1969 NFL/AFL draft

The 1969 NFL/AFL draft was the third and final common draft conducted jointly by the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) prior to their full merger, held over two days on January 28–29 at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City.^[1][2] It featured 17 rounds and a total of 442 selections, with teams from both leagues participating to stock rosters amid the ongoing integration process that would culminate in the unified NFL structure for the 1970 season.^[3] The Buffalo Bills held the first overall pick and selected running back O. J. Simpson, the Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Southern California, whom they signed to a then-record $650,000 contract over five years after a standoff; Simpson went on to become one of the most prolific rushers in NFL history and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.^[4][5] This draft occurred against the backdrop of the leagues' 1966 merger agreement, which had already introduced a shared player selection process starting in 1967 to end the costly bidding wars for top college talent.^[1] The event underscored the competitive balance between the established NFL and the rising AFL, with the Bills—representing the AFL—securing the top choice due to their poor 1968 performance.^[5] Beyond Simpson, the draft yielded several future Hall of Famers, including defensive tackle Joe Greene (fourth overall, Pittsburgh Steelers), cornerback Roger Wehrli (19th overall, St. Louis Cardinals), and wide receiver Charlie Joiner (93rd overall, Houston Oilers), who collectively contributed to championship teams and redefined positions in professional football.^[3][5] Other notable first-round selections highlighted the draft's depth, such as offensive tackle George Kunz (second overall, Atlanta Falcons), who earned multiple Pro Bowl honors, and running back Calvin Hill (24th overall, Dallas Cowboys), a key contributor to the Cowboys' Super Bowl aspirations in the early 1970s.^[3] The proceedings also involved several trades, reflecting teams' strategic maneuvers in the pre-merger era, such as the Los Angeles Rams acquiring multiple picks to bolster their lineup.^[6] Overall, the 1969 draft played a pivotal role in transitioning the sport toward a single league, producing talent that influenced the NFL's evolution into a more unified and competitive entity.^[1]

Background

Merger Negotiations

The AFL-NFL merger was formally announced on June 8, 1966, following secret negotiations between representatives of both leagues.^[7] Key figures in the process included NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, who endorsed the agreement and oversaw its announcement, and AFL founder Lamar Hunt, who initiated talks with NFL executive Tex Schramm in the spring of 1966.^[8] The merger aimed to end the bidding war for players and stabilize professional football, but its full implementation was delayed until the 1970 season due to existing multi-year television contracts that prevented an immediate unified schedule.^[9] Under the merger terms, the leagues maintained separate schedules through the 1969 season, while adopting a common player draft starting in 1967 to reduce competition for college talent.^[10] Congress approved the agreement on October 21, 1966, granting antitrust exemptions to facilitate the consolidation.^[11] As part of the realignment, on May 10, 1969—after the draft had occurred—the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to join the AFL's 10 teams, forming a 13-team American Football Conference (AFC) alongside the NFL's remaining 13 teams in the National Football Conference (NFC).^[12] Negotiations were complicated by tensions over television contracts and territorial rights, particularly in overlapping markets like New York (Giants and Jets) and San Francisco-Oakland (49ers and Raiders).^[13] The separate TV deals—with the NFL holding a CBS contract worth $18.8 million annually for the 1966 and 1967 seasons^[14] and the AFL holding an NBC contract worth $36 million over five years (1965–1969)—necessitated a phased approach to avoid legal conflicts, extending the period of separate operations. Territorial disputes were resolved by requiring shared stadium use in New York and restrictions on cross-bay games in the Bay Area after 1970, without mutual consent, ensuring no immediate franchise relocations.^[13] These issues prolonged the merger timeline but laid the groundwork for a unified league structure by 1970.

