1978 NFL draft explained

1978 NFL draft
Date:May 2–3, 1978
Location:Roosevelt Hotel
in New York City, NY
League:NFL
Mr Irrelevant:Lee Washburn, G
Dallas Cowboys
First:Earl Campbell, RB
Houston Oilers
Fewnum:5
Fewest:Denver Broncos
Mostnum:18
Most:Cincinnati Bengals
Overall:334
Rounds:12
Prev:1977

The 1978 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 2–3, 1978, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, New York.[1] [2] The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the first overall pick in the 1978 draft, by virtue of their 2–12 record in 1977. Tampa Bay traded the pick to the Oilers, for tight end Jimmie Giles and the Oilers' first- and second-round picks in the 1978 draft, and their third- and fifth-round picks in 1979.[3]

Leon White, who was drafted in the third round, went on to have an extensive professional wrestling career as Big Van Vader.[4]

Player selections

= Pro Bowler= Hall of Famer
= compensatory selection
†= Pro Bowler[5]
‡= Hall of Famer[6]

Round eight

Pick # width=42% style="background:#A8BDEC;"NFL team !width=15% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Player !width=16% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Position !width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"College
195Kansas City ChiefsJohn Henry WhiteRunning backLouisiana Tech
196Tampa Bay BuccaneersJohn McGriffLinebackerMiami (FL)
197New York JetsDerrick GaffneyWide receiverFlorida
198New England PatriotsTerry FalconGuardMontana
199New Orleans SaintsBrooks WilliamsTight endNorth Carolina
200Green Bay PackersDennis SproulQuarterbackArizona State
201New York GiantsJeff GradyLinebackerFlorida A&M
202Washington RedskinsWalker LeeWide receiverNorth Carolina
203New York JetsMike MockPunterTexas Tech
204Minnesota VikingsMike WoodKickerSoutheast Missouri State
205Cleveland BrownsJesse TurnbowDefensive tackleTennessee
206Detroit LionsJim BreechKickerCalifornia
207Oakland RaidersMark NicholsDefensive endColorado State
208Pittsburgh SteelersRick MoserRunning backRhode Island
209Atlanta FalconsDavid AdkinsLinebackerOhio State
210Houston OilersJ. C. WilsonDefensive backPittsburgh
211Cincinnati BengalsBill MillerTackleWestern Illinois
212Chicago BearsGeorge FreitasTight endCalifornia
213New York JetsRoy EppesDefensive backClemson
214Pittsburgh SteelersAndre KeyesWide receiverCal Poly San Luis Obispo
215New England PatriotsMosi TatupuRunning backUSC
216Atlanta FalconsDavid WilliamsDefensive backTennessee-Martin
217Miami DolphinsSean ClancyLinebackerAmherst
218Baltimore ColtsMonte AnthonyRunning backNebraska
219Washington RedskinsDon HoverLinebackerWashington State
220San Diego ChargersGavin HendrickPunterWashington State
221Denver BroncosFrank SmithTackleAlabama A&M
222Dallas CowboysHomer ButlerWide receiverUCLA

Round nine

Pick # width=42% style="background:#A8BDEC;"NFL team !width=15% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Player !width=16% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Position !width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"College
223Tampa Bay BuccaneersWillie TaylorWide receiverPittsburgh
224Kansas City ChiefsLarry BrownTackleMiami (FL)
225New York JetsReggie GrantDefensive backOregon
226New Orleans SaintsRichard CarterDefensive backNorth Carolina State
227New York JetsNeil HuttonDefensive backPenn State
228Green Bay PackersKeith MyersQuarterbackUtah State
229San Francisco 49ersHerman ReddenDefensive backHoward
230Philadelphia EaglesCharles WilliamsDefensive backJackson State
231Seattle SeahawksRich GrimmettTackleIllinois
232New York GiantsBill SwiackiTight endAmherst
233San Francisco 49ersDean MooreLinebackerIowa
234Cleveland BrownsJon KramerGuardBaylor
235St. Louis CardinalsJoe MosleyTight endCentral State (OH)
236Atlanta FalconsTom PridemoreSafetyWest Virginia
237San Diego ChargersHenry BradleyDefensive tackleAlcorn State
238Cincinnati BengalsRon ShumonLinebackerWichita State
239Houston OilersJim MolDefensive endMorningside
240Minnesota VikingsMike DeutschPunterColorado State
241Pittsburgh SteelersLance ReynoldsTackleBrigham Young
242New England PatriotsTim PetersenLinebackerArizona State
243Washington RedskinsJohn HurleyQuarterbackSanta Clara
244Chicago BearsMike MartinLinebackerKentucky
245Baltimore ColtsDave StuddardTackleTexas
246Los Angeles RamsAndre AndersonDefensive endNew Mexico State
247Miami DolphinsBruce HardyTight endArizona State
248San Diego ChargersBlake WhitlatchLinebackerLouisiana State
249San Francisco 49ersSteve McDanielsTackleNotre Dame
250Dallas CowboysRuss WilliamsDefensive backTennessee

