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1971 NFL draft
1971 NFL draft
1971 NFL draft
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1971 NFL draft
General information
DateJanuary 28–29, 1971
LocationBelmont Plaza Hotel
New York City
Overview
442 total selections in 17 rounds
LeagueNFL
First selectionJim Plunkett, QB
Boston Patriots
Mr. IrrelevantCharles Hill, WR
Oakland Raiders
Most selections (22)Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
Fewest selections (11)Washington Redskins
Hall of Famers
5
← 1970
1972 →

The 1971 NFL draft was held January 28–29, 1971, at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York. The Boston Patriots, who did not officially change their name to New England Patriots until after the draft, used the first overall pick to select quarterback Jim Plunkett, the Heisman Trophy winner. It was the first draft where the first three selections were quarterbacks (Plunkett, Archie Manning, and Dan Pastorini).

During round 17, after Falcons coach Norm Van Brocklin had yelled to his staff "Do we want the roughest, toughest s.o.b. in the draft?!", the team drafted the then-64-year-old actor John Wayne, though saying he was from "Fort Apache State" (Wayne actually played football at USC); NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle rejected the selection.[1]

Player selections

[edit]
= Pro Bowler [2] = Hall of Famer
* = compensatory selection
† = Pro Bowler[2]
‡ = Hall of Famer[3]
Positions key
Offense Defense Special teams
  1. ^ Sometimes referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
  2. ^ Includes nose tackle (NT)
  3. ^ Includes middle linebacker (MLB or MIKE), outside linebacker (OLB, WILL, SAM), and off-ball linebacker
  4. ^ Includes free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS)
  5. ^ Also known as a placekicker (PK)
  6. ^ Includes kickoff and punt returners

