Now that the 2022 NFL Draft has concluded, football fans are brimming with anticipation. After all, their favorite team may have just selected a future superstar that could put them over the top in their quest for a Super Bowl. However, for every smart selection, there is always a draft bust.
While some teams have proven to be much better at finding talent in the draft than others, each team has drafted at least one player that turned out to be terrific – and at least one more that turned out to be a miss.
To determine the best and worst pick in each team’s history, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the careers of each player selected in the NFL Draft from 1970 to 2018, using data from Pro Football Reference. The best draft pick was determined to be the player that provided the most value relative to his draft position. The worst pick was determined to be the earliest draft pick that provided the least value to the team that drafted them. Only players who spent the majority of their careers with the team that drafted them were considered.
The best picks were often no-brainers. Players like Peyton Manning and Bruce Smith were top overall selections and lived up to their potential, each earning a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Others, like Chicago Bears legend Richard Dent, were selected after hundreds of other players but managed to become Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl winners, and even Hall of Famers despite being overlooked in the draft.
Each of the worst picks were made in the first round, but these players struggled to live up to the expectations that come with being one of the first 32 selections. Almost none were able to secure a starting spot for more than a season, and most washed out of the NFL within a few years.
Some draft busts failed to reach their potential because of injuries that derailed their careers before they could even get going. Others failed due to off-the-field issues, sometimes resulting in criminal charges. These are the most famous athletes that ended up in prison.
Click here to see the best (and worst) draft pick in each NFL team’s history
Best draft pick:
Arizona Cardinals
> Best draft pick: Calais Campbell: Defensive end, Miami (FL)
> Drafted: Round 2, pick 50 in 2008
> Career: 2008-present
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
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Atlanta Falcons
> Best draft pick: Matt Ryan: Quarterback, Boston College
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 3 in 2008
> Career: 2008-present
> Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP
Baltimore Ravens
> Best draft pick: Ray Lewis: Linebacker, Miami (FL)
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 26 in 1996
> Career: 1996-2012
> Accolades: 12x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, Hall of Fame
Buffalo Bills
> Best draft pick: Bruce Smith: Defensive end, Virginia Tech
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 1 in 1985
> Career: 1985-2003
> Accolades: 11x Pro Bowl, 8x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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Carolina Panthers
> Best draft pick: Steve Smith Sr.: Wide receiver, Utah
> Drafted: Round 3, pick 74 in 2001
> Career: 2001-2016
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro
Chicago Bears
> Best draft pick: Richard Dent: Defensive end, Tennessee State
> Drafted: Round 8, pick 203 in 1983
> Career: 1983-1997
> Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
Cincinnati Bengals
> Best draft pick: Anthony Munoz: Tackle, USC
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 3 in 1980
> Career: 1980-1992
> Accolades: 11x Pro Bowl, 9x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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Cleveland Browns
> Best draft pick: Brian Sipe: Quarterback, San Diego State
> Drafted: Round 13, pick 330 in 1972
> Career: 1974-1983
> Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP
Dallas Cowboys
> Best draft pick: Emmitt Smith: Running back, Florida
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 17 in 1990
> Career: 1990-2004
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 1x MVP, 3x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
Denver Broncos
> Best draft pick: Tom Nalen: Center, Boston College
> Drafted: Round 7, pick 218 in 1994
> Career: 1994-2007
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl
Detroit Lions
> Best draft pick: Barry Sanders: Running back, Oklahoma State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 3 in 1989
> Career: 1989-1998
> Accolades: 10x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 1x MVP, Hall of Fame
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Green Bay Packers
> Best draft pick: Aaron Rodgers: Quarterback, California
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 24 in 2005
> Career: 2005-present
> Accolades: 10x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 4x MVP, 1x Super Bowl
Houston Texans
> Best draft pick: J.J. Watt: Defensive end, Wisconsin
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 11 in 2011
> Career: 2011-present
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro
Indianapolis Colts
> Best draft pick: Peyton Manning: Quarterback, Tennessee
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 1 in 1998
> Career: 1998-2015
> Accolades: 14x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl, 5x MVP, Hall of Fame
