team's worst draft pick over the past 25 years? That's what we set out to find. Below, in order of the 2015 NFL Draft, we examine the worst pick for each team plus various notable competition names for said player.
We've got them listed by position, draft pick overall and year drafted. Obviously production matters. A bad player is more likely to make this list. But we account for draft spot significantly here: the higher someone was drafted, the bigger bust they can be.
Quite frankly the number of recent picks was kind of stunning.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay BuccaneersMark Barron, S, 7th, 2012
If we were going all time Bo Jackson would probably win this, since he was the 1st overall pick in the 1986 draft and never played a down for Tampa. Instead we’re going far more recent and tabbing Mark Barron. Taken 7th overall, the Alabama safety played just two seasons before being traded to the Rams for peanuts. The Bucs could’ve taken Ryan Tannehill (8th) or Luke Kuechly (9th).
Notable:
Keith McCants, DE, 4th, 1995
Charles McRae, T, 7th, 1996
Eric Curry, DE, 6th, 1993
Michael Clayton, WR, 15th, 2004
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee TitansJake Locker, QB, 8th, 2011
Another easy recent selection, with the pick of Jake Locker 8th overall in 2011 truly looking like one of the all-time whiffs with Locker retiring from football at the end of his rookie contract. There’s a reason these two teams are picking at the top of the draft.
Notable:
Alonzo Highsmith, RB, 3rd, 1992
Kevin Dyson, WR, 16th, 1998
Andre Woolfolk, DB, 28th, 2003
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville JaguarsBlaine Gabbert, 10th, 2011
Pretty miraculous group of bad wide receivers drafted by the Jaguars with high first-round picks over a 12 year span. Basically every three years the Jags were setting a first-round pick on fire by selecting various wideouts who didn’t amount to much of anything. But it’s not even close: Gabbert is clearly the worst pick. Jacksonville traded up in the 2011 draft to grab the quarterback 10th overall. He went 5-22 in three years, throwing 22 touchdowns and 24 interceptions and averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The worst part? Gabbert went one pick before J.J. Watt.
Notable:
R. Jay Soward, WR, 29th, 2000
Reggie Williams, WR, 9th, 2004
Matt Jones, WR, 21st, 2005
Justin Blackmon, WR, 5th, 2012
Oakland Raiders
Oakland RaidersJaMarcus Russell, QB, 1st, 2007
Epic stretch from 07 through 2010 for the Raiders. Darren McFadden was their best first-round pick! The worst is easy. JaMarcus Russell might be the worst first-round pick of all time for any team. He’s certainly the Raiders worst of the past 25 years.
Notable:
Todd Marinovich, QB, 24th, 1991
Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, 7th, 2009
Rolando McClain, LB, 8th, 2010
Washington Redskins
Washington RedskinsHeath Shuler, QB, 3rd, 1994
There’s an argument you could make here for Robert Griffin III considering what the Redskins gave up to get him. But it’s too early to completely write him off … right? Plus Heath Shuler is the guy Redskins fans point to when talking about all-time draft busts for their team. He and his 54.3 passer rating certainly qualify for our parameters.
Notable:
Bobby Wilson, DT, 17th, 1991
Desmond Howard, WR, 4th, 1992
Andre Johnson, OT, 30th, 1996
Patrick Ramsey, QB, 32nd, 2002
Robert Griffin, QB, 2nd, 2012
New York Jets
New York JetsVernon Gholston, DE, 6th, 2008
Vernon Gholston never recorded a sack for the Jets, the team who made him the 6th overall pick in the 2008 draft.
Notable:
Blair Thomas, RB, 2nd, 1990
Johnny Mitchell, TE, 15th, 1992
Kyle Brady, TE, 9th, 1995
Chicago Bears
Chicago BearsDavid Terrell, WR, 8th, 2001 - 11
It took the Bears a decade to recover from drafting David Terrell and finally find a quality wide receiver. Curtis Enis warrants consideration but he dealt with injuries. Terrell totaled 1,602 yards in his career with the Bears.
