Bruce Clark, the infamous Penn State defensive end who spurned Green Bay in 1980 and instead signed with the Canadian Football League, wasn't the first or the only first-round draft pick to reject the Packers and jump to a rival league.

PackersNews  wrote:

I'll look at recent draft history.

Worst pick to me is Mandarich. This is not just because of hindsight either. The guy point blank told Green Bay not to pick him. He thought he was a rock star and wanted to play with the Raiders. Looking at all the gems around him, it just pisses me off that they picked a guy who wanted nothing to do with our organization and then was a bust. Fail X 2 in my opinion.


Best is Aaron Rodgers. I'll admit to being a rather pissed at the time as it made no sense to burn a first round pick on a back-up, but now we may have almost 30 years (knock on wood a deal gets done and Aaron stays healthy) with a MVP/HOF calibre quarterback. Brilliant move.

Originally Posted by: TheKanataThrilla 

I'll look at recent draft history.

Worst pick to me is Mandarich. This is not just because of hindsight either. The guy point blank told Green Bay not to pick him. He thought he was a rock star and wanted to play with the Raiders. Looking at all the gems around him, it just pisses me off that they picked a guy who wanted nothing to do with our organization and then was a bust. Fail X 2 in my opinion.


Best is Aaron Rodgers. I'll admit to being a rather pissed at the time as it made no sense to burn a first round pick on a back-up, but now we may have almost 30 years (knock on wood a deal gets done and Aaron stays healthy) with a MVP/HOF calibre quarterback. Brilliant move.

Originally Posted by: TheKanataThrilla 

I will go with these two picks as well.

Mandy over Clark because he was a higher selection and they could have had Kevin's heartthrob, D Thomas or D Sanders instead. All three or in the Hall.

While there were good players after Clark the only first round pick that is the Hall is Art Monk.

As for Rodgers over Starr. I went with Aaron this time. It was dumb luck that he fell that far. I was thrilled to use a first round pick for a backup. Knowing Brett had been thinking about retiring and he would probably do so 2-3 years later there would be the perfect developmental stage for Aaron to hold the clipboard.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

At least he played for them after they picked him. Bruce Clark said he wouldn't and he didn't. That make him my worst pick.

Best pick I'd have to say Bart Starr. It took him a while to click but there are still people who argue that he was the greatest packers QB ever.

Smartest pick, Aaron Rodgers but then some people call it a no brainer pick. I guess that is why I don't consider it the best pick, because it was a no brainer. Still it was not an area of pressing need so for Ted Thompson to take the chance and stash him away was a very smart move.

Originally Posted by: sschind 

I can clearly remember reading an article stating that every team in the league would have picked Aikman #1 and Madarich #2, except one. The Vikings had Mandarich #1 and Aikman #2. So I don't look at that as a Packer mistake, just a busted pick. Sure wish the Queens would have had the #1 pick that year.

Originally Posted by: PackerTraxx