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1996 NFL draft
1996 NFL draft
from Wikipedia

1996 NFL draft
1996 NFL draft logo
General information
DateApril 20–21, 1996
LocationParamount Theatre at MSG
in New York City, New York
NetworkESPN
Overview
254 total selections in 7 rounds
LeagueNFL
First selectionKeyshawn Johnson, WR
New York Jets
Mr. IrrelevantSam Manuel, LB
San Francisco 49ers
Most selections (13)New England Patriots
Fewest selections (5)Kansas City Chiefs
Hall of Famers
← 1995
1997 →

The 1996 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 April 20–21, 1996, at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.[1][2] No teams chose to claim any players in the supplemental draft that year. As a result of the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy, all draft rights held by the deactivated Cleveland Browns franchise were transferred to the new Baltimore Ravens franchise.

On draft day, the St. Louis Rams traded running back Jerome Bettis and a third-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a second round pick for that year, as well as a fourth round pick the following year. The trade was made immediately after the Rams drafted Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips. Bettis went on to have a successful career with the Steelers as well as being one of the team's most popular players, while the Rams did not have another feature back until they traded for Marshall Faulk three years later due to Phillips's off-field problems.

The draft also saw one of the longest waits for a player in attendance of the draft, as Leeland McElroy waited until being selected in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals with the 32nd pick. McElroy, who ended up being a draft bust, would set the precedent for later players who have waited while in attendance, including Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers, who unlike McElroy would go on to successful NFL careers.

This draft is considered one of the best draft classes ever for the position of wide receiver.[3] Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Eddie Kennison, Marvin Harrison, Eric Moulds, Bobby Engram, Terrell Owens, Muhsin Muhammad, Amani Toomer, Jermaine Lewis, and Joe Horn have all achieved success in the pros, with all except Kennison, Engram, and Toomer having reached the Pro Bowl at least once, and a total of 26 Pro Bowl appearances for the group. In addition to the class having had several successful receivers, none of the five wide receivers drafted in the first round have been busts, as all of them spent at least a reasonable amount of time as starters in the NFL. Combined, 1996 wide receivers (through the end of the 2006 season) have totalled 7,646 receptions for 105,866 yards, eclipsing any other class by more than 1,000 receptions and 10,000 yards.[4]

It was also one of the best draft years for middle linebackers, with Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Zach Thomas selected. Lewis won Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens and was selected MVP of that game. Lewis also won Super Bowl XLVII in the final game of his career and made 13 Pro Bowls along with being a seven-time first-team All-Pro, while Zach Thomas made seven Pro Bowls, and was a five-time first-team All-Pro. Other linebackers who made at least one Pro Bowl from this draft are Tedy Bruschi, Kevin Hardy, Simeon Rice, John Mobley, and Donnie Edwards. Randall Godfrey, Earl Holmes, and Carlos Emmons also had solid careers in the league. Ironically, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper said before the draft that it was one of the weakest for the position, which he would ultimately be proven wrong.

In contrast to its successes at wide receiver and linebacker, the 1996 draft had often been rated as the worst for quarterbacks.[5] None of the eight drafted quarterbacks made the Pro Bowl or an All-Pro team and half did not play. As of 2022, this remains the last draft without a quarterback selected in the first round. Previously, the 1988 draft had been the last with no quarterback selected in the first round.[note 1]

The last remaining active player in the NFL from the 1996 draft class was Ray Lewis, who retired after the 2012 season, right after winning Super Bowl XLVII as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

