LAST 5 YEARS QB BUSTS

qb busts last 5 years all rounds





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The most notable recent NFL quarterback draft busts from the classes of 2021 through 2025 span early first-round picks to mid-round disappointments, heavily highlighted by high-profile misses like Zach Wilson and Trey Lance who failed to live up to massive draft capital. [1, 2]

First-Round Busts & Major Disappointments


Zach Wilson (2021, Round 1, Pick 2): Drafted by the New York Jets; struggled severely with accuracy and turnovers before being traded away.

Trey Lance (2021, Round 1, Pick 3): Cost the San Francisco 49ers multiple first-round picks, saw minimal action due to injuries, and was traded for a late-round pick.

Mac Jones (2021, Round 1, Pick 15): After a promising rookie year with the New England Patriots, regressed sharply and was eventually traded.

Kenny Pickett (2022, Round 1, Pick 20): Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, traded after two underwhelming seasons following a benching.

Bryce Young (2023, Round 1, Pick 1): The former No. 1 overall pick for the Carolina Panthersstruggled mightily in his first two years behind poor rosters, putting him on a heavy bust trajectory. [1, 2, 3]

Mid-to-Late Round Flops (Rounds 2–7)


Kellen Mond (2021, Round 3, Pick 66): Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings; failed to secure a backup role and was quickly cut.

Davis Mills (2021, Round 3, Pick 67): Showed occasional flashes for the Houston Texans, but cemented himself as a lower-tier backup rather than a franchise solution.
Malik Willis (2022, Round 3, Pick 86): Drafted by the Tennessee Titans; overwhelmed early and lost his primary backup job before moving on.
Matt Corral (2022, Round 3, Pick 94): Drafted by the Carolina Panthers; missed his rookie year to injury and failed to make an NFL roster impact

 

The NFL has a QB development problem.

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