Talent Evaluation

In the competitive landscape preceding the full NFL-AFL merger, college all-star games served as crucial platforms for professional scouts to evaluate top senior prospects in controlled, high-stakes environments. The Senior Bowl, held in Mobile, Alabama, allowed teams to observe players in practices and the game itself, with notable participants like defensive tackle Joe Greene from North Texas State showcasing their skills before being selected in the first round. Similarly, the East-West Shrine Game provided another key venue for talent assessment, where prospects demonstrated their abilities against elite competition under the watchful eyes of NFL and AFL personnel, as evidenced by multiple draftees from the 1969 class who had participated in prior iterations of these events.^[15][16] Prominent college programs dominated the pool of elite talent entering the 1969 draft, reflecting the depth of scouting focus on powerhouse institutions. The University of Southern California (USC) emerged as a leading producer, headlined by running back O.J. Simpson, who won the 1968 Heisman Trophy and rushed for 1,709 yards in the regular season, establishing him as a generational talent. North Texas State University also contributed significantly with defensive lineman Joe Greene, a consensus All-American, drawing intense interest from both leagues. These programs' outputs underscored the scouts' emphasis on players from conferences like the Pac-8 and Missouri Valley, where advanced schemes and competition honed professional-ready skills.^[5][17][18] The dual-league structure intensified scouting challenges, as NFL and AFL teams vied aggressively for the same prospects through tactics like private workouts and early agent negotiations to preempt rivals. This bidding war for talent often involved discreet sessions to gauge player interest and abilities without alerting competitors, complicating traditional evaluation processes amid the 1966 merger agreement's incomplete implementation. For instance, Greene negotiated with the Pittsburgh Steelers via his agent before signing, highlighting how agents facilitated direct team-player contacts that bypassed formal draft protocols.^[19][20] Pre-draft publications further shaped evaluations by compiling consensus rankings of top prospects, with Street & Smith's 1968 College Football Yearbook prominently featuring Simpson on its cover as the nation's premier backfield star and likely No. 1 overall pick. These magazines, drawing from scout input and statistical analysis, reinforced Simpson's status as the consensus top prospect, influencing team strategies in the joint draft's final year.^[21]

Draft Details

Date and Location

The 1969 NFL/AFL draft took place over two days, January 28 and 29, at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City.^[2][22] This location served as the venue for NFL drafts from 1968 through 1971, continuing the tradition of hosting the event in a New York hotel.^[23] The schedule divided the 17-round proceedings, with the first eight rounds conducted on the initial day and rounds 9 through 17 on the second day, allowing for a total of 442 selections across the 26 participating teams (16 NFL and 10 AFL).^[2][3] Representatives from each of the 26 franchises attended in person to make picks and negotiate, while media coverage focused on print reports from major newspapers, reflecting the pre-television era of draft announcements.^[2] This joint format stemmed briefly from ongoing NFL-AFL merger negotiations, marking the third and final year of the common draft before full consolidation in 1970.^[1]

Draft Order Determination

The 1969 NFL/AFL draft order was established through a unified process for both leagues, following the introduction of the common draft format in 1967 as part of the ongoing merger negotiations between the NFL and AFL. This joint structure combined teams from both leagues into a single selection sequence, departing from the separate drafts held prior to 1967 and ensuring equitable access to college talent during the transition period. The order reflected the reverse standings from the 1968 regular season, with the team posting the worst record receiving the first pick and the league champions selecting last.^[1] In practice, this meant ranking all 26 teams—16 from the NFL and 10 from the AFL—based on their win-loss-tie records from the prior year, prioritizing poorer performance to reward rebuilding opportunities. For instance, the Buffalo Bills, who finished the 1968 AFL season with a 1-12-1 record, earned the No. 1 overall selection. Similarly, the Atlanta Falcons, with a 2-12-0 mark in the NFL, picked second, illustrating how records across leagues were integrated without alternation in pick positions. This approach aimed to balance competitive disparities while maintaining league-specific identities until the full merger in 1970.^[3] Ties in records were resolved using established criteria, beginning with head-to-head competition results between tied teams, followed by strength of schedule—calculated as the combined winning percentage of each team's opponents. If these did not suffice, additional factors such as division or conference records could apply, though coin flips were occasionally used in earlier eras for unresolved ties; by 1969, the process emphasized performance-based metrics to minimize randomness. No major ties affected the top selections in this draft, allowing the reverse standings to dictate the initial order cleanly.^[24] The draft comprised 442 total selections distributed equally across 17 rounds, granting each of the 26 teams exactly 17 picks in the standard rotation, subject to trades that could alter individual allocations. This structure supported the common draft's goal of fostering parity in player acquisition, with early picks holding heightened value due to the concentration of elite prospects identified through scouting and all-star games.

Player Selections

Round 1

The first round of the 1969 NFL/AFL common draft consisted of 26 selections made on January 28, 1969, in New York City, with teams selecting in reverse order of their 1968 records to address key roster needs. This round highlighted premium talents expected to provide immediate impact, particularly at skill positions and along the lines, amid the ongoing NFL-AFL merger. No trades were executed during the round itself, though some picks reflected prior compensatory adjustments from league realignments.^[3] The selections are detailed below, emphasizing each player's projected role based on college performance and scouting consensus at the time.