Player selections

[edit]
* = compensatory selection
¤ = extra selection awarded to expansion team
= Pro Bowler[note 2]
= Hall of Famer[note 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
Keyshawn Johnson, selected first overall by the Jets, was a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion.
Regarded as one of the greatest linebackers of all time. Ray Lewis, selected 26th-overall by the Ravens, was a 2-time Super Bowl champion, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Jonathan Ogden, selected 4th-overall by the Ravens, and the first draft selection ever for the Ravens, was a 11-time Pro Bowler, 9-time All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion.
Marvin Harrison, selected 19th-overall by Indianapolis Colts, led the league in receiving yards and receptions twice, was named to 8 Pro Bowls, and is considered one of the best wide receivers of his generation.
Brian Dawkins, selected 61st overall by Philadelphia, holds the record for most forced fumbles for a safety, and was named to 9 Pro Bowls.
A third-round pick, Terrell Owens, selected 89th overall by San Francisco, broke multiple receiving records and was a fan favorite.
Zach Thomas, selected in the 5th round as the 154th overall selection by Miami, would go on to be selected to 7 Pro Bowls, and 7 1st or 2nd Team All-Pro Selections, during his tenure with the Dolphins
Rnd. Pick No. NFL team Player Pos. College Conf. Notes
1 1 New York Jets Keyshawn Johnson  WR USC Pac-10
1 2 Jacksonville Jaguars Kevin Hardy  LB Illinois Big Ten
1 3 Arizona Cardinals Simeon Rice  DE Illinois Big Ten
1 4 Baltimore Ravens Jonathan Ogden OT UCLA Pac-10
1 5 New York Giants Cedric Jones  DE Oklahoma Big Eight
1 6 St. Louis Rams Lawrence Phillips  RB Nebraska Big Eight
1 7 New England Patriots Terry Glenn  WR Ohio State Big Ten
1 8 Carolina Panthers Tim Biakabutuka  RB Michigan Big Ten
1 9 Oakland Raiders Rickey Dudley  TE Ohio State Big Ten
1 10 Cincinnati Bengals Willie Anderson  OT Auburn SEC
1 11 New Orleans Saints Alex Molden  CB Oregon Pac-10
1 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Regan Upshaw  DE California Pac-10
1 13 Chicago Bears Walt Harris  CB Mississippi State SEC
1 14 Houston Oilers Eddie George  RB Ohio State Big Ten
1 15 Denver Broncos John Mobley  LB Kutztown PSAC
1 16 Minnesota Vikings Duane Clemons  DE California Pac-10
1 17 Detroit Lions Reggie Brown  LB Texas A&M SWC
1 18 St. Louis Rams Eddie Kennison  WR LSU SEC
1 19 Indianapolis Colts Marvin Harrison WR Syracuse Big East
1 20 Miami Dolphins Daryl Gardener  DT Baylor SWC
1 21 Seattle Seahawks Pete Kendall  OT Boston College Big East
1 22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marcus Jones  DE North Carolina ACC
1 23 Detroit Lions Jeff Hartings  G Penn State Big Ten
1 24 Buffalo Bills Eric Moulds  WR Mississippi State SEC
1 25 Philadelphia Eagles Jermane Mayberry  OT Texas A&M–Kingsville LSC
1 26 Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis LB Miami (FL) Big East
1 27 Green Bay Packers John Michels  OT USC Pac-10
1 28 Kansas City Chiefs Jerome Woods  FS Memphis Ind. (I-A)
1 29 Pittsburgh Steelers Jamain Stephens  OT North Carolina A&T MEAC
1 30 Washington Redskins Andre Johnson  OT Penn State Big Ten
2 31 New York Jets Alex Van Dyke  WR Nevada Big West
2 32 Arizona Cardinals Leeland McElroy  RB Texas A&M SWC
2 33 Jacksonville Jaguars Tony Brackens  DE Texas SWC
2 34 New York Giants Amani Toomer  WR Michigan Big Ten
2 35 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Alstott  FB Purdue Big Ten
2 36 New England Patriots Lawyer Milloy  SS Washington Pac-10
2 37 Dallas Cowboys Kavika Pittman  DE McNeese State Southland
2 38 Houston Oilers Bryant Mix  DE Alcorn State SWAC
2 39 Cincinnati Bengals Marco Battaglia  TE Rutgers Big East
2 40 New Orleans Saints Je'Rod Cherry  SS California Pac-10
2 41 San Diego Chargers Bryan Still  WR Virginia Tech Big East
2 42 St. Louis Rams Tony Banks  QB Michigan State Big Ten
2 43 Carolina Panthers Muhsin Muhammad  WR Michigan State Big Ten
2 44 Denver Broncos Tory James  CB LSU SEC
2 45 Minnesota Vikings James Manley  DT Vanderbilt SEC
2 46 San Francisco 49ers Israel Ifeanyi  DE USC Pac-10
2 47 Seattle Seahawks Fred Thomas  CB Tennessee-Martin OVC
2 48 Houston Oilers Jason Layman  OT Tennessee SEC
2 49 Dallas Cowboys Randall Godfrey  LB Georgia SEC
2 50 San Diego Chargers Patrick Sapp  LB Clemson ACC
2 51 Indianapolis Colts Dedric Mathis  CB Houston SWC
2 52 Chicago Bears Bobby Engram  WR Penn State Big Ten
2 53 Buffalo Bills Gabe Northern  DE LSU SEC
2 54 Philadelphia Eagles Jason Dunn  TE Eastern Kentucky OVC
2 55 Baltimore Ravens DeRon Jenkins  CB Tennessee SEC
2 56 Green Bay Packers Derrick Mayes  WR Notre Dame Ind. (I-A)
2 57 Oakland Raiders Lance Johnstone  DE Temple Big East
2 58 Kansas City Chiefs Reggie Tongue  SS Oregon State Pac-10
2 59 St. Louis Rams Ernie Conwell  TE Washington Pac-10
2 60 Jacksonville Jaguars Michael Cheever  C Georgia Tech ACC
2* 61 Philadelphia Eagles Brian Dawkins FS Clemson ACC
3 62 New York Jets Ray Mickens  CB Texas A&M SWC
3 63 Jacksonville Jaguars Aaron Beasley  CB West Virginia Big East
3 64 Arizona Cardinals Johnny McWilliams  TE USC Pac-10
3 65 Denver Broncos Detron Smith  RB Texas A&M SWC
3 66 New York Giants Roman Oben  OT Louisville Ind. (I-A)
3 67 Dallas Cowboys Clay Shiver  C Florida State ACC
3 68 Kansas City Chiefs John Browning  DT West Virginia Big East
3 69 Cincinnati Bengals Ken Blackman  G Illinois Big Ten
3 70 New Orleans Saints Brady Smith  DE Colorado State WAC
3 71 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Donnie Abraham  CB East Tennessee State SoCon
3 72 Pittsburgh Steelers Steve Conley  LB Arkansas SEC
3 73 Carolina Panthers Winslow Oliver  RB New Mexico WAC
