RE-DRAFTING All 32 NFL Teams’ BIGGEST Draft Bust Of All-Time

There’s no changing the past in the football world. But when it comes to NFL draft history, it’s always fun to play the “what if” and imaginary “do-over” game.

But WHAT IF every NFL team got the chance to re-do their biggest draft mistake? Football history would be a lot different, that’s for sure.

With that, let’s play the re-draft game with every NFL club’s biggest draft bust ever.

Which player would have been a better pick for your favorite NFL team in this re-draft list?

Arizona Cardinals: Randy Moss

IRVING, : Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss (C) celebrates his 51 yard touchdown reception on the fourth play of the game versus the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX, 26 November. At left is teammate Robert Smith. AFP PHOTO/PAUL BUCK (Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images)
Andre Wadsworth, the No. 3 pick in 1998, failed to live up to expectations in The Desert. If only Arizona had taken Randy Moss with that selection instead.

The second-best receiver of all time somehow fell to the Minnesota Vikings in the 21st spot. One can only imagine how scary that offense would have been in the 2000s with Moss AND Larry Fitzgerald…

Atlanta Falcons: Michael Irvin

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 4: Dallas Cowboys wide-receiver Michael Irvin (2nd L) celebrates his first touchdown of the game with teammate Alvin Harper as Philadelphia Eagles Bill Romanowski (R) and Michael Zordich look on during the first quarter at Veterans Stadium 04 December. (COLOR KEY Eagles uniforms are green) (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

Atlanta spent the first pick of the ‘88 draft on linebacker Aundray Bruce. He was a serviceable starter but never a star.

Hindsight is 20-20, but Atlanta would’ve been better off selecting future Dallas Cowboys icon Michael Irvin. The Miami product went 11th overall to Dallas, and we know how that turned out!

Baltimore Ravens: John Abraham

MIAMI – SEPTEMBER 22: John Abraham #94 of the New York Jets looks on against the Miami Dolphins on September 22, 2002 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 30-3. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Ravens have honestly done a wonderful job in avoiding franchise-crippling draft picks. That said, the Travis Taylor selection – No. 10 overall in 2000 – left a lot to be desired.

The 2000 NFL draft wasn’t GREAT by any means, but it featured plenty of “very good” players. Well, the Ravens could have used pass-rushing stalwart John Abraham.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Abraham racked up 133.5 career sacks.

Buffalo Bills: Dan Hampton

CHICAGO – 1987: Defensive lineman Dan Hampton #99 of the Chicago Bears chases down quarterback Steve Deberg #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Soldier Field during the 1987 NFL season in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Bills spent the top pick in the ‘79 draft on Tom Cousineau. Who knows, he could have been great. But Cousineau decided to start his career in the CFL and never wound up playing for Buffalo.

Three picks later, the Chicago Bears took Arkansas defensive lineman Dan Hampton. He could have been the game-wrecking force the Bills thought they’d get in Cousineau. Hampton was instrumental in the Bears’ Super Bowl 25 championship season and proudly owns a gold jacket.

Carolina Panthers: Jason Taylor

31 Aug 1997: Defensive lineman Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins celebrates during the Dolphins 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
Carruth could have been a star, but he got involved in a horrific off-the-field crime. In 2001, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.

Carruth had someone murder his then-pregnant girlfriend Cherica Adams, who died from her wounds. Thankfully, doctors were able to deliver the baby.

The Panthers also passed –TWICE –  on a future Hall of Famer in Jason Taylor, who went 73rd overall to the Miami Dolphins. The young Carolina franchise missed out big time on the chance to land a true cornerstone.

Chicago Bears: Patrick Mahomes

KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Bears should have taken Mahomes second overall in the 2017 NFL Draft instead of major bust Mitch Trubisky. We’ll leave it at that.

Cincinnati Bengals: Warren Sapp (Over Ki-Jana Carter)

22 Sep 1996: Defensive end Warren Sapp of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a 17-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Houlihans Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT
Cincinnati traded up via Carolina to snag the Penn State RB first overall, but injuries unfortunately quickly derailed Carter’s career.

The Bengals could have found a future franchise star in Warren Sapp, who went 12th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cleveland Browns: Donovan McNabb

11 Nov 1995: Quarterback Donovan McNabb of the Syracuse Orangemen drops to pass during a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Syracuse won the game 42-10.
McNabb was one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks of the 2000s, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to five NFC Championship Game appearances and a Super Bowl 39 berth. Surely, he would have been an upgrade over Tim Couch – whom the Browns took first overall in 1999.

