Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 worst draft picks of all-time
By Dani Bostick
5. Quarterback Mark Malone, Round 1, 1980
Compared to JaMarcus Russell and Johnny Manziel, Mark Malone is Tom Brady. When you compare him to a larger sample size, however, Malone was a bust.
Malone was with the Steelers from 1980 to 1987, playing a year with the Chargers and one with the Jets before retiring in 1989. Malone’s career was plagued with injuries. He missed all of the 1982 season, much of the 1985 season, and several games during the 1986 season.
Coming off of a Super Bowl Championship against the Los Angeles Rams in 1979, the Steelers hoped to continue that positive momentum into the next decade. Malone did not help the Steelers meet that objective. The Steelers had more losing seasons than winning seasons under Malone.
Eventually, the Steelers traded Malone to the San Diego Chargers in 1988 for an eighth-round draft pick. Though Malone was talented and had a successful career at Arizona State, he was not the man the Steelers needed in the pocket.
The Chargers beat the Steelers 20-14 with Malone at quarterback. Nonetheless, Malone’s career was unremarkable his single year with Chargers and Jets.
What makes this pick even worse is that with Malone on staff, the Steelers opted to pass on Dan Marino in 1983, arguably the team’s worst draft mistake.
Next: 4. Running Back Walter Abercrombie, Round 1, 1982