3 74 Houston Oilers Terry Killens  LB Penn State Big Ten
3 75 Minnesota Vikings Moe Williams  RB Kentucky SEC
3 76 Detroit Lions Ryan Stewart  S Georgia Tech ACC
3 77 Seattle Seahawks Barr, RobertRobert Barr  OT Rutgers Big East
3 78 Denver Broncos Mark Campbell  DT Florida SEC
79 Miami Dolphins Dorian Brew  CB Kansas Big Eight
3 80 Miami Dolphins Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar  RB UCLA Pac-10
3 81 San Diego Chargers Brian Roche  TE San Jose State Big West
3 82 Indianapolis Colts Scott Slutzker  TE Iowa Big Ten
3 83 St. Louis Rams Jerald Moore  RB Oklahoma Big Eight
3 84 Atlanta Falcons Brown, ShannonShannon Brown  DT Alabama SEC
3 85 Philadelphia Eagles Bobby Hoying  QB Ohio State Big Ten
3 86 New England Patriots Tedy Bruschi  LB Arizona Pac-10
3 87 Buffalo Bills Matt Stevens  SS Appalachian State SoCon
88 Carolina Panthers J. C. Price  DT Virginia Tech Big East
3 89 San Francisco 49ers Terrell Owens WR Chattanooga SoCon
3 90 Green Bay Packers Mike Flanagan  C UCLA Pac-10
3 91 Seattle Seahawks Reggie Brown  RB Fresno State WAC
3 92 Pittsburgh Steelers Jon Witman  FB Penn State Big Ten
3 Dallas Cowboys Dallas forfeited their 1996 third-round selection after selecting DT Darren Benson in the 1995 supplemental draft.
3* 93 Green Bay Packers Tyrone Williams  CB Nebraska Big Eight
3* 94 Dallas Cowboys Stepfret Williams  WR Northeast Louisiana Southland
3* 95 Dallas Cowboys Mike Ulufale  DE BYU WAC
4 96 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jason Odom  OT Florida SEC
4 97 Minnesota Vikings Hunter Goodwin  G Texas A&M SWC
4 98 Kansas City Chiefs Donnie Edwards  LB UCLA Pac-10
4 99 Seattle Seahawks Phillip Daniels  DE Georgia SEC
4 100 Denver Broncos Jeff Lewis  QB Northern Arizona Big Sky
4 101 New England Patriots Heath Irwin  G Colorado Big Eight
4 102 Washington Redskins Stephen Davis  RB Auburn SEC
4 103 New Orleans Saints Ricky Whittle  RB Oregon Pac-10
4 104 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Eric Austin  S Jackson State SWAC
4 105 St. Louis Rams Percell Gaskins  LB Kansas State Big Eight
4 106 Carolina Panthers Norberto Davidds-Garrido  OT USC Pac-10
4 107 Houston Oilers Kendrick Burton  DE Alabama SEC
4 108 Cincinnati Bengals Jevon Langford  DE Oklahoma State Big Eight
4 109 Houston Oilers Jon Runyan  OT Michigan Big Ten
4 110 Jacksonville Jaguars Reggie Barlow  WR Alabama State SWAC
4 111 Carolina Panthers Emmanuel McDaniel  CB East Carolina Ind. (I-A)
4 112 Arizona Cardinals Aaron Graham  C Nebraska Big Eight
113 Miami Dolphins Pointer, KirkKirk Pointer  CB Austin Peay OVC
4 114 San Diego Chargers Charlie Jones  WR Fresno State WAC
4 115 Indianapolis Colts Brian Milne  RB Penn State Big Ten
4 116 Chicago Bears Paul Grasmanis  DT Notre Dame Ind. (I-A)
4 117 Atlanta Falcons Richard Huntley  RB Winston-Salem State CIAA
4 118 Miami Dolphins Stanley Pritchett  FB South Carolina SEC
4 119 New England Patriots Chris Sullivan  DT Boston College Big East
4 120 Buffalo Bills Sean Moran  DE Colorado State WAC
4 121 Philadelphia Eagles Ray Farmer  LB Duke ACC
122 Denver Broncos Darrius Johnson  CB Oklahoma Big Eight
4 123 Green Bay Packers Chris Darkins  RB Minnesota Big Ten
4 124 New England Patriots Kantroy Barber  RB West Virginia Big East
4 125 Miami Dolphins LaCurtis Jones  LB Baylor SWC
4 126 Pittsburgh Steelers Earl Holmes  LB Florida A&M MEAC
4 127 Atlanta Falcons Juran Bolden  CB Mississippi Delta CC MACJC
4* 128 San Francisco 49ers Price, DarylDaryl Price  LB Colorado Big Eight
4* 129 Detroit Lions Brad Ford  DB Alabama SEC
4* 130 New York Giants Danny Kanell  QB Florida State ACC
4* 131 Seattle Seahawks Eric Unverzagt  LB Wisconsin Big Ten
4* 132 Pittsburgh Steelers Jahine Arnold  WR Fresno State WAC
5 133 New York Jets Marcus Coleman  CB Texas Tech SWC
5 134 Miami Dolphins Jerris McPhail  RB East Carolina Ind. (I-A)
5 135 Kansas City Chiefs Joe Horn  WR Itawamba CC MACJC
5 136 New Orleans Saints Mercury Hayes  WR Michigan Big Ten
5 137 Arizona Cardinals James Dexter  OT South Carolina SEC
5 138 Washington Redskins Leomont Evans  S Clemson ACC
5 139 New England Patriots Elmore, JohnJohn Elmore  G Texas SWC
5 140 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jason Maniecki  DT Wisconsin Big Ten
5 141 St. Louis Rams Fred Miller  OT Baylor SWC
5 142 Carolina Panthers Marquette Smith  RB Central Florida Ind. (I-AA)
5 143 Houston Oilers Rayna Stewart  S Northern Arizona Big Sky
5 144 Cincinnati Bengals Greg Myers  S Colorado State WAC
5 145 New Orleans Saints Tom Ackerman  G Eastern Washington Big Sky
5 146 Jacksonville Jaguars Jimmy Herndon  G Houston SWC
5 147 Philadelphia Eagles Whit Marshall  LB Georgia SEC
5 148 Minnesota Vikings Boyd, SeanSean Boyd  DB North Carolina ACC
5 149 New England Patriots Christian Peter  DT Nebraska Big Eight
150 Miami Dolphins Shane Burton  DT Tennessee SEC
5 151 Indianapolis Colts Steve Martin  DT Missouri Big Eight
5 152 Chicago Bears Chris Villarrial  G IUP PSAC
5 153 Baltimore Ravens Jermaine Lewis  WR Maryland ACC
5 154 Miami Dolphins Zach Thomas LB Texas Tech SWC
5 155 San Diego Chargers Soli, JuniorJunior Soli  DT Arkansas SEC
5 156 Buffalo Bills Raymond Jackson  DB Colorado State WAC
5 157 Dallas Cowboys Kenneth McDaniel  DB Norfolk State CIAA
5 158 Detroit Lions Kerwin Waldroup  DT Central State Ind. (NAIA)
159 Denver Broncos Patrick Jeffers  WR Virginia ACC
5 160 San Francisco 49ers Iheanyi Uwaezuoke  WR California Pac-10
5 161 Arizona Cardinals Stamps, HarryHarry Stamps  OT Oklahoma Big Eight
5 162 Arizona Cardinals Dell McGee  DB Auburn SEC
5 163 Pittsburgh Steelers Rayborn, IsraelIsrael Rayborn  DE North Alabama Gulf South
5 164 Atlanta Falcons Bandy, GaryGary Bandy  LB Baylor SWC