Round 1–8

[edit]
Rnd. Pick No. NFL team Player Pos. College Conf. Notes
1 1 Boston Patriots Jim Plunkett  QB Stanford Pac-8
1 2 New Orleans Saints Archie Manning † QB Ole Miss SEC
1 3 Houston Oilers Dan Pastorini † QB/P Santa Clara —
1 4 Buffalo Bills J. D. Hill † WR Arizona State WAC
1 5 Philadelphia Eagles Richard Harris  DE Grambling SWAC
1 6 New York Jets John Riggins‡† RB Kansas Big Eight
1 7 Atlanta Falcons Joe Profit  RB Northeast Louisiana Gulf States
1 8 Pittsburgh Steelers Frank Lewis † WR Grambling SWAC
1 9 Green Bay Packers John Brockington † RB Ohio State Big Ten
from Denver
1 10 Los Angeles Rams Isiah Robertson † LB Southern SWAC
1 11 Chicago Bears Joe Moore  RB Missouri Big Eight
1 12 Denver Broncos Marv Montgomery  OT USC Pac-8
from Green Bay
1 13 San Diego Chargers Leon Burns  RB Long Beach State PCAA
1 14 Cleveland Browns Clarence Scott † CB Kansas State Big Eight
1 15 Cincinnati Bengals Vernon Holland  OT Tennessee State Ind. (Coll.)
1 16 Kansas City Chiefs Elmo Wright  WR Houston Ind.
1 17 St. Louis Cardinals Norm Thompson  CB Utah WAC
1 18 New York Giants Rocky Thompson  RB West Texas A&M Ind. (Coll.)
1 19 Oakland Raiders Jack Tatum † S Ohio State Big Ten
1 20 Los Angeles Rams Jack Youngblood‡† DE Florida SEC
1 21 Detroit Lions Bob Bell  DT Cincinnati Ind. (Univ.)
1 22 Baltimore Colts Don McCauley  RB North Carolina ACC
From Miami
1 23 San Francisco 49ers Tim Anderson  CB Ohio State Big Ten
1 24 Minnesota Vikings Leo Hayden  RB Ohio State Big Ten
1 25 Dallas Cowboys Tody Smith  DE USC Pac-8
1 26 Baltimore Colts Leonard Dunlap  CB North Texas State MVC
2 27 Boston Patriots Julius Adams † DT Texas Southern SWAC
2 28 Chicago Bears Jim Harrison  RB Missouri Big Eight
from New Orleans
2 29 Buffalo Bills Jan White  TE Ohio State Big Ten
2 30 Detroit Lions Dave Thompson  C Clemson ACC
from Philadelphia
2 31 New Orleans Saints Sam Holden  G Grambling SWAC
from Houston
2 32 New York Jets John Mooring  OT Tampa —
2 33 Atlanta Falcons Ken Burrow  WR San Diego State Big West
2 34 Pittsburgh Steelers Jack Ham‡† LB Penn State Ind.
2 35 Denver Broncos Dwight Harrison  WR Texas A&I LSC
2 36 Chicago Bears Charlie Ford  CB Houston Ind.
2 37 San Francisco 49ers Ernie Janet  G Washington Pac-8
from Green Bay
2 38 Washington Redskins Cotton Speyrer  WR Texas SWC
2 39 Kansas City Chiefs Wilbur Young  DT William Penn IIAC
from San Diego
2 40 Cleveland Browns Bo Cornell  RB Washington Pac-8
2 41 Cincinnati Bengals Stephen Lawson  G Kansas Big Eight
2 42 Kansas City Chiefs Lewis, ScottScott Lewis  DE Grambling SWAC
2 43 St. Louis Cardinals Dan Dierdorf‡† OT Michigan Big Ten
2 44 New York Giants Wayne Walton  OT Abilene Christian Southland
2 45 Oakland Raiders Phil Villapiano † LB Bowling Green MAC
2 46 Green Bay Packers Virgil Robinson  RB Grambling SWAC
from Los Angeles
2 47 Miami Dolphins Otto Stowe  WR Iowa State Big Eight
2 48 Detroit Lions Charlie Weaver  LB USC Pac-8
2 49 San Francisco 49ers Joe Orduna  RB Nebraska Big Eight
2 50 Philadelphia Eagles Hank Allison  G San Diego State Big West
from Minnesota
2 51 Dallas Cowboys Ike Thomas  CB Bishop —
2 52 Baltimore Colts Bill Atessis  DE Texas SWC
3 53 Buffalo Bills Bruce Jarvis  C Washington Pac-8
from Boston vis Oakland
3 54 New Orleans Saints Bivian Lee  CB Prairie View A&M SWAC
3 55 San Francisco 49ers Dickerson, SamSam Dickerson  WR USC Pac-8
from Philadelphia
3 56 Houston Oilers Lynn Dickey † QB Kansas State Big Eight
3 57 Buffalo Bills Jim Braxton  RB West Virginia Ind. (Univ.)
3 58 New York Jets Chris Farasopoulos  S BYU WAC
3 59 Atlanta Falcons Leo Hart  QB Duke ACC
3 60 Pittsburgh Steelers Steve Davis  RB Delaware State CIAA
3 61 St. Louis Cardinals Livesay, JamesJames Livesay  WR Richmond SoCon
from Denver
3 62 Green Bay Packers Charlie Hall  DB Pittsburgh Ind. (Univ.)
3 63 Los Angeles Rams Dave Elmendorf  S Texas A&M SWC
from Washington
3 64 Chicago Bears Tony McGee  DE Bishop —
3 65 San Diego Chargers Mike Montgomery  RB Kansas State Big Eight
3 66 Cleveland Browns Paul Staroba  WR Michigan Big Ten
3 67 Cincinnati Bengals Ken Anderson † QB Augustana (IL) N/A
3 68 Cleveland Browns Charlie Hall  LB Houston Ind.
from N. Y. Jets
3 69 Dallas Cowboys Sam Scarber  RB New Mexico WAC
from St. Louis
3 70 New York Giants Ronnie Hornsby  LB Southeastern Louisiana Gulf States
3 71 Chicago Bears Bob Newton  OT Nebraska Big Eight
from Los Angeles
3 72 Detroit Lions Al Clark  CB Eastern Michigan Ind.
3 73 Oakland Raiders Warren Koegel  C Penn State Ind.
3 74 Miami Dolphins Dale Farley  LB West Virginia Ind. (Univ.)
3 75 San Francisco 49ers Willie Parker  C North Texas State MVC
3 76 Minnesota Vikings Hackett, EddieEddie Hackett  WR Alcorn A&M SWAC
3 77 Dallas Cowboys Bill Gregory  DT Wisconsin Big Ten
3 78 Baltimore Colts Karl Douglas  QB Texas A&I LSC
4 79 Denver Broncos Lyle Alzado † DE Yankton (SD) N/A
from Boston
4 80 Dallas Cowboys Carter, JoeJoe Carter  TE Grambling SWAC
from New Orleans
4 81 Houston Oilers Larron Jackson  OT Missouri Big Eight
4 82 New Orleans Saints Carlos Bell  RB Houston Ind.
from Buffalo
4 83 Philadelphia Eagles Happy Feller  K Texas SWC
4 84 New York Jets Bill Zapalac  LB Texas SWC
4 85 Atlanta Falcons Potchad, MikeMike Potchad  OT Pittsburg (KS) RMAC
4 86 Pittsburgh Steelers Gerry Mullins  TE USC Pac-8
4 87 Denver Broncos Johnson, CleoCleo Johnson  DB Alcorn A&M SWAC
4 88 New Orleans Saints Wimpy Winther  C Ole Miss SEC
from Washington
4 89 Chicago Bears Jerry Morre  S Arkansas SWC
4 90 Los Angeles Rams Steve Worster  RB Texas SWC
from Green Bay
4 91 New Orleans Saints D'Artagnan Martin  CB Kentucky State Ind. (NAIA)
from San Diego
4 92 Cleveland Browns Pena, RobertRobert Pena  G UMass Yankee
4 93 Cincinnati Bengals Fred Willis  RB Boston College Ind. (Univ.)
4 94 Kansas City Chiefs Robinson, DavidDavid Robinson  TE Jacksonville State Mid-South
4 95 St. Louis Cardinals Larry Willingham  DB Auburn SEC
4 96 New York Giants Dave Tipton  DT Stanford Pac-8
4 97 Oakland Raiders Clarence Davis  RB USC Pac-8
4 98 New Orleans Saints Don Morrison  OT Texas–Arlington —
from Los Angeles
4 99 Miami Dolphins Joe Theismann † QB Notre Dame Ind.
4 100 Detroit Lions Larry Woods  DT Tennessee State Ind. (Coll.)
4 101 San Francisco 49ers Harris, TonyTony Harris  RB Toledo MAC
4 102 Minnesota Vikings Vince Clements  RB Connecticut Yankee
4 103 Dallas Cowboys Mitchell, AdamAdam Mitchell  OT Ole Miss SEC
4 104 Pittsburgh Steelers Dwight White † DE East Texas State LSC
from Baltimore
5 105 Boston Patriots Tim Kelly  LB Notre Dame Ind.
5 106 Pittsburgh Steelers Larry Brown † TE Kansas Big Eight
5 107 Buffalo Bills Donnie Green  OT Purdue Big Ten
5 108 Philadelphia Eagles Shellabarger, TomTom Shellabarger  OT San Diego State Big West
5 109 Houston Oilers Armstrong, WillieWillie Armstrong  RB Grambling SWAC
5 110 Cincinnati Bengals Art May  DE Tuskegee SIAC
from N. Y. Jets
5 111 Atlanta Falcons Ray Jarvis  WR Norfolk State CIAA
5 112 Pittsburgh Steelers Melvin Holmes  OT North Carolina A&T CIAA
5 113 Buffalo Bills Tim Beamer  CB Johnson C. Smith CIAA
from Denver
5 114 San Francisco 49ers Shaternick, DeanDean Shaternick  OT Kansas State Big Eight
from Chicago
5 115 San Diego Chargers Bryant Salter  S Pittsburgh Ind. (Univ.)
from Green Bay
5 116 Green Bay Packers Donnell Smith  DE Southern SWAC
from Washington
5 117 San Diego Chargers Ray White  LB Syracuse Ind. (Univ.)
5 118 Cleveland Browns Brown, StanStan Brown  WR Purdue Big Ten
5 119 San Diego Chargers Asack, PhilPhil Asack  DE Duke ACC
from Cincinnati
5 120 Kansas City Chiefs Mike Adamle  RB Northwestern Big Ten
5 121 St. Louis Cardinals Wallace, RockyRocky Wallace  LB Missouri Big Eight
5 122 San Francisco 49ers George Wells  LB New Mexico State Ind.
from N. Y. Giants
5 123 Oakland Raiders Bob Moore  TE Stanford Pac-8
5 124 Green Bay Packers Jim Stillwagon  LB Ohio State Big Ten
from Los Angeles via Washington
5 125 Detroit Lions Newell, PetePete Newell  G Michigan Big Ten
5 126 Pittsburgh Steelers Ralph Anderson  DB West Texas A&M Ind. (Coll.)
5 127 San Francisco 49ers Marty Huff  LB Michigan Big Ten
5 128 Pittsburgh Steelers Brister, FredFred Brister  LB Ole Miss SEC
from Minnesota
5 129 Dallas Cowboys Ron Kadziel  LB Stanford Pac-8
5 130 Baltimore Colts John Andrews  TE Indiana Big Ten
6 131 Boston Patriots Hardt, DavidDavid Hardt  TE Kentucky SEC
6 132 New Orleans Saints Don Moorhead  RB Michigan Big Ten
6 133 Philadelphia Eagles Jack Smith  DB Troy State Mid-South
6 134 Houston Oilers Willie Alexander  CB Alcorn A&M SWAC
6 135 Chicago Bears Earl Thomas  WR Houston Ind.
from Buffalo
6 136 New York Jets Phil Wise  TE Nebraska–Omaha RMAC
6 137 Atlanta Falcons Tom Hayes  CB San Diego State Big West
6 138 Pittsburgh Steelers Craig Hanneman  OT Oregon State Pac-8
6 139 Denver Broncos Phillips, HaroldHarold Phillips  DB Michigan State Big Ten
6 140 Green Bay Packers Scott Hunter  QB Alabama SEC
6 141 Washington Redskins Conway Hayman  G Delaware Ind. (Coll.)
6 142 Cleveland Browns Doug Dieken † OT Illinois Big Ten
from Chicago
6 143 San Diego Chargers Mayes, JacobJacob Mayes  RB Tennessee State Ind. (Coll.)
6 144 Cleveland Browns Dixon, JayJay Dixon  DE Boston University Ind. (Coll.)
6 145 Buffalo Bills Bill McKinley  DE Arizona WAC
from Cincinnati
6 146 Kansas City Chiefs Kerry Reardon  CB Iowa Big Ten
6 147 St. Louis Cardinals Mel Gray † WR Missouri Big Eight
6 148 Atlanta Falcons Ray Brown  S West Texas State Ind. (Coll.)
from N. Y. Giants
6 149 Oakland Raiders Greg Slough  LB USC Pac-8
6 150 Detroit Lions Frank Harris  QB Boston College Ind. (Univ.)
from Los Angeles via Philadelphia
6 151 Miami Dolphins Dennis Coleman  LB Ole Miss SEC
6 152 Detroit Lions Franklin, HermanHerman Franklin  WR USC Pac-8
6 153 San Francisco 49ers Bresler, AlAl Bresler  WR Auburn SEC
6 154 Philadelphia Eagles Neely, WyckWyck Neely  DB Ole Miss SEC
from Minnesota
6 155 Dallas Cowboys Maier, SteveSteve Maier  WR Northern Arizona Big Sky
6 156 Baltimore Colts Ken Frith  DT Northeast Louisiana Gulf States
7 157 Oakland Raiders Don Martin  DB Yale Ivy
from Boston
7 158 New Orleans Saints Larry DiNardo  G Notre Dame Ind.
7 159 Houston Oilers Phil Croyle  LB California Pac-8
7 160 Buffalo Bills Bob Chandler  WR USC Pac-8
7 161 Philadelphia Eagles Harold Carmichael‡† WR Southern SWAC
7 162 New York Jets Scott Palmer  DT Texas SWC
7 163 Atlanta Falcons Wesley Chesson  WR Duke ACC
7 164 Pittsburgh Steelers McClure, WorthyWorthy McClure  OT Ole Miss SEC
7 165 Denver Broncos Doug Adams  LB Ohio State Big Ten
7 166 Washington Redskins Willie Germany  DB Morgan State CIAA
7 167 Chicago Bears Lee, BuddyBuddy Lee  QB LSU SEC
7 168 Green Bay Packers Dave Davis  WR Tennessee State Ind. (Coll.)
7 169 San Diego Chargers Chuck Dicus  WR Arkansas SWC
7 170 Cleveland Browns Jacobs, BobBob Jacobs  K Wyoming WAC
7 171 Cincinnati Bengals Neal Craig  S Fisk SIAC
7 172 New Orleans Saints Bob Newland  WR Oregon Pac-8
from Kansas City
7 173 St. Louis Cardinals Cooch, JamesJames Cooch  DB Colorado Big Eight
7 174 Houston Oilers Watson, LarryLarry Watson  OT Morgan State CIAA
from N. Y. Giants
7 175 Green Bay Packers Johnson, JamesJames Johnson  WR Bishop —
from Oakland
7 176 Chicago Bears Ferris, DennisDennis Ferris  RB Pittsburgh Ind. (Univ.)
from Los Angeles
7 177 Detroit Lions Wheless, BrownieBrownie Wheless  OT Rice SWC
7 178 Miami Dolphins Ron Dickerson  DB Kansas State Big Eight
7 179 San Francisco 49ers John Watson  OT Oklahoma Big Eight
7 180 Minnesota Vikings Gene Mack  LB UTEP WAC
7 181 Dallas Cowboys Griffin, BillBill Griffin  OT Catawba N/A
7 182 Baltimore Colts Gordon Bowdell  WR Michigan State Big Ten
8 183 Buffalo Bills Ross, LouisLouis Ross  DE South Carolina State SIAC
from Boston
8 184 Pittsburgh Steelers Crowe, LarryLarry Crowe  RB Texas Southern SWAC
from New Orleans
8 185 Buffalo Bills Tyrone Walls  RB Missouri Big Eight
8 186 Philadelphia Eagles Leonard Gotschalk  C Humboldt State FWC
8 187 Denver Broncos Beard, TomTom Beard  C Michigan State Big Ten
from Houston
8 188 New York Jets Roy Kirksey  G Maryland State N/A
8 189 Atlanta Falcons Dennis Havig  G Colorado Big Eight
8 190 Pittsburgh Steelers Rogers, PaulPaul Rogers  K Nebraska Big Eight
8 191 Kansas City Chiefs Mike Sensibaugh  S Ohio State Big Ten
from Denver
8 192 Chicago Bears Weiss, KarlKarl Weiss  OT Vanderbilt SEC
8 193 Green Bay Packers Win Headley  C Wake Forest ACC
8 194 New Orleans Saints Elder, JamesJames Elder  DB Southern SWAC
from Washington
8 195 San Diego Chargers Van Gorkum, LeonLeon Van Gorkum  DE San Diego State Big West
8 196 Cleveland Browns Zelina, LarryLarry Zelina  RB Ohio State Big Ten
8 197 Cincinnati Bengals Herring, FredFred Herring  DB Tennessee State Ind. (Coll.)
8 198 Kansas City Chiefs Rick Telander  DB Northwestern Big Ten
8 199 St. Louis Cardinals Ron Yankowski  DE Kansas State Big Eight
8 200 New York Giants Gregory, TedTed Gregory  DE Delaware Ind. (Coll.)
8 201 New Orleans Saints Bob Gresham  RB West Virginia Ind. (Univ.)
from Oakland
8 202 Los Angeles Rams Garay, TonyTony Garay  DE Hofstra Ind. (Coll.)
8 203 Pittsburgh Steelers Ernie Holmes  DT Texas Southern SWAC
from Miami
8 204 Detroit Lions Ken Lee  LB Washington Pac-8
8 205 San Francisco 49ers Jim McCann  P Arizona State WAC
8 206 Dallas Cowboys Ron Jessie † WR Kansas Big Eight
8 207 Baltimore Colts Bogan, WillieWillie Bogan  DB Dartmouth Ivy
8 208 Minnesota Vikings Fairley, JohnJohn Fairley  DE Johnson C. Smith CIAA

