In 2012, during the NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins made a massive trade with the St. Louis Rams, giving up their first-round picks for the next three years and a second-round pick that year to acquire the second overall top pick and gamble everything on selecting Robert Griffin III, using the future of the team to secure this cornerstone quarterback.
This move remains one of the best cautionary tales in NFL Draft history.
On one hand, Griffin III suffered injuries. Despite showcasing exceptional performance in his first two seasons, making it seem like Washington had found its dynasty cornerstone, Griffin III quickly burned out like a meteor, leaving the Redskins wounded and diminished.
On the other hand, the Redskins bet their team's future for three years. Whether Griffin III was worth it or not, it was a risky gamble. Even if Griffin III had stayed injury-free, forfeiting three years of first-round picks proved to be a critical weakness.
Every experience is also a lesson—