5* 165 New Orleans Saints Guess, TerryTerry Guess  WR Gardner–Webb SAC
5* 166 Oakland Raiders La'Roi Glover  DT San Diego State WAC
5* 167 Dallas Cowboys Alan Campos  LB Louisville Ind. (I-A)
6 168 New York Jets Hunter, HughHugh Hunter  DE Hampton MEAC
6 169 Arizona Cardinals Foley, MikeMike Foley  DE New Hampshire Yankee
6 170 Jacksonville Jaguars Fisher, JohnJohn Fisher  DB Missouri Western State MIAA
6 171 New York Giants Doug Colman  LB Nebraska Big Eight
6 172 Baltimore Ravens Dexter Daniels  LB Florida SEC
6 173 New England Patriots Griffin, ChrisChris Griffin  TE New Mexico WAC
6 174 Washington Redskins Kelvin Kinney  DE Virginia State CIAA
6 175 St. Louis Rams Derrick Harris  RB Miami (FL) Big East
6 176 Kansas City Chiefs Dietrich Jells  WR Pittsburgh Big East
6 177 Houston Oilers Anthony Dorsett  S Pittsburgh Big East
6 178 Cincinnati Bengals Tom Tumulty  LB Pittsburgh Big East
6 179 New Orleans Saints Keno Hills  OT Southwestern Louisiana Big West
6 180 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Nilo Silvan  WR Tennessee SEC
6 181 Denver Broncos Tony Veland  S Nebraska Big Eight
6 182 New York Giants Scott Galyon  LB Tennessee SEC
6 183 Oakland Raiders Hall, TimTim Hall  RB Robert Morris Ind.
6 184 Seattle Seahawks Green, ReggieReggie Green  G Florida SEC
185 Jacksonville Jaguars Chris Doering  WR Florida SEC
186 Baltimore Ravens James Roe  WR Norfolk State CIAA
6 187 Chicago Bears Jon Clark  OT Temple Big East
6 188 Atlanta Falcons Craig Sauer  LB Minnesota Big Ten
6 189 Miami Dolphins Shawn Wooden  S Notre Dame Ind. (I-A)
6 190 San Diego Chargers Mills, JimJim Mills  OT Idaho Big Sky
6 191 Indianapolis Colts Conlin, KeithKeith Conlin  OT Penn State Big Ten
192 San Diego Chargers Bryan Stoltenberg  C Colorado Big Eight
193 Carolina Panthers Scott Greene  RB Michigan State Big Ten
6 194 Philadelphia Eagles Steve White  DE Tennessee SEC
6 195 New England Patriots Grier, MarrioMarrio Grier  RB Tennessee-Chattanooga SoCon
6 196 Buffalo Bills Leon Neal  RB Washington Pac-10
6 197 Philadelphia Eagles Tony Johnson  TE Alabama SEC
6 198 San Francisco 49ers Pitts, StephenStephen Pitts  RB Penn State Big Ten
6 199 Philadelphia Eagles Phillip Riley  WR Florida State ACC
6 200 Pittsburgh Steelers Orpheus Roye  DE Florida State ACC
6 201 St. Louis Rams Hayward Clay  TE Texas A&M SWC
6* 202 Buffalo Bills Dusty Zeigler  C Notre Dame Ind. (I-A)
6* 203 Pittsburgh Steelers Spence Fischer  QB Duke ACC
6* 204 New Orleans Saints Malone, ToderickToderick Malone  WR Alabama SEC
6* 205 Indianapolis Colts Mike Cawley  QB James Madison Yankee
6* 206 New England Patriots Devin Wyman  DE Kentucky State Ind. (Div. II)
6* 207 Dallas Cowboys Wendell Davis  CB Oklahoma Big Eight
6* 208 Green Bay Packers Marco Rivera  G Penn State Big Ten
6* 209 Seattle Seahawks T.J. Cunningham  S Colorado Big Eight
7 210 New York Jets Chris Hayes  S Washington State Pac-10
7 211 Kansas City Chiefs Ben Lynch  C California Pac-10
7 212 Arizona Cardinals Jarius Hayes  TE North Alabama Gulf South
7 213 Denver Broncos Ratliffe, LeslieLeslie Ratliffe  OT Tennessee SEC
7 214 New York Giants Conrad Hamilton  CB Eastern New Mexico LSC
7 215 Washington Redskins Asher, JeremyJeremy Asher  LB Oregon Pac-10
7 216 New England Patriots Lovett Purnell  TE West Virginia Big East
7 217 Carolina Panthers Donnell Baker  WR Southern SWAC
7 218 Houston Oilers Mike Archie  RB Penn State Big Ten
7 219 Cincinnati Bengals Rod Jones  OT Kansas Big Eight
7 220 Oakland Raiders Sedric Clark  DE Tulsa Ind. (I-A)
7 221 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Reggie Rusk  CB Kentucky SEC
7 222 St. Louis Rams Chuck Osborne  DT Arizona Pac-10
7 223 Minnesota Vikings Merrill, JonJon Merrill  OT Duke ACC
7 224 Oakland Raiders Smith, DariusDarius Smith  C Sam Houston State Southland
7 225 Seattle Seahawks Church, JohnieJohnie Church  DE Florida SEC
7 226 Denver Broncos Chris Banks  G Kansas Big Eight
227 Jacksonville Jaguars Jones, ClarenceClarence Jones  WR Tennessee State OVC
228 Jacksonville Jaguars Spann, GregoryGregory Spann  WR Jackson State SWAC
7 229 Atlanta Falcons Ethan Brooks  DE Williams NESCAC
7 230 Miami Dolphins Jeff Buckey  G Stanford Pac-10
7 231 San Diego Chargers Freddie Bradley  RB Sonoma State NCAC
7 232 Indianapolis Colts Robinson, AdrianAdrian Robinson  CB Baylor SWC
7 233 Chicago Bears Marcus Keyes  DT North Alabama Gulf South
234 Carolina Panthers Hicks, KerryKerry Hicks  DT Colorado Big Eight
235 Denver Broncos Levine, L.T.L.T. Levine  RB Kansas Big Eight
7 236 Denver Broncos Gragert, BrianBrian Gragert  P Wyoming WAC
7 237 Buffalo Bills Dan Brandenburg  DE Indiana State Gateway
7 238 Baltimore Ravens Stark, JonJon Stark  QB Trinity International (IL) MSFA
7 239 San Francisco 49ers Sean Manuel  TE New Mexico State Big West
7 240 Green Bay Packers Kyle Wachholtz  QB USC Pac-10
7 241 Kansas City Chiefs Jeff Smith  C Tennessee SEC
7 242 Pittsburgh Steelers Carlos Emmons  LB Arkansas State Big West
7 243 Dallas Cowboys Ryan Wood  RB Arizona State Pac-10
7* 244 Buffalo Bills Jay Riemersma  TE Michigan Big Ten
7* 245 Kansas City Chiefs Williams, DarrellDarrell Williams  CB Tennessee State OVC
7* 246 New Orleans Saints Henry Lusk  TE Utah WAC
7* 247 New England Patriots J. R. Conrad  OT Oklahoma Big Eight
7* 248 Oakland Raiders Wylie, JoeyJoey Wylie  G Stephen F. Austin Southland
7* 249 Buffalo Bills Eric Smedley  S Indiana Big Ten
7* 250 Washington Redskins Maxwell, DeAndreDeAndre Maxwell  WR San Diego State WAC
7* 251 Miami Dolphins Brice Hunter  WR Georgia SEC
7* 252 Green Bay Packers Keith McKenzie  LB Ball State MAC
7* 253 Chicago Bears Michael Hicks  RB South Carolina State MEAC
7* 254 San Francisco 49ers Sam Manuel  LB New Mexico State Big West