Round 9

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
209 Boston Patriots Josh Ashton Running back Tulsa
210 New Orleans Saints Tom Williams Defensive back Willamette
211 Philadelphia Eagles Len Pettigrew Linebacker Ashland
212 Houston Oilers Floyd Rice Linebacker Alcorn A&M
213 Buffalo Bills Bob Strickland Linebacker Auburn
214 New York Jets John Curtis Tight end Springfield
215 Atlanta Falcons Alvin Griffin Wide receiver Tuskegee
216 Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Anderson Linebacker LSU
217 Denver Broncos John Handy Linebacker Purdue
218 Green Bay Packers Barry Mayer Running back Minnesota
219 Washington Redskins Mike Fanucci Defensive end Arizona State
220 Chicago Bears Lester McClain Wide receiver Tennessee
221 San Diego Chargers John Tanner Tight end Tennessee Tech
222 Cleveland Browns Wilmur Levels Defensive back North Texas State
223 Cincinnati Bengals Gary Gustafson Linebacker Montana State
224 Kansas City Chiefs Alvin Hawes Tackle Minnesota
225 St. Louis Cardinals Mike Savoy Wide receiver Black Hills (S.D.)
226 New York Giants Ed Thomas Linebacker Lebanon Valley
227 Oakland Raiders Dave Garnett Running back Pittsburgh
228 Los Angeles Rams Joe Schmidt Wide receiver Miami (FL)
229 Detroit Lions Mickey Zofko Running back Auburn
230 Miami Dolphins Vern Den Herder Defensive end Central Iowa
231 San Francisco 49ers Therman Couch Linebacker Iowa State
232 Minnesota Vikings Tim Sullivan Running back Iowa
233 Dallas Cowboys Honor Jackson Wide receiver Pacific
234 Baltimore Colts Bill Burnett Running back Arkansas

Round 10

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
235 Boston Patriots Layne McDowell Tackle Iowa
236 San Francisco 49ers Ron Cardo Running back Wisconsin–Oshkosh
237 Houston Oilers Russell Price Defensive end North Carolina Central
238 Oakland Raiders William West Defensive back Tennessee State
239 New Orleans Saints Rocky Pamplin Running back Hawaii
240 New York Jets Jim Betts Defensive back Michigan
241 Atlanta Falcons Faddie Tillman Defensive end Boise State
242 Pittsburgh Steelers Jim O'Shea Tight end Boston College
243 Denver Broncos Carlis Harris Wide receiver Idaho State
244 Washington Redskins Jesse Taylor Running back Cincinnati
245 Chicago Bears Larry Rowden Linebacker Houston
246 Green Bay Packers Kevin Hunt Tackle Doane
247 San Diego Chargers Gary Nowak Tight end Michigan State
248 Cleveland Browns Steve Casteel Linebacker Oklahoma
249 Cincinnati Bengals Jack Stambaugh Guard Oregon
250 Kansas City Chiefs Bruce Jankowski Wide receiver Ohio State
251 St. Louis Cardinals Ronald Miller Tackle McNeese State
252 New York Giants Henry Reed Linebacker Weber State
253 Oakland Raiders Tim Oesterling Defensive tackle UCLA
254 Los Angeles Rams Don Popplewell Center Colorado
255 Miami Dolphins Ron Maree Defensive tackle Purdue
256 Philadelphia Eagles Tom Bailey Running back Florida State
257 San Francisco 49ers Ernie Jennings Wide receiver Air Force
258 Minnesota Vikings Chris Morris Guard Indiana
259 Dallas Cowboys Rodney Wallace Defensive tackle New Mexico
260 Baltimore Colts Rex Kern Quarterback Ohio State

