The NFL's Biggest QB Busts of the Last 20 Years

From JaMarcus Russell to Zach Wilson, these high draft picks failed to live up to the hype

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:36pm

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The NFL Draft is defined by the quarterback position, and making the right choice at QB can completely transform a franchise. However, the last two decades have also seen some major quarterback busts, from JaMarcus Russell to Zach Wilson, that have set teams back years. This article examines the biggest QB mistakes of the past 20 years and the lasting impact they've had on the teams and players involved.

Why it matters

Quarterback is the most important position in football, and a bad draft pick at that spot can cripple a franchise for years. These busts not only wasted high draft capital, but also prevented teams from addressing other key needs and building a winning roster around the QB. Understanding these cautionary tales can help teams avoid similar mistakes in the future when evaluating and selecting quarterbacks.

The details

The article highlights several high-profile quarterback busts from the last 20 years, including JaMarcus Russell (2007 No. 1 overall, Oakland Raiders), Jake Locker (2011 No. 8 overall, Tennessee Titans), E.J. Manuel (2013 No. 16 overall, Buffalo Bills), Johnny Manziel (2014 No. 22 overall, Cleveland Browns), Zach Wilson (2021 No. 2 overall, New York Jets), Trey Lance (2021 No. 3 overall, San Francisco 49ers), and Kenny Pickett (2022 No. 16 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers). It also touches on the most recent bust, Anthony Richardson (2023 No. 4 overall, Indianapolis Colts). The article delves into the specific reasons each quarterback failed to live up to their draft position, from poor decision-making and low football IQ to injury issues and inability to translate college success to the NFL.

  • The 2007 NFL Draft, where JaMarcus Russell was selected No. 1 overall by the Oakland Raiders, is considered one of the most legendary draft classes in NFL history.
  • Jake Locker was selected No. 8 overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2011 NFL Draft, following the selection of Cam Newton at No. 1.
  • E.J. Manuel was the surprise first-round pick (No. 16 overall) of the Buffalo Bills in the 2013 NFL Draft.
  • Johnny Manziel was taken No. 22 overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft.
  • Zach Wilson and Trey Lance were both top-3 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, going No. 2 and No. 3 overall respectively.
  • Kenny Pickett was the first quarterback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, going No. 16 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
  • Anthony Richardson was selected No. 4 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The players

JaMarcus Russell

The No. 1 overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2007 NFL Draft, Russell is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history due to his poor decision-making, low football IQ, and inability to translate his physical tools to the professional level.

Jake Locker

The Tennessee Titans selected Locker with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, despite concerns about his accuracy and decision-making. Locker struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, starting just 23 games over four seasons before retiring.

E.J. Manuel

The Buffalo Bills took Manuel with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, surprising many who expected Geno Smith to be the first quarterback off the board. Manuel's inaccuracy and inability to handle pressure doomed his NFL career.

Johnny Manziel

The Cleveland Browns selected Manziel with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, despite concerns about his off-field behavior and ability to transition from the college game. Manziel's partying lifestyle and lack of commitment to the game led to a short-lived NFL career.

Zach Wilson

The New York Jets took Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, hoping he could be their franchise quarterback. However, Wilson has struggled mightily, leading to his release from the team after just two seasons.

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What they’re saying

“The 2007 NFL Draft is one of the most legendary classes football history. The first round gave us four Hall of Fame players already in Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Patrick Willis, and Darrelle Revis — with Adrian Peterson sure to join the group as well. The No.1 pick, however, was …. woof.”

— James Dator, Author

“There was functionally zero reason Locker should have been a Top 10 pick after his senior season at Washington. This was a guy who got Top 3 pick hype in 2010, but decided to return to school because he thought he could go No. 1 overall. Horrific regression led to a college season that saw him finish with 2,265 yards, 17 TDs and 9 INT — not college numbers that get you taken on the first two days, let alone in the Top 10.”

— James Dator, Author

“Manziel was the equivalent of raw oysters at a landlocked Midwest steakhouse. They might look good on the menu, but you know there's something off about them and why nobody else is ordering them.”

— James Dator, Author

What’s next

The article does not mention any clear future newsworthy moments related to the stories, so this section is left blank.

The takeaway

These quarterback busts from the last 20 years serve as cautionary tales for NFL teams, highlighting the importance of thorough scouting, player evaluation, and patience when drafting and developing quarterbacks. Rushing to fill a need at the position or being seduced by physical tools over proven production can lead to disastrous results that set a franchise back for years. Teams must learn from these mistakes to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.