2012: Robert Griffin III (Washington Football Team)

With the 2nd Overall Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Washington “Football Team” selects Robert Griffin III, quarterback from Baylor University. Looking back on it with hindsight bias, it is obvious that this pick was an absolute bust. But how much did the Football Team really give up to move up to the 2nd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft?

Football Team Received:

• 2nd Overall Pick (2012)

Rams Received: 

• 6th Overall Pick (2012)

• 39th Overall Pick (2012)

• First-Round Pick (2013)

• First-Round Pick (2014)

The Rams were able to use this haul to trade for even more draft picks, as they moved down the draft, and eventually acquired eight players through this haul from the Football Team. With these eight picks, they selected: DT Michael Brockers, CB Janoris Jenkins, RB Isiah Pead, LB Alec Ogletree, OL Rokevious Watkins, WR Stedman Bailey, RB Zac Stacy and OT Greg Robinson. 

For starters, the Rams absolutely butchered this opportunity to revamp their franchise and were unable to successfully find a talented, franchise player with any of these eight picks. However, the Rams still won this trade, snagging four productive players for the franchise. Though none of them panned out to be superstars, Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins and Greg Robinson have all had relatively successful careers as starters in the NFL. They are all currently still playing in the league, but none of them remain with the Rams. 

From the Washington Football Team’s perspective, Robert Griffin III was an instant success during his rookie season. He led the Football Team to a 10-6 record, winning the NFC East and clinching a playoff berth in his first season. He threw for 3,200 passing yards along with 20 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 815 yards along with seven rushing touchdowns. This was as good of a performance the Football Team could’ve asked for, earning Griffin III Rookie of the Year honors. 

In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, Griffin III suffered a devastating injury in the middle of the fourth quarter. He tore both his LCL and ACL, leading to health issues for the rest of his career. Following that game, Griffin III went on to go 7-20 in the rest of his career starts. He was eventually replaced by QB Kirk Cousins and is now a free agent after stints with the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. s. 

At the end of the day, no matter how impressive RGIII’s rookie performance was, he is now a bust, and cost the Football Team a ton of draft capital.