NFL franchises invest significant resources into drafts, aiming to secure future success and stability. Yet, some of these high-stakes decisions have turned into notorious blunders that leave fans and analysts questioning the rationale behind them. This article explores some of the most glaring draft failures in NFL history.
JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders (2007, 1st Overall)
The Raiders made a bold move by selecting JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, drawn to his impressive physical attributes and arm strength. However, Russell’s extreme lack of commitment to preparation and poor work ethic led to a tumultuous career marked by erratic performances and persistent doubts about his dedication.
Russell was released by Oakland in 2010 and his attempts to return to the NFL were unsuccessful, leaving him without a spot on any team. His struggles with fitness and grasp of the playbook underscored the risks of heavily investing in a player who fails to realize their potential.
Ryan Leaf, San Diego Chargers (1998, 2nd Overall)
Ryan Leaf was hailed as a potential superstar when the Chargers selected him second overall in 1998, but his career swiftly deteriorated. The combination of inconsistent performance, injuries, and problematic behavior highlighted the risks of investing heavily in high-profile draft picks.
The Chargers’ trade, which involved sacrificing two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and Eric Metcalf to move up just one spot, only intensified the pressure on Leaf to justify their commitment. This immense expectation, coupled with Leaf's struggles to meet the mental and physical demands of the NFL, underscored the perils of selecting players who fail to adapt to the professional game.
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears (2017, 2nd Overall)
In a controversial decision, the Bears traded up to the 2nd pick in the 2017 draft to select Mitch Trubisky, bypassing future stars like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. The choice proved to be a poor fit, as Trubisky, who had started only 13 games at North Carolina, was thrust into a situation that did not cater to his development needs. The 2017 Bears’ offense lacked both a supportive system and reliable receivers, exacerbating Trubisky's struggles and underwhelming performance.
This decision highlighted the risks of valuing potential over proven success, as the significant draft capital used to acquire Trubisky only magnified the missed opportunity to draft other top talents.
Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns (2014, 22nd Overall)
Johnny Manziel entered the NFL with a celebrated college career, but his inability to adapt to the professional game, coupled with off-field issues, led to a brief and disappointing stint with the Browns. Struggling with accuracy and preparation, Manziel’s NFL career quickly unraveled, and within two years of being drafted 22nd overall, he found himself out of the league, lacking both a team and any support or endorsements.
His swift decline highlights the risks of valuing college success without fully addressing a player's potential to thrive in the NFL.
Tony Mandarich, Green Bay Packers (1989, 2nd Overall)
Tony Mandarich, selected as the second overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft due to his impressive physical attributes, faced a challenging career marked by struggles with fundamental skills, conditioning issues, and allegations of performance-enhancing drug use. Despite being highly regarded as a top offensive line prospect from his college days with the Michigan State Spartans, Mandarich failed to live up to expectations and was released by the Green Bay Packers after four seasons.
His career highlights the risks of drafting players based solely on physical potential rather than proven performance.
