The NFL Draft is a time for optimism. All 32 teams get a chance to add talent, but some picks inevitably turn into “busts.” Here is a breakdown of the eight biggest NFL Draft busts since 2000.
Dynasties have been built from NFL Draft steals, including the likes of Tom Brady with the Patriots and, to a lesser extent, even Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs.
Alternatively, entire front offices have gotten fired for making the wrong choice during the NFL Draft. These whiffs are commonly known as “draft busts.”
Naming the 8 worst NFL Draft busts since 2000
To qualify as a “bust” in this article, a player must have been taken in the first round and failed to live up to those lofty expectations.
No. 8: Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos
•25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft
The Broncos traded several picks to move up in round one and select quarterback Tim Tebow.
The saving grace for Tebow is his lone playoff victory. A game in which he threw a walk-off touchdown to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas vs. the Steelers.
However, that is the only positive from Tebow’s stint in Denver.
Worst first-round pick at every draft slot since the 2006 NFL Draft22. Johnny Manziel, Browns25. Tim Tebow, Broncoshttps://t.co/KqiZ9wfCdV
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 9, 2021
In only two seasons with the franchise, Tebow completed less than half of his passes and fumbled the ball 14 times in 14 games before getting replaced by Peyton Manning.
Tebow’s career would fizzle out with the Jets, and after attempting a positional switch to tight end with the Jaguars, he decided to retire from the league and become an analyst.
No. 7: Damon Arnette, CB, Raiders
•19th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
The Raiders took Damon Arnette, hoping he would be a difference-maker at cornerback. However, following two injury-riddled seasons, Arnette failed to stick in Las Vegas.
The Ohio State product was always considered a talented prospect, but his off-the-field issues ruined any chance of Arnette being a full-time starter on Sundays.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Ex-#Raiders CB Damon Arnette was arrested and charged with possession of less than a gram of meth and unlawful carrying of a firearm, per @RapSheet This occurred on Jan. 6 at 3:30 am. pic.twitter.com/4iMnIeWj6i
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 26, 2024
Las Vegas released Arnette after a video of him making death threats with a firearm surfaced. He’s been arrested several times since his release and will likely never play another NFL snap.
In 13 career games, Arnette failed to notch a sack or interception, cementing his status as an all-time NFL Draft bust.
No. 6: Johnny Manziel, QB, Browns
•22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft
Affectionately known as “Johnny Football,” the former Heisman Trophy winner dominated the collegiate scene before entering the NFL as a first-round pick.
The Browns traded up on day one of the 2014 NFL Draft to secure Johnny Manziel, as then-head coach Mike Pettine hoped the Aggie standout would become the team’s franchise quarterback.
Name an NFL Draft bust that you wish ended up panning out.I'll start, Johnny Manziel. pic.twitter.com/Wi5wFKdRgU
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) April 3, 2023
Unfortunately, that vision never came to fruition. Manziel has admitted to partying too much and never reading his playbook or watching film.
It showed up on the field, as Manziel started eight games, only winning two and posting abysmal numbers across the board. He’s been out of the NFL since 2016.
No. 5: Dion Jordan, EDGE, Dolphins
•3rd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft
The Miami Dolphins traded up the board to position themselves for Dion Jordan, an explosive pass rusher from the University of Oregon.
Jordan saw action in all 16 games as a rookie, including two contests with a sack. However, that following off-season would mark the beginning of the end.
The 2013 NFL Draft may officially be the WORST draft of all-time.1. Eric Fisher (out of league)2. Luke Joeckel (out of league)3. Dion Jordan (out of league)4. Lane Johnson (Eagles)5. Ezekiel Ansah (out of league)6. Barkevious Mingo (out of league)7. Jonathan Cooper (out… pic.twitter.com/ivQrkGgMq8
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 25, 2023
He violated the NFL’s performance-enhancing policy three times in 12 months, resulting in a year-long suspension.
