Five of the worst first-round NFL Draft picks since 2015
(Credit: Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
With draft week just around the corner, teams will be making their final preparations in the hope that they get their selections right.
Far too many times in the past have teams made picks that they come to regret, but some stand out more clearly than others. The selections of Zach Wilson and Trey Lance look poor picks but they are still to early to judge, whereas those from Ryan Leaf to JaMarcus Russell are viewed objectively as disasters.
Over the past few years, they have been plenty of draft busts. So here is our top five worst first-round selections since 2015:
5. Kevin White, WR – Chicago Bears, 2015
White was an exceptional receiver in college with West Virginia, and was a justifiable early first rounder on the back of those performances heading into the 2015 NFL Draft.
But his time as a pro was plagued by a series of major injuries, all of which he could never recover from. Despite spending three years on the Bears roster, White’s NFL career consisted of just 28 receptions and 397 years, having also failed to secure roster spots with the Cardinals, 49ers and Saints. An unfortunate but ultimately awful pick at seventh overall.
4. Paxton Lynch, QB – Denver Broncos, 2016
Now struggling in the XFL with the Orlando Guardians, Paxton Lynch’s career has failed miserably since he left college. Taken with the 26th overall pick by the Broncos in 2016, Lynch spent just two seasons in Denver, as inconsistent play, poor work ethic and injury concerns meant he started just four games for the franchise.
Another failed quarterback project for Denver, and one of their worst early draft selections in recent memory.
3. Isaiah Wilson, OT – Tennessee Titans, 2020
Selected 29th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2020, Wilson makes this list as he quite literally almost never played more than a few snaps in the NFL. Infact, Wilson featured in just one game in 2020, the final minutes of a Week 12 blowout win against the Indianapolis Colts.
His awful tenure with the Titans will largely be remembered by violations of team rules and several off-field legal issues, which led to a subsequent trade to the Miami Dolphins after his rookie season. Just three years on, Wilson is out of the league.
For a top prospect, and one of the best in his position, to fail so miserably is such a disappointment.
2. Jalen Reagor, WR – Philadelphia Eagles, 2020
Another receiver on this list, but this pick is more to do with the player taken just a selection later. The Eagles were in a position to draft a future All-Pro in Justin Jefferson at this stage, but decided to take a punt with Jalen Reagor from TCU.
Jefferson has quickly become one of, if not the best receiver in the game with the Vikings, while Reagor left the Philadelphia after just two seasons. Coincidentally, the pair are now on the same team in Minnesota, but Reagor caught just eight catches for 104 yards in 17 games in 2022.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman has been a genius in roster building in recent years, but this is definitely one decision he will have massively regretted.
1. Josh Rosen, QB – Arizona Cardinals, 2018
Where do we start with Josh Rosen? It just hasn’t worked out for him. The Cardinals traded a first, third and fifth-round pick to move up five spots to take the highly-rated UCLA prospect, only to go 3-10 in 13 starts as well as throwing 14 interceptions during that time.
After being traded to Miami after just one year, Rosen has gone on to start just three games since, having also failed to claim a roster spot on the Buccaneers, 49ers, Falcons, Browns and Vikings.
A disaster pick for the Cardinals, but an even worse trajectory for Rosen.