Dallas Cowboys: Curley Culp

Culp went 31st overall to the Denver Broncos in the ‘68 NFL draft. The 1975 Defensive Player of the Year earned six Pro Bowl nods and a spot in Canton.

He certainly would have done a ton of great things in Dallas. It’s too bad they passed on him and used the No. 20 pick on the receiver who was rarely used, Dennis Homan.

Denver Broncos: Dak Prescott

ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 19: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Two months after winning Super Bowl 50, the Broncos traded up to select big Memphis QB Paxton Lynch 26th overall in 2016. Peyton Manning had retired, and Denver desperately needed a new QB; it’s just too bad they took the wrong one.

Lynch started just four games and was cut after two seasons. The Cowboys used the No. 135 overall selection in round four on Dak Prescott, who has been a top-10 NFL in the game since stepping onto the field.

Detroit Lions: Troy Polamalu

PITTSBURGH – DECEMBER 12: Strong safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball after intercepting a New York Jets pass on December 12, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 17-7. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Polamalu was the second-best safety of his era behind only Ed Reed. He could have single-handedly changed the dynamic of Detroit’s defense for a decade-plus.

The Lions spent the No. 2 pick of the 2003 draft on Charles Rogers, hoping he’d become a super weapon for Joey Harrington. Injuries unfortunately cut Rogers’ career short, and he was out of the league after three years.

Polamalu went 16th overall to the Steelers and played an instrumental role in helping them win two Super Bowls.

Green Bay Packers: Deion Sanders

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 29: Deion Sanders of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to catch a Troy Aikman pass as referee Kirk Doman looks on during their game against the Atlanta Falcons 29 Oct in Atlanta,Ga. Sanders lost the control of the ball while the Cowboys won the game 28-13. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
Four of the top five picks in the 1989 NFL draft became Hall of Famers: Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders. The only top-five pick who wasn’t? Tony Mandarich, who went second overall to the Packers.

Mandarich never came close to reaching expectations. Too bad, because the Packers really could have used the talents of “Prime Time.”  If Sanders was on that star-studded Packers group of the ‘90s, they could have totally won more than one Super Bowl.

Houston Texans: Julius Peppers

CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 8: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers looks on the field during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on September 8, 2002 at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Ravens 10-7. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images)
The Texans took Fresno State QB David Carr with the first selection in franchise history back in 2002. The next pick was Julius Peppers, who pieced together a Hall of Fame career in Carolina.

Four years later, Houston used the top selection on Mario Williams. Imagine now if they had both Peppers AND Williams patrolling the defensive line together. Wowza!

Jacksonville Jaguars: J.J. Watt

HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans takes the field during player introductions against the Cincinnati Bengals during their AFC Wild Card Playoff Game at Reliant Stadium on January 5, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
The Jaguars made a big mistake by trading up for, ahem, future career journeyman backup QB Blaine Gabbert at No. 10 overall in 2011. They passed on several future superstars, but none bigger than J.J. Watt.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year, of course, was taken with the pick after Gabbert. To the AFC South rival Texans, no less!

Indianapolis Colts: Darren Woodson

4 Dec 1994: Defensive back Darren Woodson of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys won the game, 31-19. Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty /Allsport
The former standout safety wasn’t the biggest DRAFT MISS in Colts history, not even close. But Steve Emtman – the first overall pick in the 1992 draft – was easily the biggest NFL draft bust in Colts history.

In a do-over, let’s give the Colts Darren Woodson. He went 37th overall to the Cowboys and played a massive role in their three Super Bowl championship seasons in the ‘90s. The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team all-pro could have been a major difference-maker there in Indianapolis.

Kansas City Chiefs: Dan Marino

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 8: Miami Dolphin’s quarterback Dan Marino broke Fran Tarkenton’s NFL career reception record with 3,687 with his fourth completion 08 Oct at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami against the Indianapolis Colts. Marino ended the day with a career total of 3,702. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read CHRIS BERNACCHI/AFP via Getty Images)
The Chiefs passed on two future Hall of Fame QBS in this dream class of signal-callers.

Todd Blackledge went seventh overall to KC. Jim Kelly went 14th to the Buffalo Bills. Dan Marino went 27th to the Dolphins.

Marino, arguably the greatest pocket passer ever,  led the league in passing yards five times and earned NINE Pro Bowl nods. KC wouldn’t find a true superstar QB until they landed Patrick Mahomes in 2017 – 34 years after passing on Marino in favor of Blackledge.