Round 2

The second round of the 1969 NFL/AFL common draft produced a mix of emerging starters and developmental prospects, with several selections providing teams immediate depth on both lines of scrimmage and in the backfield. Unlike the first round's focus on potential franchise cornerstones, round two emphasized players who could contribute reliably over multiple seasons, including future Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks and Pro Bowl talents like Bill Bergey and Ed White.^[3] The draft order for round two followed the reverse standings from the 1968 season, with minor adjustments due to prior trades; notably, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired the Washington Redskins' pick at No. 35 in a 1968 deal that also involved a 1970 third-round selection.^[6] Below is the complete list of second-round selections: Among the standout selections, the Baltimore Colts' choice of Ted Hendricks at No. 33 addressed linebacker depth behind aging veterans, allowing the 6'5" pass rusher to learn from a veteran defense en route to four All-Pro honors and three Super Bowl appearances. Similarly, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Bill Bergey at No. 31 to bolster their young linebacker corps, where he quickly emerged as a tackling machine, leading the team in tackles during his rookie year and earning five Pro Bowl selections over his career. The Minnesota Vikings found an immediate starter in Ed White at No. 39, whose guard play anchored the offensive line for 15 seasons and supported four Super Bowl runs. These picks underscored the round's value in building sustainable roster cores amid the NFL-AFL merger transition.

Round 3

The third round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft featured 26 selections, with teams prioritizing depth across offensive and defensive lines, as well as skill positions like running backs and defensive backs to complement the core talent acquired in prior rounds.^[3] This round emphasized role players capable of contributing in specialized capacities, such as blocking, coverage, or situational rushing, rather than immediate starters.^[3] The following table lists all third-round picks: Offensive linemen dominated early selections, with teams like the expansion Atlanta Falcons addressing line depth by drafting two guards: Mal Snider from Stanford at pick 54 and Jon Sandstrom from Oregon State at pick 67.^[3] The Pittsburgh Steelers added tackle Jon Kolb from Oklahoma State at pick 56, who developed into a reliable blocker over a 13-season career, starting 138 games and earning multiple All-Pro honors while contributing to four Super Bowl victories.^[3][25] Wide receivers and running backs provided speed and versatility for offensive depth, exemplified by the Cincinnati Bengals' selection of Speedy Thomas from Utah at pick 57 and the Boston Patriots' choice of running back Carl Garrett from New Mexico Highlands at pick 58, the latter earning AFL All-Pro second-team recognition and a Pro Bowl nod in his rookie 1969 season.^[3][26] The Miami Dolphins picked running back Mercury Morris from West Texas A&M at pick 63, who emerged as a change-of-pace back, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 1972 en route to Pro Bowl selections in 1971–1973 and two Super Bowl titles.^[3][27] Defensive selections focused on linebackers and defensive backs to enhance coverage and pass rush, including the Dallas Cowboys taking linebacker Thomas Stincic from Michigan at pick 68 and the St. Louis Cardinals selecting linebackers Chip Healy from Vanderbilt at 71.^[3] The Philadelphia Eagles drafted defensive back Bill Bradley from Texas at pick 69, who led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 1971, secured three Pro Bowl appearances, and added value as a punter with 213 career punts averaging 39.1 yards.^[3][28] Similarly, the Kansas City Chiefs chose 6-10 tight end Morris Stroud from Clark (GA) at pick 76, utilizing his exceptional height for red-zone mismatches and blocking, as he started 49 games and caught 54 passes for 977 yards and seven touchdowns over six seasons, including a Super Bowl win.^[3][29]

Round 4

The fourth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, encompassing overall picks 79 through 104, saw teams prioritizing depth players across offensive and defensive lines, with a notable emphasis on defensive backs and running backs to support emerging rosters amid the league merger.^[3] This selection phase uncovered potential sleepers, particularly from smaller or historically Black colleges, who offered versatility for special teams and practice squad development.^[3] The following table lists all 26 picks from Round 4: Among the undervalued talents from smaller schools, Charlie Joiner, selected 93rd overall by the Houston Oilers out of Grambling State, exemplified a sleeper prospect; initially eyed for defensive roles, he transitioned to wide receiver and amassed over 12,000 receiving yards in a Hall of Fame career.^[30] Similarly, Jim Mitchell from Prairie View A&M, picked 81st by the Atlanta Falcons, represented the potential of HBCU athletes in providing tight end depth and special teams utility early in their professional tenures.^[3] Gene Moore, a running back from the small Occidental College taken 94th by the San Francisco 49ers, highlighted selections aimed at bolstering backfield versatility from non-major programs.^[3] Position distribution in this round leaned toward defensive backs (seven selections, including Ed Hayes from Morgan State and Rudy Redmond from Pacific) and offensive linemen (six, such as Bob Kuechenberg from Notre Dame and Jack Rudnay from Northwestern), reflecting teams' needs for secondary reinforcement and line protection.^[3] Running backs (five picks) and wide receivers (four) rounded out offensive depth, while specialists like kicker Roy Gerela, chosen 96th by the Houston Oilers from New Mexico State, offered immediate special teams impact, leading the AFL in scoring as a rookie with 99 points.^[31] Several draftees, including Kuechenberg—who earned six Pro Bowl nods after joining the Miami Dolphins—filled practice squad and rotational roles right away, contributing to team development without instant starting duties.^[32] Rudnay, selected 101st by the Kansas City Chiefs, similarly started as a center providing snap consistency and earned four Pro Bowl appearances over his 13-year tenure.^[33]

Round 5

In the fifth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL common draft, teams continued the selection strategies from prior rounds by focusing on players suited for long-term development and serving as backups across key positions. With an emphasis on raw athleticism and positional versatility, franchises addressed specific roster needs, such as adding quarterback depth with selections like Onree Jackson by the Boston Patriots and bolstering secondary options through multiple defensive back picks, including Bill Kishman by the Washington Redskins and Willie Pearson by the Miami Dolphins.^[3] These choices highlighted the draft's mid-round shift toward high-upside prospects who could contribute in specialized roles or grow into starters.^[3] The complete list of fifth-round selections is as follows: This round included nine defensive backs, underscoring the league-wide priority on secondary reinforcement amid evolving passing attacks, alongside offensive line additions for trench stability.^[3]

Round 6

In the sixth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, teams selected 26 players, often targeting developmental prospects with raw athletic traits such as speed or physical size to address depth needs or potential injuries on rosters.^[3] This round marked a shift toward higher-risk selections, focusing on project players from smaller programs or those with unproven potential rather than immediate contributors.^[3] The complete list of sixth-round picks is as follows: Among these selections, Cincinnati's choice of defensive back Ken Riley from Florida A&M stood out as a later-round gamble on speed and coverage skills from a historically Black college, where he later developed into a Pro Football Hall of Famer with 65 career interceptions. No international players or particularly unique backgrounds were noted in this round, though several picks like Willie Grate and Marion Bates came from smaller or less prominent institutions, emphasizing teams' willingness to invest in untapped size and athleticism for roster depth.^[3]

Round 7

In the seventh round of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft, held on January 28–29 in New York City, the 26 selections emphasized depth players, particularly defensive backs and defensive ends, as teams sought versatile contributors for special teams and rotational roles amid the league merger's expansion needs.^[3] This round highlighted a pattern of mid-round strategy where NFL and AFL franchises alike targeted athletic prospects from a mix of major programs and smaller schools to bolster secondary and pass-rush units, reflecting the era's growing emphasis on defensive specialization.^[5] Tight ends also appeared frequently, valued for their blocking and receiving potential in run-heavy offenses.^[34] The complete list of seventh-round picks is as follows: These selections underscored teams' efforts to build roster depth without high-risk investments, with defensive backs comprising nearly 20% of the round's choices to address coverage demands in an increasingly pass-oriented game.^[3]

Round 8

In the eighth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, held on January 29, 1969, the 26 teams selected players primarily for depth and future potential, with a noticeable emphasis on linebackers and running backs to bolster defensive fronts and ground attacks.^[35] This round, encompassing overall picks 183 through 208, saw teams gambling on under-the-radar talents from a mix of major programs and smaller colleges, reflecting the speculative nature of mid-to-late round choices.^[3] Among the selections, linebackers such as Bill Hobbs (Texas A&M) by the Philadelphia Eagles and Tim Buchanan (Hawaii) by the Cincinnati Bengals addressed defensive needs, while running backs like Larry Brown (Kansas State), chosen by the Washington Redskins, and Bob Gladieux (Notre Dame), taken by the Boston Patriots, offered versatility in offensive schemes.^[35] Other positions, including wide receivers and defensive linemen, rounded out the picks, but the focus on linebackers (three selections) and running backs (four selections) underscored teams' priorities for athleticism in key trenches and backfields.^[35] As the draft entered its middle stages, the perceived value of these picks declined compared to earlier rounds, with teams increasingly selecting developmental "flyers" who faced steeper odds of contributing meaningfully—historical data indicates that only about 20-30% of eighth-round picks from this era played significant snaps in their rookie seasons or beyond.^[36] This led to a higher incidence of misses, as many prospects either failed to adapt to professional play or were overshadowed by later undrafted talent.^[1] The following table lists all eighth-round selections: ^[35]

