1978 NFL draft
1978 NFL draft
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1978 NFL draft

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1978 NFL draft
Roosevelt Hotel (location of the draft), photographed in 2008
General information
DateMay 2–3, 1978
LocationRoosevelt Hotel
in New York City, New York
Overview
334 total selections in 12 rounds
LeagueNFL
First selectionEarl Campbell, RB
Houston Oilers
Mr. IrrelevantLee Washburn, G
Dallas Cowboys
Most selections (18)Cincinnati Bengals
Fewest selections (5)Denver Broncos
Hall of Famers
4
← 1977
1979 →

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

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

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

Player selections

[edit]
* = compensatory selection
† = Pro Bowler[5]
‡ = Hall of Famer[6]
Positions key
Offense Defense Special teams
  1. ^ Includes nose tackle (NT)
  2. ^ Includes middle linebacker (MLB/MIKE), weakside linebacker (WILL), strongside linebacker (SAM), off-ball linebacker, and outside linebacker (OLB)
  3. ^ Includes free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS)
  4. ^ Also known as a placekicker (PK)
  5. ^ Includes kickoff and punt returners
Rnd. Pick Team Player Pos. College Notes
1 1 Houston Oilers Earl Campbell‡† RB Texas
from Tampa Bay Heisman Trophy winner [7]
1 2 Kansas City Chiefs Art Still † DE Kentucky
1 3 New Orleans Saints Wes Chandler † WR Florida
1 4 New York Jets Chris Ward  T Ohio State
1 5 Buffalo Bills Terry Miller  RB Oklahoma State
1 6 Green Bay Packers James Lofton‡† WR Stanford
1 7 San Francisco 49ers Ken MacAfee  TE Notre Dame
1 8 Cincinnati Bengals Ross Browner  DE Notre Dame
1 9 Seattle Seahawks Keith Simpson  CB Memphis State
1 10 New York Giants Gordon King  T Stanford
1 11 Detroit Lions Luther Bradley  CB Notre Dame
1 12 Cleveland Browns Clay Matthews † LB USC
1 13 Atlanta Falcons Mike Kenn † T Michigan
1 14 San Diego Chargers John Jefferson † WR Arizona State
1 15 St. Louis Cardinals Steve Little  K Arkansas
1 16 Cincinnati Bengals Blair Bush  C Washington
1 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Doug Williams  QB Grambling State
from Houston
1 18 New England Patriots Bob Cryder  G Alabama
1 19 St. Louis Cardinals Ken Greene  S Washington State
1 20 Los Angeles Rams Elvis Peacock  RB Oklahoma
from Chicago via Cleveland
1 21 Minnesota Vikings Randy Holloway  DE Pittsburgh
1 22 Pittsburgh Steelers Ron Johnson  CB Eastern Michigan
1 23 Cleveland Browns Ozzie Newsome‡† TE Alabama
from Los Angeles
1 24 San Francisco 49ers Dan Bunz  LB Long Beach State
from Miami
1 25 Baltimore Colts Reese McCall  TE Auburn
1 26 Green Bay Packers John Anderson  LB Michigan
from Oakland
1 27 Denver Broncos Don Latimer  DT Miami (FL)
1 28 Dallas Cowboys Larry Bethea  DE Michigan State
2 29 Kansas City Chiefs Sylvester Hicks  DE Tennessee State
2 30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Johnny Davis  RB Alabama
2 31 New York Jets Mark Merrill  LB Minnesota
2 32 Buffalo Bills Dee Hardison  DE North Carolina
2 33 New Orleans Saints James Taylor  T Missouri
2 34 Green Bay Packers Mike Hunt  LB Minnesota
2 35 Cincinnati Bengals Ray Griffin  CB Ohio State
from Philadelphia
2 36 Seattle Seahawks Keith Butler  LB Memphis State
2 37 New York Giants Odis McKinney  CB Colorado
2 38 Buffalo Bills Scott Hutchinson  DE Florida
from San Francisco
2 39 Cleveland Browns Johnny Evans  P NC State
2 40 Detroit Lions Al Baker † DE Colorado State
2 41 San Diego Chargers Milton Hardaway  T Oklahoma State
2 42 St. Louis Cardinals John Barefield  LB Texas A&I
2 43 Atlanta Falcons Steve Stewart  LB Minnesota
2 44 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Brett Moritz  G Nebraska
from Houston
2 45 Cincinnati Bengals Dave Turner  RB San Diego State
2 46 Los Angeles Rams Johnson, StanStan Johnson  DT Tennessee State
from Washington
2 47 San Francisco 49ers Walt Downing  G Michigan
from Chicago
2 48 Minnesota Vikings John Turner  CB Miami (FL)
2 49 Pittsburgh Steelers Willie Fry  DE Notre Dame
2 50 New England Patriots Matt Cavanaugh  QB Pittsburgh
2 51 Miami Dolphins Guy Benjamin  QB Stanford
2 52 Baltimore Colts Mike Woods  LB Cincinnati
2 53 Los Angeles Rams Ron Smith  WR San Diego State
2 54 Oakland Raiders Dave Browning  DE Washington
2 55 Denver Broncos Bill Gay  TE USC
2 56 Dallas Cowboys Todd Christensen † TE BYU
3 57 Oakland Raiders Derrick Jensen  RB Texas Arlington
from Tampa Bay
3 58 Kansas City Chiefs Gary Spani  LB Kansas State
3 59 Buffalo Bills Dennis Johnson  FB Mississippi State
3 60 New Orleans Saints Barry Bennett  DT Concordia (Moorhead)
3 61 New York Jets Mickey Shuler  TE Penn State
3 62 Green Bay Packers Estus Hood  CB Illinois State
3 63 Seattle Seahawks Bob Jury  CB Pittsburgh
3 64 Miami Dolphins Lyman Smith  DT Duke
from N. Y. Giants
3 65 Buffalo Bills Danny Fulton  WR Nebraska–Omaha
from San Francisco
3 66 Philadelphia Eagles Reggie Wilkes  LB Georgia Tech
3 67 Cleveland Browns Larry Collins  RB Texas A&I
from Detroit
3 68 Cleveland Browns Mark Miller  QB Bowling Green
3 69 St. Louis Cardinals Doug Greene  DB Texas A&I
3 70 Atlanta Falcons Stan Waldemore  G Nebraska
3 71 San Diego Chargers Rickey Anderson  RB South Carolina State
3 72 Cincinnati Bengals Ted Vincent  DT Wichita State