Round 11

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
261 Boston Patriots Dan Schneiss Tight end Nebraska
262 New Orleans Saints Bob Pollard Defensive end Weber State
263 Buffalo Bills Andy Browder Tackle Texas A&I
264 Philadelphia Eagles Albert Davis Running back Tennessee State
265 Houston Oilers Macon Hughes Wide receiver Rice
266 New York Jets Vernon Studdard Wide receiver Mississippi
267 Atlanta Falcons Larry Shears Defensive back Lincoln (MO)
268 Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Wagner Defensive back Western Illinois
269 Denver Broncos Roger Roitsch Defensive tackle Rice
270 Chicago Bears Cliff Hardy Defensive back Michigan State
271 Green Bay Packers John Lanier Running back Parsons
272 Washington Redskins George Starke Tackle Columbia
273 San Diego Chargers Don Pinson Defensive back Tennessee State
274 Cleveland Browns Mike Sikich Guard Northwestern
275 Cincinnati Bengals Edward Marshall Wide receiver Cameron State
276 Kansas City Chiefs Nate Allen Defensive back Texas Southern
277 St. Louis Cardinals Rick Ogle Linebacker Colorado
278 New York Giants Marshall Ellison Guard Dayton
279 Oakland Raiders Jim Poston Defensive tackle South Carolina
280 Los Angeles Rams Charlie Richards Quarterback Richmond
281 Detroit Lions Phil Webb Defensive back Colorado State
282 Miami Dolphins Vic Surma Tackle Penn State
283 San Francisco 49ers Joe Reed Quarterback Mississippi State
284 Minnesota Vikings Mike Walker Linebacker Tulane
285 Dallas Cowboys Ernest Bonwell Defensive tackle Lane (Tenn.)
286 Baltimore Colts Dave Jones Linebacker Baylor

Round 12

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
287 Boston Patriots John Rodman Tackle Northwestern
288 New Orleans Saints Ron Gathright Defensive back Morehead State
289 Philadelphia Eagles Rich Saathoff Defensive end Northern Arizona
290 Houston Oilers John Thompson Guard Minnesota
291 Buffalo Bills Jim Sheffield Kicker Texas A&M
292 New York Jets Rich Sowells Defensive back Alcorn A&M
293 Atlanta Falcons Ronnie Lowe Wide receiver Ft. Valley State
294 Baltimore Colts Bob Wuensch Tackle Texas
295 Denver Broncos Floyd Franks Wide receiver Mississippi
296 Green Bay Packers Greg Hendren Guard California
297 Washington Redskins Jeff Severson Defensive back Cal State-Long Beach
298 Chicago Bears Steve Booras Defensive end Mesa Jr. College
299 San Diego Chargers Wesley Garnett Wide receiver Utah State
300 Cleveland Browns Tony Blanchard Tight end North Carolina
301 Cincinnati Bengals James Hayden Defensive end Memphis State
302 Kansas City Chiefs Tony Esposito Running back Pittsburgh
303 St. Louis Cardinals Tim Von Dulm Quarterback Portland State
304 New York Giants Tom Blanchard Kicker Oregon
305 Oakland Raiders Horace Jones Defensive tackle Louisville
306 Los Angeles Rams Kirk Behrendt Tackle Whitewater
307 Miami Dolphins Leroy Byars Running back Alcorn A&M
308 Detroit Lions Bill Pilconis Wide receiver Pittsburgh
309 San Francisco 49ers Jim Bunch Defensive tackle Wisconsin–Platteville
310 Minnesota Vikings Reggie Holmes Defensive back Wisconsin–Stout
311 Dallas Cowboys Steve Goepel Quarterback Colgate
312 Baltimore Colts Bill Triplett Wide receiver Michigan State

Round 13

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
313 Boston Patriots Lewis Swain Defensive back Alabama A&M
314 New Orleans Saints Don Burchfield Tight end Ball State
315 Houston Oilers Joe Hoing Guard Arkansas Tech
316 Buffalo Bills Busty Underwood Quarterback Texas Christian
317 Philadelphia Eagles Danny Lester Defensive back Texas
318 New York Jets John Eggold Defensive end Arizona
319 Atlanta Falcons Dan Crooks Defensive back Wisconsin
320 Pittsburgh Steelers Alfred Young Wide receiver South Carolina State
321 Denver Broncos Craig Blackford Quarterback Evansville
322 Washington Redskins Dan Ryczek Center Virginia
323 Chicago Bears Ed Nicholas Tackle North Carolina State
324 Green Bay Packers Jack Martin Running back Angelo State
325 San Diego Chargers Sammy Milner Wide receiver Mississippi State
326 Cleveland Browns Thad Jamula Tackle Lehigh
327 Cincinnati Bengals David Knapman Tight end Central Washington
328 Kansas City Chiefs Chuck Hixson Quarterback Southern Methodist
329 St. Louis Cardinals Jeff Allen Defensive back Iowa State
330 New York Giants Dave Roller Defensive tackle Kentucky
331 Los Angeles Rams Russell Harrison Running back Kansas State
332 Detroit Lions David Abercrombie Running back Tulane
333 Miami Dolphins Lionel Hepburn Defensive back Texas Southern
334 Oakland Raiders Mick Natzel Defensive back Central Michigan
335 San Francisco 49ers John Bullock Running back Purdue
336 Minnesota Vikings Benny Fry Center Houston
337 Dallas Cowboys James Ford Running back Texas Southern
338 Baltimore Colts Tom Neville Linebacker Yale

Round 14

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
339 Boston Patriots Alfred Sykes Wide receiver Florida A&M
340 New Orleans Saints Bobby Scott Quarterback Tennessee
341 Buffalo Bills Jim Hoots Defensive end Missouri Southern
342 Philadelphia Eagles Robert Creech Linebacker Texas Christian
343 Houston Oilers Dick Adams Defensive back Miami (OH)
344 New York Jets John Harpring Guard Michigan
345 Atlanta Falcons Daryl Comer Tight end Texas
346 Pittsburgh Steelers McKinney Evans Defensive back New Mexico Highlands
347 Chicago Bears Willie Lewis Running back Arizona
348 Green Bay Packers LeRoy Spears Defensive end Moorhead (MN)
349 Washington Redskins Bill Bynum Quarterback W. New Mexico
350 Denver Broncos Tommy Lyons Center Georgia
351 San Diego Chargers Edward O'Daniel Defensive end Texas Southern
352 Cleveland Browns Rick Kingrea Linebacker Tulane
353 Cincinnati Bengals Irvin Mallory Defensive back Virginia Union
354 Kansas City Chiefs Bruce Bergey Defensive end UCLA
355 St. Louis Cardinals Doug Klausen Tackle Arizona
356 New York Giants Charlie Evans Running back USC
357 Oakland Raiders Tom Gipson Defensive tackle North Texas State
358 Los Angeles Rams Lionel Coleman Defensive back Oregon
359 Miami Dolphins David Vaughn Tight end Memphis State
360 Detroit Lions Tom Lorenz Tight end Iowa State
361 San Francisco 49ers Bill Dunstan Defensive end Utah State
362 Minnesota Vikings Jim Gallagher Linebacker Yale
363 Dallas Cowboys Tyrone Covey Defensive back Utah State
364 Baltimore Colts Mike Mikolayunas Running back Davidson

