Auburn Football: The five best, and five worst, NFL first-round picks from Auburn

Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Takeo Spikes, drafted 13th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1998

Two years after picking Anderson in the first round, the Bengals returned to the Plains to pick Takeo Spikes with the 13th overall pick in 1998 and plugged him into the starting lineup for the next five seasons.

Spikes then spent three years with the Buffalo Bills, where he made the Pro Bowl twice. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers in a 15-year career where he had more than 1,400 tackles, the most of any Auburn player who played in the NFL.

Spikes retired after the 2012 season. Since then, he has published a book about linebackers called “Behind the Mask.” Among his subjects is former Auburn linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene.