5. Las Vegas (Oakland) Raiders

The Raiders have had their fair share of busts, with 9 failed picks and $201,947,917 down the drain:

Robert Gallery (OT, 2nd overall, 2004)
Fabian Washington (CB, 23rd overall, 2005)
Michael Huff (S, 7th overall, 2006)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, 1st overall, 2007)
Darius Heyward-Bey (WR, 7th overall, 2009)
Rolando McClain (LB, 8th overall, 2010)
D.J. Hayden (CB, 12th overall, 2013)
Gareon Conley (CB, 24th overall, 2017)
Clelin Ferrell (DE, 4th overall, 2019)

Clelin Ferrell, drafted 4th overall in 2019, struggled drastically to meet the lofty expectations placed on him. Though he’s since moved on to the 49ers, Raiders fans are still left wondering what could have been.

Darius Heyward-Bey (2009, 7th overall) was another high-profile miss, drafted primarily for his speed but never developing into the reliable receiver the Raiders hoped for.

But the most infamous bust in Raider’s history is undoubtedly JaMarcus Russell (2007, 1st overall). Touted as the future of the franchise, Russell was notorious for his lack of preparation and poor work ethic, leading to one of the quickest downfalls in NFL history. I still don’t think Raiders fans are over it.

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have had 9 busts over the years, shelling out $145,979,114 on these underwhelming picks:

Wendell Bryant (DT, 12th overall, 2002)
Bryant Johnson (WR, 17th overall, 2003)
Antrel Rolle (CB, 8th overall, 2005)
Matt Leinart (QB, 10th overall, 2006)
Levi Brown (OT, 5th overall, 2007)
Jonathan Cooper (G, 7th overall, 2013)
Robert Nkemdiche (DE, 29th overall, 2016)
Haason Reddick (LB, 13th overall, 2017, though he later found success with other teams)
Josh Rosen (QB, 10th overall, 2018)

Wendell Bryant, drafted 12th overall in 2002, is the perfect example of a defensive lineman who couldn’t live up to expectations. Despite the Cardinals’ hopes and prayers, Byrant stepped away from the NFL after just three seasons.

And then there was Matt Leinart (2006, 10th overall), the USC Heisman-winning quarterback. He was expected to be the Cardinals' long-term quarterback, but poor performances and competition for the starting job ended his career prematurely. Similarly, Josh Rosen (2018, 10th overall) was drafted as the quarterback of the future, only to be traded away after one season when Arizona selected Kyler Murray with the first overall pick.

3. New York Jets

Bryan Thomas (DE, 22nd overall, 2002)
Dewayne Robertson (DT, 4th overall, 2003)
Vernon Gholston (DE, 6th overall, 2008)
Mark Sanchez (QB, 5th overall, 2009)
Kyle Wilson (CB, 29th overall, 2010)
Quinton Coples (DE, 16th overall, 2012)
Dee Milliner (CB, 9th overall, 2013)
Calvin Pryor (S, 18th overall, 2014)
Leonard Williams (DT, 6th overall, 2015)
Mekhi Becton (OT, 11th overall, 2020)

The Jets, bless their hearts, have drafted 10 busts, burning through $183,263,023 in the process.

Remember Dewayne Robertson? Drafted 4th overall in 2003, Robertson was supposed to anchor the Jets' defensive line. Instead, he never lived up to his draft billing, and like so many others on this list, failed to secure a second deal with the team.

Another flop on the defensive side of the ball was Vernon Gholston. Gholston was touted as a franchise defensive player but never recorded a single sack.

More recently, Mekhi Becton was drafted in 2020. Becton showed promise in his rookie year, but injuries have since derailed his career trajectory, and has since been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.

But the Jets’ list doesn’t stop there. Mark Sanchez (2009, 5th overall), who led the team to two AFC Championship games, never became the elite quarterback the Jets hoped for, instead becoming known for the infamous "Butt Fumble." Additionally, Kyle Wilson (2010, 29th overall) was drafted to be a lockdown corner, but he never developed into the star defender the Jets desperately needed.

2. Cleveland Browns

No list of draft busts is complete without the Cleveland Browns, another team with 10 major misses, and a cool $130,755,199 sunk into players who never made the cut:

Courtney Brown (DE, 1st overall, 2000)
Gerard Warren (DT, 3rd overall, 2001)
William Green (RB, 16th overall, 2002)
Brady Quinn (QB, 22nd overall, 2007)
Barkevious Mingo (LB, 6th overall, 2013)
Johnny Manziel (QB, 22nd overall, 2014)
Justin Gilbert (CB, 8th overall, 2014)
Cameron Erving (OL, 19th overall, 2015)
Corey Coleman (WR, 15th overall, 2016)
Trent Richardson (RB, 3rd overall, 2012)

In 2002, William Green was the Browns' hopeful future at running back. However, despite his college success, Green never secured a second contract, and his NFL career fizzled out.