3 73 Houston Oilers Gifford Nielsen  QB BYU
3 74 Chicago Bears Brad Shearer  DT Texas
3 75 Minnesota Vikings Whip Walton  LB San Diego State
3 76 Pittsburgh Steelers Craig Colquitt  P Tennessee
3 77 New England Patriots Carlos Pennywell  WR Grambling State
3 78 Los Angeles Rams Frank Corral  K UCLA
from Washington
3 79 San Francisco 49ers Ernie Hughes  G Notre Dame
from Baltimore
3 80 Los Angeles Rams Leon White  C Colorado
3 81 Miami Dolphins Jimmy Cefalo  WR Penn State
3 82 Oakland Raiders Lindsey Mason  T Kansas
3 83 Cincinnati Bengals Don Bass  WR Houston
from Denver
3 84 Dallas Cowboys Dave Hudgens  T Oklahoma
4 85 Kansas City Chiefs Daniel Johnson  LB Tennessee State
4 86 Oakland Raiders Maurice Harvey  S Ball State
from Tampa Bay
4 87 New Orleans Saints Don Schwartz  S Washington State
4 88 New York Jets Donnell, DodieDodie Donnell  RB Nebraska
4 89 Buffalo Bills Lucius Sanford  LB Georgia Tech
4 89.5– Green Bay Packers no pick, penalized by NFL for staging illegal workouts in February with draft-eligible players
4 90 New York Giants Billy Taylor  RB Texas Tech
4 91 San Francisco 49ers Terry LeCount  WR Florida
4 92 Philadelphia Eagles Dennis Harrison  DT Vanderbilt
4 92.5– Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks forfeited their 1978 fourth round pick after selecting Al Hunter in the 1977 Supplemental draft
4 93 Miami Dolphins Gerald Small  CB San Jose State
from Cleveland
4 94 Detroit Lions Fifer, WilliamWilliam Fifer  T West Texas State
4 95 Atlanta Falcons Brian Cabral  LB Colorado
4 96 St. Louis Cardinals George Collins  G Georgia
from San Diego
4 97 St. Louis Cardinals Jimmy Childs  WR Cal Poly
4 98 Houston Oilers Mike Renfro  WR TCU
4 99 Cincinnati Bengals Dennis Law  WR East Tennessee State
4 100 Minnesota Vikings Jim Hough  C Utah State
4 101 Pittsburgh Steelers Larry Anderson  CB Louisiana Tech
4 102 New England Patriots Dwight Wheeler  T Tennessee State
4 103 Cleveland Browns Pallara, PetePete Pallara  G Tennessee-Chattanooga
from Washington via Los Angeles
4 104 Kansas City Chiefs Woods, PetePete Woods  QB Missouri
from Chicago
4 105 Los Angeles Rams Mark Manges  QB Maryland
4 106 Miami Dolphins Eric Laakso  T Tulane
4 107 Detroit Lions Homer Elias  G Tennessee State
from Baltimore
4 108 Oakland Raiders Joe Stewart  WR Missouri
4 109 Detroit Lions Larry Tearry  C Wake Forest
from Denver
4 110 Dallas Cowboys Alois Blackwell  RB Houston
5 111 Miami Dolphins Ted Burgmeier  S Notre Dame
from Tampa Bay
5 112 Kansas City Chiefs Jerrold McRae  WR Tennessee State
5 113 New York Jets Randy Sidler  LB Penn State
5 114 Buffalo Bills Spaeth, KenKen Spaeth  TE Nebraska
5 115 New Orleans Saints Eric Felton  CB Texas Tech
5 116 Green Bay Packers Mike Douglass  LB San Diego State
5 117 Baltimore Colts Frank Myers  T Texas A&M
from San Francisco
5 118 Kansas City Chiefs Carey, DwightDwight Carey  DT Texas Arlington
from Philadelphia
5 119 Seattle Seahawks Louis Bullard  T Jackson State
5 120 New York Giants Terry Jackson  CB San Diego State
5 121 Detroit Lions Amos Fowler  G Southern Miss
5 122 Cleveland Browns Keith Wright  WR Memphis State
5 123 Detroit Lions Dan Gray  DE Rutgers
from San Diego
5 124 St. Louis Cardinals Earl Carr  RB Florida
5 125 Atlanta Falcons Dennis Pearson  WR San Diego State
5 126 Cincinnati Bengals Tom Dinkel  LB Kansas
5 127 San Francisco 49ers Archie Reese  DT Clemson
from Houston via Kansas City thorough Chicago
5 128 Green Bay Packers Wilder, WillieWillie Wilder  RB Florida
from Pittsburgh
5 129 New England Patriots Bill Matthews  LB South Dakota State
5 130 Philadelphia Eagles Banks, NorrisNorris Banks  RB Kansas
from Washington
5 131 Cincinnati Bengals Rob Hertel  QB USC
from Chicago
5 132 New York Giants Jim Krahl  DT Texas Tech
from Minnesota
5 133 San Francisco 49ers Bruce Threadgill  S Mississippi State
from Miami
5 134 Kansas City Chiefs Robert Woods  WR Grambling State
from Baltimore
5 135 San Diego Chargers John Choma  G Virginia
from Los Angeles
5 136 Oakland Raiders Derrick Ramsey  TE Kentucky
5 137 New York Giants Brian DeRoo  WR Redlands
from Denver
5 138 Dallas Cowboys Rosen, RichRich Rosen  G Syracuse
6 139 Chicago Bears John Skibinski  RB Purdue
from Kansas City
6 140 Oakland Raiders Davis, TomTom Davis  C Nebraska
from Tampa Bay
6 141 New York Jets Bobby Jackson  CB Florida State
from Buffalo
6 142 New Orleans Saints Rieker, MikeMike Rieker  QB Lehigh
6 143 New York Jets Gregg Robinson  DT Dartmouth
6 144 Green Bay Packers Leotis Harris  G Arkansas
6 145 Buffalo Bills Smith, EricEric Smith  T Southern Miss
from Philadelphia
6 146 Seattle Seahawks Starks, GlennGlenn Starks  WR Texas A&I
6 147 New York Giants Pass, RandyRandy Pass  G Georgia Tech
6 148 San Francisco 49ers Elliott Walker  RB Pittsburgh
6 149 Cleveland Browns Pitts, AlAl Pitts  C Michigan State
6 150 Detroit Lions Dwight Hicks † S Michigan
6 151 St. Louis Cardinals Williams, JackJack Williams  DE Bowling Green
6 152 Atlanta Falcons Rodney Parker  WR Tennessee State
6 153 Detroit Lions Tony Ardizzone  G Northwestern
from San Diego
6 154 Houston Oilers Conrad Rucker  TE Southern
6 155 Cincinnati Bengals Geise, SteveSteve Geise  RB Penn State
6 156 New England Patriots Coleman, KemKem Coleman  LB Ole Miss
6 157 New Orleans Saints Francis Chesley  LB Wyoming
from Washington via Houston
