Every team's most desired NFL Draft do-over: Steelers passing on Dan Marino in 1983 among all-time whiffs

If given the chance, every NFL team would change these draft gaffes

Bryan DeArdo

Apr 13, 2026

8:47 am ET

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16 min read

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Tony Dorsett is the definition of a slam-dunk draft pick. After winning a Super Bowl in 1971 (and coming just short in 1975), the Cowboys were a featured running back away from being a title team again. Dallas selected Dorsett on May 3, 1977. Eight months later, the University of Pittsburgh's all-time leading rusher scored a touchdown in the Cowboys' Super Bowl XII victory.

To the chagrin of NFL teams and fans, that scenario is not the rule but the exception. Far too often then they'd like to admit, teams have whiffed on picks that would have netted them a substantial gain. Some teams managed to recover from their draft faux pas, while other teams are still kicking themselves for their mistakes.

With the 2026 NFL Draft nearing kickoff, we decided to take a look at each NFL team's most desired do-over. Needless to say, teams will try to avoid making similar mistakes during this year's draft.

Arizona Cardinals

2006 NFL Draft, 10th overall pick: QB Matt Leinart

In the short term, this pick didn't really hurt the Cardinals. They made the Super Bowl in 2008, after all. But the pick definitely hurt Arizona in the long run.

The Cardinals could have selected Jay Cutler, who was taken one pick after Leinart. Cutler -- who went on to enjoy success in Denver and Chicago -- could have been Kurt Warner's successor or even challenged Warner as the team's starting quarterback.

Arizona (which finished 32nd in rushing during its Super Bowl season) could have also used the pick to select a running back. The '06 draft had several talented running backs selected after Leinart that included Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams and Joseph Addai.

Atlanta Falcons

1991 NFL Draft, No. 3 overall pick: DB Bruce Pickens

Atlanta was looking for a defensive back who could complement Deion Sanders. If the Falcons had a do-over, they surely would have instead drafted Todd Light, who was selected two spots after Pickens. Pickens lasted less than three seasons in Atlanta, while Light enjoyed a successful 12-year career that included a Super Bowl win with the Rams in 1999.

Baltimore Ravens

2003 NFL Draft, 19th overall pick: QB Kyle Boller

After selecting Terrell Suggs with the 10th overall pick, Baltimore traded its 2004 first-round pick to New England to select Boller, who completed less than 48% of his throws in four years at California. He also never threw for over 2,815 yards during a season in college and threw just 16 more touchdowns (64) than interceptions (48) during his years with the Golden Bears.

The Patriots used the Ravens' draft pick to select Vince Wilfork, who won two Super Bowls in New England while becoming a five-time Pro Bowler and a borderline Hall of Fame player. Boller, however, won less than half of his starts in Baltimore before retiring with more interceptions (54) than touchdown passes (48).

Buffalo Bills

2004 NFL Draft, 22nd overall pick: QB J.P. Losman

After missing out on Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers, Buffalo (after selecting receiver Lee Evans with the 13th pick), traded its second- and fourth-round picks, as well as the next year's first-round pick, to select Losman. It goes without saying that the Bills would have been better served saving those picks.

Had the Bills not traded their 2005 first-round pick, they would have had the 20th overall pick, which would have put them in position to select Aaron Rodgers, who has put together a Hall of Fame career that includes four league MVP awards and a Super Bowl MVP to boot.

Carolina Panthers

2008 NFL Draft, 19th overall pick: OT Jeff Otah

It's safe to say that the Panthers would select a different offensive tackle if they could jump into Doc Brown's DeLorean.

Instead of taking Otah (who appeared in just 27 games over three seasons), Carolina would surely spend the pick on Duane Brown, who was taken by Houston with the 26th pick. Brown developed into a five-time Pro Bowler who made 218 career regular-season starts.

Chicago Bears

2017 NFL Draft, No. 2 overall pick: QB Mitchell Trubisky

Eight picks after the Bears selected Trubisky (who lasted four seasons in Chicago and is now a backup in Buffalo), the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes, who has since won two league and three Super Bowl MVP awards. It's safe to say that, if given the chance at a do-over, the Bears would have instead drafted Mahomes.

Chicago had another unsuccessful experience in 2021 when they selected former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields in the first round. It does appear that the Bears have finally found their long-term solution at QB in Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft.

Cincinnati Bengals

1999 NFL Draft, No. 3 overall pick: QB Akili Smith

Cincinnati would have been b