Atlanta Falcons: 5 worst NFL Draft picks of all time
No. 2 Jamaal Anderson
In 2007, the Falcons were looking for some pass rush so they drafted a defensive end out of Arkansas: Jamaal Anderson.
With the 8th pick overall, big things were expected from Anderson. He started all 16 games as a rookie but did not record a sack.
It was assumed that Anderson needed time to adjust to the NFL as he was just a junior when he declared for the draft. So in 2008, he got 15 starts – this time notching two sacks.
In 2009, he started 13 times with just one-half of a sack. Once the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention head coach Mike Smith gave up on him.
Jamaal Anderson stayed with Atlanta in 2010 primarily as a backup, then bounced around the league in Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago before his career ended after 2012. He had just 7.5 sacks in six years.
The Falcons gave Anderson every chance to succeed but he could never do it, ultimately wasting that eighth overall pick.
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