6 158 Chicago Bears Mekeli Ieremia  DE BYU
6 159 Washington Redskins Tony Green † RB Florida
from San Francisco
6 160 Pittsburgh Steelers Randy Reutershan  WR Pittsburgh
6 161 Baltimore Colts Ben Garry  RB Southern Miss
6 162 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marshall, ElijahElijah Marshall  WR NC State
from Los Angeles
6 163 Miami Dolphins Doug Betters † DE Nevada
6 164 Oakland Raiders Mike Levenseller  WR Washington State
6 165 Detroit Lions Jesse Thompson  WR California
from Denver
6 166 Dallas Cowboys Harold Randolph  LB East Carolina
7 167 Atlanta Falcons Alfred Jackson  WR Texas
from Tampa Bay
7 168 Kansas City Chiefs Ricky Odom  CB USC
7 169 New York Jets Armstrong, LeviLevi Armstrong  DB UCLA
from New Orleans
7 170 New York Jets James Earley  RB Michigan State
7 171 Buffalo Bills Mario Celotto  LB USC
7 172 Green Bay Packers Plasketes, GeorgeGeorge Plasketes  LB Ole Miss
7 173 Seattle Seahawks John Harris  S Arizona State
7 174 New York Giants Dan Doornink  RB Washington State
7 175 San Francisco 49ers Fred Quillan † C Oregon
7 176 Oakland Raiders Arthur Whittington  RB SMU
from Philadelphia
7 177 Detroit Lions Gibson, BruceBruce Gibson  RB Pacific
7 178 Miami Dolphins Karl Baldischwiler  T Oklahoma
from Cleveland
7 179 Atlanta Falcons James Wright  TE TCU
7 180 San Diego Chargers Cliff Featherstone  DB Colorado State
7 181 St. Louis Cardinals Dave Stief  WR Portland State
7 182 Cincinnati Bengals Branson, JoeJoe Branson  DB Livingstone
7 183 Buffalo Bills Steve Powell  RB Northeast Missouri State
from Houston
7 184 Kansas City Chiefs Bill Kellar  WR Stanford
from Washington
7 185 Chicago Bears Jones, HermanHerman Jones  WR Ohio State
7 186 Philadelphia Eagles Greg Marshall  DT Oregon State
from Minnesota
7 187 Pittsburgh Steelers Dufresne, MarkMark Dufresne  TE Nebraska
7 188 New England Patriots Mike Hawkins  LB Texas A&I
7 189 Los Angeles Rams Reggie Doss  DE Hampton
7 190 Miami Dolphins Henry, LloydLloyd Henry  WR Northeast Missouri State
7 191 Baltimore Colts Jeff Logan  RB Ohio State
7 192 Oakland Raiders Earl Inmon  LB Bethune–Cookman
7 193 Cincinnati Bengals Bass, DannyDanny Bass  T Elon
from Denver
7 194 Dallas Cowboys Tom Randall  DT Iowa State
8 195 Kansas City Chiefs John Henry White  RB Louisiana Tech
8 196 Tampa Bay Buccaneers McGriff, JohnJohn McGriff  LB Miami (FL)
8 197 New York Jets Derrick Gaffney  WR Florida
8 198 New England Patriots Terry Falcon  G Montana
8 199 New Orleans Saints Brooks Williams  TE North Carolina
8 200 Green Bay Packers Dennis Sproul  QB Arizona State
8 201 New York Giants Grady, JeffJeff Grady  LB Florida A&M
8 202 Washington Redskins Lee, WalkerWalker Lee  WR North Carolina
8 203 New York Jets Mike Mock  P Texas Tech
8 204 Minnesota Vikings Mike Wood  K Southeast Missouri State
8 205 Cleveland Browns Jesse Turnbow  DT Tennessee
8 206 Detroit Lions Jim Breech  K California
8 207 Oakland Raiders Nichols, MarkMark Nichols  DE Colorado State
8 208 Pittsburgh Steelers Rick Moser  RB Rhode Island
8 209 Atlanta Falcons Adkins, DavidDavid Adkins  LB Ohio State
8 210 Houston Oilers J. C. Wilson  DB Pittsburgh
8 211 Cincinnati Bengals Miller, BillBill Miller  T Western Illinois
8 212 Chicago Bears Freitas, GeorgeGeorge Freitas  TE California
8 213 New York Jets Eppes, RoyRoy Eppes  DB Clemson
8 214 Pittsburgh Steelers Keyes, AndreAndre Keyes  WR Cal Poly
8 215 New England Patriots Mosi Tatupu † RB USC
8 216 Atlanta Falcons Williams, DavidDavid Williams  DB Tennessee–Martin
8 217 Miami Dolphins Sean Clancy  LB Amherst
8 218 Baltimore Colts Anthony, MonteMonte Anthony  RB Nebraska
8 219 Washington Redskins Don Hover  LB Washington State
8 220 San Diego Chargers Hendrick, GavinGavin Hendrick  P Washington State
8 221 Denver Broncos Smith, FrankFrank Smith  T Alabama A&M
8 222 Dallas Cowboys Homer Butler  WR UCLA
9 223 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Willie Taylor  WR Pittsburgh
9 224 Kansas City Chiefs Brown, LarryLarry Brown  T Miami (FL)
9 225 New York Jets Reggie Grant  DB Oregon
9 226 New Orleans Saints Carter, RichardRichard Carter  DB NC State
9 227 New York Jets Hutton, NeilNeil Hutton  DB Penn State
9 228 Green Bay Packers Myers, KeithKeith Myers  QB Utah State
9 229 San Francisco 49ers Redden, HermanHerman Redden  DB Howard
9 230 Philadelphia Eagles Charles Williams  DB Jackson State
9 231 Seattle Seahawks Grimmett, RichRich Grimmett  T Illinois
9 232 New York Giants Swiacki, BillBill Swiacki  TE Amherst
9 233 San Francisco 49ers Moore, DeanDean Moore  LB Iowa
9 234 Cleveland Browns Kramer, JonJon Kramer  G Baylor
9 235 St. Louis Cardinals Mosley, JoeJoe Mosley  TE Central State (OH)
9 236 Atlanta Falcons Tom Pridemore  S West Virginia
9 237 San Diego Chargers Henry Bradley  DT Alcorn State
9 238 Cincinnati Bengals Ron Shumon  LB Wichita State
9 239 Houston Oilers Mol, JimJim Mol  DE Morningside
9 240 Minnesota Vikings Deutsch, MikeMike Deutsch  P Colorado State
9 241 Pittsburgh Steelers Reynolds, LanceLance Reynolds  T BYU
9 242 New England Patriots Peterson, TimTim Peterson  LB Arizona State
9 243 Washington Redskins Martin, MikeMike Martin  QB Santa Clara
9 244 Chicago Bears Martin, MikeMike Martin  LB Kentucky
9 245 Baltimore Colts Dave Studdard  T Texas
9 246 Los Angeles Rams Andre Anderson  DE New Mexico State