But let’s not overlook Brady Quinn (2007, 22nd overall), a quarterback once viewed as the savior of the Browns. His inability to adapt to the NFL led to a quick exit, leaving Cleveland still searching for a franchise QB. And, of course, Trent Richardson (2012, 3rd overall), a running back who looked unstoppable in college but quickly faded in the NFL. After being traded to the Colts, Richardson’s career fizzled, cementing his status as a major bust.

But perhaps the most notorious bust of recent times is Johnny Manziel. "Johnny Football" arrived in 2014 with a media frenzy, but the circus quickly turned sour. In Netflix’ Untold: Johnny Football story, the quarterback coach reports checking Manziel’s iPad to see how many hours he had logged watching game tape, only to find that he hadn’t watched ONE minute. Manziel played just 14 games before the Browns pulled the plug.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

When it comes to drafting busts, the Jacksonville Jaguars sit at the top with a jaw-dropping 10 players who never panned out, leaving them with an eye-watering $183,263,023 spent on these disappointments:

Reggie Williams (WR, 9th overall, 2004)
Matt Jones (WR, 21st overall, 2005)
Derrick Harvey (DE, 8th overall, 2008)
Eugene Monroe (OT, 8th overall, 2009)
Tyson Alualu (DT, 10th overall, 2010)
Blaine Gabbert (QB, 10th overall, 2011)
Justin Blackmon (WR, 5th overall, 2012)
Luke Joeckel (OT, 2nd overall, 2013)
Dante Fowler Jr. (DE, 3rd overall, 2015)
C.J. Henderson (CB, 9th overall, 2020)

Take Reggie Williams, drafted 9th overall in 2004. Expectations were sky-high, but his rookie season was underwhelming, and it never got much better. The promise of a game-changing wide receiver turned into a cautionary tale of unmet potential.

Then there’s Justin Blackmon, drafted in 2012 out of Oklahoma State. Blackmon had superstar written all over him, but his career with the Jaguars was derailed by off-the-field issues, making him one of the most disappointing Jaguars draft picks in recent memory.

More recently, C.J. Henderson joined the club in 2020. Taken 9th overall, Henderson was supposed to shore up the Jaguars’ defense. Instead, injuries and other factors quickly landed him on the reserve list, and the team moved on.

And we can't forget Blaine Gabbert (2011, 10th overall), the quarterback who failed to stabilize the Jaguars' future. Equally disappointing was Luke Joeckel (2013, 2nd overall), an offensive tackle who the front office thought could protect their QB for years.

Recent Redemption for These 5 NFL Teams

Yes, even though these teams have had their fair share of busts, several recent draft picks have turned out to be valuable assets, offering hope for their fans and management. Here’s a breakdown of current players who have significant value for the top 5 teams that drafted the most busts:

Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby (DE) - Drafted: 4th round, 106th overall in 2019

Maxx Crosby has become one of the most valuable draft steals in recent memory. A relentless pass rusher with a high motor, Crosby has consistently ranked among the league’s top players in pressures, sacks, and tackles for loss. He’s the heart and soul of the Raiders' defense and has blossomed into a Pro Bowl player who provides immense value despite his mid-round draft status.

Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray (QB) - Drafted: 1st overall in 2019

Despite recent injuries, Kyler Murray is still considered one of the most athletic and dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL. His dual-threat ability as both a passer and runner has made him an exceptional quarterback. While there have been ups and downs in his career, including a playoff appearance, Murray’s skill set gives the Cardinals a franchise player to build around.

New York Jets: Sauce Gardner (CB) - Drafted: 4th overall in 2022

Sauce Gardner made an immediate impact as a shutdown corner in his rookie season, earning the 2022 DROY (Defensive Rookie of the Year) award. His ability to lock down the league’s best receivers has transformed the Jets' defense, and he's already considered one of the best young corners in the league.

Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett (DE) - Drafted: 1st overall in 2017

Myles Garrett has developed into one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Known for his elite pass-rushing abilities, Garrett has consistently ranked among the league leaders in sacks and pressures. He’s a cornerstone for the Browns’ top defense, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections multiple times. His athleticism and power make him a game-changer on defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (QB) - Drafted: 1st overall in 2021

After a shaky rookie season under Urban Meyer, Trevor Lawrence made a significant leap in his second year under head coach Doug Pederson. He’s showing all the signs of becoming a franchise quarterback with a big arm, excellent decision-making, and leadership. Lawrence led the Jaguars to the playoffs in 2022 and looks poised to be the QB of their future success.

Which 5 NFL Teams Have Drafted the Fewest Busts?

While some teams seem to have a knack for picking draft busts, others appear to have cracked the code when it comes to selecting talent that pans out. These franchises are the envy of many around the league, consistently finding players who live up to their draft-day hype. Let’s take a closer look at the teams that are getting it right.

The Top 5 NFL Teams With the Most Draft Busts