NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

NFL Draft: Biggest bust from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

LOS ANGELES, CA - CIRCA 1988:Aundray Bruce of the Atlanta Falcons against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1988 in Los Angeles,California on November 20th 1988. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - CIRCA 1988:Aundray Bruce of the Atlanta Falcons against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1988 in Los Angeles,California on November 20th 1988. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
28 of 33
Next
Mark Malone
Mark Malone (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Biggest NFL Draft bust from Pittsburgh Steelers history: Mark Malone, QB

Stats: 

  • 10,175 passing yards
  • 60 touchdowns
  • 81 interceptions
  • 50.9 completion percentage

The Steelers needed help. Ben Roethlisberger was still a number of years away from entering the league and quarterback Mark Malone appeared to be the best guy to lead them to championship glory. Pittsburgh decided to take a chance on him with the last pick in the first round in the 1980 draft.

Malone would spend the next few years coming off the bench. When he was given the opportunity to show what he could do, Pittsburgh fans begged for him to be subbed out of the game. With few options in 1984, Malone was given the full-time starting gig. Mostly on the back of the defense, the Steelers advanced to the AFC Championship game. Malone was simply asked not to screw things up as a starter.

Well, he didn’t get the memo. Outside of his 1985 season, Malone never threw more touchdowns than interceptions. 1987 was particularly bad. Malone threw for only 1,896 yards to go along with six touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He also struggled with accuracy, completing only 46.4 percent of his passes. Malone would eventually be dropped as the Steelers realized they couldn’t win with him under center. For his career, Malone completed 50.9 percent of his passes, just a clear indication of how terrible he truly was.

Home/NFL