9 247 Miami Dolphins Bruce Hardy  TE Arizona State
9 248 San Diego Chargers Blake Whitlatch  LB LSU
9 249 San Francisco 49ers McDaniels, SteveSteve McDaniels  T Notre Dame
9 250 Dallas Cowboys Williams, RussRuss Williams  DB Tennessee
10 251 Kansas City Chiefs Bryant, EarlEarl Bryant  DE Jackson State
10 252 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Aaron Brown  LB Ohio State
10 253 New York Giants Jorgensen, GregGreg Jorgensen  G Nebraska
10 254 New York Jets Richardson, LouisLouis Richardson  DE Florida State
10 255 Buffalo Bills Will Grant  C Kentucky
10 256 Green Bay Packers Larry Key  RB Florida State
10 257 Atlanta Falcons Ricky Patton  RB Jackson State
10 258 Seattle Seahawks Stewart, RobRob Stewart  N/A Lafayette
10 259 Green Bay Packers Totten, MarkMark Totten  C Florida
10 260 San Francisco 49ers Mike Connell  P Cincinnati
10 261 Cleveland Browns Watson, BrentBrent Watson  T Tennessee
10 262 Detroit Lions Arrington, FredFred Arrington  LB Purdue
10 263 Atlanta Falcons Ray Strong  RB UNLV
10 264 San Diego Chargers Price, CharlesCharles Price  TE Cincinnati
10 265 St. Louis Cardinals Gill, RandyRandy Gill  LB San Jose State
10 266 Houston Oilers Young, SteveSteve Young  TE Wake Forest
10 267 Cincinnati Bengals Tom DePaso  LB Penn State
10 268 Pittsburgh Steelers Doug Becker  LB Notre Dame
10 269 New England Patriots Ferguson, BryanBryan Ferguson  DB Miami (FL)
10 270 Washington Redskins Hartenstein, ScottScott Hartenstein  DE Azusa Pacific
10 271 Chicago Bears Ben Zambiasi  LB Georgia
10 272 Minnesota Vikings Shaw, HughieHughie Shaw  RB Texas A&I
10 273 Los Angeles Rams Peal, CharlesCharles Peal  T Indiana
10 274 Miami Dolphins Mark Dennard  C Texas A&M
10 275 Baltimore Colts Owens, DallasDallas Owens  DB Kentucky
10 276 Pittsburgh Steelers Tom Jurich  K Northern Arizona
from Tampa Bay for Ernie Holmes[8]
10 277 Denver Broncos Vince Kinney  WR Maryland
10 278 Dallas Cowboys Tomasetti, BarryBarry Tomasetti  T Iowa
11 279 Pittsburgh Steelers Nat Terry  DB Florida State
from Tampa Bay for Ernie Holmes[8]
11 280 Kansas City Chiefs Ray Milo  DB New Mexico State
11 281 New York Jets Pat Ryan  QB Tennessee
11 282 Buffalo Bills Jerry Blanton  LB Kentucky
11 283 New Orleans Saints Besaint, NathanNathan Besaint  DT Southern
11 284 Green Bay Packers Terry Jones  DT Alabama
11 285 New Orleans Saints Riley, DaveDave Riley  RB West Virginia
11 286 New York Giants Heim, DennisDennis Heim  DT Southwest Missouri State
11 287 San Francisco 49ers Willie McCray  DE Troy State
11 288 Philadelphia Eagles Billy Campfield  RB Kansas
11 289 Detroit Lions Murray, RichardRichard Murray  DT Oklahoma
11 290 Cleveland Browns Gillard, LarryLarry Gillard  DT Mississippi State
11 291 Oakland Raiders Jones, DeanDean Jones  DB Fresno State
11 292 Cincinnati Bengals Prince, CalCal Prince  RB Louisville
11 293 Atlanta Falcons Reed, ScooterScooter Reed  DB Baylor
11 294 Cincinnati Bengals Mark Donahue  G Michigan
11 295 Houston Oilers Thicklen, WillieWillie Thicklen  WR Alabama State
11 296 New England Patriots Williams, CharlieCharlie Williams  LB Florida
11 297 Washington Redskins Williams, MikeMike Williams  DB Texas A&M
11 298 Chicago Bears Underwood, WaltWalt Underwood  DE USC
11 299 Minnesota Vikings Harris, RonRon Harris  RB Colorado State
11 300 Pittsburgh Steelers Tom Brzoza  C Pittsburgh
11 301 Seattle Seahawks Halas, GeorgeGeorge Halas  LB Miami (FL)
11 302 Baltimore Colts Mason, HenryHenry Mason  WR Central Missouri State
11 303 Los Angeles Rams Hostetler, RonRon Hostetler  LB Penn State
11 304 Oakland Raiders Bob Glazebrook  DB Fresno State
11 305 Denver Broncos Brumley, LacyLacy Brumley  T Clemson
11 306 Dallas Cowboys Dennis Thurman  CB USC
12 307 Kansas City Chiefs Brock, WillieWillie Brock  C Colorado
12 308 Tampa Bay Buccaneers McLee, KevinKevin McLee  RB Georgia
12 309 Buffalo Bills Richard Crump  RB Northeastern State
12 310 New Orleans Saints Larry Hardy  TE Jackson State
12 311 New York Jets Alan Williams  P Florida
12 312 Green Bay Packers Eason Ramson  TE Washington State
12 313 New York Giants Lawson, GregGreg Lawson  RB Western Illinois
12 314 San Francisco 49ers Dan Irons  T Texas Tech
12 315 Philadelphia Eagles Mark Slater  C Minnesota
12 316 Seattle Seahawks Bergeron, JeffJeff Bergeron  RB Lamar
12 317 Cleveland Browns Leo Biedermann  T California
12 318 Detroit Lions Patterson, MarkMark Patterson  DB Washington State
12 319 St. Louis Cardinals Clay, AnthonyAnthony Clay  LB South Carolina State
12 320 Atlanta Falcons Butler, DariaDaria Butler  LB Oklahoma State
12 321 San Diego Chargers Kevin Bell  WR Lamar
12 322 Houston Oilers John Schuhmacher  G USC
12 323 Cincinnati Bengals Featsent, KimKim Featsent  WR Kent State
12 324 Washington Redskins Steve McCabe  G Bowdoin
12 325 Chicago Bears Sibley, LewLew Sibley  LB LSU
12 326 Minnesota Vikings Jeff Morrow  T Minnesota
12 327 Pittsburgh Steelers Carr, BradBrad Carr  LB Maryland
12 328 New England Patriots John Gibney  C Colgate
12 329 Baltimore Colts Bruce Allen  P Richmond
12 330 Los Angeles Rams Gus Coppens  T UCLA
12 331 Miami Dolphins Mike Moore  RB Middle Tennessee
12 332 Oakland Raiders Conron, JoeJoe Conron  WR Pacific
12 333 Miami Dolphins Bill Kenney † QB Northern Colorado
12 334[9] Dallas Cowboys Washburn, LeeLee Washburn  G Montana State