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The Dolphins released Jordan, who eventually landed with the Seahawks, where he violated the PED policy again. He’s been without an NFL gig since 2020 but has found success off the field.
No. 4: Trey Lance, QB, 49ers
•3rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
The 49ers went all in on Trey Lance at the 2021 NFL Draft, trading three first-round picks in a deal that vaulted them to the third overall selection.
After bringing Lance to the Bay Area, San Francisco hoped it had found a higher-upside quarterback who could step in for Jimmy Garoppolo.
How would you re-rank the QBs from the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft based on who you’d prefer on your team in 2024?Here’s the order they were drafted:1. Trevor Lawrence2. Zach Wilson3. Trey Lance4. Justin Fields (11th overall pick)5. Mac Jones (15th overall pick) pic.twitter.com/0RsiGU1XQ4
— Dylan (@PowellAnalytics) March 1, 2024
Unfortunately for Lance, he didn’t develop quickly enough thanks to raw mechanics, a lack of on-field experience, and some untimely injuries.
The 49ers would select Brock Purdy in the following draft, leaving Lance without a seat at the table. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and hasn’t logged an NFL snap since.
No. 3: John Ross, WR, Bengals
•9th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft
John Ross broke the record for the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Combine history, which shot him up draft boards everywhere. Ross infamously went one spot ahead of Patrick Mahomes.
Most sobering Tweet I can offer you today:2017 NFL DraftNo. 9 John Ross, #Bengals No. 10 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
— LanceMcAlister (@LanceMcAlister) October 22, 2018
The Bengals thought Ross’ speed would terrorize opposing secondaries in the NFL, but his lack of polish as a route runner and unreliable hands made the speed obsolete.
To his credit, Ross caught 11 touchdowns in five seasons, but his 62 career receptions paint a clearer picture. He couldn’t carve out a full-time role in an NFL offense.
He did not log a snap in 2023 and is still without a team.
No. 2: Vernon Gholston, EDGE, Jets
•6th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
The New York Jets chose Vernon Gholston early in 2008 after the Ohio State star put on a show at the NFL Combine, including a record-breaking bench press.
In his debut campaign, the Jets expected Gholston to start immediately and contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year. But he rarely saw the field, primarily serving as a special teamer.
Not even the biggest bust for the Jets. This is Vernon Gholston erasure. https://t.co/fSwMicOaGR
— Chutt Buggin (@SweetNilbit) March 8, 2024
He spent three seasons with New York, failing to record a single sack in his entire Jets career. The team released him in 2011, and he hasn’t appeared for an NFL team since.
Gholston is considered the biggest defensive NFL Draft bust of the past two decades, given the high expectations he entered the league with and his lackluster showing for the Jets.
No. 1: Jamarcus Russell, QB, Raiders
•1st overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
Jamarcus Russell could throw a football farther than anyone in recent memory. And don’t take my word for it: legendary head coach Nick Saban claims Russell could throw it 70 yards — on a knee!
16 days until the NFL Draft!My countdown of 1 fact/day on the impossible task of evaluating QBs continuesOf JaMarcus Russell's feat of throwing a football 70 yards from his knees, Nick Saban said: "I saw it, and it was pretty amazing. JaMarcus was that kind of talented guy."
— Doug Clawson (@doug_clawson) April 11, 2023
That absurd arm strength and intimidating frame made Russell the clear top option for the Raiders. He arrived in California with the expectations of a franchise signal-caller.
And then, it all went downhill. According to the Raiders, Russell would lie about watching game film.
He never studied the playbook and was the last person to arrive and the first to leave practice.
Russell would start 25 games for the Silver & Black, winning only seven. He completed 52 percent of his career passes and finished with more interceptions than touchdowns.
Russell arrived at the 2010 training camp, approaching 300 pounds, leading to his subsequent release by the Raiders. He’s considered by many as the biggest NFL Draft bust of all time.