Notable undrafted players

[edit]
= Pro Bowler[note 2]
= Hall of Famer[note 3]
Original NFL team Player Pos. College Conf. Notes
Arizona Cardinals Kevin Jordan  WR UCLA Pac-10
Arizona Cardinals Ronald McKinnon  LB North Alabama Gulf South
Atlanta Falcons Freddie Scott  WR Penn State Big Ten
Chicago Bears Todd McMillon  CB Northern Arizona Big Sky
Cincinnati Bengals Nick Ferguson  S Georgia Tech ACC
Cincinnati Bengals Brock Gutierrez  C Central Michigan MAC
Cincinnati Bengals Chris Hetherington  FB Yale Ivy
Cincinnati Bengals Damon Huard  QB Washington Pac-10
Cincinnati Bengals James Hundon  WR Portland State Ind. (Div. II)
Cincinnati Bengals Kerry Joseph  S McNeese State Southland
Cincinnati Bengals Tim Morabito  DT Boston College Big East
Dallas Cowboys Tony Hutson  G Northeastern State OIC
Denver Broncos Jason Kaiser  S Culver–Stockton HAAC
Detroit Lions Barry Stokes  G Eastern Michigan MAC
Green Bay Packers Brad Keeney  DT The Citadel SoCon
Green Bay Packers Michael Robinson  CB Hampton MEAC
Houston Oilers Lenoy Jones  LB TCU SWC
Houston Oilers James Ritchey  QB Stephen F. Austin Southland
Indianapolis Colts Sammie Burroughs  LB Portland State Ind. (Div. II)
Indianapolis Colts Kendel Shello  DE Southern SWAC
Indianapolis Colts Casey Wiegmann  C Iowa Big Ten
Miami Dolphins Larry Izzo  LB Rice SWC
New England Patriots Ray Lucas  QB Rutgers Big East
New England Patriots Adam Vinatieri K South Dakota State NCC
New York Giants Kevin Alexander  WR Utah State Big West
New York Giants Percy Ellsworth  S Virginia ACC
New York Giants Olindo Mare  K Syracuse Big East
New York Jets Kwame Ellis  DB Stanford Pac-10
Philadelphia Eagles Joe Cummings  LB Wyoming WAC
Philadelphia Eagles Hollis Thomas  DT Northern Illinois Big West
Philadelphia Eagles Morris Unutoa  C BYU WAC
Seattle Seahawks Frank Beede  G Panhandle State OIC
Seattle Seahawks Greg Bloedorn  C Cornell Ivy
Seattle Seahawks Jon Kitna  QB Central Washington CFA
Seattle Seahawks Grant Williams  OT Louisiana Tech Big West
St. Louis Rams Josh Miller  P Arizona Pac-10
St. Louis Rams Marquis Walker  CB Southeast Missouri State OVC
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jorge Diaz  G Texas A&M–Kingsville LSC
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Scott Milanovich  QB Maryland ACC
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Karl Williams  WR Texas A&M–Kingsville LSC
Washington Redskins Larry Bowie  FB Georgia SEC
Washington Redskins Chris Sedoris  C Purdue Big Ten

Hall of Famers

[edit]
  • Jonathan Ogden, offensive tackle from UCLA, taken 1st round 4th overall by the Baltimore Ravens.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2013.
  • Marvin Harrison, wide receiver from Syracuse, taken 1st round 19th overall by the Indianapolis Colts.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2016.
  • Ray Lewis, linebacker from Miami (FL), taken 1st round 26th overall by the Baltimore Ravens.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2018.
  • Brian Dawkins, safety from Clemson, taken 2nd round 61st overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2018.
  • Terrell Owens, wide receiver from Chattanooga, taken 3rd round 89th overall by the San Francisco 49ers.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2018.
  • Zach Thomas, linebacker from Texas Tech, taken 5th round 154th overall by the Miami Dolphins.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2023.
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2026.

Trades

[edit]

In the explanations below, (D) denotes trades that took place during the 1994 Draft, while (PD) indicates trades completed pre-draft.