Round 15

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
365 Boston Patriots Nick McGarry Tight end Massachusetts
366 New Orleans Saints Bart Graves Tackle Tulane
367 Philadelphia Eagles Ed Fisher Guard Prairie View A&M
368 Houston Oilers Andy Hopkins Running back Stephen F. Austin
369 Buffalo Bills Charles Cole Running back Toledo
370 New York Jets Dan Dyches Center South Carolina
371 Atlanta Falcons Wallace Clark Running back Auburn
372 Pittsburgh Steelers Ray Makin Guard Kentucky
373 Denver Broncos Larry James Running back Norfolk State
374 Green Bay Packers Len Garrett Tight end New Mexico Highlands
375 Washington Redskins Anthony Christnovich Guard LaCrosse (Wisc)
376 Chicago Bears Ron Maciejowski Quarterback Ohio State
377 San Diego Chargers Eric Humston Linebacker Muskingum
378 Cleveland Browns Bill Green Defensive back Western Kentucky
379 Cincinnati Bengals Bob Thomas Running back Arizona State
380 Kansas City Chiefs Mike Montgomery Defensive back Southwest Texas State
381 St. Louis Cardinals Ted Heiskell Running back Houston
382 New York Giants Jim Wright Linebacker Notre Dame
383 Oakland Raiders Andy Giles Defensive end William & Mary
384 Los Angeles Rams Vontez Norman VI Guard Notre Dame
385 Detroit Lions Ed Coates Wide receiver Central Missouri
386 Miami Dolphins Bob Richards Guard California
387 San Francisco 49ers John Lennon Tackle Colgate
388 Minnesota Vikings Jeff Wright Defensive back Minnesota
389 Dallas Cowboys Bob Young Tight end Delaware
390 Baltimore Colts Mike Hogan Linebacker Michigan State

Round 16

[edit]
Rnd. Pick No. NFL team Player Pos. College Conf. Notes
16 391 Boston Patriots Zikmund, JimJim Zikmund  DB Kearney State N/A
16 392 New Orleans Saints Robinson, CraigCraig Robinson  T Houston Ind.
16 393 Houston Oilers Denson, MoseMose Denson  RB Maryland State N/A
16 394 Buffalo Bills Hunter, BillyBilly Hunter  DB Utah WAC
16 395 Philadelphia Eagles James, BruceBruce James  LB Arkansas SWC
16 396 New York Jets Steve Harkey  RB Georgia Tech Ind.
16 397 Atlanta Falcons James, LindseyLindsey James  RB San Diego State Big West
16 398 Pittsburgh Steelers Huntley, WalterWalter Huntley  DB Trinity (TX) —
16 399 Denver Broncos Thompson, SteveSteve Thompson  DT Minnesota Big Ten
16 400 Washington Redskins Tucker, GlennGlenn Tucker  LB North Texas State MVC
16 401 Chicago Bears Bailey, SidSid Bailey  DE Texas–Arlington —
16 402 Green Bay Packers O'Donnell, JackJack O'Donnell  G Central State (OK) OCC
16 403 San Diego Chargers Foote, EdEd Foote  C Hawaii Ind.
16 404 Cleveland Browns Smith, DaveDave Smith  WR Mississippi State SEC
16 405 Cincinnati Bengals Debevc, MarkMark Debevc  LB Ohio State Big Ten
16 406 Kansas City Chiefs Jansonius, DarrellDarrell Jansonius  G Iowa State Big Eight
16 407 St. Louis Cardinals Brame, LawrenceLawrence Brame  LB Western Kentucky OVC
16 408 New York Giants Dick Gibbs  TE UTEP WAC
16 409 Los Angeles Rams Boice, RossRoss Boice  LB Pacific Lutheran N/A
16 410 Miami Dolphins Myers, ChrisChris Myers  WR Kenyon N/A
16 411 Detroit Lions Kutchinski, TomTom Kutchinski  DB Michigan State Big Ten
16 412 Oakland Raiders Stawarz, TonyTony Stawarz  DB Miami (FL) Ind.
16 413 Minnesota Vikings Edmonds, GregGreg Edmonds  WR Penn State Ind.
16 414 San Francisco 49ers Purcell, DaveDave Purcell  DT Kentucky SEC
16 415 Dallas Cowboys Brennan, JohnJohn Brennan  T Boston College Ind. (Univ.)
16 416 Baltimore Colts Harrington, RichRich Harrington  DB Houston Ind.

Round 17

[edit]
Pick # NFL team Player Position College
417 Boston Patriots Ronald Leigh Defensive end Elizabeth City State
418 Los Angeles Rams Randy Vataha Wide receiver Stanford
419 Buffalo Bills Pat Morrison Tight end Arkansas
420 Philadelphia Eagles John Sage Linebacker LSU
421 Houston Oilers Calvin Fox Linebacker Michigan State
422 New York Jets Greg Flaska Defensive end Western Michigan
423 Atlanta Falcons Willie Martin Running back Johnson C. Smith
424 Pittsburgh Steelers Danny Ehle Running back Howard Payne
425 Denver Broncos Jack Simcsak Kicker Virginia Tech
426 Chicago Bears Ray Garganes Linebacker Millersville (PA)
427 Green Bay Packers Monty Johnson Defensive back Oklahoma
428 New Orleans Saints Hermann Eben Wide receiver Oklahoma State
429 San Diego Chargers Chip Kell Center Tennessee
430 Cleveland Browns Leo Dillon Center Dayton
431 Kansas City Chiefs Travis Hill Defensive back Prairie View A&M
432 Cincinnati Bengals Sam Pearson Defensive back Western Kentucky
433 St. Louis Cardinals Preston Watkins Wide receiver Bluefield (WV)
434 New York Giants Coleman Zeno Wide receiver Grambling
435 Los Angeles Rams Joe Sweet Wide receiver Tennessee State
436 Detroit Lions Gordon Jolley Tackle Utah
437 Miami Dolphins Curt Mark Linebacker Mayville (N.D.)
438 San Francisco 49ers Leroy Charlton Defensive back Florida A&M
439 Minnesota Vikings Ken Duncan Punter Tulsa
440 Dallas Cowboys John Bomer Center Memphis State
441 Baltimore Colts Don Nottingham Running back Kent State
442 [5] Oakland Raiders Charles Hill Wide receiver Sam Houston State
= Pro Bowler [2] = Hall of Famer

Notable undrafted players

[edit]
† = Pro Bowler[2]
Original NFL team Player Pos. College Conf. Notes
Atlanta Falcons Mike Lewis  DT Arkansas AM&N Ind. (Coll.)
Buffalo Bills Tony Greene † S Maryland ACC
Buffalo Bills John Leypoldt  K Northern Virginia N/A
Cincinnati Bengals Tony Bertuca  LB Chico State FWC
Cincinnati Bengals Cookie Brinkman  WR Louisville MVC
Dallas Cowboys Toni Fritsch † K    
Green Bay Packers Jim DeLisle  DT Wisconsin Big Ten
Green Bay Packers Tim Webster  K Arkansas SWC
Houston Oilers Ward Walsh  RB Colorado Big Eight
Los Angeles Rams Matt Maslowski  WR San Diego Ind. (Coll.)
Los Angeles Rams Dave Mays  QB Texas Southern SWAC
Miami Dolphins Maulty Moore  DT Bethune-Cookman SIAC
Minnesota Vikings Chuck Winfrey  LB Wisconsin Big Ten
New England Patriots Kenny Price  LB Iowa Big Ten
New Orleans Saints Bill Line  DT SMU SWC
Oakland Raiders Don Milan  QB Cal Poly CCAA
Pittsburgh Steelers Glen Edwards † S Florida A&M SIAC
St. Louis Cardinals George Jakowenko  K Syracuse Ind. (Univ.)