Jacksonville Jaguars
> Best draft pick: Brad Meester: Center, Northern Iowa
> Drafted: Round 2, pick 60 in 2000
> Career: 2000-2013
> Accolades: N/A
Kansas City Chiefs
> Best draft pick: Will Shields: Guard, Nebraska
> Drafted: Round 3, pick 74 in 1993
> Career: 1993-2006
> Accolades: 12x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
Las Vegas Raiders
> Best draft pick: Rod Martin: Linebacker, USC
> Drafted: Round 12, pick 317 in 1977
> Career: 1977-1988
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl
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Los Angeles Chargers
> Best draft pick: Dan Fouts: Quarterback, Oregon
> Drafted: Round 3, pick 64 in 1973
> Career: 1973-1987
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
Los Angeles Rams
> Best draft pick: Aaron Donald: Defensive tackle, Pittsburgh
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 13 in 2014
> Career: 2014-present
> Accolades: 8x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl, 3x Defensive Player of the Year
Miami Dolphins
> Best draft pick: Zach Thomas: Linebacker, Texas Tech
> Drafted: Round 5, pick 154 in 1996
> Career: 1996-2008
> Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro
Minnesota Vikings
> Best draft pick: Matt Birk: Center, Harvard
> Drafted: Round 6, pick 173 in 1998
> Career: 1998-2012
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl
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New England Patriots
> Best draft pick: Tom Brady: Quarterback, Michigan
> Drafted: Round 6, pick 199 in 2000
> Career: 2000-present
> Accolades: 15x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, 7x Super Bowl, 3x MVP
New Orleans Saints
> Best draft pick: Jahri Evans: Tackle, Bloomsburg
> Drafted: Round 4, pick 108 in 2006
> Career: 2006-2017
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro
New York Giants
> Best draft pick: Jessie Armstead: Linebacker, Miami (FL)
> Drafted: Round 8, pick 207 in 1993
> Career: 1993-2003
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
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New York Jets
> Best draft pick: Joe Fields: Center, Widener
> Drafted: Round 14, pick 349 in 1975
> Career: 1975-1988
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
Philadelphia Eagles
> Best draft pick: Clyde Simmons: Defensive end, Western Carolina
> Drafted: Round 9, pick 233 in 1986
> Career: 1986-2000
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro
Pittsburgh Steelers
> Best draft pick: Antonio Brown: Wide receiver, Central Michigan
> Drafted: Round 6, pick 195 in 2010
> Career: 2010-present
> Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
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San Francisco 49ers
> Best draft pick: Jerry Rice: Wide receiver, Miss. Valley State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 16 in 1985
> Career: 1985-2004
> Accolades: 13x Pro Bowl, 10x All-Pro, 3x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
Seattle Seahawks
> Best draft pick: Russell Wilson: Quarterback, Wisconsin
> Drafted: Round 3, pick 75 in 2012
> Career: 2012-present
> Accolades: 9x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Best draft pick: Derrick Brooks: Linebacker, Florida State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 28 in 1995
> Career: 1995-2008
> Accolades: 11x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl, Hall of Fame
Tennessee Titans
> Best draft pick: Bruce Matthews: Guard, USC
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 9 in 1983
> Career: 1983-2001
> Accolades: 14x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, Hall of Fame
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Washington Commanders
> Best draft pick: Raleigh McKenzie: Guard, Tennessee
> Drafted: Round 11, pick 290 in 1985
> Career: 1985-2000
> Accolades: 2x Super Bowl
Worst draft pick:
Arizona Cardinals
> Worst draft pick: Josh Rosen: Quarterback, UCLA
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 10 in 2018
> Career: 2018-present
> Games played, started: 24 played, 16 started
Atlanta Falcons
> Worst draft pick: Bruce Pickens: DB, Nebraska
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 3 in 1991
> Career: 1991-1995
> Games played, started: 48 played, 9 started
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Baltimore Ravens
> Worst draft pick: Matt Elam: Defensive back, Florida
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 32 in 2013
> Career: 2013-2016
> Games played, started: 41 played, 26 started
Buffalo Bills
> Worst draft pick: Perry Tuttle: Wide receiver, Clemson
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 19 in 1982
> Career: 1982-1984
> Games played, started: 24 played, 4 started
Carolina Panthers
> Worst draft pick: Rashard Anderson: DB, Jackson State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 23 in 2000
> Career: 2000-2001
> Games played, started: 27 played, 9 started
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Chicago Bears
> Worst draft pick: Kevin White: Wide receiver, West Virginia
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 7 in 2015
> Career: 2016-present
> Games played, started: 23 played, 6 started
Cincinnati Bengals
> Worst draft pick: Mike Cobb: Tight end, Michigan State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 22 in 1977
> Career: 1977-1981
> Games played, started: 62 played, 19 started
Cleveland Browns
