18. Biggest NFL Draft busts of all-time – Atlanta Falcons LB Aundray Bruce
It often takes a special prospect for a defensive player to be picked first overall in the NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons thought they had found a generational talent at linebacker when they took Aundray Bruce with the top pick in the 1987 draft.
A two-time All-SEC performer at Auburn, Bruce was the MVP of the 1987 Citrus Bowl and was regarded as the next Lawrence Taylor. While Bruce did play for 11 years in the NFL he never achieved anything close to an LT level of production.
The Falcons had Bruce for four seasons, where he racked up 16 sacks, 176 tackles, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in 62 games. Those numbers were the equivalent of a solid starter, not a generational talent.
Bruce’s pro career wrapped up with a seven-year stint playing for the Raiders, where he was again a solid but unspectacular contributor on defense. The failure of Bruce has had a tremendous impact on the linebacker position since no team has ever taken a linebacker with the top pick since Bruce busted.