Round 9

The ninth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, consisting of picks 209 through 234, primarily served teams' efforts to add depth players for practice squads and long-term roster development, with selections often targeting underserved positional needs such as line depth and special teams contributors.^[3] This round highlighted a dominance of offensive linemen among the choices, as franchises sought to reinforce their front lines amid the physical demands of the era's gameplay.^[37] The complete list of ninth-round selections is as follows: Teams utilized these late selections to complete positional needs, exemplified by the Philadelphia Eagles adding linebacker depth with Lynn Buss after earlier focus on skill positions, and the Miami Dolphins selecting Jesse Powell to bolster their linebacker corps amid expansion-year roster building.^[3] Overall, the round's emphasis on linemen, with five offensive linemen drafted including guards like Tom Fink to the Vikings, underscored the priority of trench warfare reinforcements in an era before free agency allowed easier depth acquisition.^[37]

Round 10

The tenth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, held on January 29, 1969, featured selections from overall picks 235 to 260, as teams sought developmental prospects amid declining talent availability in later rounds. With roster spots increasingly scarce, selections emphasized skill positions like quarterbacks and wide receivers, where raw athleticism could potentially overcome limited college exposure, though few advanced to significant NFL roles. Picks increasingly drew from lesser-known or regional colleges, reflecting scouts' efforts to uncover overlooked talent from non-traditional programs. The full list of tenth-round selections is as follows: Among these, L. C. Greenwood emerged as a standout, developing into a key defensive end for the Steelers and earning four Super Bowl rings, though such successes were rare in this round.

Round 11

The eleventh round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, encompassing overall picks 261 through 286, represented teams' final significant efforts to bolster roster depth with prospects often comparable in perceived value to undrafted free agents.^[38] At this stage, selections shifted noticeably toward defensive specialists, with 14 of the 26 picks dedicated to positions such as defensive backs, defensive tackles, defensive ends, and linebackers, reflecting teams' priorities in addressing secondary and front-seven needs amid the era's emphasis on physical defenses.^[38] Offensive linemen and skill-position players rounded out the remainder, but the round underscored a strategic push for versatile depth pieces rather than star potential.^[38] The following table lists all 26 selections from Round 11: Notable among these were defensive talents like Clarence Washington (DT, Pittsburgh Steelers), who added interior line depth, and multiple defensive backs such as Jim Marcum (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mark Stewart (Cincinnati Bengals), exemplifying the round's defensive lean.^[38] Teams like the Detroit Lions and Houston Oilers targeted edge rushers (DE) to enhance pass-rush rotations, while the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears invested in defensive tackles for run-stopping support.^[38] This focus on defense contrasted with earlier rounds' balanced approaches and highlighted the draft's late-stage emphasis on immediate depth over long-term starters, paving the way for even more speculative selections in subsequent rounds.^[38]

Round 12

The twelfth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft featured 26 selections as teams continued to address depth needs with prospects from a mix of major and smaller colleges, emphasizing defensive linemen, running backs, and defensive backs toward the conclusion of the draft's primary phases.^[39] This round highlighted the draft's breadth, including players like running back Lloyd Pate from the University of Cincinnati, selected by the Buffalo Bills, and defensive back Gary Adams from the University of Arkansas, taken by the Philadelphia Eagles.^[39] The following table lists all picks from Round 12: Among the selections, several players hailed from historically Black colleges and universities, such as Richard Lee from Grambling State and Jim White from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, reflecting the draft's inclusion of diverse talent pools.^[39] Linebacker Noel Jenke, chosen by the Minnesota Vikings from their home-state university, stood out as a versatile two-way player during his college career, though he transitioned primarily to defense in the pros.^[39] These late-round choices underscored the era's emphasis on uncovering potential from lesser-known programs as the draft progressed into its final detailed rounds.^[39]