Round one
  1. ^ No. 6: Washington → St. Louis (PD). Washington traded its first-round selection (6th) to St. Louis in exchange for DT Sean Gilbert.
  2. ^ No. 9: Houston → Oakland (D). Houston traded its first-round selection (9th) to Oakland in exchange for Oakland's first- second- and fourth-round selections (17th, 48th and 109th)
  3. ^ No. 13: St. Louis → Chicago (D). St. Louis traded its first-round selection (13th) to Chicago in exchange for Chicago's first-, third- and sixth-round selections (18th, 83rd and 201st)
  4. ^ No. 14: Seattle → Houston (D). Seattle traded its first-round selection (14th) to Houston in exchange for Houston's first-round selection (17th) and DT Glenn Montgomery
  5. ^ No. 17: multiple trades:
           No. 17: Oakland → Houston (D). see No. 9: Houston → Oakland.
           No. 17: Houston → Seattle (D). see No. 14: Seattle → Houston.
           No. 17: Seattle → Detroit (D). Seattle traded this first-round selection (17th) to Detroit in exchange for Detroit's first- and third-round selections (21st and 91st).
  6. ^ No. 18: Chicago → St. Louis (D). see No. 13: St. Louis → Chicago.
  7. ^ No. 19: Atlanta → Indianapolis (PD). Atlanta traded its first-round selection (19th) and first- and third-round selections (7th and 83rd) in 1994 to Indianapolis in exchange for QB Jeff George
  8. ^ No. 21: multiple trades:
           No. 21: San Diego → Detroit (PD). San Diego traded its first-round selection (21st) to Detroit in exchange for Detroit's second-round selection in 1995.
           No. 21: Detroit → Seattle (D). see No. 17: Seattle → Detroit.
  9. ^ No. 22: Indianapolis → Tampa Bay (PD). Indianapolis traded its first-round selection (22nd) to Tampa Bay in exchange for QB Craig Erickson
  10. ^ No. 26: San Francisco → Baltimore (PD). San Francisco traded its first-round selection (26th) and first-, third- and fourth round selections (30th, 94th and 119th) in 1995 to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's first-round selection in 1995 and this pick was then inherited by Baltimore following the Browns' relocation to Baltimore.
  11. ^ No. 30: Dallas → Washington (D). Dallas traded its first-round selection (30th) to Washington in exchange for Washington's second- and third-round selections (37th and 67th).
Round two
  1. ^ No. 35: Baltimore → Tampa Bay (PD). Baltimore traded its second-round selection (35th) to Tampa Bay in exchange for TE Harold Bishop
  2. ^ No. 37: Washington → Dallas (D). see No. 30: Dallas → Washington.
  3. ^ No. 41: Tampa Bay → San Diego (D). Tampa Bay traded its second-round selection (41st) to San Diego in exchange for San Diego's first-round selection in 1997
  4. ^ No. 46: Oakland → San Francisco (PD). Oakland traded its second-round selection (46th) to San Francisco in exchange for San Francisco's second- and fourth-round selections (57th and 124th)
  5. ^ No. 48: multiple trades:
           No. 48: Atlanta → Oakland (PD). Atlanta traded its second-round selection (48th) to Oakland in exchange for S Patrick Bates.
           No. 48: Oakland → Houston (D). see No. 9: Houston → Oakland.
  6. ^ No. 49: Miami → Dallas (D). Miami traded its second-round selection (49th) to Dallas in exchange for Dallas' second- and fourth-round selections (60th and 99th)
  7. ^ No. 55: multiple trades:
           No. 55: Detroit → Denver (PD). Detroit traded its second-round selection (55th) to Denver in exchange for RB Glyn Milburn.
           No. 55: Denver → Baltimore (D). Denver traded this second-round selection (55th) to Baltimore in exchange for Baltimore's third-, fourth- and seventh-round selections (65th, 100th and 213rd).
  8. ^ No. 57: multiple trades:
           No. 57: San Francisco → Oakland (PD). see No. 46: Oakland → San Francisco.
           No. 57: Oakland → New England (PD). Oakland traded this second-round selection (57th) to New England in exchange for OT Pat Harlow.
           No. 57: New England → Oakland (D). New England traded this second-round selection (57th) to Oakland in exchange for Oakland's third-, fourth- and fifth-round selections (76th, 124th and 149th).
  9. ^ No. 59: Pittsburgh → St. Louis (PD). Pittsburgh traded its second- and fourth-round selections (59th and 121st) to St. Louis in exchange for RB Jerome Bettis and St. Louis' third-round selection (72nd).
  10. ^ No. 60: multiple trades:
           No. 60: Dallas → Miami (D). see No. 49: Miami → Dallas.
           No. 60: Miami → Jacksonville (D). Miami traded this second-round selection (60th) and its fourth-round selection (99th) to Jacksonville in exchange for Jacksonville's third-, two fourth- and fifth-round selections (79th, 98th, 134th and 150th).
Round three
  1. ^ No. 65: Baltimore → Denver (D). see No. 55: Denver → Baltimore.
  2. ^ No. 67: Washington → Dallas (D). see No. 30: Dallas → Washington.
  3. ^ No. 68: New England → Kansas City (PD). New England traded its third-round selection (68th) to Kansas City in exchange for Kansas City's fourth-round selection (112th) in 1995.
  4. ^ No. 72: St. Louis → Pittsburgh (PD). see No. 59: Pittsburgh → St. Louis.
  5. ^ No. 76: multiple trades:
           No. 76: Oakland → New England (D). see No. 57: New England → Oakland.
           No. 76: New England → Detroit (D). New England traded this third-round selection (76th) to Detroit in exchange for Detroit's third-, fourth- and sixth round selections (86th, 119th and 195th).
  6. ^ No. 79: Jacksonville → Miami (D). see No. 60: Miami → Jacksonville.
  7. ^ No. 83: Chicago → St. Louis (D). see No. 13: St. Louis → Chicago.
  8. ^ No. 86: Detroit → New England (D). see No. 76: New England → Detroit.
  9. ^ No. 91: multiple trades:
           No. 91: Kansas City → Detroit (D). Kansas City traded its third-round selection to Detroit in exchange for S Will White.
           No. 91: Detroit → Seattle (D). see No. 21: Seattle → Detroit.
Round four
  1. ^ No. 96: N.Y. Jets → Tampa Bay (PD). N.Y. Jets traded its fourth-round selection (96th) to Tampa Bay in exchange for DT Marc Spindler.
  2. ^ No. 97: Arizona → Minnesota (D). Arizona traded its fourth-round selection (97th) to Minnesota in exchange for Minnesota's fourth- and fifth-round selections (112th and 137th).
  3. ^ No. 98: multiple trades:
           No. 98: Jacksonville → Miami (D). see No. 60: Miami → Jacksonville.
           No. 98: Miami → Kansas City (D). Miami traded this fourth-round selection and a seventh-round selection (98th and 214th) to Kansas City in exchange for two fourth-round selections (113th and 125th).
  4. ^ No. 99: multiple trades:
            No. 99: N.Y. Giants → Dallas (PD). Dallas received the Giants' fourth-round selection (99th) as compensation for the Giants signing restricted free agent G Ron Stone.
            No. 99: Dallas → Miami (D). see No. 49: Miami → Dallas.
            No. 99: Miami → Jacksonville (D). see No. 60: Miami → Jacksonville.
           No. 99: Jacksonville → Seattle (D). Jacksonville traded this fourth-round selection to Seattle in exchange for Seattle's fourth- and fifth-round selections (110th and 146th).
  5. ^ No. 100: Baltimore → Denver (D). see No. 55: Denver → Baltimore.
  6. ^ No. 109: Oakland → Houston (D). see No. 9: Houston → Oakland.
  7. ^ No. 110: Seattle → Jacksonville (D). see No. 99: Jacksonville → Seattle.
  8. ^ No. 111: Denver → Carolina (D). Denver traded its fourth-round selection (111th) to Carolina in exchange for Carolina's fourth-, fifth- and seventh-round selections (122nd, 159th and 235th).
  9. ^ No. 112: Minnesota → Arizona (D). see No. 97: Arizona → Minnesota.
  10. ^ No. 113: multiple trades:
           No. 113: Jacksonville → Kansas City (PD). Jacksonville traded this fourth-round selection (113rd) and first-, third- and fourth-round selections (31st, 97th and 134th) in 1995 to Kansas City in exchange for Kansas City's first-round selection (19th) in 1995.
           No. 113: Kansas City → Miami (D). see No. 98: Miami → Kansas City.
  11. ^ No. 119: Detroit → New England (D). see No. 76: New England → Detroit.
  12. ^ No. 122: Denver → Carolina (D) see No. 111: Denver → Carolina.
  13. ^ No. 124: multiple trades:
           No. 124: San Francisco → Oakland (PD). see No. 46: Oakland → San Francisco.
           No. 124: Oakland → New England (D). see No. 57: New England → Oakland.
  14. ^ No. 125: Kansas City → Miami (D). see No. 98: Miami → Kansas City.
  15. ^ No. 127: Dallas → Carolina (PD). Dallas traded its fourth- and fifth-round selections (127th and 164th) to Atlanta in exchange for S Roger Harper.
Round five
  1. ^ No. 134: Jacksonville → Miami (D). see No. 60: Miami → Jacksonville.
  2. ^ No. 135: Arizona → Kansas City (D). Arizona traded its fifth-round selection (135th) to Kansas City in exchange for Kansas City's two fifth-round selections (161st and 162nd).
  3. ^ No. 136: Baltimore → New Orleans (PD). Baltimore traded its fifth-round selection (136th) to New Orleans in exchange for CB Reggie Jones.
  4. ^ No. 137: multiple trades:
           No. 137: N.Y. Giants → Minnesota (PD). N.Y. Giants traded its fifth-round selection (137th) and sixth-round selection (189th) in 1995 to Minnesota in exchange for S Vencie Glenn and Minnesota's sixth-round selection (182nd).
           No. 137: Minnesota → Arizona (D). see No. 97: Arizona → Minnesota.
  5. ^ No. 146: Seattle → Jacksonville (D). see No. 99: Jacksonville → Seattle.
  6. ^ No. 147: Denver → Philadelphia (PD). Denver traded its fifth-round selection (147th) to Philadelphia in exchange for CB Ben Smith.
  7. ^ No. 149: Oakland → New England (D). see No. 57: New England → Oakland.
  8. ^ No. 150: Jacksonville → Miami (D). see No. 60: Miami → Jacksonville.
  9. ^ No. 153: Atlanta → Baltimore (PD). Atlanta traded its fifth-round selection (153rd) to Baltimore in exchange for G Gene Williams.
  10. ^ No. 157: multiple trades:
           No. 157: Philadelphia → Baltimore (PD). Philadelphia traded its fifth-round selection (157th) and fifth-round selection in 1995 to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's fourth-round selection in 1995. This pick was inherited by Baltimore when the Browns relocated to Baltimore.
           No. 157: Baltimore → Dallas (D). Baltimore traded this fifth-round selection (157th) to Dallas in exchange for Dallas' fourth-round selection in 1997.
  11. ^ No. 159: Denver → Carolina (D) see No. 111: Denver → Carolina.
  12. ^ No. 161: multiple trades:
           No. 161: Green Bay → Kansas City (PD). Green Bay traded its fifth-round selection (161st) to Kansas City in exchange for G Lindsay Knapp.
           No. 161: Kansas City → Arizona (D). see No. 135: Arizona → Kansas City.
  13. ^ No. 162: Kansas City → Arizona (D) see No. 135: Arizona → Kansas City.
  14. ^ No. 164: Dallas → Atlanta (PD) see No. 127: Dallas → Atlanta.
Round six
  1. ^ No. 176: Carolina → Kansas City (PD). Carolina traded its sixth-round selection (176th) to Kansas City in exchange for Carolina's sixth-round selection (191st) in 995.
  2. ^ No. 186: Jacksonville → Baltimore (PD). Jacksonville traded this sixth-round selection (186th) and its fifth-round selection in 1995 to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's fourth-round selection in 1995. This pick was inherited by Baltimore when the Browns relocated to Baltimore.
  3. ^ No. 192: multiple trades:
           No. 192: Carolina → Pittsburgh (PD). Carolina traded its sixth-round selection (192nd) to Pittsburgh in exchange for RB Barry Foster.
           No. 192: Pittsburgh → San Diego (D). Pittsburgh traded this sixth-round selection (192nd) and seventh-round selection in 1997 to San Diego in exchange for San Diego's fifth-round selection in 1997.
  4. ^ No. 195: Detroit → New England (D). see No. 76: New England → Detroit.
  5. ^ No. 197: Green Bay → Philadelphia (PD). Green Bay traded this sixth-round selection (197th) to Philadelphia in exchange for OL Joe Sims.
  6. ^ No. 199: Philadelphia → Kansas City (PD). Kansas City traded this sixth-round selection (197th) and second-round selection (50th) in 1995 to Philadelphia in exchange for WR Victor Bailey and Philadelphia's fourth-round selection in 1995.
  7. ^ No. 201: multiple trades:
           No. 201: Dallas → Chicago (PD). Dallas traded its sixth-round selection (201st) to Chicago in exchange for LB Jim Schwantz.
           No. 201: Chicago → St. Louis (D). see No. 13: St. Louis → Chicago.
Round seven
  1. ^ No. 213: Baltimore → Denver (D). see No. 55: Denver → Baltimore.
  2. ^ No. 220: New Orleans → Oakland (PD). New Orleans traded its seventh-round selection (220th) to Oakland in exchange for DT Willie Broughton.
  3. ^ No. 235: Carolina → Denver (D) see No. 111: Denver → Carolina.
  4. ^ No. 236: Detroit → Denver (PD). see No. 55: Detroit → Denver.
  5. ^ No. 238: Philadelphia → Baltimore (PD). Philadelphia traded its seventh-round selection (238th) to Baltimore in exchange for DT Ronnie Dixon.