Round ten

Pick # width=42% style="background:#A8BDEC;"NFL team !width=15% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Player !width=16% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Position !width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"College
251Kansas City ChiefsEarl BryantDefensive endJackson State
252Tampa Bay BuccaneersAaron BrownLinebackerOhio State
253New York GiantsGreg JorgensenGuardNebraska
254New York JetsLouis RichardsonDefensive endFlorida State
255Buffalo BillsWill GrantCenterKentucky
256Green Bay PackersLarry KeyRunning backFlorida State
257Atlanta FalconsRicky PattonRunning backJackson State
258Seattle SeahawksRob StewartWide receiverLafayette
259Green Bay PackersMark TottenCenterFlorida
260San Francisco 49ersMike ConnellPunterCincinnati
261Cleveland BrownsBrent WatsonTackleTennessee
262Detroit LionsFred ArringtonLinebackerPurdue
263Atlanta FalconsRay StrongRunning backUNLV
264San Diego ChargersCharles PriceTight endCincinnati
265St. Louis CardinalsRandy GillLinebackerSan Jose State
266Houston OilersSteve YoungTight endWake Forest
267Cincinnati BengalsTom DePasoLinebackerPenn State
268Pittsburgh SteelersDoug BeckerLinebackerNotre Dame
269New England PatriotsBryan FergusonDefensive backMiami (FL)
270Washington RedskinsScott HartensteinDefensive endAzusa Pacific
271Chicago BearsBen ZambiasiLinebackerGeorgia
272Minnesota VikingsHughie ShawRunning backTexas A&I
273Los Angeles RamsCharles PealTackleIndiana
274Miami DolphinsMark DennardCenterTexas A&M
275Baltimore ColtsDallas OwensDefensive backKentucky
276Pittsburgh Steelers (from Buccaneers for Ernie Holmes)[7] Tom JurichKickerNorthern Arizona
277Denver BroncosVince KinneyWide receiverMaryland
278Dallas CowboysBarry TomasettiTackleIowa
0Houston Oilers (supplemental draft)Johnnie DirdenWide receiverSam Houston State

Round eleven

Pick # width=42% style="background:#A8BDEC;"NFL team !width=15% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Player !width=16% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Position !width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"College
279Pittsburgh Steelers (from Buccaneers for Ernie Holmes)Nat TerryDefensive backFlorida State
280Kansas City ChiefsRay MiloDefensive backNew Mexico State
281New York JetsPat RyanQuarterbackTennessee
282Buffalo BillsJerry BlantonLinebackerKentucky
283New Orleans SaintsNathan BesaintDefensive tackleSouthern
284Green Bay PackersTerry JonesDefensive tackleAlabama
285New Orleans SaintsDave RileyRunning backWest Virginia
286New York GiantsDennis HeimDefensive tackleSW Missouri State
287San Francisco 49ersWillie McCrayDefensive endTroy State
288Philadelphia EaglesBilly CampfieldRunning backKansas
289Detroit LionsRichard MurrayDefensive tackleOklahoma
290Cleveland BrownsLarry GillardDefensive tackleMississippi State
291Oakland RaidersDean JonesDefensive backFresno State
292Cincinnati BengalsCal PrinceRunning backLouisville
293Atlanta FalconsScooter ReedDefensive backBaylor
294Cincinnati BengalsMark DonahueGuardMichigan
295Houston OilersWillie ThicklenWide receiverAlabama State
296New England PatriotsCharlie WilliamsLinebackerFlorida
297Washington RedskinsMike WilliamsDefensive backTexas A&M
298Chicago BearsWalt UnderwoodDefensive endUSC
299Minnesota VikingsRon HarrisRunning backColorado State
300Pittsburgh SteelersTom BrzozaCenterPittsburgh
301Seattle SeahawksGeorge HalasLinebackerMiami (FL)
302Baltimore ColtsHenry MasonWide receiverCentral Missouri State
303Los Angeles RamsRon HostetlerLinebackerPenn State
304Oakland RaidersBob GlazebrookDefensive backFresno State
305Denver BroncosLacy BrumleyTackleClemson
306Dallas CowboysDennis ThurmanCornerbackUSC

Round twelve

Pick # width=42% style="background:#A8BDEC;"NFL team !width=15% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Player !width=16% style="background:#A8BDEC;"Position !width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"College
307Kansas City ChiefsWillie BrockCenterColorado
308Tampa Bay BuccaneersKevin McLeeRunning backGeorgia
309Buffalo BillsRichard CrumpRunning backNortheastern State (OK)
310New Orleans SaintsLarry HardyTight endJackson State
311New York JetsAlan WilliamsPunterFlorida
312Green Bay PackersEason RamsonTight endWashington State
313New York GiantsGreg LawsonRunning backWestern Illinois
314San Francisco 49ersDan IronsTackleTexas Tech
315Philadelphia EaglesMark SlaterCenterMinnesota
316Seattle SeahawksJeff BergeronRunning backLamar
317Cleveland BrownsLeo BiedermannTackleCalifornia
318Detroit LionsMark PattersonDefensive backWashington State
319St. Louis CardinalsAnthony ClayLinebackerSouth Carolina State
320Atlanta FalconsDaria ButlerLinebackerOklahoma State
321San Diego ChargersKevin BellWide receiverLamar
322Houston OilersJohn SchuhmacherGuardUSC
323Cincinnati BengalsKim FeatsentWide receiverKent State
324Washington RedskinsSteve McCabeGuardBowdoin
325Chicago BearsLew SibleyLinebackerLouisiana State
326Minnesota VikingsJeff MorrowTackleMinnesota
327Pittsburgh SteelersBrad CarrLinebackerMaryland
328New England PatriotsJohn GibneyCenterColgate
329Baltimore ColtsBruce AllenPunterRichmond
330Los Angeles RamsGus CoppensTackleUCLA
331Miami DolphinsMike MooreRunning backMiddle Tennessee State
332Oakland RaidersJoe ConronWide receiverPacific
333Miami DolphinsBill KenneyQuarterbackNorthern Colorado
334[8] Dallas CowboysLee WashburnGuard
0San Francisco 49ers (supplemental draft)Rod ConnorsRunning backSouthern California
= Pro Bowler= Hall of Famer

Notable undrafted players

†= Pro Bowler‡= Hall of Famer

Hall of Famers

Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1991.[9]

Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1999.

Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2003.[10]

Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2006.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NFL Draft Locations . . October 2, 2014 . FootballGeography.com . October 23, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905090250/http://www.footballgeography.com/nfl-draft-sites/ . September 5, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
  2. News: Salomone . Dan . NFL Draft headed to Chicago in 2015 . June 3, 2015 . . Giants.com . October 2, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150930065327/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/NFL-Draft-headed-to-Chicago-in-2015/3ac322b1-3b4c-4a16-aba7-6e08d31b1756 . September 30, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
  3. Wire services. "Oilers make a deal". Eugene Register-Guard. Apr 25, 1978
  4. News: Buckner . Brandon . NFL career was ended by an injury - Pro wrestler Vader has son playing with OU . December 11, 2017 . . NewsOK.com . October 23, 2005.
  5. Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career.
  6. Players are identified as a Hall of Famer if they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  7. Web site: Did Noll Win Draft Lottery?. Sheeley. Glenn. May 3, 1978. Pittsburgh Press. D-1. April 2, 2010.
  8. This last selection is commonly referred to as Mr. Irrelevant.
  9. List of 1990s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame . October 11, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080731024937/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/years.html . July 31, 2008 . dead . mdy .
  10. List of 2000s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame . October 11, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080731024937/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/years.html . July 31, 2008 . dead . mdy .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "1978 NFL draft".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.