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
3 of 33
Next
Aundray Bruce
Aundray Bruce (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /

Biggest NFL Draft bust from Atlanta Falcons history: Aundray Bruce, LB

Stats: 

  • 32 sacks
  • 264 tackles

The University of Auburn had the one player NFL scouts were fawning over, outside linebacker Aundray Bruce. He was an All-American, the Citrus Bowl MVP and took home a number of other awards that made him the runaway favorite as the best player in the 1988 draft.

The Atlanta Falcons believed they were fortunate to have the top pick in the NFL Draft that season and grabbed him as soon as they were given the opportunity. It was the first and only time a linebacker was taken with the first overall pick. While it was a bit risky, Bruce’s talent was simply undeniable.

With their new shiny toy, the Falcons set him out on the NFL world to see what he could do. They waited, waited, waited and waited some more. Then, after twiddling their thumbs, realized that he wasn’t able to do much of anything. By the time year three rolled by, Bruce was officially a bench warmer, playing sparingly if ever. He never registered a double-digit sack season. He was also never selected as a Pro Bowler or All-Pro player. Bruce was simply a gigantic waste of a pick and Falcons fans simply won’t forget it.

Home/NFL