Notable:
Michael Haynes, DE, 14th, 2003
Gabe Carimi, OL, 29th, 2011
Stan Thomas, T, 22nd, 1991
Rashan Salaam, RB, 21st, 1995
Curtis Ennis, RB, 5th, 1998
Cade McCown, QB, 12th, 1999
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta FalconsJamaal Anderson, DE, 8th, 2007
Really rolling with recent guys here — we’ll take another in Jamaal Anderson, the 8th overall pick in 2007. He totaled 4.5 sacks in four seasons for Atlanta, who now finds itself consistently lacking in terms of a pass rush. Patrick Willis and Marshawn Lynch both went in the next five picks.
Notable:
Steve Broussard, RB, 20th, 1990
Bruce Pickens, DB, 3rd, 1991
Michael Booker, DB, 11th, 1997
New York Giants
New York GiantsRon Dayne, RB, 11th, 2000
The Giants had a surprisingly terrible stretch in the 90's where they struggled to find talent in the first round. It really all culminated with the selection of Ron Dayne 11th overall in 2000. The mammoth running back from Wisconsin didn't have his talent translate to the next level and rushed for a total of 2,067 yards with the Giants.
Notable:
Derek Brown, TE, 14th, 1992
Thomas Lewis, WR, 24th, 1997
Cedric Jones, DE, 5th, 1996
William Joseph, DT, 25th, 2003
St. Louis Rams
St. Louis RamsJason Smith, OT, 2nd, 2009
The 2009 draft is one of the true stinkers in NFL history. Tons of teams whiffed on players, but few were as bad as Jason Smith, the mammoth tackle drafted by St. Louis who could never adapt to the pro game. There are some pretty terrible Rams' first-round picks, especially in the last decade.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota VikingsTroy Williamson, WR, 7th, 2005
Quasi-dogfight here between Christian Ponder (12th overall in 2011) and Troy Williamson (7th overall in 2005), but the wideout wins this battle. Dude had 1,067 yards for his career and was picked four spots ahead of DeMarcus Ware. The Vikings had Daunte Culpepper so they passed on Aaron Rodgers too.
Notable:
Christian Ponder, QB, 12th, 2011
Derrick Alexander, DE, 11th, 1995
Kenechi Udeze, DE, 2004, 20th, 2004
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland BrownsTrent Richardson, RB, 3rd, 2012
Brandon Weeden, QB, 22nd, 2012
Going Tim Couch and Courtney Brown back-to-back at No. 1 overall in 1999 and 2000 is pretty epic, but the winner here is the 2012 draft, which featured BOTH Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden. Richardson was 3rd overall so he gets the nod I guess. Digging through Cleveland’s draft history is a factory of sadness.
Notable:
Tim Couch, QB, 1st, 1999
Courtney Brown, DE, 1st, 2000
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans SaintsSedrick Ellis (7th, 2008) and Johnathan Sullivan (6th, 2003) get serious consideration, but how is it anyone other than Ricky Williams? Mike Ditka surrendered his entire draft to take a running back fifth overall. Can you imagine if someone did that today? They’d be fired on the spot. Williams had a great career but he only played three years for the Saints.
Miami Dolphins
Miami DolphinsTed Ginn, WR, 9th, 2007
Several high end options for the Dolphins but Ted Ginn, Jr., takes the cake. He’s a heck of a returner, but you don’t use top-10 picks on returners. Ginn caught all of 128 passes for Miami during his three-year stint with the Fins and was also taken ahead of Beast Mode and Willis. Darrelle Revis too!
Notable:
Jason Allen, DB, 16th, 2006
Yatil Green, WR, 15th, 1997
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ersJim Druckenmiller, QB, 26th, 1997
Pretty good history for the 49ers with respect to their first-round picks. You don’t see a bunch of guys who just totally wash out. And San Francisco hasn’t really completely whiffed on a top-10 pick (J.J. Stokes?) over a pretty long stretch and has some real home runs in the last decade (plus a pair of whiffs). We’ll give it Jim Druckenmiller based on name and position alone.
Notable:
A.J. Jenkins, WR, 30th, 2012
Kentwan Balmer, DL, 29th, 2008
Rashaun Woods, WR, 31st, 2004
Houston Texans
Houston TexansDavid Carr, QB, 1st, 2002
Without even looking the clear answer is David Carr. Taken 1st overall ahead of Julius Peppers in the team’s first draft, Carr was not a franchise passer, throwing 59 touchdowns and 65 interceptions with Houston. He did win a Super Bowl as a backup in New York though!
