RADIO
20 Worst NFL First-Round Draft Picks Since 2000. Read the 20 Worst NFL First-Round Draft Picks Since 2000. Who were the biggest bust in the NFL since 2000
20 Worst NFL First-Round Draft Picks Since 2000
With the 2025 NFL Draft behind us, let’s take a look back at the 20 worst first-round picks since 2000. Which players were the biggest busts over the past 25 years and did not live up to expectations?
No. 20: Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets
Drafted: 2018 Draft, third overall
Sam Darnold was expected to be the future QB1 of the New York Jets coming out of USC. At the time, Darnold was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in several years. However, his tenure in New York was very disappointing. While he showed flashes of potential at times, he lacked a proven playmaker around him, which hindered his development. He held an overall 13-25 record with a 45:39 TD:INT. However, he began to turn his career around after a successful season in Minnesota and inked a massive contract with Seattle. While he was a bust in New York, he could follow a similar career path to that of Baker Mayfield, who is now enjoying great success in Tampa Bay.
No. 19: Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Drafted: 2021 Draft, fourth overall
Kyle Pitts was viewed as one of the top tight end prospects of all time coming out of Florida. After a promising rookie campaign where he tallied 1,026 yards on 68 receptions, Pitts had high expectations entering Year 2. However, Pitts tallied just 356 yards and scored two touchdowns. Then, during 2023 and 2024, Pitts combined for a mere 1,269 yards (635 yards per season) with 100 total catches and a low 61.0% catch rate. Pitts is quickly falling into bust territory and has yet to live up to his high draft capital.
No. 18: Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
Drafted: 2019 Draft, sixth overall
Daniel Jones led the Giants to a playoff victory, which is why he sits just above Darnold on this list. Jones was viewed as the successor to longtime quarterback and two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning. However, Jones was unable to live up to his expectations as he posted a modest 24-44-1 record. He posted just one winning season (2022), where he threw for a career-best 3,205 passing yards. In 2024, Jones had his worst campaign, totaling just 2,070 passing yards with an 8:7 TD:INT.
No. 17: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Chicago Bears
Drafted: 2017 Draft, second overall
The Chicago Bears traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft to select Mitch Trubisky out of North Carolina. By doing so, they ended up passing on Patrick Mahomes, who went a few picks later to the Kansas City Chiefs. While Trubisky had a memorable 2018 campaign in which he led the Bears to an 11-3 record, his other seasons were very disappointing. Removing the 2018 season, Trubisky won just 18 games across his other three seasons in Chicago. He only threw for over 3,000 yards in two seasons.
No. 16: Jonathan Cooper, OG, Arizona Cardinals
Drafted: 2013 Draft, seventh overall
Jonathan Cooper had high expectations after being selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Cooper was an All-American offensive lineman at North Carolina and was viewed as one of the top prospects in the class. However, Cooper’s tenure in Arizona did not last long. He played just two seasons in the desert and started just 11 games.
No. 15: Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Drafted: 2023 Draft, fourth overall
Is it safe to call Anthony Richardson a bust? Richardson entered the NFL as an elite-upside dual-threat quarterback. At Florida, he flashed immense upside but was often described as a raw prospect. He was immediately given the starting nod in his rookie season and showed potential but battled injury. Across four games, he went 2-2 with a 3:1 TD:INT. However, in 2024, Richardson took a significant step back, posting a hefty 4.5% INT% with an 8:12 TD:INT. To make matters worse, the Colts brought in Daniel Jones to compete for the starting job. Richardson’s days as the QB1 may be numbered.
No. 14: Matt Leinart, QB, Carolina Panthers
Drafted: 2006 Draft, 10th overall
The Arizona Cardinals selected the 2004 Heisman winner with the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. At USC, Leinart was a two-time National Champion and was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004. However, Leinart was unable to transition to the NFL. With the Cardinals, Leinart posted a 7-10 record across four seasons and would have then have a brief stint in Houston and Oakland before retiring.
No. 13: Dion Jordan, DE, Miami Dolphins
Drafted: 2013 Draft, third overall
The Miami Dolphins selected top defensive end prospect Dion Jordan in the 2013 NFL Draft. At Oregon, Jordan was one of the most effective pass rushers in the nation over his final two seasons. During this stretch, he totaled 12.5 sacks with 86 combined tackles. However, his time in Miami lasted just two seasons. He tallied just three sacks. In his third season, he was suspended for violating the substance abuse policy and would then be a journeyman with the Seahawks, Raiders, and 49ers.
No. 12: Vernon Gholston, DE, New York Jets
Drafted: 2008 Draft, sixth overall
The New York Jets selected Ohio State product Vernon Gholston with the sixth pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. During his final season in college, Gholston enjoyed an elite campaign, totaling 14 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. However, like many names on this list, Gholston was unable to translate to the professional level. The defensive end played just three seasons in New York and started just five games. He finished with zero sacks, just 42 combined tackles.
