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Green Bay Packers: 5 worst NFL Draft picks of all-time

By Josh Criswell

Aug 9, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Green Bay Packers helmet on the sideline during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Green Bay Packers helmet on the sideline during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Iowa’s Randy Duncan (25) handed off to back Willie Fleming (15) who circled left end behind guard Hugh Drake (66) for short yardage in the second period against Notre Dame. Irish tackle Joe Scibelli (79) made the tackle.
Iowa’s Randy Duncan (25) handed off to back Willie Fleming (15) who circled left end behind guard Hugh Drake (66) for short yardage in the second period against Notre Dame. Irish tackle Joe Scibelli (79) made the tackle. /

4. Randy Duncan (1959: first round, 1st overall)

The Green Bay Packers did not necessarily set themselves back with the botched selection of Randy Duncan in 1959 NFL Draft, but his stature as the No. 1 overall pick makes it impossible to ignore him among the worst picks in franchise history.

Much like Bruce Clark, Duncan arrived at the NFL Draft as a hot commodity fresh off of an impressive final season in the collegiate ranks. After a slow start to his career at Iowa, the 6-foot, 185-pound quarterback led the Hawkeyes to a Rose Bowl victory in 1958 en route to claiming a handful of postseason honors. Duncan was named a consensus All-American and the Walter Camp Award recipient after leading the nation in passing yards, completion percentage and touchdowns.

Unfortunately for Green Bay, a prolific college career was not the only similarity he would share with Clark.

Duncan was not enticed by the opportunity to join a Packers team that had won just one game the year before, and elected to sign a two-year contract with the Columbia Lions. He would never suit up for the Packers, and played just one season in the AFL for the Dallas Texans before retiring.

The decision to not sign with the Packers was Duncan’s loss. Rookie head coach Vince Lombardi was named Coach of the Year in 1959, and would lead the team to five NFL Championships with Bart Starr — a 17th round pick from the 1956 NFL Draft — as his quarterback.

Next: No. 3

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