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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2. Travis Tidwell, selected seventh overall in 1950 by the New York Giants

Travis Tidwell was Auburn’s first great quarterback, leading the Southeastern Conference in total offense in 1946. Three years later, he led the Tigers to a stunning 14-13 upset over rival Alabama in the second game  after the series was renewed.

The Giants then selected Tidwell seventh overall in the first round. Even back then, an NFL team expected big things out of its top draft picks. But Tidwell lasted just two years with the Giants, starting just four games and playing in just 14 games. In his NFL career, Tidwell completed just 43 percent of his passes.

Tidwell threw for five touchdowns and rushed for two more. That’s not exactly the output a team expects from a first-round pick. An argument could be made that Tidwell was a worse pick than Bruce because of his short tenure.