Notes

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References

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from Grokipedia
The 1996 NFL draft was the 61st annual selection process through which National Football League franchises chose amateur college football players to join their rosters. Held on April 20–21 at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the event spanned seven rounds and resulted in 254 players being drafted. The New York Jets selected wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson from the University of Southern California with the first overall pick, initiating a class renowned for its exceptional talent at wide receiver, where multiple selections like Johnson, Marvin Harrison, and Eric Moulds achieved Pro Bowl status and long-term productivity. This draft produced six future Pro Football Hall of Famers—offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (4th overall, Baltimore Ravens), wide receiver Marvin Harrison (19th overall, Indianapolis Colts), linebacker Ray Lewis (26th overall, Baltimore Ravens), safety Brian Dawkins (61st overall, Philadelphia Eagles), wide receiver Terrell Owens (89th overall, San Francisco 49ers), and linebacker Zach Thomas (154th overall, Miami Dolphins)—contributing to franchise turnarounds such as the Ravens' defensive foundation for Super Bowl victories. Its depth extended to linebackers, with seven participants earning combined accolades, underscoring the class's outsized impact on league competition through empirical measures of All-Pro selections, sacks, interceptions, and team successes in the subsequent decade.

Background

Eligibility Rules and Draft Order

Eligibility for the 1996 NFL Draft required players to be at least three years removed from their high school graduation date, allowing college juniors and seniors who met this threshold to declare by formally renouncing any remaining collegiate eligibility. This rule, established by the in , applied uniformly to all amateur players, though the vast majority of draftees were from NCAA programs. The draft order followed the league's standard procedure of inverse standings from the prior season, the 1995 NFL campaign, with non-playoff teams prioritized from worst to best record before playoff participants ordered by postseason elimination. Ties in records were resolved first by (combined winning percentage of opponents faced), followed by head-to-head results, conference record, and other factors if needed. The secured the No. 1 overall pick after compiling the league-worst 1–15 record in 1995.