Hall of Famers

[edit]
  • Jack Ham, linebacker from Pennsylvania State, taken 2nd round 34th overall by Pittsburgh Steelers
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1988.[6]
  • John Riggins, running back from Kansas, taken 1st round 6th overall by New York Jets
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1992.[7]
  • Dan Dierdorf, offensive tackle from Michigan, taken 2nd round 43rd overall by St. Louis Cardinals
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1996.[7]
  • Jack Youngblood, defensive end from Florida, taken 1st round 20th overall by Los Angeles Rams
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2001.[8]
  • Harold Carmichael, wide receiver from Southern, taken 7th round 161st overall by Philadelphia Eagles
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2020

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

1971 NFL draft

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from Grokipedia
The 1971 National Football League Draft was the 36th annual meeting in which (NFL) franchises selected newly eligible players, held over two days on January 28–29 at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in . Comprising 17 rounds, the draft saw 442 players chosen by the league's 26 teams, with the Patriots holding the first overall selection as the worst-performing team from the previous season. Dubbed the "Year of the Quarterback," it marked the first time in NFL history that the top three picks were all quarterbacks: from Stanford (selected by the Patriots), from (by the ), and from Santa Clara (by the ). Beyond the headline-grabbing quarterback selections, the first round featured other high-profile talents, including J.D. Hill from Arizona State (fourth overall, ), from Grambling State (fifth, ), and from Ohio State (ninth, ). Later rounds yielded several future Pro Football Hall of Famers, such as (20th overall, ), (34th, ), (first round, sixth overall, ; signed with the Washington Redskins as a in 1976), offensive tackle (43rd, St. Louis Cardinals), and (seventh round, Eagles). Plunkett, in particular, went on to win two Super Bowls (XV and XVIII) and earn MVP honors, while Manning became a beloved figure in Saints history despite the team's struggles. The draft's quarterback emphasis reflected the league's need for signal-callers amid an era of evolving passing offenses, and its selections contributed to championship successes for teams like the Raiders, Steelers, and Eagles in the and . Overall, the 1971 class is remembered for producing durable starters and Hall of Fame talent that influenced multiple franchises, even as early picks like and Pastorini faced challenges in underperforming teams.

Background and Context

NFL-AFL Merger

The merger between the () and the (AFL) was formalized on June 8, 1966, through an agreement announced by Commissioner and AFL founder , marking the end of a costly bidding war for players that had escalated since the AFL's inception in 1960. This pact, negotiated in secret sessions, aimed to unify professional football under a single structure while preserving competitive balance, with assuming leadership over the combined entity and Hunt playing a pivotal role in bridging the rival leagues. The agreement required congressional approval to exempt the merger from antitrust laws, which was granted via the Sports Broadcasting Act amendments signed by President on November 8, 1966, allowing the leagues to share television revenue and coordinate operations without legal challenges. Implementation unfolded over several years, with the leagues maintaining separate schedules and identities through the 1969 season while transitioning toward full integration by 1970. A common player draft was introduced in to eliminate duplicate selections and reduce signing bonuses, which had reached $7 million combined in 1966, drawing from a unified college talent pool and ending the era of competitive bidding. Expansion added the to the NFL in and the to the AFL in 1968, bringing the total to 26 teams by 1970, when the leagues officially merged for the upcoming season. This culminated in a realignment into two conferences—the (AFC), comprising the 10 original AFL teams plus the , , and , and the (NFC) with the remaining 13 NFL teams—each divided into three divisions of four or five teams to facilitate balanced scheduling and playoffs. The merger profoundly impacted the draft process by resolving territorial disputes that had fueled the leagues' rivalry, such as overlapping markets in cities like New York and , through unified franchise protections and revenue sharing. Draft eligibility rules standardized under the combined system, requiring players to complete four years of college or equivalent, while team allocations shifted to reflect conference alignments, ensuring equitable distribution of picks based on prior-season performance across the now-integrated league. By the 1971 draft, held as the first selection event for the fully merged 26-team , these changes symbolized a new era of stability, exemplified by the Patriots' selection of as the overall first pick.

Pre-Draft Expectations

The 1971 NFL Draft was widely anticipated as the "Year of the Quarterback," a moniker popularized by media outlets and scouting circles due to an unusually deep pool of signal-caller prospects. Sport magazine captured this buzz on its October 1970 cover, featuring Stanford's Jim Plunkett alongside other top quarterbacks like Archie Manning of Ole Miss and Notre Dame's Joe Theismann, signaling expectations that multiple passers could dominate early selections. Scouts forecasted that three to five quarterbacks might go in the first round alone, with Plunkett, the 1970 Heisman Trophy winner, viewed as a pro-ready talent for his poise and arm strength; Manning praised for his athleticism and mobility; and Santa Clara's Dan Pastorini noted for his powerful throwing and versatility, despite coming from a smaller program. Scouting efforts emphasized traditional methods, as the draft lacked modern elements like the NFL Combine or widespread pro days, relying instead on game film, college all-star exhibitions such as the Bowl, and limited in-person evaluations by a small cadre of team scouts. Expert predictions from figures like scout highlighted the quarterbacks' potential while debating their rankings, with media narratives building excitement around which teams would address their passing games first. Eligibility rules at the time restricted participation to college seniors or those at least four years removed from high school graduation, ensuring a pool focused on upperclassmen without notable controversies over early entrants. Several teams entered the draft with acute needs at following disappointing 1970 seasons, exemplified by the Boston Patriots, who finished 2-12 and desperately sought a franchise leader to stabilize their offense. Upton Bell and coach John Mazur prioritized Plunkett in their evaluations, viewing him as the ideal fit to end years of instability at the position. Similarly, the and scouted Manning and Pastorini aggressively, driven by regional ties and the need for dynamic playmakers amid ongoing roster overhauls. Beyond the quarterback focus, expectations extended to defensive standouts and offensive linemen as teams pursued balanced rebuilding efforts in the wake of the recent NFL-AFL merger, which unified the talent pool for the first time. Penn State's , an All-American linebacker known for his speed and coverage skills, generated buzz among scouts as a potential second-round steal, with evaluators particularly impressed by his athleticism despite concerns over his size. Offensive line prospects also drew attention for shoring up trenches in an era of physical play, reflecting league-wide anticipation of a draft that could accelerate post-merger transitions.

Draft Logistics

Date and Location

The 1971 NFL draft took place on January 28–29, 1971, spanning two days in a relatively low-profile manner compared to the multi-day extravaganzas of today. The event was held at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City, a modest conference room setting that accommodated only league officials, team executives, and scouts, with no public attendance or television coverage—unlike the fan-filled spectacles now staged at venues like Radio City Music Hall. This gathering marked a transitional moment following the 1970 NFL-AFL merger, expanding the draft's scale to include 26 teams while maintaining New York's role as the league's longstanding draft host since 1965. Over the course of the proceedings, a total of 442 players were selected across 17 rounds, with representatives conducting business in person amid the quiet hotel environment. The subdued atmosphere stood in contrast to the intense pre-draft buzz surrounding top prospects that year.

Format and Rules

The 1971 NFL Draft operated under the league's established guidelines for player selection, with the order of picks determined by the reverse finishing positions from the regular season standings to prioritize teams with the poorest records. Ties among teams with identical records were resolved by examining their performance in the prior season, providing a structured method to allocate early choices. The Boston Patriots earned the No. 1 overall selection as a result of their 2-12 record, the worst in the league that year. The draft spanned 17 rounds across the 26 teams comprising the unified following the AFL merger, yielding a total of 442 selections without any compensatory picks, which were not part of the format in that era. This structure allowed each team up to 17 picks, subject to trades, emphasizing depth in talent acquisition from the college ranks. Eligibility criteria confined participation to college seniors and recent graduates who had fulfilled their amateur status by exhausting collegiate playing eligibility, ensuring players entered the level post-university. Trading was permitted throughout the process, including swaps involving future draft picks, though immediate exchanges were sometimes limited by the draft's procedural constraints, favoring pre-negotiated agreements over on-the-spot deals. NFL Commissioner supervised the event, coordinating announcements of picks relayed via phone from team representatives to the league office, a far cry from contemporary drafts with live broadcasts, real-time analysis, or standardized pre-draft evaluations like the NFL Combine, which did not exist until 1982. The unified talent pool from the recent NFL-AFL merger facilitated equitable access to prospects for all franchises.