San Diego Chargers
San Diego ChargersRyan Leaf, QB, 2nd, 1998 - 1
We can toss around Sammy Davis and Buster Davis (stop drafting wideouts with the last name Davis, San Diego!) and mention Larry English but no one’s going to come close to Ryan Leaf, the 2nd overall pick in 1998, who only played three years in the NFL, two with San Diego. Slightly different career path than Peyton Manning.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City ChiefsPercy Snow, LB, 13th, 1990 - 10
Dogfight here between Ryan Sims, a top-10 pick in the 2002 draft who was more productive and Percy Snow, 13th overall in 1990, who played just two years for KC. We’ll take Snow.
Notable:
Ryan Sims, DT, 6th, 2002
Sylvester Morris, WR, 21st, 2000
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo BillsAaron Maybin, LB, 11th, 2009 - 5
What an unmitigated disaster the 2009 NFL Draft was. The Bills pick that year is just another example. Aaron Maybin 11th overall was a train wreck. He lasted two years in Buffalo and never recorded a sack.
Notable:
Mike Williams, OL, 4th, 2002
John McCargo, DL, 26th, 2006
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia EaglesMike Mamula, DE, 7th, 1995 - 31
Great stretch for the Eagles in the first round, both with Andy Reid and thus far with Chip Kelly. Some speed bumps, including Danny Watkins (23rd overall in 2011) but nothing as bad as Philly falling for the combine workout of Mike Mamula in 1995 and taking him 7th overall. The Eagles traded with the Buccaneers to get Mamula; Tampa drafted TWO Hall of Fame defenders (Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks) later in that round.
Notable:
Danny Watkins, OL, 23rd, 2011
Bernard Williams, OL, 14th, 1994
Jerome McDougle, DE, 15th, 2003
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati BengalsAkili Smith, QB, 3rd, 1999 - 1
It’s amazing how far the Bengals have come in terms of scouting and drafting players. It was an annual tradition in the 1990’s for them to botch a high first-round selection. Now you expect them to do something savvy on the first night of the draft. In the span of five years, they used a top five pick on Ki-Jana Carter, Akili Smith and Peter Warrick. Smith has gotta be the worst of the selections but it’s an incredible all-around list.
Notable:
David Klinger, QB, 6th, 1992
Ki-Jana Carter, RB, 1st, 1995
Peter Warrick, WR, 4th, 2000
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers Huey Richardson, LB, 15th, 1991
The Steelers are another one of those teams who typically hit pretty well on their picks, especially during the Kevin Colbert era. Huey Richardson, taken 15th overall in 1991, backdates the current GM and was out of football by 1993. His luck was a little better in his next professional career: Richardson was delayed from getting on the elevator to his Merrill Lynch office in the World Trade Center by his boss’ decision to purchase collar stays from a lobby men’s store on September 11, 2001.
Notable:
Troy Edwards, WR, 13th, 1999
Detroit Lions
Detroit LionsCharles Rodgers, WR, 2nd, 2003
Roy Williams, 7th, 2004
Mike Williams, 10th, 2005
Pick a Matt Millen wideout. Any old Matt Millen wideout will do. He used top-10 picks on Charles Rodgers (2nd, 2003), Roy Williams (7th, 2004) and Mike Williams (10th, 2005) in back-to-back-to-back years. Thankfully he had the courage to draft Calvin Johnson in 2008. Rodgers was the worst of a bad trio. And all of this somehow makes us forget Millen drafting Joey Harrington with the third pick in 2002.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona CardinalsAndre Wadsworth, DE, 3rd, 1998
Levi Brown should probably be in the discussion here with the Cardinals taking him two picks before Adrian Peterson. But Andre Wadsworth is the play, going 3rd in 1998, one pick ahead of Charles Woodson. The only reason we’re not talking about it more is because of Leaf/Manning.
Notable:
Tom Knight, DB, 9th, 1997
Levi Brown, OL, 5th, 2007
Carolina Panthers
Carolina PanthersJeff Otah, OL, 19th, 2008
The Panthers once drafted Tim Biakabatuka, Rae Carruth and Jason Peter in consecutive first rounds. Yeesh. But I’m going to go with a dark horse here and say Jeff Otah is the biggest bust. He was good as a rookie, but he was drafted in the first round as a right tackle, he broke down physically and he started a series of ill-advised trades involving first-round picks that ended up with Carolina drafting Jimmy Clausen and Everette Brown before bottoming out in 2010 and landing Cam Newton.
