As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Tennessee Titans are gearing up to make their first No. 1 overall pick in decades. The history of No. 1 draft picks is littered with both triumphs and disappointments, highlighting the unpredictability of the selection process. Recent years have seen a trend of teams focusing on quarterbacks, with eight of the last ten top choices being signal-callers. However, this also raises questions about past picks that have not lived up to expectations.

This article dives into the ten worst No. 1 picks since 2000, starting with JaMarcus Russell, deemed the worst overall pick in NFL history. Others include quarterbacks like Sam Bradford and Baker Mayfield, as well as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and offensive tackle Eric Fisher, whose selections have been overshadowed by more successful players drafted later. The analysis examines how the performance of these players and their contemporaries shapes their legacies and the narratives surrounding draft day decisions.