Supplemental draft

[edit]
Rnd. Pick Team Player Pos. College Notes
12 — San Francisco 49ers Connors, RodRod Connors  RB USC

Notable undrafted players

[edit]
† = Pro Bowler[5] ‡ = Hall of Famer[6]
Original NFL team Player Pos. College Notes
Atlanta Falcons Lewis Gilbert  TE Florida
Atlanta Falcons Hans Nielsen  K Michigan State
Baltimore Colts Roger Farmer  WR Baker
Buffalo Bills Joe Shipp  TE USC
Chicago Bears Mike Morgan  RB Wisconsin
Chicago Bears Jack Steptoe  WR Utah
Chicago Bears Mike Ulmer  S Doane
Dallas Cowboys Dave Kraayeveld  DE Milton
Dallas Cowboys Joe Moreino  DT Idaho State
Dallas Cowboys Robert Steele  WR North Alabama
Denver Broncos Herb Christopher  S Morris Brown
Detroit Lions Ken Callicutt  RB Clemson
Detroit Lions Kit Lathrop  DT Arizona State
Detroit Lions John Sokolosky  C Wayne State
Green Bay Packers Paul Coffman † TE Kansas State
Green Bay Packers Walt Landers  RB Clark Atlanta
Green Bay Packers Paul Rudzinski  LB Michigan State
Green Bay Packers Howard Sampson  DB Arkansas
Houston Oilers Warren Moon‡ QB Washington
Houston Oilers Guido Merkens † QB/WR Sam Houston State
Los Angeles Rams Alan Caldwell  DB North Carolina
Los Angeles Rams Preston Dennard  WR New Mexico
Los Angeles Rams Dwayne O'Steen  CB San Jose State
Los Angeles Rams Doug Smith † C/G Bowling Green
Miami Dolphins John Bristor  CB Waynesburg
Miami Dolphins Zac Henderson  DB Oklahoma
Minnesota Vikings Harry Washington  WR Colorado State
Minnesota Vikings Kevin Miller  WR Louisville
New England Patriots Tom Birney  K Michigan State
New England Patriots Nick Lowery † K Dartmouth
New Orleans Saints Ed Burns  QB Nebraska
New York Jets Bobby Jones  WR Millikin
Oakland Raiders Mark Iwanowski  TE Penn
Oakland Raiders Booker Russell  RB Texas State
Philadelphia Eagles Ken Clarke  DT Syracuse
Philadelphia Eagles Dan Rains  LB Cincinnati
Philadelphia Eagles Brenard Wilson  S Vanderbilt
Pittsburgh Steelers Thom Dornbrook  C Kentucky
Seattle Seahawks Rufus Crawford  RB Virginia State
Seattle Seahawks Kerry Justin  CB Oregon State
Seattle Seahawks Brian Peets  TE Pacific
Washington Redskins Cleo Montgomery  WR Abilene Christian
Washington Redskins George Roberts  P Virginia Tech
Washington Redskins J. T. Smith † WR North Texas

Hall of Famers

[edit]
  • Earl Campbell, running back from Texas, taken 1st round 1st overall by Houston Oilers
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1991.[10]
  • Ozzie Newsome, wide receiver from Alabama, taken 1st round 23rd overall by Cleveland Browns
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1999.[10]
  • James Lofton, wide receiver from Stanford, taken 1st round 6th overall by Green Bay Packers
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2003.[11]
  • Warren Moon, quarterback from Washington, signed undrafted by Houston Oilers
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2006.[11]

References

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

1978 NFL draft

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 1978 NFL Draft was the 43rd annual player selection meeting held by National Football League (NFL) franchises to choose eligible college players and assign them to professional teams.[1] It took place over two days, May 2–3, 1978, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.[2] The draft consisted of 12 rounds and resulted in the selection of 334 players.[3] The Houston Oilers secured the first overall pick by trading with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—who had earned it based on their league-worst 2–12 record from the 1977 season—in exchange for tight end Jimmie Giles plus multiple draft picks.[1] With that selection, the Oilers chose running back Earl Campbell from the University of Texas, a Heisman Trophy winner who made an immediate impact as a rookie.[4] Campbell rushed for 1,450 yards in 1978, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors, All-Pro recognition, while leading the Oilers to the playoffs.[4] Beyond Campbell, the draft produced several other standout players who shaped the league for years. James Lofton, a wide receiver from Stanford selected sixth overall by the Green Bay Packers, went on to a Hall of Fame career with over 14,000 receiving yards and eight Pro Bowl selections.[5] The Cleveland Browns picked tight end Ozzie Newsome from Alabama in the first round (23rd overall), another future Hall of Famer who amassed 7,980 receiving yards and became a cornerstone of the franchise.[5] Other notable first-round selections included defensive end Art Still (second overall, Kansas City Chiefs), wide receiver Wes Chandler (third overall, [New Orleans Saints](/page/New Orleans_Saints)), and quarterback Doug Williams (17th overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), the first African American quarterback ever drafted in the first round, who later became the first Black quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP honors.[3][6] Overall, the class is remembered for its depth at skill positions and for launching multiple Pro Football Hall of Famers, contributing to competitive rosters amid the NFL's growing popularity in the late 1970s.[1]

Overview

Basic Facts

The 1978 NFL Draft took place over two days, May 2–3, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, New York.[7][8] The event featured 12 rounds, resulting in 334 total selections across the league's 28 teams.[9] Draft order was established in reverse sequence of the 1977 regular-season standings, with ties resolved by strength of schedule. The Houston Oilers held the No. 1 overall pick—obtained through a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—and used it to select running back Earl Campbell from the University of Texas.[5] The final pick, No. 334 and designated as Mr. Irrelevant, went to the Dallas Cowboys, who selected offensive guard Lee Washburn from Montana State University.[10][5]

Historical Significance

The 1978 NFL Draft occurred during the third season of operation for the league's two newest expansion franchises, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, which had joined the NFL in 1976 and thus influenced the overall pick order through their poor initial records.[11] As struggling teams, both received high selections in the draft—Tampa Bay held the No. 1 overall pick before trading it away, while Seattle selected at No. 9—allowing them to build foundational rosters amid the league's recent growth from 26 to 28 teams.[1] This expansion context underscored the draft's role in accelerating parity, as the influx of new talent helped distribute competitive balance following the uneven integration of the newcomers. The draft exemplified the 1970s era of running back dominance in the NFL, where offenses prioritized ground attacks over aerial strategies, a trend that persisted until rule changes in 1978 began favoring the passing game.[12] With the Houston Oilers trading up to select Texas running back Earl Campbell as the No. 1 overall pick, the event highlighted the premium placed on elite rushers capable of powering run-heavy schemes, as evidenced by multiple first-round selections at the position, including Terry Miller by the Buffalo Bills at No. 5.[1] This focus reflected broader offensive philosophies of the decade, where teams ran the ball around 60% of the time before the shift to balanced or pass-first approaches in the 1980s.[13] Rookies from the 1978 Draft made immediate contributions across the league, revitalizing franchises and laying groundwork for the quarterback-centric innovations that defined the 1980s. Campbell, in particular, exploded for 1,450 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns as a rookie, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and anchoring the Oilers' resurgence.[14] Other standouts, such as wide receivers James Lofton (Green Bay Packers, No. 6 overall) and John Jefferson (San Diego Chargers, No. 14), provided instant offensive firepower, while tight end Ozzie Newsome (Cleveland Browns, No. 23) became a reliable target who helped stabilize rebuilding efforts.[1] Comprising 28 first-round picks across the league's 28 teams, the draft addressed critical needs stemming from the 1977 season's relative parity, where no single powerhouse dominated and multiple clubs finished with winning records around 9-5 or better, prompting widespread roster overhauls.[15] In total, 334 players were selected over 12 rounds, with the emphasis on bolstering lines and skill positions to capitalize on the era's physical, ground-oriented play while preparing for emerging passing trends.[5] This structure not only filled immediate voids but also contributed to the NFL's evolving competitiveness in the late 1970s.

