Worst draft pick ever

As Kansas City, Baltimore, Detroit, and San Francisco gear up for their conference championship games, the remaining 28 NFL teams are shifting their focus to free agency, set to begin on March 13, and the upcoming NFL Draft scheduled for April 24-27 in Detroit.

Over the last five years, virtually every team has experienced the desire for a do-over on at least one of its draft picks. Compiled by Yardbarker NFL writers, here’s an overview of the worst draft selections for each AFC team since 2018.

AFC East

– Buffalo Bills | OL Cody Ford (2019): Despite trading up to select Ford 38th overall, he struggled as the right tackle, leading to his move inside. After allowing seven sacks and 31 pressures as a rookie, Ford faced challenges for two seasons before being traded to the Cardinals for a 2023 fifth-rounder.

– Miami Dolphins | CB Noah Igbinoghene (2020): Selected as a developmental project, Igbinoghene’s tenure with the Dolphins proved disastrous, prompting his trade to the Cowboys for CB Kelvin Joseph after posting 29 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception in 32 games.

– New York Jets | QB Sam Darnold (2018): Despite Wilson’s underperformance, the Jets wouldn’t have drafted him in 2021 if Darnold, chosen third overall in 2018, had thrived. In three seasons with the Jets, Darnold threw for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions.

– New England Patriots | WR N’Keal Harry (2019): Passing on Lamar Jackson twice in 2018 may be a regret, but the Patriots’ worst recent pick was Harry, who, chosen in the first round, struggled with injuries, catching 57 passes for 598 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons before being traded to the Bears for a 2024 seventh-rounder.

AFC West

– Denver Broncos | WR Jerry Jeudy (2020): Selected ahead of star receivers, Jeudy, picked 15th overall, has not earned any Pro Bowl nods in four seasons, and Denver is considering moving on from him this offseason.

– Kansas City Chiefs | DE Breeland Speaks (2018): Speaks underwhelmed in one season with the Chiefs, logging only 1.5 sacks in 16 games. Since being waived in 2020, he has struggled to find a place in the NFL, recently signing with the Michigan Panthers in the United Football League.

– Las Vegas Raiders | OL Alex Leatherwood (2021): Chosen 17th overall, Leatherwood’s selection was touted as a risk that did not pan out. After one season in Las Vegas, he was waived in 2022.

– Los Angeles Chargers | WR Quentin Johnston (2023): Despite having only two receiving TDs in 17 games, Johnston, the 21st overall pick in the first round, may still turn his career around. However, the Chargers’ decision to pass on other available receivers raises questions.

AFC North

– Baltimore Ravens | WR Rashod Bateman (2021): Picked in the first round with other notable receivers still available, Bateman’s 47 catches for 652 yards and three touchdowns over the past two seasons make him the team’s biggest WR whiff in recent memory.

– Cleveland Browns | QB Baker Mayfield (2018): Drafting Mayfield over Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson with the No. 1 pick in 2018 proved to be a headache for the Browns. Mayfield, talented but not a fit for Cleveland, remains a contentious pick.

– Cincinnati Bengals | TE Drew Sample (2019): The Bengals wasted their 2019 second-round pick on Sample, who has only amassed 621 yards receiving and three touchdown catches in five seasons, especially painful considering the available playmakers during that draft.

– Pittsburgh Steelers | LB Devin Bush (2019): The Steelers traded significant picks to select Bush at No. 10 in the 2019 NFL Draft. After a promising rookie season, he suffered a torn ACL in 2020 and became a backup in Seattle this season.

AFC South

– Houston Texans | CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. (2019): With just three years of service following a second-round pick, Johnson Jr. had modest numbers and was cut in 2022.

– Indianapolis Colts | DE Ben Banogu (2019): A forgettable four-year run with the Colts saw Banogu producing only 29 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, making him a regrettable second-round pick.

– Jacksonville Jaguars | DT Taven Bryan (2018): Drafted 29th overall in 2018, Bryan lasted just three seasons with the Jaguars, producing 5.5 sacks before moving on to Cleveland and Indianapolis in 2022 and 2023.

– Tennessee Titans | OT Isaiah Wilson (2020): Wilson, the 29th overall pick, went down in history as one of the biggest draft busts, facing legal issues and contributing only three offensive snaps for the Titans.