Rounds 13–17

The final five rounds of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft encompassed 130 selections, with 26 picks per round across rounds 13 through 17, bringing the overall draft total to 442 players chosen by the league's 14 NFL and 10 AFL teams.^[3] These rounds served primarily as opportunities for teams to stock depth charts, targeting developmental prospects and immediate contributors for special teams or backup roles.^[40] Selections in these rounds heavily emphasized offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends, and specialists such as punters and defensive backs, often from smaller colleges or historically Black institutions, reflecting the era's scouting focus on raw athleticism over polished talent from major programs.^{[41] [42] [43]} For instance, round 13 included multiple interior linemen like center Carl Mauck from Southern Illinois, while round 15 featured wide receiver Don Herrmann from Waynesburg College.^{[41] [42]} The overall hit rate remained low, with historical data indicating that fewer than 10% of late-round picks from this period typically secured active roster spots in their rookie season, and even fewer developed into long-term starters. Despite the challenges, several late-round selections emerged as valuable contributors, providing teams with cost-effective depth and occasional starters. In round 13, the Baltimore Colts selected center Carl Mauck (pick 337, Southern Illinois), who went on to play 13 NFL seasons across four teams, appearing in 166 games and earning recognition for his durability on the offensive line.^[44] The New York Jets followed with punter Steve O'Neal (pick 338, Texas A&M), who punted for five seasons, most notably with the Jets, where he set the NFL record for the longest punt at 98 yards in 1969.^[45] Round 15 yielded wide receiver Don Herrmann (pick 379, Waynesburg) for the New York Giants, who caught 234 passes for 3,039 yards and 16 touchdowns over nine seasons, primarily as a reliable possession receiver.^[46] Further into round 16, the New Orleans Saints drafted quarterback Edd Hargett (pick 397, Texas A&M), a backup who appeared in 37 games over four seasons, completing 414 of 835 passes for 5,390 yards.^[47] The Miami Dolphins added defensive back Lloyd Mumphord (pick 401, Texas Southern), who played 10 seasons, intercepted 26 passes, and contributed to two Super Bowl victories as a special teams captain and cornerback.^[48] Rounding out the round, the New York Jets picked running back George Nock (pick 416, Morgan State), who rushed for 556 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons while also serving as a return specialist.^[49] Round 17 produced fewer immediate impacts, with picks like defensive back Larry Rentz (pick 434, Florida) for the Green Bay Packers offering limited contributions before the draft concluded with Fred Zirkie (pick 454, Duke) to the New York Jets.^[50] These examples underscore the rarity of late-round success in an era when undrafted free agents often filled similar roles.^[3]

Trades During the Draft

Key Transactions

One of the most significant trades leading into the 1969 NFL/AFL draft occurred on May 1, 1968, when the Los Angeles Rams sent quarterback Bill Munson and their third-round pick (No. 73 overall, later used by the Detroit Lions to select defensive back Terry Brown) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for wide receiver Pat Studstill, running back Tommy Watkins, quarterback Milt Plum, and the Lions' first-round pick (No. 8 overall).^[6] The Rams used the acquired first-round selection to draft running back Larry Smith from the University of Florida, bolstering their backfield amid a rebuilding effort.^[3] This deal exemplified how teams sought immediate contributors like Studstill and Plum to accelerate competitiveness, while parting with future assets like Munson, who became a key player for Detroit.^[51] During the draft itself, several transactions occurred, including the Atlanta Falcons trading their second-round pick (No. 38 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles for defensive back Clarence Ellis and future considerations, allowing the Eagles to select running back Spike Jones. Another intra-draft swap saw the Minnesota Vikings acquire the Chicago Bears' fourth-round pick (No. 94 overall) in exchange for a fifth-round selection, using it to draft defensive tackle Bob Hoskins.^[6] In addition to these deals, the draft saw over 15 transactions that impacted more than 50 picks across rounds, including instances where teams like the Chicago Bears opted not to exercise certain selections, enabling others such as the Giants to advance in order without formal swaps.^[6] These exchanges often prioritized acquiring established players for rebuilding franchises over retaining high draft capital, influencing the overall selection landscape.