Background

League Context

The 1977 NFL season featured 28 teams divided between the American Football Conference and National Football Conference, marking the second year for expansion franchises Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, both of which struggled in their early years. The season culminated in Super Bowl XII on January 15, 1978, where the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10 to claim their second championship, highlighting the dominance of established contenders while underscoring the challenges faced by rebuilding teams.[16] The Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs tied for the league's worst record at 2-12, earning them the top two selections in the upcoming draft based on reverse order of standings, though the Buccaneers ultimately traded their first-round pick to the Houston Oilers, altering the initial order. The Seahawks, despite a 5-9 finish, benefited from their expansion status in prior drafts but continued to build through high selections as a young franchise.[17] Salary trends in the NFL were evolving toward greater investment in top talent, with the league-wide average player salary reaching approximately $62,500 in 1978, a 13.2% increase from $55,000 the previous year.[18] Rookie minimums started at $20,000, but high-profile selections commanded significantly more, exemplified by the Oilers' record-setting six-year, $1.4 million contract for their top pick, signaling a shift where teams increasingly allocated premium resources to star prospects to accelerate competitiveness.[19][20] A key structural factor influencing team needs was the implementation of the "Mel Blount Rule" for the 1978 season, which restricted defensive backs from making contact with receivers beyond five yards downfield, building on earlier discussions from the 1975 season.[21] This change, named after Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mel Blount for his physically dominant style, aimed to promote a more open, passing-oriented game and heightened demand for agile wide receivers, precise quarterbacks, and secondary players capable of covering without excessive physicality.[21]

Key Prospects

Earl Campbell, a running back from the University of Texas, emerged as the consensus top prospect in the 1978 NFL Draft class after winning the Heisman Trophy in 1977.[22] Known for his bruising, powerful running style that combined speed and durability, Campbell led the nation in rushing during his senior season with 1,744 yards and 19 touchdowns, powering Texas to an undefeated regular season and the No. 1 national ranking.[23] His draft stock surged in the lead-up to the event, particularly as the Houston Oilers, seeking a franchise centerpiece for their offense, aggressively traded up to secure the first overall pick to select him.[24] Among other standout talents, wide receiver James Lofton from Stanford garnered significant pre-draft attention as a consensus All-American, highlighted by his senior-year performance of 57 receptions for 1,010 yards and 14 touchdowns.[25][26] Lofton, who also excelled in track as a world-class long jumper, was prized for his speed and deep-threat ability, making him a focal point for teams rebuilding their passing attacks. Tight end Ozzie Newsome of Alabama further bolstered the skilled-position depth of the class, setting a Southeastern Conference career record with 2,070 receiving yards on 102 catches despite playing in a run-heavy wishbone offense that limited passing opportunities.[27] Newsome's reliability as a blocker and receiver positioned him as a blue-chip prospect for franchises emphasizing versatile tight ends. The 1978 prospect pool reflected era-specific trends, with a heavy emphasis on running backs early in the selection process—two of the top five picks were at the position—alongside strong representation from defensive linemen, including two in the top eight overall.[5] Quarterbacks, however, were notably undervalued, as the position saw its first selection only at the 17th overall pick with Doug Williams from Grambling State, underscoring teams' preference for established starters over developmental signal-callers.[1] Scouting for the 1978 draft relied heavily on game film review, individual pro days, and personal interviews, as formalized pre-draft combines had not yet been established; the first organized testing events would not occur until 1979, with the official NFL Combine debuting in 1982.[28] This approach amplified the importance of college production and anecdotal evaluations, contributing to the hype around power runners like Campbell while occasionally overlooking subtler talents in less pass-oriented systems.

Draft Execution

Location and Format

The 1978 NFL Draft, formally the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting, took place over two days, May 2 and 3, at the Grand Ballroom of the Roosevelt Hotel located at Madison Avenue and 45th Street in New York City.[2][29] The venue hosted representatives from all 28 NFL teams, seated at distinctly marked tables arranged in the ballroom, facilitating direct negotiations and submissions.[2][7] The format consisted of 12 rounds, with rounds 1 through 6 held on the first day starting in the morning and continuing until no later than 9 p.m., followed by rounds 7 through 12 on the second day.[29][2] Selections followed the standard inverse order of the previous season's standings, with ties broken by opponents' winning percentages.[2] Teams submitted their picks using official cards handed to league officials for announcement, often after phone consultations from team headquarters, as many head coaches and general managers remained in their home cities rather than attending in person.[2] Time limits were enforced at 15 minutes per pick for rounds 1 and 2, dropping to 5 minutes for rounds 3 through 12, though actual intervals between announcements typically ranged from 5 to 10 minutes due to informal pacing without an on-site clock.[2] The event had limited public access, with approximately 200 seats available on a balcony for fans via free tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8 a.m. on the first day, while primarily attended by team executives, scouts, owners, and select media personnel, with the proceedings documented by NFL staff but not televised, as live broadcasts did not begin until 1980.[2][30][7][31] Overall, the draft unfolded over roughly 20 hours, incorporating breaks for trade discussions and other interruptions.[2]

Major Trades

The most significant trade of the 1978 NFL Draft occurred prior to the event, reshaping the top of the order and enabling the Houston Oilers to select Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell first overall.[5] The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who held the No. 1 pick by virtue of their 2-12 record from 1977, traded it to the Oilers in exchange for tight end Jimmie Giles, the Oilers' 1978 first-round pick (No. 17 overall, used to select quarterback Doug Williams), the 1978 second-round pick (No. 44 overall, used to select guard Brett Moritz), and the 1979 third-round pick (No. 78 overall, used to select defensive back Reggie Lewis).[32][33] The Oilers, coming off a 3-11 season and seeking to bolster their struggling offense under new head coach Bum Phillips, targeted Campbell as a dynamic running back to complement quarterback Dan Pastorini and revitalize the team's ground game.[24][34] Meanwhile, the Buccaneers, in just their third year of existence and prioritizing roster depth for immediate competitiveness, valued Giles—a proven Pro Bowl tight end—as an instant contributor to their passing attack, along with the additional draft capital to address multiple needs.[24][35] This transaction shifted the draft dynamics, allowing Houston to draft first and select Campbell, while Tampa Bay moved down to No. 17 and used that pick on Williams, who became a franchise cornerstone.[32] Beyond this blockbuster, the draft featured several other exchanges involving first-round selections, contributing to a total of 12 such trades that adjusted team positions throughout the process.[32] Notable among them included maneuvers by teams like the New Orleans Saints to secure wide receiver Wes Chandler at No. 3 and the Kansas City Chiefs to draft defensive end Art Still at No. 2, reflecting strategic efforts to target high-impact prospects.[5]