Las Vegas Raiders: Calvin Johnson

GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to the start of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on September 15, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The Raiders made a ton of painful draft mistakes in the 2000s, but none hurt them more than the JaMarcus Russell pick. He went first overall in the dream 2007 class…but was out of the league after three seasons.

The second pick in the draft? Future Hall of Fame wideout Calvin Johnson. Oakland lacked a bonafide STUD wideout until they took Amari Cooper in the 2015 NFL draft. So yeah, they totally could’ve used Megatron.

Los Angeles Chargers: Charles Woodson

14 Jan 2001: A close up of Charles Woodson #24 of the Oakland Raiders as he looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Network Associates Colisuem in Oakland, California. The Ravens defeated the Raiders 16-3.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
Every Chargers fan knows the whole Ryan Leaf bust thing. We don’t need to ramble on about it, but we can tell you about the guy they SHOULD have taken with the No. 2 pick in 1998.

Two picks after Leaf, the Raiders took Charles Woodson fourth overall. One of the greatest defensive backs ever, Woodson could have taken the Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison-led defense to another level.

And the Chargers wouldn’t have had to deal with him in the division all those years…

Los Angeles Rams: Ray Lewis

31 Dec 2000: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens is pushed out of bounds at the one yard line by Ray Crockett #39 of the Denver Broncos during the first period of the AFC Wildcard playoff game at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Lewis scored on the next play to give the Ravens a 7-0 lead. The Ravens won 21-3. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/ALLSPORT
Trading away star running back Jerome Bettis so the Rams could take the troubled Lawrence Phillips sixth overall in 1996 was a big mistake. They could have avoided the mistake if the Ram a) kept Bettis or b) drafted Lewis.

Phillips didn’t even last two seasons before the Rams cut him. Lewis went 26th overall to the Ravens and powered the franchise to a pair of Lombardi Trophies. If the Rams had him during the “Greatest Show on Turf” era, maybe the Rams themselves would have won more than one Super Bowl?

Miami Dolphins: Travis Kelce

KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 07: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs reaches out for the ball in the endzone as Blidi Wreh-Wilson #25 of the Tennessee Titans defends during the second half as at Arrowhead Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Miami traded up to take Dion Jordan third overall in 2013. Jordan was a giant bust, playing just two seasons in South Beach before getting released.

So in this imaginary scenario, we’ll give Miami All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce with the No. 3 pick. Kelce, of course, wasn’t taken until the third round at No. 63 overall.

The Chiefs’ star is only the best tight end in the game right now, and he would have been a wonderful franchise cornerstone to build around.

Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Rodgers

GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 19: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers before the game with the Indianapolis Colts on October 19, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay Wisconsin. The Packers won 34-14. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
This one’s easy! The Vikings didn’t get much out of Troy Williamson – the No. 7 pick in the 2005 NFL draft. So instead, we hand Minny arguably the most talented quarterback of all time here.

For starters, Minny would be a Super Bowl contender for the next decade-plus with Rodgers. And secondly, the arch-rival Packers wouldn’t have completely dominated this rivalry if Minnesota had taken Rodgers. It’d be the other way around.

New England Patriots: Ed Reed

FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 20: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play late in the game against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
We all know how much Bill Belichick LOVED and RESPECTED Ed Reed. With six Super Bowl rings as the Patriots’ head coach, Belichick doesn’t regret anything…we think?

Or maybe he does? I mean, Ed Reed was there for the taking when the Pats picked at No. 21 overall in 2002. But they took the tight end and future bust, Daniel Graham, out of Colorado. Three picks later, the lucky Ravens snagged Reed, who was a thorn in Tom Brady’s side for many years.

New Orleans Saints: Joe Montana

FILES, UNITED STATES: This 30 October 94 file photo shows Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Joe Montana (19) preparing to pass against the rush of Buffalo Bills Bruce Smith (78) in Buffalo, NY. Montana is widely expected to announce his retirement from professional football 18 April in San Francisco. Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
The Saints used the No. 11 pick in the 1979 draft on kicker slash punter Russell Erxleben. Using such an early pick on a special teams player is never really a good idea, for starters.

But oh, to think how much history could have changed if the Saints drafted Joe Montana – who somehow slipped to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 80 overall? Would the 49ers dynasty have even existed? Or would “Joe Cool” have led NOLA to multiple championship parades on Bourbon Street?

