The WORST Green Bay Packer First Round Draft Picks of the Last 50 Years...

As the 2009 NFL Draft approaches, and anticipation builds, do the Packers really know what they will be getting with their first round draft pick?  History says, um, not necessarily. Submitted for your approval:



1980 Bruce Clark, DT - Selected fourth overall

(taken before Art Monk, Matt Millen, Otis Wilson, Dwight Stevenson)

Out of Penn State University, Bruce Clark was a College All American and the first player to win the Lombardi Trophy as a junior. He went on to have a good career, but not for the Packers. Drafted by the Packers with the 4th pick of the draft, he instead signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

While money was one factor, reportedly the main reason he went north was he didn't want to play middle guard (now known as nose tackle) in the Packers 3-man line. This was easily Bart Starr's biggest blunder as GM. Most likely the topic was discussed with Clark, but Starr probably was confidant he could convince Clark to do what is best for the team. Unfortunately, he underestimated the new attitude among athletes - me first.

This selection makes the list not because of the player's lack of talent, but simply because the Packers got absolutely nothing out of a high first round pick. An inexcusable blunder.



1987 Brent Fullwood, RB - Selected fourth overall

(taken before Shane Conlan, Rod Woodson, Jim Harbaugh, Tim McDonald)

Out of Auburn University, Brent Fullwood gained 3700 yards rushing and scored 24 touchdowns for the Tigers. Green Bay made him the fourth overall pick of the draft, and expected big things. Fullwood never really delivered, however. Fullwood lasted only 4 years with the Packers, starting 30 games and rushing for 1700 yards. Almost half of those yards came in 1989, where he actually was named to the Pro Bowl.

Unfortunately, his career took a nosedive after that. Constant injuries and a seeming lack of motivation caused the Packers to tire of him quickly. The next training camp they were willing to waive him, but managed to convince the Cleveland Browns to take their former number one draft pick for a future low-round draft choice. Fullwood never played a game for Cleveland.

One decent year for a top-five first round draft pick... spells B-U-S-T



1965 Larry Elkins, WR - Selected tenth overall

(taken before Joe Namath, Lance Rentzel, Fred Biletnikoff)

Out of Baylor University, Larry Elkins was a consensus All-American his junior and senior years. He was MVP of the 1965 Hula Bowl and still holds the Baylor single game receiving record with 12 catches. The tenth pick of the draft, Elkins was actually the second of the Packers' two first round picks (fortunately the first one, Donnie Anderson, worked out a little better).

This was the era of the competing leagues, and Elkins never played a down for the Packers. Instead, he signed with the Houston Oilers of the rival American Football League. He never started a game, injured his knee his rookie season and broke his collarbone his second season. He decided to retire after that.

In 2001, Elkins was quoted as describing what happened in his pro career as "rather unlucky". The same could be said for the Packers.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?