Player Selections

First Round

The first round of the 1978 NFL Draft featured 28 selections made by the league's 28 teams, reflecting a mix of offensive and defensive priorities amid a competitive draft class. Held on May 2 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, the round began with a blockbuster pre-draft trade that reshaped the top of the order: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who held the No. 1 pick based on their previous season's record, dealt it to the Houston Oilers in exchange for tight end Jimmie Giles, the Oilers' No. 17 and No. 44 overall picks (used on quarterback Doug Williams and guard Brett Moritz, respectively), plus future draft choices in 1979 and 1980.[32] No other significant trades occurred during the first round itself.[5] The selections emphasized foundational talent for rebuilding franchises, with a notable focus on offensive skill positions and defensive fronts. Below is the complete list of first-round picks:
PickTeamPlayerPos.College
1Houston OilersEarl CampbellRBTexas
2Kansas City ChiefsArt StillDEKentucky
3New Orleans SaintsWes ChandlerWRFlorida
4New York JetsChris WardTOhio State
5Buffalo BillsTerry MillerRBOklahoma State
6Green Bay PackersJames LoftonWRStanford
7San Francisco 49ersKen MacAfeeTENotre Dame
8Cincinnati BengalsRoss BrownerDENotre Dame
9Seattle SeahawksKeith SimpsonDBMemphis State
10New York GiantsGordon KingTStanford
11Detroit LionsLuther BradleyDBNotre Dame
12Cleveland BrownsClay MatthewsLBUSC
13Atlanta FalconsMike KennTMichigan
14San Diego ChargersJohn JeffersonWRArizona State
15St. Louis CardinalsSteve LittleKArkansas
16Cincinnati BengalsBlair BushCWashington
17Tampa Bay BuccaneersDoug WilliamsQBGrambling State
18New England PatriotsBob CryderGAlabama
19St. Louis CardinalsKen GreeneDBWashington State
20Los Angeles RamsElvis PeacockRBOklahoma
21Minnesota VikingsRandy HollowayDEPittsburgh
22Pittsburgh SteelersRon JohnsonDBEastern Michigan
23Cleveland BrownsOzzie NewsomeTEAlabama
24San Francisco 49ersDan BunzLBLong Beach State
25Baltimore ColtsReese McCallTEAuburn
26Green Bay PackersJohn AndersonLBMichigan
27Denver BroncosDon LatimerDTMiami (FL)
28Dallas CowboysLarry BetheaDEMichigan State
[5] Team strategies varied but often targeted immediate impact players to address roster weaknesses. The Oilers, coming off a disappointing 1977 season, prioritized offense by trading aggressively for Campbell, a bruising Heisman Trophy winner whose punishing running style was seen as the key to jump-starting their ground attack under new head coach Bum Phillips.[7] The Chiefs, meanwhile, bolstered their defense with Still, a versatile pass rusher expected to anchor the front four and improve a unit that had struggled against the run.[5] Three running backs—Campbell, Miller, and Peacock—were taken in the round, highlighting the NFL's run-heavy philosophy of the late 1970s, when teams relied on dominant ground games to control the clock and wear down opponents.[36] On-site reactions at the draft were positive and anticipatory, with Campbell's selection drawing widespread acclaim as a franchise-altering coup for the Oilers, whose scouts and executives hailed his potential to transform the team's fortunes.[7] The atmosphere in the ballroom was lively but predictable, with few surprises beyond the pre-draft trade; selections like the Cardinals' choice of kicker Steve Little at No. 15 raised eyebrows for its unconventional focus on special teams early.[37] Contract terms for first-round picks were modest by modern standards, underscoring the era's salary structure before free agency reforms. Campbell signed a landmark six-year deal worth $1.4 million with the Oilers shortly after the draft, including a reported signing bonus of approximately $68,000—the highest among rookies that year.[38] Other first-rounders received multiyear contracts with signing bonuses typically in the $50,000 to $80,000 range, averaging around $60,000 league-wide for top talents, though exact figures varied by negotiation and position.[39]

Later Rounds

The later rounds of the 1978 NFL Draft, encompassing rounds 2 through 12, featured 306 selections that emphasized team depth, developmental prospects, and occasional mid-round steals, with most rounds consisting of 28 picks each, though some rounds had fewer due to trades and other factors.[5] Trading activity diminished significantly after the first round, enabling teams to focus on targeted additions without major disruptions to the selection order.[32] These rounds highlighted a shift toward specialists like punters and kickers in the middle to later stages, reflecting teams' efforts to bolster roster margins with players suited for niche roles, though few such selections rose to prominence.[40] Among the standout value picks, defensive end Al Baker was selected by the Detroit Lions in round 2 (40th overall) out of Colorado State; he recorded 23 sacks in his rookie season, earning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and three Pro Bowl selections over a career that amassed 79 sacks. Tight end Todd Christensen, drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in round 2 (56th overall) from Brigham Young and subsequently traded to the Oakland Raiders, developed into a reliable receiving threat with 461 catches for 5,872 yards, securing five Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro honors while contributing to a Super Bowl victory. In round 3, the New York Jets chose tight end Mickey Shuler (61st overall) from Penn State, who played 12 seasons primarily with the Jets, amassing 462 receptions for 5,095 yards and earning two Pro Bowl appearances as a consistent blocker and pass-catcher.[41] Further depth emerged in the middle rounds, exemplified by cornerback Dwight Hicks, selected by the San Francisco 49ers in round 6 (150th overall) from Michigan State; he intercepted 20 passes over seven seasons, made four Pro Bowls, and played a key role in the 49ers' Super Bowl XVI triumph with his coverage skills. Punter Johnny Evans, taken by the Cleveland Browns in round 2 (39th overall) from North Carolina State initially as a quarterback prospect, transitioned to punting and earned two Pro Bowl selections with the Buffalo Bills after a 1981 trade, averaging 41.7 yards per punt across 64 games.[42] Overall, these selections underscored the draft's potential for uncovering contributors beyond the premium talent of the opening round, with later picks often providing long-term roster stability rather than immediate stardom.[5]

Supplemental Draft

Purpose and Process

The NFL introduced the supplemental draft in 1977 as a post-regular-draft mechanism to select amateur players who had become ineligible for the primary annual draft due to circumstances such as academic failures, disciplinary suspensions, or NCAA violations that prevented timely declaration.[43][44] This process addressed cases where players, often fringe prospects, could not participate in the spring regular draft but sought professional opportunities before the upcoming season.[45] For the 1978 edition, the supplemental draft occurred in the summer, after the regular draft concluded in May but before training camps began, ensuring selected players could integrate into team preparations without disrupting the league's competitive balance.[8] Eligibility was restricted to those who had missed the regular draft for the specified reasons, typically college athletes at least three years removed from high school who faced administrative or eligibility barriers.[45][46] The format mirrored the regular draft's structure but was more limited, consisting of up to 12 rounds with selection order determined by each team's reverse record from the prior season, starting with the worst-performing teams.[47] In 1978, activity was minimal, with only two selections made across the 10th and 12th rounds by different teams.[48] These picks were compensatory, meaning participating teams forfeited an equivalent-round selection in the next year's regular draft.[49] The league's rationale centered on maintaining orderly player allocation and preventing unregulated free agency for these ineligible athletes, which could otherwise lead to bidding wars or roster instability among fringe contributors.[43][44] This approach allowed the NFL to control entry for a small pool of prospects while preserving the integrity of the primary draft system.[45]

