The NFL draft is a high-stakes affair, and while teams often get it right, they occasionally miss the mark. With the 2026 NFL draft just around the corner, it's time to take a look back at some of the biggest draft busts of the century. From quarterbacks to wide receivers, these players didn't live up to the hype, and teams could have made better choices with their picks. Let's dive into the worst draft picks of the century for each NFL team, and explore what could have been.
Arizona Cardinals: Robert Nkemdiche vs. Chris Jones
The Cardinals took a chance on Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche in the first round of the 2016 draft, but he failed to live up to expectations. Nkemdiche had character concerns and didn't produce the numbers expected of a top pick. In contrast, Chris Jones, who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs, has become a star interior defender, making seven Pro Bowls and earning three first-team All-Pro selections.
Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley vs. T.J. Watt
The Falcons drafted edge-rusher Takkarist McKinley in the first round in 2017, but his production dipped after his sophomore campaign. He was released after requesting a trade, and the Pittsburgh Steelers landed edge-rusher T.J. Watt a few picks later. Watt has gone on to have a Hall of Fame-caliber career with 115.0 sacks, eight Pro Bowls, and four first-team All-Pro selections.
Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Boller vs. Anquan Boldin
The Ravens traded up for quarterback Kyle Boller in 2003, hoping he would turn a dominant defense into a contender. However, Boller never lived up to expectations and was replaced by Steve McNair. Instead, the Ravens could have used the 41st pick on wideout Anquan Boldin, who amassed 13,779 receiving yards during his 14-year NFL career and eventually made his way to Baltimore in 2010.
Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin vs. Brian Orakpo
The Bills missed on edge-rusher Aaron Maybin in the first round in 2009, and he recorded just 25 tackles and no sacks in two seasons. Instead, Buffalo could have taken Texas edge-rusher Brian Orakpo, who had 11 sacks during his rookie season alone and went on to make four Pro Bowls.
Carolina Panthers: Jeff Otah vs. Duane Brown
The Panthers traded up for offensive tackle Jeff Otah in 2008, but ongoing knee issues derailed his career. Carolina could have taken Duane Brown instead, who went on to have a 16-year career with 218 starts, five Pro Bowls, and three All-Pro selections.
Chicago Bears: Kevin White vs. Tyler Lockett
The Bears drafted wide receiver Kevin White in the first round in 2015, but he dealt with multiple injuries and finished his Chicago tenure with a mere 285 receiving yards. If the Bears were determined to get a receiver, they could have taken Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, who has amassed 8,885 yards and 62 touchdowns to date.
Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross vs. Patrick Mahomes
The Bengals drafted wide receiver John Ross in the first round in 2017, hoping he would help jump-start the offense. However, Ross never quite learned how to play receiver in the NFL and never totaled 1,000 receiving yards as a pro. One pick after Ross, the Kansas City Chiefs grabbed quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has already had a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
Cleveland Browns: Justin Gilbert vs. Aaron Donald
The Browns drafted cornerback Justin Gilbert in the first round in 2014, but he never seemed all too interested in developing as a pro. Instead, the Browns could have picked just about anybody else and gotten more value than they got from Gilbert. Future first-ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Donald would be a prime target in a re-draft.
Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton vs. T.J. Watt
The Cowboys drafted edge-rusher Taco Charlton in the first round in 2017, but he recorded just four sacks in two seasons before he was waived. The Steelers landed edge-rusher T.J. Watt a few picks later, and Watt has gone on to have a Hall of Fame-caliber career with 115.0 sacks, eight Pro Bowls, and four first-team All-Pro selections.
Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch vs. Dak Prescott
The Broncos drafted quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round in 2016, but he started just four games over two seasons in Denver. Meanwhile, the Cowboys stumbled into Dak Prescott in the fourth round, and Prescott remains the Cowboys' franchise quarterback in 2026. The Cowboys would be an easy choice for Denver in a re-draft.
Detroit Lions: Charles Rogers vs. Andre Johnson
The Lions regularly whiffed on early draft picks at the start of the century, but they found success with Calvin Johnson in 2007. Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams were all top-10 picks who could be considered massive busts. The Lions could have taken Andre Johnson instead of Rogers, and Johnson went on to have a Hall of Fame career with 14,185 receiving yards.
Green Bay Packers: Jamal Reynolds vs. Reggie Wayne
The Packers drafted defensive lineman Jamal Reynolds in the first round in 2001, but lingering knee and back injuries prevented him from reaching his physical ceiling. The Packers could have taken Reggie Wayne instead, and Wayne went on to have a Hall of Fame career with 14,185 receiving yards.
Houston Texans: Amobi Okoye vs. Darrelle Revis
The Texans took a big risk in the 2007 draft, using the 10th overall pick on Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. Instead, Houston could have paired with cornerback Darrelle Revis, who was selected after Okoye and went on to have a Hall of Fame career.
Indianapolis Colts: Björn Werner vs. DeAndre Hopkins
The Colts drafted edge-rusher Björn Werner in the first round in 2013, but he failed to replicate his collegiate success as a pro. In a re-draft, the Colts could have snagged wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who went three picks later to the Houston Texans and has compiled 13,295 receiving yards, 85 touchdowns, and five Pro Bowl appearances.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon vs. Luke Kuechly
The Jaguars drafted wide receiver Justin Blackmon in the first round in 2012, but he lasted just four seasons in Jacksonville due to suspensions. Linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, would be a safe choice in a re-draft.
Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Sims vs. Dwight Freeney
The Chiefs drafted defensive tackle Ryan Sims in the first round in 2002, but he never made the substantial impact he was expected to make. In a re-draft, the Chiefs could have stolen pass-rusher Dwight Freeney without spending the extra draft capital to move up.
Las Vegas Raiders: JaMarcus Russell vs. Joe Thomas
The Raiders drafted quarterback JaMarcus Russell in the first round in 2007, but he never developed as a pro. The two players drafted directly after Russell, wide receiver Calvin Johnson and offensive tackle Joe Thomas, became first-ballot Hall of Famers. Either would be a slam-dunk pick for Las Vegas in a re-draft.
Los Angeles Chargers: Sammy Davis vs. Nnamdi Asomugha
The Chargers drafted cornerback Sammy Davis in the first round in 2003, but his pro career was underwhelming. Instead, the Chargers could have taken cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who landed with the rival Raiders and had a Hall of Fame career.
Los Angeles Rams: Greg Robinson vs. Jake Matthews
The Rams drafted offensive tackle Greg Robinson in the second overall pick in 2014, but both tackles lasted a mere three seasons. The Rams could have taken Jake Matthews instead, who has started 196 games across 12 seasons and is still going strong.
Miami Dolphins: Dion Jordan vs. Lane Johnson
The Dolphins drafted edge-defender Dion Jordan in the first round in 2013, but he was suspended multiple times for violating the league's substance abuse policy and was released. The Eagles drafted offensive tackle Lane Johnson one pick later, and Johnson has appeared in six Pro Bowls and is set to play again in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings: Troy Williamson vs. Roddy White
The Vikings drafted wide receiver Troy Williamson in the first round in 2005, but he recorded just 1,067 receiving yards and three touchdowns in three seasons. Roddy White, who spent 11 seasons with the Falcons and tallied four Pro Bowls, 10,863 receiving yards, and 63 touchdowns, would be a better choice.
New England Patriots: N'Keal Harry vs. A.J. Brown
The Patriots drafted wide receiver N'Keal Harry in the first round in 2019, but he lasted three seasons in New England and provided just 598 yards and four touchdowns. The Patriots passed over Pro Bowl receivers like Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, and DK Metcalf to get Harry.
New Orleans Saints: Johnathan Sullivan vs. Kevin Williams
The Saints traded up for defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan in 2003, but he struggled with his conditioning and was demoted after making 12 starts as a rookie. Kevin Williams, who played in the NFL for 13 seasons, was a six-time Pro Bowler and a five-time first-team All-Pro.
New York Giants: Ereck Flowers vs. Todd Gurley
The Giants drafted offensive tackle Ereck Flowers in the ninth overall pick in 2015, but he struggled with technique issues in pass protection. The Giants could have drafted running back Todd Gurley, who was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro in his first four seasons.
New York Jets: Vernon Gholston vs. Joe Flacco
The Jets drafted edge-rusher Vernon Gholston in the sixth overall pick in 2008, but he only lasted three seasons in New York. Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco, who went to the Ravens a dozen picks later, has thrown for 48,176 career yards and won a Super Bowl following the 2012 season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Reagor vs. Justin Jefferson
The Eagles drafted wide receiver Jalen Reagor in the 21st overall pick in 2020, but he lasted just two years in Philly. The Vikings drafted LSU receiver Justin Jefferson with the 22nd overall pick, and Jefferson has established himself as a top-five wideout with 8,480 receiving yards, four Pro Bowls, and two first-team All-Pro nods.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones vs. Darius Slay
The Steelers drafted linebacker Jarvis Jones in the 17th overall pick in 2013, but he never developed into a disruptive pass-rusher. The Steelers could have scooped up cornerback Darius Slay, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career with 176 starts, six Pro Bowls, and one first-team All-Pro nod.
San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance vs. Micah Parsons
The 49ers drafted quarterback Trey Lance in the third overall pick in 2021, but he failed to unseat Jimmy Garoppolo as a rookie and suffered a season-ending ankle fracture. The Cowboys drafted All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick, and Parsons has 125.5 sacks, eight Pro Bowls, and four first-team All-Pro selections.
Seattle Seahawks: Malik McDowell vs. Budda Baker
The Seahawks drafted defensive tackle Malik McDowell in the second round in 2017, but he never saw the field for Seattle due to injury and legal issues. Safety Budda Baker, who was selected with the 36th pick, has established himself as a Pro Bowler.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Roberto Aguayo vs. Joe Thuney
The Buccaneers drafted kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round in 2016, but he made only 71 percent of his field-goal attempts and was waived after just one season. The Bucs could have opted to keep their third-round pick and snap up guard Joe Thuney, who is a first-team All-Pro.
Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker vs. J.J. Watt
The Titans drafted quarterback Jake Locker in the eighth overall pick in 2011, but he never became a consistent or reliable passer. The Texans drafted J.J. Watt in the 11th overall pick, and Watt has been a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time first-team All-Pro.
Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes vs. Christian Gonzalez
The Commanders drafted cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the 16th overall pick in 2023, but he lasted less than two full seasons in Washington. The Patriots drafted Christian Gonzalez with the 17th pick, and Gonzalez has established himself as a Pro Bowler.
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