> Worst draft pick: Craig Powell: Linebacker, Ohio State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 30 in 1995
> Career: 1995-1998
> Games played, started: 14 played, 0 started
Dallas Cowboys
> Worst draft pick: Bill Thomas: Running back, Boston College
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 26 in 1972
> Career: 1972-1974
> Games played, started: 27 played, 1 started
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Denver Broncos
> Worst draft pick: Ted Gregory: NT, Syracuse
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 26 in 1988
> Career: 1988-1988
> Games played, started: 3 played, 0 started
Detroit Lions
> Worst draft pick: Reggie Rogers: Defensive end, Washington
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 7 in 1987
> Career: 1987-1992
> Games played, started: 15 played, 2 started
Green Bay Packers
> Worst draft pick: Rich Campbell: Quarterback, California
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 6 in 1981
> Career: 1981-1984
> Games played, started: 7 played, 0 started
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Houston Texans
> Worst draft pick: Kevin Johnson: CB, Iowa State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 16 in 2015
> Career: 2015-2020
> Games played, started: 64 played, 5 started
Indianapolis Colts
> Worst draft pick: Trev Alberts: Linebacker, Nebraska
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 5 in 1994
> Career: 1994-1996
> Games played, started: 29 played, 7 started
Jacksonville Jaguars
> Worst draft pick: R. Jay Soward: Wide receiver, USC
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 29 in 2000
> Career: 2000-2000
> Games played, started: 13 played, 2 started
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Kansas City Chiefs
> Worst draft pick: Trezelle Jenkins: Tackle, Michigan
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 31 in 1995
> Career: 1995-1997
> Games played, started: 9 played, 1 started
Las Vegas Raiders
> Worst draft pick: JaMarcus Russell: Quarterback, LSU
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 1 in 2007
> Career: 2007-2009
> Games played, started: 31 played, 25 started
Los Angeles Chargers
> Worst draft pick: Ryan Leaf: Quarterback, Washington State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 2 in 1998
> Career: 1998-2001
> Games played, started: 25 played, 21 started
Los Angeles Rams
> Worst draft pick: Clyde Duncan: Wide receiver, Tennessee
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 17 in 1984
> Career: 1984-1985
> Games played, started: 19 played, 0 started
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Miami Dolphins
> Worst draft pick: Yatil Green: Wide receiver, Miami (FL)
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 15 in 1997
> Career: 1999-1999
> Games played, started: 8 played, 1 started
Minnesota Vikings
> Worst draft pick: Leo Hayden: Running back, Ohio State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 24 in 1971
> Career: 1971-1973
> Games played, started: 13 played, 0 started
New England Patriots
> Worst draft pick: Reggie Dupard: Running back, SMU
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 26 in 1986
> Career: 1986-1990
> Games played, started: 51 played, 7 started
New Orleans Saints
> Worst draft pick: Shawn Knight: Defensive end, BYU
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 11 in 1987
> Career: 1987-1989
> Games played, started: 31 played, 1 started
New York Giants
> Worst draft pick: Rocky Thompson: Running back, West Texas A&M
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 18 in 1971
> Career: 1971-1973
> Games played, started: 29 played, 1 started
New York Jets
> Worst draft pick: Michael Taylor: Linebacker, Michigan
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 20 in 1972
> Career: 1972-1973
> Games played, started: 22 played, 8 started
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Philadelphia Eagles
> Worst draft pick: Kevin Allen: Tackle, Indiana
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 9 in 1985
> Career: 1985-1985
> Games played, started: 16 played, 4 started
Pittsburgh Steelers
> Worst draft pick: Huey Richardson: Linebacker, Florida
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 15 in 1991
> Career: 1991-1992
> Games played, started: 16 played, 0 started
San Francisco 49ers
> Worst draft pick: Reggie McGrew: Defensive tackle, Florida
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 24 in 1999
> Career: 2000-2002
> Games played, started: 24 played, 0 started
Seattle Seahawks
> Worst draft pick: Dan McGwire: Quarterback, San Diego State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 16 in 1991
> Career: 1991-1995
> Games played, started: 13 played, 5 started
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Worst draft pick: O.J. Howard: Tight end, Alabama
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 19 in 2017
> Career: 2017-present
> Games played, started: 59 played, 46 started
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Tennessee Titans
> Worst draft pick: George Amundson: Running back, Iowa State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 14 in 1973
> Career: 1973-1975
> Games played, started: 29 played, 5 started
Washington Commanders
> Worst draft pick: Andre Johnson: Tackle, Penn State
> Drafted: Round 1, pick 30 in 1996
> Career: 1997-1998
> Games played, started: 3 played, 0 started
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