Ranking the 5 worst trades of the last 5 years feat. Russell Wilson to Denver Broncos

As the Denver Broncos learned with Russell Wilson, not every trade works out. Some trades result in a shot in the arm, while others are looked back on like giving up the golden goose. It seems that there are more trades that don't work out than those that do, but the last few years have featured some true failed trades. Here's a look the five worst trades since the last gasp of the 2010s.

#5 - Carson Wentz to Indianapolis Colts

The Colts thought they might be getting an MVP-caliber addition. Instead, they found themselves back at the quarterback slot machine in short order. In 2021, they sent the Eagles a third-round pick and a conditional first-round pick. The quarterback threw for 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions but failed to get the team into the postseason in his only season with the team.

Carson Wentz has since bounced around to the Commanders, Rams and Chiefs, proving that the Colts were right to move on but wrong to trade for him in the first place.

#4 - Jamal Adams to Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks handed the New York Jets their biggest win of the 2020s in a transaction for Jamal Adams. The safety cost the Seahawks two first-round picks, per NBC Sports. The move was a resounding failure as the Seahawks cut ties with Adams this offseason.

Adams had failed to perform more than a 65.0 PFF grade and in his final season with the team, he earned just a 54.9 PFF grade.

#3 - AJ Brown to Philadelphia Eagles

There are some trades where the one giving up the picks loses big. On the other hand, there are some trades where the one giving up the player loses big. This was a case of the latter. In the opening moments of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Titans sent the Eagles Brown in exchange for four 2022 draft picks, per ESPN.

The Titans soon reversed course on their decision to go without a No. 1 receiver, picking up a much older DeAndre Hopkins one year after the trade. Meanwhile, the move birthed the Eagles' run back to the Super Bowl with an entirely new roster and staff in one of the quickest rebuilds in NFL history.

#2 - Deshaun Watson to Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns cut ties with Baker Mayfield to make room for Watson. In addition, the team gave the Houston Texans three first-round picks, two fourth-round picks and a third-round pick for the quarterback, per CBS Sports. Some might believe that the jury is still out, but Watson has yet to play a full season for the team.

He also had the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL history. Nearing the midway point of his deal, the mere fact he needs to prove himself this late into the deal elevates it considerably on this list. The price was shocking and the results are in line if not slightly below Baker Mayfield's deal, who is coming off his first playoff appearance since leaving the team.

#1 - Russell Wilson to Denver Broncos

The Russell Wilson trade ranks as one of the worst trades in NFL history, let alone in the last five years. Russell Wilson was handed to the Broncos in exchange for Noah Fant, Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick. The Broncos got a fifth-round pick also in addition to Wilson, per Yardbarker.

In both of his two seasons, the Broncos finished under .500. It took adding Sean Payton to make Russell Wilson look anything like the product they thought they were getting in the first place, which was another blockbuster trade. Put simply, he didn't come close to living up to the Super Bowl hype.

That said, at least Broncos fans got a slight taste of what Russell Wilson, their Super Bowl 48 rival had given the Seahawks for a few weeks in 2023.