With The First Pick
Fansided

What Could’ve Been: 10 NFL draft picks whose careers had so much promise

By Anthony Pastore

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 16: Chris Borland #50 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a tackle against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 16, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 16: Chris Borland #50 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a tackle against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 16, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Aldon Smith #99 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warm-ups against the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park on September 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Aldon Smith #99 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warm-ups against the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park on September 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

#2 Aldon Smith: (2011, 49ers, No. 7 overall)

This is truly one of the more sad and frustrating stories in recent memory. The 49ers grabbed the long, talented edge rusher from Missouri in the 2011 Draft with the seventh pick overall. Smith paired immediately with Justin Smith to make one of the most destructive duos ever during their tenure.

Through Smith’s first two years he had more sacks than anyone in recorded history. Smith seemed locked in to being a perennial All-Pro. Until he was wasn’t.

Multiple arrested and suspensions turned the mercurially talented Smith into plutonium. He was released by the 49ers after only four seasons. Smith and his demons relocated across the Bay to the Oakland Raiders only to find more trouble. Smith’s career is over.

Having not played in an NFL game since 2015, the only hope now is that Smith can find the right path for success in life.

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