30 worst No. 1 overall picks in NFL Draft history: 8. LB, Aundray Bruce
Stats:
- 32 sacks
- 264 tackles
When it came to defense in the late 1980s, there was no one better on that side of the ball than outside linebacker Aundray Bruce.
While attending Auburn University, Bruce became a legend long before he threw on a pair of NFL cleats. During his time in college, Bruce left everyone’s jaw on the ground whenever he stepped foot on the field. He was named to the All-Southeastern Conference team in both 1986 and 1987. Bruce was also an All-American and the MVP of the Citrus Bowl.
On countless occasions, Bruce would pick off opposing QBs and prance his way to the end zone. Bruce was so dominant in fact, that he was actually compared to Lawrence Taylor. I’ll give you a moment to get all of your laughter out.
…done? Great, let’s continue.
Bruce was selected with the first overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. His first year under the bright lights was solid. Bruce registered 70 tackles and six sacks. But while many believed that was a good starting point, Bruce would essentially never replicate those numbers again.
For roughly ten years Bruce played hard and gave it his all, he simply wasn’t very good. Sick and tired of his mediocre play, the Falcons severed ties with him and Bruce began bouncing from team to team.
With the once promising linebacker pegged as the next Lawrence Taylor, it makes you wonder if the person who made those comparisons is still employed today. Anyways, we’ll give you another moment to get the laughter out of your system.