Player Selections

First Round

The first round of the 1971 NFL Draft, held on January 28-29 at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in , featured 26 selections across the league's 26 teams, marking the inaugural common draft following the AFL-NFL merger. It began with an unprecedented run on quarterbacks, as the top three picks addressed critical needs at the position for struggling franchises, reflecting the era's emphasis on signal-callers as franchise cornerstones. Overall, the round included 16 offensive players and 10 defensive players, with running backs dominating the offensive selections (eight total) amid teams' priorities to bolster ground games in a run-heavy league. Rookie contracts for top picks averaged around $300,000 to $450,000 over multi-year deals, setting benchmarks for the era's compensation structure.
PickTeamPlayerPositionCollege
1QBStanford
2QB
3QBSanta Clara
4J.D. HillWRArizona State
5DEGrambling
6RB
7Joe ProfitRBNortheast Louisiana
8Frank LewisWRGrambling
9RBOhio State
10LBSouthern
11Joe MooreRBMissouri
12Marv MontgomeryOTUSC
13Leon BurnsRBLong Beach State
14Clarence ScottDBKansas State
15Vern HollandOTTennessee State
16Elmo WrightWRHouston
17St. Louis CardinalsNorm ThompsonDBUtah
18Rocky ThompsonRBWest Texas A&M
19DBOhio State
20DEFlorida
21Bob BellDTCincinnati
22Don McCauleyRB
23Tim AndersonDBOhio State
24Minnesota VikingsLeo HaydenRBOhio State
25Tody SmithDEUSC
26Lenny DunlapDB
The , coming off a 2-12 record in 1970 with ongoing quarterback instability under multiple starters, selected winner first overall to establish a long-term leader and inject star power into a rebuilding effort. Similarly, the , who finished 2-11-1 the prior season and sought to captivate a frustrated fanbase, selected with the No. 2 pick, viewing his Ole Miss pedigree as a catalyst for renewed interest and on-field progress. The followed at No. 3 with , prioritizing his arm strength to stabilize a position plagued by injuries and inconsistency in recent years. Among the non-quarterback selections, the addressed their anemic rushing attack—ranking near the bottom of the league in 1970—by taking at , aiming to pair him with existing backs for a more balanced offense. The , holding two first-round picks after prior trades, focused on defense with linebacker at No. 10 to fortify their front seven and at No. 20 for pass-rush potential. The , emphasizing secondary reinforcement, chose Ohio State safety at No. 19 to add physicality and coverage skills to their aggressive defensive scheme.

Subsequent Rounds

The subsequent rounds of the 1971 NFL Draft, spanning rounds 2 through 17, produced 416 selections as teams addressed roster needs in the newly merged 26-team league, emphasizing depth across positions to support the expanded rosters. In rounds 2-8, selections included a focus on bolstering defensive units, reflecting teams' priorities for and secondary coverage amid competitive balance post-merger. Mid-round highlights included linebacker (round 2, pick 34, Penn State, ) and defensive end Dwight White (round 4, pick 104, North Texas State), both drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and key members of their Steel Curtain defense that anchored four Super Bowl victories, and offensive tackle (round 2, pick 43, , St. Louis Cardinals), a future Hall of Famer known for his blocking prowess. (round 7, pick 161, Southern, ) emerged as a seventh-round gem, amassing over 8,900 receiving yards in a prolific career. Rounds 9-17 focused on late-round depth, where teams like the (13 selections overall, the most in the draft) and (10 selections) made multiple picks to stock practice squads and special teams, while the Washington Redskins had the fewest at 3, prioritizing trades for veterans. This phase saw continued emphasis on linemen and defensive backs to fill expanded benches, with overall picks enabling teams to build sustainable rosters in the merger era, transitioning from the first round's quarterback-heavy focus to broader positional reinforcement without which the league's parity might have suffered.

Draft Trades

During the 1971 NFL Draft, trades involving draft picks were uncommon, a reflection of the era's limited infrastructure, which typically involved only a handful of personnel per team—often former players without advanced analytics or centralized combines to facilitate rapid evaluations and negotiations. This contrasted sharply with modern drafts, where sophisticated data and real-time communication enable frequent pick swaps; in the early 1970s, exchanges were sporadic and usually tied to acquiring veterans for immediate roster needs following the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. The most significant transaction occurred on draft day, January 28, 1971, as new Washington Redskins head coach George Allen aggressively rebuilt the team by trading with the Los Angeles Rams. The Redskins sent linebacker Marlin McKeever, their 1971 first-round pick (No. 10 overall, used by the Rams to select linebacker Isiah Robertson), third-round pick (No. 63 overall, safety Dave Elmendorf), and fifth-round pick (No. 124 overall, linebacker Jim Stillwagon), along with additional future selections, to the Rams in exchange for a cadre of experienced defenders and linemen: linebackers Maxie Baughan, Jack Pardee, and Myron Pottios; defensive tackle Diron Talbert; and offensive linemen John Wilbur and Jeff Jordan. This deal, executed between rounds, immediately fortified Washington's defense with proven talent, allowing Allen to prioritize short-term competitiveness over long-term draft accumulation in the merger's inaugural common draft. Smaller deals also influenced mid-round selections, such as the agreement between the and in which the Lions traded quarterback Greg Barton to the Eagles for the Eagles' 1971 second-round pick (No. 30 overall, used by the Lions to select Dave Thompson), along with future picks. A separate trade on October 6, 1970, saw the Lions send Larry Watkins to the Eagles. These limited exchanges highlighted the draft's mechanics, which permitted trades at any point but rarely saw blockbuster pick-for-pick maneuvers due to the value teams placed on retaining selections amid uncertain talent evaluation.

Notable Players

Hall of Fame Inductees

The 1971 NFL Draft yielded five players who earned induction into the , demonstrating the class's remarkable talent across positions and rounds. These inductees include running back , defensive end , linebacker , offensive tackle , and wide receiver , selected from the first through seventh rounds. Their careers highlight how draft position did not always predict success, with late-round picks like Carmichael proving that overlooked talent could achieve elite status through perseverance and opportunity. As of 2025, no additional players from this draft class have been inducted. John Riggins, selected sixth overall in the first round by the out of the , made an immediate impact as a powerful runner, amassing 3,880 rushing yards and 25 over his first five seasons (1971-1975) with the Jets, including a career-high 1,005 yards in 1975. After joining the Washington Redskins as a in 1976, he became a cornerstone of their offense, rushing for 7,472 yards and 79 across nine seasons, culminating in MVP honors in 1983 with 166 yards and a on 38 carries. Riggins was inducted in 1992 for his 11,352 career rushing yards, 104 rushing , and postseason prowess (996 yards and 12 in nine games). Jack Youngblood, taken 20th overall in the first round by the from the , transitioned quickly from a rookie backup in 1971 to a starting by 1973, anchoring the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" revamp after the trade of . His initial contributions included sharing duties in 1972 and emerging as a sack leader, playing in 201 consecutive games over 14 seasons (1971-1984) despite injuries like a fractured fibula in . Youngblood earned five selections (1974-1976, 1978-1979), seven Pro Bowls, and seven All-NFC honors, leading to his 2001 induction for his relentless and defensive dominance. Linebacker , drafted 34th overall in the second round by the from Penn State, secured a starting role as a in 1971 after a preseason interception spree, including three against the , and started all 14 games while contributing to the Steelers' defensive foundation. Over 12 seasons (1971-1982), he became a tackling machine and coverage specialist, earning six straight nods (1974-1979) and eight Pro Bowls. Ham's induction in 1988 recognized his role as a defensive anchor in four victories and his franchise-record 21 s as a linebacker. Dan Dierdorf, chosen 43rd overall in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals from the , rotated between guard and tackle in his first two seasons (1971-1972) before locking in at right tackle in 1973, helping the Cardinals' line surrender the fewest NFC sacks for five years running, including a league-low eight in 1975. His 13-year career (1971-1983) featured five selections (1975-1978, 1980), six Pro Bowls, and a spot on the 1970s All-Decade Team, earning him 1996 induction for his versatility, durability, and protection of quarterbacks like Jim Hart. Harold Carmichael, a seventh-round steal at 161st overall by the from , gradually rose from a reserve in 1971-1972 to reception leader in 1973 with 67 catches for 1,116 yards, setting an Eagles single-season record at the time. Over 14 seasons (1971-1984, primarily with Philadelphia), he tallied 590 receptions for 8,978 yards and 79 touchdowns, earning four Pro Bowls and a 1970s All-Decade Team nod despite playing in a run-heavy era. Carmichael's 2020 induction as part of the Centennial Class celebrated his consistency as a big-play target and late-round breakthrough.