Notable:
Tim Biakabatuka, RB, 8th, 1996
Rae Carruth, WR, 27th, 1997
Jason Peter, DE, 14th, 1998
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore RavensKyle Boller, QB, 19th, 2003 - 17
There just aren’t a bunch of bad first-round picks in Ravens history. Mark Clayton (22nd, 2005) or Duane Starks (10th, 1998) maybe. Kyle Boller (19th, 2003) was actually drafted in the same class as Terrell Suggs (10th) but that doesn’t negate what a massive bust he was for Baltimore.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas CowboysMorris Claiborne, DB, 6th, 2012
Morris Claiborne (6th, 2012) is eventually going to own this title, considering the talent of the draft around him and the Cowboys giving up a second-round pick to move up and grab him. So we could stick with Bobby Carpenter but why bother? Claiborne's a lonely island of failure amid a recent sea of success in the first round (Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Tyron Smith, Dez Bryant).
Notable:
David LaFleur, TE, 22nd, 1997 - 7
Bobby Carpenter, LB, 18th, 2006 - 10
Denver Broncos
Denver BroncosJarvis Moss, DE, 17th, 2007 - 4
Sure are a lot of busts from the 2007 class and despot Mike Croel’s selection at 4th overall being floppish, we’re going with Jarvis Moss here. He was entirely unproductive, recording 3.5 sacks as a defensive end and outside linebacker for Denver in four seasons. You could justify picking Tim Tebow here too, even if he ultimately set the table for a new impressive regime in Denver.
Notable:
Tim Tebow, QB, 25th, 2010
Mike Croel, LB, 4th, 1991
Robert Ayers, DE, 18th, 2009
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts Steve Emtman, DE, 1st, 1992
Quentin Coryett, LB, 2nd, 1992
The Colts had an incredible run of first-round picks under Bill Polian (though he trailed off with Anthony Gonzalez, Donald Brown and Jerry Hughes as his tenure came to a close). What’s truly incredible about the Colts worst picks over the past 25 years is they both came in the SAME DRAFT. Even more incredible: Indy held the first and second overall picks in 1992 and managed to select two terrible defensive players in Steve Emtman (1st) and Quentin Coryatt (2nd). Really quite amazing honestly.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay PackersJamal Reynolds, DE, 10th, 2001
The Packers are an exceptional drafting team, particularly under Ted Thompson, but have struggled to find high-end defensive linemen in the draft at times. Quite notably: Jamal Reynolds, a defensive end taken with the 10th overall pick in 2001, who played three seasons for Green Bay and finished with all of three sacks.
Notable:
Justin Harrell, DT, 16th, 2007
Bubba Franks, TE, 18th, 2000
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle SeahawksAaron Curry, 4th, 2009 (18)
The worst pick in the Seahawks last quarter century is arguably the safest pick in the history of pre-draft buildup and, naturally, another nightmare from the 2009 draft. Coming out of Wake Forest, Aaron Curry was a lock to step in from day one and provide production at the linebacker position. He flashed promise at points (six passes defensed, two sacks as a rookie) but was out of football by 2013.
Notable:
Dan McGuire, QB, 16th, 1991
Rick Mirer, QB, 2nd, 1993
Jerramy Stevens, TE, 28th, 2002
Marcus Tubbs, DT, 23rd, 2004
New England Patriots
New England PatriotsEugene Chung, G, 13th, 1992
The Patriots have had just four top-20 picks since 2000. That’s … incredible. (Jerod Mayo, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Nate Solder are a nice haul too.) So we’ve got to turn to the pre-Belichick era to find the worst first-round pick for the defending champions and we’ll tab Eugene Chung (13th, 1992) over Chris Singleton (8th, 1990). Chung, the current Chiefs offensive line coach, played just three seasons for the Pats before the Jags grabbed him in the Expansion Draft.
Notable:
Chris Singleton, LB, 8th, 1990
Robert Edwards, RB, 18th, 1998
Daniel Graham, TE, 21st, 2002
