Every NFC Team’s Worst Draft Pick of the Past Decade

Every NFC Team’s Worst Draft Pick of the Past Decade. Read Every NFC Team’s Worst Draft Pick of the Past Decade.

Every NFC Team’s Worst Draft Pick of the Past Decade

With the NFL Draft just days away, let’s take a look back at each NFC team’s worst draft pick of the past decade. To determine the representative of each team, we will look at the draft capital used and how disappointing the player was with the team.

Arizona Cardinals

Josh Rosen, QB

The Cardinals attempted to find their franchise quarterback with the 10th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in Josh Rosen. Unfortunately, his success at UCLA did not transfer to the professional level. Rosen lasted just one season in the desert. In 2018, he posted a 3-13 record with a poor 11:14 TD:INT. He posted a low 24.1 QBR. The Cardinals quickly pivoted to Kyler Murray to lead their franchise.

Atlanta Falcons

Takkarist McKinley, DE

The Falcons selected Takkarist McKinley with the 26th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. McKinley came in with high expectations and was expected to be a force in rushing the quarterback. However, McKinley would remain with the Falcons for just four seasons. After tallying a modest 13 sacks in his first two seasons combined, he would add just 4.5 over his last two.

Carolina Panthers

Vernon Butler, DT

While Bryce Young may appear to be a “bust,” he began to show signs of growth at the end of the 2024 campaign and avoided being on this list. Instead, defensive tackle Vernon Butler will be the representative in Carolina. Butler was taken just after the Panthers reached Super Bowl 50 and had high aspirations to remain a competitive force in the NFC. However, Butler would only play four seasons in Carolina and would tally just eight sacks and 77 combined tackles.

Chicago Bears

Mitch Trubisky, QB

The Bears moved up in the 2017 NFL Draft to select Mitch Trubisky from North Carolina. However, Trubisky was far from a franchise QB for the Bears. He would post a career 29-21 record in Chicago. He would make just one Pro Bowl and only throw for more than 20 touchdowns in one season. Instead of Trubisky, the Bears could have selected Patrick Mahomes, who was drafted several picks later.

Dallas Cowboys

Taco Charlton, DE

With the 28th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Taco Charlton out of Michigan. Charlton enjoyed success in Michigan. it did not translate well to Dallas. During his two-year tenure in Dallas, Charlton would tally just four sacks and combine for a mere 28 tackles. He was then moved to Miami at the start of the 2019 season.

Detroit Lions

Jeff Okudah, DB

The Lions have had some of the best draft classes in recent history, but their third overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft did not turn out well. Jeff Okudah’s tenure in Detroit lasted just three seasons. Across just 25 games, Okudah would tally just 10 pass deflections with 103 solo tackles. Instead, the Lions could have found their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa.

Green Bay Packers

Christian Watson, WR

The Packers have made several sharp picks over the past decade and do not have many disappointments, especially in the early rounds. However, wide receiver Christian Watson, who was taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has yet to truly emerge in the Green Bay offense. Over his first three seasons, he has yet to surpass 650 yards in a single season and has only scored 14 TDs. The Packers lack a proven No. 1 wide receiver, and Watson has yet to grow into this role.

Los Angeles Rams

Tutu Atwell, WR

The Rams traded many of their early-round picks over the past decade and relied on building their team around veterans and late-round options. However, in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Rams hoped to find a proven wide receiver in Tutu Atwell. However, Atwell has yet to take the next step in the NFL. Even in 2024, with both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp missing time, Atwell was rarely consistent in the offense.

Minnesota Vikings

Laquon Treadwell, WR

The Vikings selected Laquon Treadwell out of Mississippi with the 23rd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Treadwell could never find much success in the NFL and only lasted four seasons in Minnesota. During his tenure, he only surpassed 200 receiving yards in one season and found the end zone just twice over the entire stretch. After leaving Minnesota, he would then be moved around to several NFL teams, but he never found much consistency.

New Orleans Saints

Marcus Davenport, DE

Marcus Davenport came into New Orleans with high expectations after being selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, Davenport would only last five seasons in New Orleans and saw his production drop after each season. After tallying a solid 10.5 sacks and 53 combined tackles over his first two seasons, he would only log 11 sacks over his final three seasons.

New York Giants

Eli Apple, DB

Eli Apple’s tenure in the Big Apple did not last long. After being selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Apple would only last 2.5 seasons in New York. In his rookie season, he showed promise, logging 51 tackles with seven deflections. However, many reports suggested Apple was a problem in the locker room and did not agree with the coaching staff. After leaving New York in his third season, he would be bounced around to several teams.

Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Reagor, WR

One of the most infamous selections in the 2020 NFL Draft was when the Eagles chose Jalen Reagor with the 21st pick. Instead of Reagor, the Eagles could have selected Justin Jefferson out of LSU. Reagor’s tenure in Philadelphia would only last two seasons and end in major disappointment. Reagor would tally just 695 yards with three touchdowns. Reagor would then move to Minnesota, New England, and most recently Los Angeles, but has yet to progress to the next level.

San Francisco 49ers

Dante Pettis, WR

Dante Pettis is yet another wide receiver who has failed to live up to expectations. Pettis was selected with the 44th pick (second round) of the 2018 NFL Draft. However, Pettis would never find much success in the Bay Area. His tenure in San Francisco would last just 2.5 seasons. He showed promise in his rookie season, tallying 467 yards, but would add just 185 over his final 1.5 seasons.

Seattle Seahawks

Rashaad Penny, RB

Rashaad Penny was expected to be the RB1 in Seattle for the foreseeable future when he was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, while Penny showed flashes of potential at times, he struggled to stay on the field. During the 2021 season, he led the NFL with an impressive 6.3 YPA but appeared in only 10 games that season. The following season, he appeared in just five games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Noah Spence, LB

With the 39th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers drafted Noah Spence out of Ohio State. Spencer was expected to be a force on their defense. However, Spencer would only last three seasons in Tampa Bay. During his disappointing tenure, Spence would start just six total games and tally just 6.5 sacks. He would log just 34 combined tackles. He then joined Washington in 2019 and later joined the Benals in 2021.

Washington Commanders

Josh Doctson, WR

After a promising 2015 season in which Washington won the NFC East, the team selected Josh Doctson out of TCU with the 22nd overall pick to add another pass-catching weapon to the offense. However, Doctson never emerged as a consistent wide receiver in Washington. After appearing in just two games as a rookie, Docton would average 517 yards over his final two seasons in D.C. and only scored eight touchdowns. He would then be moved to Minnesota before the start of the 2019 season.