Day 1 of the NFL Draft is the launching pad for college prospects destined to be stars. The right fit can unlock a player’s true potential while lifting whatever savvy team drafted him to new heights, paving the way for playoff runs and Pro Bowl invitations for years to come.
That’s not how it always works out, though. While the first round has the highest hit rate when it comes to pumping out reliable starters compared to the six that follow, it’s still the backdrop to broken dreams and disappointing performances.
In some cases, these players couldn’t handle the jump in difficulty from college to the pros. Some busts were the victim of a bad stylistic fit. And others were washed out thanks to off-field problems that marred their careers.
Either way, the first round is filled with players who fell well short of greatness. Here are the biggest ones from each team, spanning from the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to now.
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