Commanders Select Offensive Tackle Conerly, Fans Weigh In

The NFL Draft is often seen as a critical opportunity for teams to rebuild or strengthen their rosters, but poor draft decisions can severely hinder long-term success. Teams like the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders have made infamous No. 1 overall picks, such as JaMarcus Russell and Tim Couch, whose careers never matched expectations, highlighting the risks of top selections. Similarly, franchises like the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals have struggled with draft missteps in recent years, with the Dolphins' 2013 and 2017 classes and the Cardinals' overall performance from 2020–2024 being singled out as particularly damaging. While Arizona's recent drafts under new management show promise, their overall draft record in the past five years was ranked worst in the league. These examples underscore that while the draft can be a source of hope, repeated misses can set franchises back for years, making successful drafting essential for sustained competitiveness.