Effects on Selections

Trades during the 1969 NFL/AFL draft reshaped team rosters by enabling clubs to acquire high-value selections that addressed critical positional weaknesses, influencing immediate draft strategies and on-field performance. These transactions often involved exchanging future picks or established players to move up in the order, allowing teams to target elite talent amid the competitive landscape of the pre-merger era.^[6] A prominent example was the pre-draft agreement between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions, finalized in May 1968, where the Rams received the Lions' No. 8 overall pick (along with wide receiver Pat Studstill, running back Tommy Watkins, and quarterback Milt Plum) in exchange for quarterback Bill Munson and a third-round selection (No. 73 overall). This deal directly impacted selections by positioning the Rams to draft running back Larry Smith from Florida at No. 8, significantly enhancing their ground attack. Smith emerged as a versatile contributor, serving as the team's primary tailback and aiding their explosive offense that propelled the Rams to an 11-3 record and the NFL Coastal Division title in 1969.^[6][52][53] Conversely, the Lions' acquisition of Munson stabilized their quarterback position heading into the draft and the 1969 season. Munson appeared in 14 games, providing consistent leadership that resulted in a balanced passing game, contributing to the Lions' improved 9-4-1 finish—with enhanced aerial production compared to prior seasons.^[6][54][55] This strategic shift via trade allowed Detroit to forgo using a high pick on a quarterback, instead focusing later selections on other needs. Overall, such trades accelerated roster rebuilds for franchises like the Rams, who leveraged the acquired talent to build momentum toward 1970s contention, including multiple playoff appearances. In contrast, teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, without major draft-day deals, relied on their natural order to select defensive lineman Joe Greene at No. 4, laying foundational pieces for their dynasty, though trades elsewhere highlighted the era's fluid approach to asset allocation.

Hall of Famers

List of Inductees

The 1969 NFL/AFL draft produced six Pro Football Hall of Famers, all of whom were drafted players who went on to distinguished careers in the league.^[56][3]

Draft Round Analysis

The 1969 NFL/AFL draft yielded six Pro Football Hall of Famers, a robust total that aligned with the decade's average of approximately 5.9 inductees per class while exceeding many individual years like 1962 (three) and 1966 (two). This class stood out for its concentration of elite talent in the early rounds, with three of the six—O.J. Simpson, Joe Greene, and Roger Wehrli—selected in Round 1, accounting for 50% of the inductees and illustrating the draft's effectiveness in capturing top-tier prospects at the outset.^[56] The distribution also featured notable late-round successes, bucking the common trend where later selections rarely yield Hall of Famers. Ted Hendricks came in Round 2 (33rd overall) to the Baltimore Colts, Charlie Joiner in Round 4 (93rd overall) to the Houston Oilers, and Ken Riley in Round 6 (135th overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals, demonstrating that scouting depth could uncover transformative players even as the draft progressed into double-digit picks. These selections highlight how the 1969 class extended its impact beyond the glamour of first-round choices.^[30][64] In terms of league allocation, the split was even, with three inductees going to AFL teams and three to NFL teams, reflecting the balanced talent distribution in the joint draft's final pre-merger edition. AFL franchises secured Simpson (Buffalo Bills), Joiner (Houston Oilers), and Riley (Cincinnati Bengals), while NFL teams landed Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers), Wehrli (St. Louis Cardinals), and Hendricks (Baltimore Colts). This parity underscored the competitive parity between the leagues at the time.

Notable Undrafted Players

Prominent Examples

One of the most notable undrafted free agents from the 1969 NFL/AFL draft class was cornerback Nate Wright, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons after going unselected despite a standout college career at San Diego State University, where he earned All-Conference honors as a defensive back.^[65] Wright appeared in 13 games total during the 1969 season (three with the Falcons and 10 with the St. Louis Cardinals after being waived and claimed), recording two interceptions.^[65] He later joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1971, becoming a key part of their secondary for a decade, earning All-Pro honors in 1974 and 1976, and contributing to four Super Bowl appearances while amassing 34 career interceptions over 12 NFL seasons.^[66] While the 1969 draft class produced several Hall of Fame talents among early selections, undrafted players like Wright exemplified the potential for overlooked prospects to achieve sustained success through perseverance and opportunity in the post-draft free agency period.^[3]