Undrafted Players

In the 1971 NFL draft era, following the conclusion of the 17-round selection process, teams were permitted to sign undrafted college players as free agents to bolster their rosters, particularly amid the league's expansion to 26 teams after the AFL-NFL merger. This free agency window allowed for opportunistic pickups of overlooked talent, often from smaller schools or players who slipped through draft evaluations, providing immediate depth for training camps and the . One of the most prominent undrafted free agents from the 1971 draft class was safety Glen Edwards, who signed with the out of . Edwards quickly earned a starting role, forming a formidable safety tandem with Mike Wagner and contributing to the Steelers' defense during their rise in the ; he recorded 34 interceptions over his career, including 19 with Pittsburgh from 1971 to 1977, and was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams. Guard Jim Clack, another Steelers signee after going undrafted from , provided reliable interior line play for seven seasons in (1971-1977) before finishing his career with the . Clack appeared in 146 games, starting 58, and was instrumental in protecting the Steelers' during their early dynasty years, earning a spot on two rosters. Defensive tackle Mike Lewis, signed by the as an undrafted free agent from Arkansas-Pine Bluff (after starting at Wiley College), became a cornerstone of the Falcons' defensive line for nine seasons (1971-1979). Lewis played in 130 games, amassing 25 sacks—including a career-high eight in 1975—and helped anchor the front four during a period of defensive rebuilding for the franchise. These examples underscore the value of undrafted signings in 1971, where such players often filled critical gaps on expanded rosters, though stars like Edwards were exceptions amid a draft class dominated by high-profile selections.
PlayerPositionCollegeOriginal TeamNotable Achievements
Glen EdwardsSFlorida A&M34 career INTs; 2 Super Bowls (IX, X)
Jim ClackGWake Forest146 ; 2 Super Bowls (IX, X)
Mike LewisDTArkansas-Pine Bluff25.0 career sacks; 130

Legacy and Impact

Team Outcomes

The 1971 NFL draft provided varying degrees of immediate success for teams, with several rookies making notable contributions in their debut seasons while others faced challenges in integration and team performance through the mid-1970s. Pittsburgh's draft class stood out for its depth and rapid impact, helping transform a middling franchise into a contender, whereas teams like , New Orleans, and Washington struggled to translate high picks into short-term wins, often hampered by poor overall records and inconsistent rookie outputs. The maximized their selections, particularly on defense, to build momentum toward playoff appearances by 1972. Second-round pick earned a starting linebacker spot after a standout performance, where he impressed coaches with his coverage skills and recorded 2 interceptions and 1 recovery in his rookie season, anchoring a unit that improved the team's record from 5-9 in 1970 to 6-8 in 1971. Fourth-round guard Gerry Mullins bolstered the offensive line in limited starts. These contributions helped Pittsburgh reach 11-3 and the AFC Championship in 1972, followed by and X victories in 1974 and 1975, with seven draftees from the class earning rings in those early successes. No major injuries sidelined key Steelers rookies that year, allowing smooth integration. In contrast, the ' top overall pick, quarterback , showed promise but could not elevate a struggling roster. Plunkett started all 14 games as a , completing 158 of 328 passes for 2,158 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions for a 68.6 , including a debut win over the Broncos. However, the team finished 2-12, and through 1975, Plunkett's record stood at 23-38 with the Patriots, marked by 87 interceptions overall and no playoff berths, as injuries to offensive linemen limited protection and integration. The invested heavily in at No. 2 overall, but the pick yielded limited short-term gains amid ongoing franchise woes. Manning started 10 games in 1971, passing for 1,164 yards, 6 , and 9 interceptions, highlighted by a game-winning run in his debut victory over the . From 1971 to 1975, the Saints posted an 18–51–2 record, with Manning's efforts unable to overcome defensive deficiencies and frequent injuries to supporting cast members, such as linemen missing training camp time, leading to inconsistent play and no winning seasons. Rookie metrics underscored uneven team hits from the draft, with leading in impactful selections— and others combining for over 1,000 defensive plays in 1971 alone—while Washington ranked among the lowest, as their first-round Mike Reid managed just 2 sacks in 14 games before injuries curtailed his role, contributing to a 6-7-1 finish and minimal postseason progress through 1975. The saw solid early returns from , their sixth overall pick, who rushed for 606 yards and 3 touchdowns on 180 carries in 1971 despite a brief holdout, helping stabilize the backfield on a 4-10 team before his trade in 1976. The effectively utilized defensive end , selected 20th overall, who started 8 of 14 games as a and recorded 4 sacks, integrating seamlessly into the "Fearsome Foursome" line without injury setbacks to aid an 8-5-1 season. Retrospectively, earned top draft grades for maximizing multiple rounds into starters who fueled a 1972-1975 turnaround (43–12–1 record), while Washington and New Orleans received lower marks for failing to convert premium picks into sustained improvement, with only sporadic contributions amid integration hurdles like camp competitions and minor ailments.

Long-Term Significance

The 1971 NFL draft class left an enduring mark on the league through its production of multiple inductees and key contributors to victories, underscoring the draft's role in franchise building. Linebacker , selected by the in the second round, anchored their defenses in victories at , earning eight selections and induction into the Hall of Fame in 1988. Running back , a fourth-round pick by the who later starred for the Washington Redskins, was named MVP of after rushing for a record 166 yards in their 1983 triumph, leading to his 1992 Hall of Fame enshrinement. Similarly, quarterback , the No. 1 overall selection by the , won with the , highlighting how early-round quarterbacks from this class became pivotal in championship runs. These examples illustrate the draft's emphasis on quarterback talent, as it marked the first time three signal-callers—, , and —were chosen in the top three picks, a trend that reinforced the strategic priority of drafting elite quarterbacks to build sustainable contenders. The draft also played a foundational role in the NFL's post-merger evolution, stabilizing the newly unified league by distributing high-caliber talent that fostered competitive parity across former AFL and franchises. Coming shortly after the 1970 merger, the 1971 selections exemplified how a common draft pool enabled struggling teams like the Steelers to assemble core players—such as , defensive end Dwight White, and guard Gerry Mullins—who started in and propelled to four titles in the , elevating them from perennial also-rans to dynasty architects. This talent infusion helped balance competition, as evidenced by the Steelers' seven starters from the class, contributing to broader league-wide shifts where mid-round picks increasingly drove long-term success and reduced dominance by established powers. The emphasis on early quarterback selections in 1971 further influenced subsequent drafts, setting a for prioritizing the position to accelerate rebuilds and maintain parity in an expanding 26-team league. Culturally, the 1971 draft represented a transitional benchmark in the event's evolution from a subdued, behind-the-scenes process to the multimillion-viewer it became, serving as a reference point for talent-rich classes in historical comparisons. Held in a New York hotel with minimal media presence—no or public celebrations—the draft contrasted sharply with modern extravaganzas like the 2024 event in , which drew 775,000 attendees, yet its quarterback-heavy top selections and depth of future stars positioned it as an early model for high-impact hauls. This class's success, including five Hall of Famers overall (Ham, Riggins, Jack Youngblood, tackle Dan Dierdorf, and Harold Carmichael), established a standard for evaluating draft productivity beyond immediate results. As of 2025, the 1971 draft continues to feature prominently in modern analyses as one of the most productive classes in history, with the Steelers' selections ranked second all-time in approximate value and frequently compared to recent quarterback-laden drafts like for their depth and longevity. No major new inductees or revelations have emerged, but the class's enduring Hall of Fame presence—bolstered by Carmichael's enshrinement—affirms its status as a cornerstone of football excellence, influencing ongoing discussions on draft strategy and talent evaluation.

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  53. https://lancasteronline.com/sports/local_sports/1971-nfl-draft-truly-built-foundation-of-pittsburgh-steelers-dynasty-opinion/article_97bb6ea2-45e4-11e8-a901-ef9515d65298.html
  54. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45597769/picking-best-nfl-draft-picks-ever-every-slot-common-era-1967-2024
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