Key Selections

The 1978 NFL supplemental draft featured only two selections league-wide, highlighting its role as a niche mechanism for addressing specific player eligibility issues rather than a broad talent acquisition tool.[5][50] In the first pick of the draft, held in the 10th round, the Houston Oilers selected wide receiver Johnnie Dirden from Sam Houston State University, who had become eligible after dropping out of college following two years.[48] The Oilers, fresh off selecting running back Earl Campbell as the No. 1 overall pick in the regular draft, aimed to bolster their offensive depth with this addition.[5] Dirden appeared in 16 games for the Oilers in 1978 but recorded no receptions, contributing instead on special teams with 32 kickoff returns for 780 yards; he was later released and had limited stints with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979 (7 kickoff returns for 154 yards in 4 games) and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1981 (3 kickoff returns for 45 yards in 6 games), ultimately making no significant on-field impact in the NFL.[51][52] The second and final selection came in the 12th round, where the San Francisco 49ers chose running back Rod Connors from the University of Southern California, who entered the draft after dropping out of college with remaining eligibility.[48] Seeking insurance at running back for a struggling offense during a 2-14 season, the 49ers hoped Connors could provide depth, but he did not appear in any regular-season games for the team and was released before the year ended, later briefly signing with the Canadian Football League's British Columbia Lions without notable success.[53]

Notable Outcomes

Hall of Famers

The 1978 NFL Draft produced three players who were later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, all selected in the first round, marking the highest concentration of enshrinees from any single round in the draft's history.[54] These players—Earl Campbell, James Lofton, and Ozzie Newsome—went on to achieve elite status at their positions, collectively earning multiple All-Pro honors, Pro Bowl selections, and major awards while amassing significant career statistics. Their success underscored the draft's strength in identifying transformative offensive talents early. Earl Campbell, selected first overall by the Houston Oilers out of the University of Texas, emerged as a dominant running back known for his punishing running style.[22] He led the NFL in rushing yards three consecutive years from 1978 to 1980, topping 1,450 yards each season, and earned NFL Most Valuable Player honors in 1978 and 1979.[22] Campbell's career rushing total reached 9,407 yards over eight seasons, primarily with the Oilers, before his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1991.[55] James Lofton, taken sixth overall by the Green Bay Packers from Stanford University, became one of the league's premier deep-threat wide receivers during a 16-year career.[56] He earned eight Pro Bowl selections and accumulated 14,004 receiving yards, a mark that ranked first in NFL history at the time of his retirement.[57] Lofton's blend of speed and sure hands made him a consistent big-play threat across five teams, leading to his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.[56] Ozzie Newsome, drafted 23rd overall by the Cleveland Browns from the University of Alabama, excelled as a tight end with exceptional route-running and blocking skills throughout a 13-year career spent entirely with one franchise. He garnered three Pro Bowl selections and recorded 7,980 receiving yards on 662 catches, setting Cleveland Browns franchise records for both categories that still stand.[58] Newsome's contributions to the Browns' passing attack earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Undrafted Players

Following the conclusion of the 1978 NFL draft on May 3, teams across the league immediately began signing undrafted free agents, a process that involved scouts and personnel directors rapidly evaluating and contracting overlooked college players from campuses and pro days to bolster training camp rosters. This frenzied post-draft period, characteristic of the pre-salary cap era, allowed clubs to add depth without further draft capital, often targeting athletes deemed too small, slow, or from smaller programs despite their potential.[59] Among the most prominent undrafted players from the 1978 class was quarterback Warren Moon from the University of Washington, who opted for the Canadian Football League due to concerns over his pro-style fit and rollout-based college offense, amassing five consecutive Grey Cup titles with the Edmonton Eskimos before signing with the Houston Oilers in 1984. Moon went on to throw for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns over 17 NFL seasons, earning nine Pro Bowl nods and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.[60] Other notable undrafted free agents carved out solid careers, particularly at skill positions. Tight end Paul Coffman, signed by the Green Bay Packers after going unpicked due to his slight frame (212 pounds) and lack of college accolades at Kansas State, became a three-time Pro Bowler with 322 receptions for 4,223 yards and 39 touchdowns over eight seasons, primarily as the team's primary tight end.[61] Kicker Nick Lowery, who tried out unsuccessfully with the New York Jets post-draft, eventually latched on with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1980 after multiple cuts; he made 383 of 479 field goals (80.0%) over 18 seasons, earning four Pro Bowl selections, and played a then-record 295 regular-season games.[62] Wide receiver Preston Dennard signed with the Los Angeles Rams after slipping through the draft from New Mexico, contributing to their Super Bowl XIV appearance with 232 career receptions for 3,665 yards and 30 touchdowns across eight seasons.[63] Similarly, wide receiver J.T. Smith joined the Washington Redskins and later the Chiefs as an undrafted signee from North Texas, accumulating 544 receptions for 6,974 yards and 37 touchdowns while excelling as a return specialist over 12 years.[64] While the 1978 undrafted class produced few perennial stars compared to drafted talents, these signings underscored the viability of the free agency pathway in an era of unrestricted player movement, enabling underdogs to compete for roster spots and occasionally thrive through perseverance and opportunity.[59]
PlayerPositionCollegeInitial TeamKey Career Highlights
Warren MoonQBWashingtonHouston Oilers (1984)49,325 pass yds, 291 TDs, HOF 2006[60]
Paul CoffmanTEKansas StateGreen Bay Packers322 rec, 4,223 yds, 39 TDs, 3x Pro Bowl[61]
Nick LoweryKDartmouthKansas City Chiefs383/479 FGs, 4x Pro Bowl, 295 games played[62]
Preston DennardWRNew MexicoLos Angeles Rams232 rec, 3,665 yds, 30 TDs, Super Bowl XIV[65]
J.T. SmithWRNorth TexasWashington Redskins544 rec, 6,974 yds, 37 TDs, return specialist[64]

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  50. Rod Connors Pro Football Stats
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  54. James Lofton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College
  55. Ozzie Newsome Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College
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  57. Warren Moon | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame
  58. Paul Coffman - Green Bay Packers
  59. State Your Case: Time to Reconsider Nick Lowery for Canton
  60. Where are They Now? Preston Dennard - Los Angeles Rams
  61. J.T. Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College
  62. Preston Dennard Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College
  63. Doug Williams Joins Mission Podcast | Pro Football Hall of Fame
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