Signing and Contributions

Following the conclusion of the 1969 NFL/AFL common draft on January 29, undrafted college players entered an immediate free agency period characterized by a competitive rush among the 26 teams to secure talent for training camps. Scouts and general managers, operating without modern restrictions on pre-draft contact, targeted overlooked prospects from smaller schools or those who slipped through the 17-round selection process, often signing them to modest contracts within days to fill depth needs ahead of the impending NFL-AFL merger in 1970. Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles emphasized local talent from Pennsylvania and nearby institutions, such as Temple or Villanova, to build regional ties and evaluate fits during preseason.^[5] This signing frenzy was complicated by the merger's roster implications, as franchises prioritized high draft picks for guaranteed spots while undrafted signees vied for limited practice squad or special teams roles amid heightened competition. For instance, the Buffalo Bills signed cornerback Robert James from Fisk University as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft, positioning him as a backup defensive back who appeared in all 14 games in 1969, contributing on special teams.^[67] Similarly, the Washington Redskins signed kicker Curt Knight from the University of Texas post-draft; he assumed starting duties in 1969, converting 16 of 27 field goals and 35 of 36 extra points for 83 points, ranking sixth in NFL scoring that season.^[68] Undrafted players like these often filled niche roles as backups or special teams contributors during the 1969 season, with approximately 5-10 per team making opening day rosters league-wide, though exact snap counts were not systematically tracked. The San Francisco 49ers signed offensive tackle Wayne Moore from Lamar University as an undrafted free agent, but he did not make the roster and did not play in 1969, debuting the following season with the Miami Dolphins. These contributions helped stabilize units amid injuries and the merger's uncertainties, but longevity proved challenging; most undrafted 1969 signees lasted only through 1970, filling temporary gaps as teams integrated drafted rookies into the post-merger structure.^[69]

Legacy and Impact

Rookie Class Performance

The 1969 rookie class provided a mix of immediate contributors across the NFL and AFL, with several draftees earning starting roles and influencing team defenses and offenses during the season. While comprehensive league-wide data on all rookies is limited, notable first-round selections like O.J. Simpson and Joe Greene exemplified the potential impact of top picks, though overall team successes varied amid the pre-merger landscape.^[3] O.J. Simpson, selected first overall by the Buffalo Bills, appeared in 13 games during his rookie year, starting all of them while rushing for 697 yards on 181 carries with 2 touchdowns; he also added 30 receptions for 343 yards and 3 scores, plus 529 yards on 21 kick returns. Despite these efforts, Simpson's production was tempered by the Bills' struggling offense. Joe Greene, the Pittsburgh Steelers' fourth overall pick, started all 14 games at defensive tackle, recording 9.5 sacks and anchoring a unit that allowed 404 points but showed signs of rebuilding under new coach Chuck Noll.^[58][59] Team impacts from the rookie class were evident in foundational shifts rather than immediate turnarounds. The Steelers regressed slightly from a 2-11-1 record in 1968 to 1-13 in 1969, yet Greene's presence helped establish a defensive core that limited opponents to 4,401 total yards. The Bills improved from 1-12-1 in 1968 to 4-10 in 1969, with Simpson's versatility providing offensive sparks in a season where they scored 230 points, though their defense surrendered 359.^[70][71] Calvin Hill won the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, while Joe Greene won the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In the AFL, Carl Garrett was named Sporting News Rookie of the Year. Simpson earned a Pro Bowl selection as a versatile back. These performances highlighted the class's role in injecting talent into expansion-era teams like the Bills and rebuilding squads like the Steelers.^[58]

Influence on Post-Merger NFL

The 1969 NFL/AFL draft served as the final common draft before the leagues' merger took full effect in 1970, bridging the competitive eras of the AFL and NFL by distributing top talent across teams that would soon form the AFC and NFC conferences. This distribution helped integrate former AFL franchises into the unified league structure, with draftees like O.J. Simpson bolstering the Buffalo Bills in the AFC and Joe Greene strengthening the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFC, thereby facilitating a smoother transition and balanced competition in the post-merger landscape.^[5][1] A pivotal figure from the class was Joe Greene, selected fourth overall by the Steelers, who became the defensive cornerstone of their 1970s dynasty, anchoring lines that led to victories in four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) and establishing a model for dominant defensive units in the modern NFL. Complementing Greene, the Steelers also selected defensive end L.C. Greenwood in the 10th round (238th overall), forming half of the legendary 'Steel Curtain' defensive line under new head coach Chuck Noll, which became the foundation of the team's four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s.^[72][73] Similarly, O.J. Simpson, the first overall pick by the Bills, achieved unprecedented stardom as a running back, becoming the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season in 1973, which elevated the position's prominence and inspired a generation of feature backs across the league.^[74][75][57] Top picks from the draft collectively played more than 800 games in the NFL, providing sustained contributions that shaped team identities and conference rivalries in the early post-merger years. The class as a whole produced 17 Pro Bowlers, with at least 10 earning selections by 1975, infusing the unified league with elite talent that enhanced overall play quality and fan interest during the expansion to 26 teams.^[3][76]