We’ll never know…

New York Giants: Marvin Harrison

27 Oct 1996: Marvin Harrison #88 of the Indianapolis Colts in action during the game against the Washington Redskins at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. The Redskins defeated the Colts 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
Statistically speaking, Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison are the greatest pass-catching duo of all time. The G-Men could have thwarted that if they had taken Harrison in the 1996 draft…

Instead of taking Harrison, who went to Indy at NO. 19 overall, they used the No. 5 pick on defensive end Cedric Jones. He logged just 15 sacks in five seasons with the Giants, whereas Harrison became one of the all-time great wideouts.

Let’s just imagine if the Giants had Harrison, Amani Toomer AND Tiki Barber in the same offense together all those years!

New York Jets: Josh Allen

CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills reacts in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
It’s a shame the Jets took the wrong QB with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, which they had to trade up for via Indianapolis.

The Jets drafted Sam Darnold but did him no favors by supplying him with Adam Gase and a lack of talent.

Four picks later, the AFC East rival Bills took Josh Allen seventh overall. And he’s only a top-five QB in the game. Darnold only lasted three seasons in Gotham. Yikes!

Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Brooks

20 Aug 2000: Derrick Brooks #55 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moves into position during the game against the New England Patriots at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Buccaneers defeated the Patriots 31-21.Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
Mike Mamula’s showing at the 1995 draft combine may be the best ever, so it was hard to fault the Eagles for using the No. 7 pick on him.

But Mamula failed to grow into a star, unlike Derrick Brooks. The future Hall of Fame linebacker went 28th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wreaked havoc on a gamely basis for 14 seasons.

Brooks could have been the main star on the ultra-talented Eagles’ team in the Andy Reid-Donovan McNabb era. Too bad they passed on him.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Brett Favre

31 Dec 1995: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers avoid pressure during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Huey Richardson – the No. 15 pick in 1991 – lasted just one season for the Steelers. What if the Steelers had drafted future MVP, Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer Brett Favre instead?

Solid-but-not-great QB play prevented an elite Steelers team under Bill Cowher from winning Super Bowls in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Taking Favre could have netted multiple championships in Steel City.

San Francisco 49ers: Ozzie Newsome


Newsome is one of the greatest tight ends of all time, and the 49ers could have used him, all right! Too bad they passed on him and instead used the No. 7 pick in the 1978 NFL Draft on Notre Dame product Ken McAfee.

McAfee lasted just two NFL seasons before going on to enjoy a successful career in dentistry. Newsome, a proud member of Canton, would have been quite the weapon for Joe Montana during the 49ers’ heydays in the 80s!

Seattle Seahawks: Clay Matthews III

GREEN BAY, WI – CIRCA 2010: In this photo provided by the NFL, Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)
Seattle needed help in the front seven. Clay Mathews III, a future game-wrecker in Green Bay, could have been that guy for them. But the Seahawks used the No. 4 pick on all-time draft bust Aaron Curry, and it was the Cheeseheads who struck gold with Matthews at No. 26 overall.

Imagine if the six-time Pro Bowler was with Seattle in the Legion of Boom era? That’s all we can say.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Charles Haley

25 Oct 1992: Defensive lineman Charles Haley of the Dallas Cowboys moves down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Cowboys won the game, 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Ste
The Bucs used the top pick in the 1986 draft on Jackson. However, he refused to play for them and instead pursued a professional baseball career. He would, of course, join the Raiders in 1987.

Tampa needed to hit on this pick, so let’s give them linebacker/defensive end Charles Haley –  a five-time Super Bowl champion and the lone Hall of Famer to come out of this class.

Tennessee Titans: Brandon Marshall

DENVER – DECEMBER 24: Brandon Marshall #15 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, as the Broncos defeated the Bengals 24-23 on December 24, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Vince Young is undoubtedly the biggest bust in Titans’ history. So let’s correct that mistake by giving them Brandon Marshall at No. 3 overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Marshall actually didn’t go until round four at 119th overall. He was one of the best receivers of his era, hauling in 970 career receptions for 12,351 yards and 83 TDs. He never had elite quarterbacks feeding him the ball, so we’re sure he would have been a special weapon in Music City.

Washington Commanders: Russell Wilson

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 18: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks warms up on the field before a pre-season game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High on August 18, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Wilson – the so-called undersized QB who went 75th overall in 2012 – turned out to be the best signal-caller of this deep class. Not Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III – whom Washington took at No. 2 overall.

Injuries unfortunately derailed RG3’s career. Wilson’s high football IQ and deep arm would have made him a better long-term option in Washington.