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The Ten Biggest Draft Busts in Atlanta Falcons History

By Carter Breazeale

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Number One: Aundray Bruce

Among grizzled, long-suffering Falcons fans, you’ll find spirited debate over Aundray Bruce or Bruce Pickens as the hands-down biggest draft bust in Atlanta history. For Blogging Dirty’s list, however, he holds that ignominious distinction. The Falcons could have brought Michael Irvin to town. Sterling Sharpe could have adorned the red and black. Alas, this was not the case, and Atlanta hitched its wagon to Auburn outside linebacker Aundray Bruce with the first overall pick in 1988. Judging by the other entries on this list, Bruce should have been a signal for the franchise to steer clear of early-round pass rushers from the SEC in the future.

Aundray Bruce accumulated a mere 16 sacks over four seasons before he fizzled out with the Falcons. While he continued that string of under-production with the Raiders until 1998, Aundray Bruce will go down as the worst decision Atlanta has ever made on Draft Day.

– Carter Breazeale