Every NFL draft class produces multiple busts, some more deserving of the label than others. And we’re already getting a feel for which recent high draft picks might soon gain that unfortunate distinction. Here are 10 who risk joining the club if they don’t pick up their game in 2020.
Chicago Bears QB Mitch Trubisky: After making progress (and a Pro Bowl, albeit thanks to injuries) as a sophomore, the 2017 No. 2 overall pick was a complete mess in 2019 with a league-low 6.7 yards-per-attempt average. Now he’s merely fighting Nick Foles for the starting job, and he’s not favored to win that battle.
San Francisco 49ers DE Solomon Thomas: The highly-touted Stanford product has yet to become an impact player at the three-season mark. You need to be better than that as a No. 3 overall pick. Another ho-hum year and he’ll risk becoming a career backup.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette: The inconsistent, oft-injured former No. 4 overall pick has averaged just 4.0 yards per carry through three seasons, and now there’s talk the Jags are ready to move on. That’s not a good sign.
Tennessee Titans WR Corey Davis: That makes four of the top five picks from 2017, all of whom were drafted consecutively after Myles Garrett. Davis hasn’t been terrible, but 2019 first-rounder A.J. Brown has already become more effective. The Western Michigan product has scored just six touchdowns in three seasons.
Cincinnati Bengals WR John Ross: The oft-injured 2017 No. 9 overall pick has only 10 touchdowns and has been even less productive than Davis in Tennessee. Like the Titans, the Bengals have since used another first-round pick on a receiver. Ross might be the No. 4 option in the Cincinnati passing game.
Arizona Cardinals LB Haason Reddick: With a new regime in place, the former Temple star was an afterthought who made just five starts and played just 61 percent of Arizona’s defensive snaps in 2019. Don’t be surprised if he’s on another roster soon.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard: Howard also didn’t get much love from a new regime in Tampa, and now the Bucs have essentially replaced the 2017 No. 19 overall pick with Rob Gronkowski. With Cameron Brate also on the roster, Howard could be a trade candidate following three consecutive sub-600-yard seasons.
New Orleans Saints EDGE Marcus Davenport: The 2018 first-rounder has just 10.5 sacks in two NFL campaigns. He’ll have to show signs of progress in 2020, or he may be replaced. Rookie third-round pick Zack Baun could give him a run for reps this year.
Minnesota Vikings CB Mike Hughes: All eyes are on the third-year No. 30 overall selection after the Vikes lost their top three corners in the offseason. Hughes has made just five starts thus far and has lacked consistency when he’s been on the field.
New England Patriots RB Sony Michel: The NFL world doesn’t wait long for running backs, and Michel is battling with a crowd in New England. The 2018 No. 31 overall pick regressed with a 3.7 yards-per-attempt average as a sophomore. Sophomore third-rounder Damien Harris could push Michel.