No. 11: Jason Smith, OT, St. Louis Rams
Drafted: 2009 Draft, second overall
Jason Smith was the second selection in the 2009 NFL Draft but did not come close to living up to his draft capital. The Baylor product would play just three seasons in St. Louis before finishing his career with the Jets. With the Rams, Smith would start just 26 total games and only hit double-digit starts in one season.
No. 10: Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Drafted: 2014 Draft, third overall
While Blake Bortles did find moments of success, he was not the franchise quarterback he was expected to be. The Jaguars selected Bortles with the third pick in the 2014 Draft. At UCF, Bortles threw for over 3,000 yards twice and tallied 25 passing scores in two seasons. However, in the NFL, Bortles would throw 16 or more interceptions in three seasons and only throw more than 25 passing scores in a season once. He finished with a 24-49 record in Jacksonville with two playoff victories.
No. 9: Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Drafted: 2012 Draft, fifth overall
Another Jaguar comes in at the No. 9 spot on this list. The Jaguars selected Justin Blackmon with the fifth pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. After being a two-time All-American during two of his three seasons at Oklahoma State, Blackmon had high expectations in the NFL. During his final two seasons, Blackmon led the Big 12 in receiving touchdowns. However, his NFL career lasted just two seasons. He caught just 1,280 yards during this stretch, being suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
No. 8: Aaron Curry, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Drafted: 2009 Draft, fourth overall
Aaron Curry was one of the best defensive players in Wake Forest history. Across four seasons, Curry tallied 209 solo tackles with 331 combined tackles and six interceptions. He tallied 46 tackles for loss and added 9.5 sacks. However, Curry was unable to perform at the professional level. During his time in Seattle (35 games), he totaled just 5.5 sacks with 12 QB hits.
No. 7: Charles Rogers, WR, Detroit Lions
Drafted: 2003 Draft, second overall
The Detroit Lions hoped to find their next elite playmaker with the second pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. They selected wide receiver Charles Rogers, who enjoyed two impressive seasons with Michigan State. At college, Rogers led the Big Ten in receiving scores twice and yards once. However, Rogers would only play three seasons in the NFL. He suffered numerous injuries and dealt with substance abuse. Across three seasons (15 games), he would score only four touchdowns and tally 440 yards.
No. 6: Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Drafted: 2012 Draft, third overall
Trent Richardson was one of the top running back prospects over the past decade. He enjoyed a successful career with Alabama, where he won two National Championships and found the back of the end zone 42 times in 38 games. During his final season, Richardson ran for 1,679 yards with 21 scores, both of which led the SEC. After a strong rookie season in which he tallied 950 yards, he would go on to tally just 1,084 yards over his final two seasons before retiring.
No. 5: Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears
Drafted: 2015 Draft, seventh overall
Kevin White was selected with the seventh pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. During his final season in college, White saw his draft stock skyrocket as he led the Big 12 in receptions and totaled 1,447 yards. However, his skills did not translate to the NFL. In Chicago, White would catch just 25 passes across three seasons. He was unable to find the end zone and tallied only 285 yards. He would finish his career as a journeyman with the 49ers and Saints.
No. 4: Josh Rosen, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Drafted: 2018 Draft, 10th overall
The Josh Rosen experiment in Arizona lasted just one season. In the 2018 Draft, the Cardinals hoped to find their franchise quarterback when they selected Rosen out of UCLA. At UCLA, Rosen threw 59 passing scores with 9,341 yards across 30 games. During his final season, he led the Pac-12 with 341.5 YPG. During his lone season in Arizona, he went 3-10 with an 11:14 TD:INT. Following this campaign, the Cardinals would draft Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
No. 3: JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders
Drafted: 2007 Draft, first overall
Like many names on this list, JaMarcus Russell was expected to be the franchise quarterback of the then-Oakland Raiders for the foreseeable future. However, the former LSU standout was unable to transition to the NFL level. At LSU, Russell threw 52 passing touchdowns across 36 games. In his final season, he was one of the top QBs in the nation, leading the SEC in completion rate and YPA. However, across three seasons with the Raiders, Russell would post a 7-18 record with a disappointing 18:23 TD:INT.
No. 2: Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets
Drafted: 2021 Draft, second overall
After Trevor Lawrence went first overall to the Jaguars, the Jets selected their franchise quarterback in Zach Wilson. At BYU, Wilson flashed immense upside. During his final season, he tallied 3,692 passing yards with 33 passing scores. He threw just three interceptions. However, this talent was unable to carry over to the NFL. Across three seasons with the Jets, Wilson posted a 12-21 record and was often benched due to his poor play. He finished his tenure in NY with 25 interceptions and 23 touchdowns.
No. 1: Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Drafted: 2021 NFL Draft, third overall
Trey Lance holds the top spot on this list. The 49ers traded four first-round picks to move up to the third spot in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Lance out of North Dakota State. However, Lance would only start three games for the 49ers (and appear in eight). During this disappointing stretch, he threw 797 yards with five passing scores. He was eventually replaced by Brock Purdy, who just signed an extension with the 49ers this offseason.