Pre-Draft Evaluations and Expectations

The 1996 NFL Draft was anticipated as a deep class offering quality talent across multiple positions, with analysts projecting strong value extending beyond the first round. Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z forecasted a robust selection of prospects, emphasizing the availability of high-caliber players at premium positions like and offensive line. Pre-draft scouting reports highlighted a lack of elite talent, resulting in expectations of no first-round selections at that position, a rarity that held true. Keyshawn Johnson, wide receiver from USC, emerged as the consensus top prospect, praised for his dynamic playmaking ability and projected as the likely first overall pick by the New York Jets. Dr. Z specifically identified Johnson as the most dynamic player in the draft, capable of immediate NFL impact due to his route-running precision and physicality. Jonathan Ogden, offensive tackle from UCLA, received high evaluations for his exceptional size—6 feet 9 inches and 315 pounds—and agility, positioning him as a cornerstone left tackle prospect for teams like the expansion Baltimore Ravens. Lawrence Phillips, running back from , generated significant pre-draft intrigue as one of the most talented backs available, with potential to be drafted in the top four despite documented off-field incidents. Teams conducted extensive evaluations, including psychological assessments that flagged maturity concerns, yet his on-field production—1,722 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 1995—led many to prioritize his athletic gifts over risks. The in February underscored athletic benchmarks, though standout performances were limited; for instance, Bryan Still recorded a 4.36-second , bolstering speed evaluations for skill-position players. Overall, mock drafts and scout consensus pointed to a wide receiver-heavy top tier, setting expectations for a talent-rich opening round focused on offensive skill and protection.

Draft Proceedings

First Round Selections

The first round of the 1996 NFL Draft occurred on April 20, 1996, at the Paramount Theatre within in . The selected from the with the first overall pick. A total of 30 players were chosen in the first round across the league's 30 teams. The selections, ordered by pick number, are listed below:
PickTeamPlayerPositionCollege/University
1WRUSC
2Kevin HardyLB
3DE
4TUCLA
5Cedric JonesDEOklahoma
6RBNebraska
7WROhio State
8RBMichigan
9TEOhio State
10Willie AndersonTAuburn
11Alex MoldenDBOregon
12Regan UpshawDECalifornia
13Walt HarrisDBMississippi State
14RBOhio State
15John MobleyLBKutztown
16Minnesota VikingsDuane ClemonsDECalifornia
17Reggie BrownLBTexas A&M
18Eddie KennisonWRLSU
19WRSyracuse
20Daryl GardenerDTBaylor
21Pete KendallG
22Marcus JonesDE
23CPenn State
24WRMississippi State
25Jermane MayberryGTexas A&M–Kingsville
26LBMiami (FL)
27John MichelsTUSC
28Jerome WoodsDBMemphis
29Jamain StephensTNorth Carolina A&T
30Washington RedskinsAndre JohnsonTPenn State

Trades During the Draft

One of the most prominent trades occurred on April 20, 1996, during the first day of the draft, when the sent and their third-round pick (No. 78 overall, used by Pittsburgh to select linebacker Steve Conley) to the in exchange for the Steelers' second-round pick (No. 53 overall, used by the Rams to select tight end Ernie Conwell) and a fourth-round pick in the (No. 109 overall). This deal addressed Pittsburgh's need for a power , as Bettis went on to rush for over 13,600 yards in his career, earning six selections and a spot in the , while the Rams acquired immediate draft capital to bolster their roster. Another significant transaction on the same day involved the trading their 1997 first-round pick (No. 16 overall, later used by to select ) to the for the Buccaneers' second-round pick (No. 41 overall, used by the Chargers to select ). This move allowed to address immediate needs at amid injuries to key players like Andre Coleman, though Still's career yielded only 18 receptions over two seasons, highlighting the risks of mortgaging future assets for mid-round talent. Additional pick swaps facilitated movement in later rounds, such as the trading their seventh-round pick (No. 96 overall) to the , enabling to select Jerry Blocker. These intra-draft exchanges, typical of the era's fluid proceedings, often involved swapping picks within the same draft to optimize selections without major player involvement beyond the Bettis deal. Overall, trades during the 1996 draft emphasized acquiring established talent like Bettis over speculative picks, influencing team strategies amid the league's expansion and competitive parity efforts.
Trade DateTeams InvolvedAssets Traded
April 20, 1996 to Rams: RB , 1996 3rd-round pick (No. 78)
Steelers: 1996 2nd-round pick (No. 53), 1997 4th-round pick (No. 109)
April 20, 1996 to Chargers: 1997 1st-round pick (No. 16)
Buccaneers: 1996 2nd-round pick (No. 41)

Later Round Selections

The later rounds of the 1996 NFL Draft produced several high-impact players who outperformed their draft positions, including three eventual Pro Football Hall of Famers selected after the first round. Safety was chosen by the with the 61st overall pick in the second round out of ; he recorded 37 interceptions, forced 36 fumbles, and earned nine selections over 16 NFL seasons, primarily with the Eagles, before his 2018 Hall of Fame induction. Wide receiver , selected 89th overall in the third round by the from the , accumulated 1,078 receptions for 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns across 15 seasons, securing six nods and five first-team honors en route to his 2018 Hall of Fame enshrinement. Linebacker Zach Thomas stands out as one of the draft's premier late-round values, picked 154th overall in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins from Texas Tech; despite initial doubts about his size and speed, Thomas led the NFL in tackles in 1998 and 2000, amassed 1,752 combined tackles over 13 seasons (mostly with Miami), and earned seven Pro Bowl selections before his 2023 Hall of Fame induction. These selections underscored the draft's depth, particularly at skill positions and defense, though many other later-round picks, such as running back Ricky Williams (traded into the draft but selected earlier) or various linemen, failed to sustain starter-level production. Overall, the value extracted from rounds two through five highlighted scouting inefficiencies, with Dawkins, Owens, and Thomas combining for over 20 Pro Bowl appearances and contributing to multiple playoff runs for their teams.

Selected Players

Pro Football Hall of Famers

The 1996 NFL Draft yielded six inductees into the , tying it for among the most productive draft classes in terms of hall of fame selections. These players spanned multiple positions and were selected across the first five rounds, demonstrating the draft's depth in elite talent. Their collective achievements include multiple appearances, numerous honors, and franchise cornerstone performances that defined eras for their teams.
PlayerPositionDrafted By (Pick)CollegeInduction Year
Jonathan OgdenOT (1st round, 4th overall)UCLA2013
Marvin HarrisonWR (1st round, 19th overall)Syracuse2016
Ray LewisLB (1st round, 26th overall)Miami (FL)2018
Brian DawkinsS (2nd round, 61st overall)Clemson2018
Terrell OwensWR (3rd round, 89th overall)Tennessee-Chattanooga2018
Zach ThomasLB (5th round, 154th overall)Texas Tech2023
Ogden anchored ' offensive line for 12 seasons, earning 11 selections and contributing to Baltimore's first victory in 2000. Harrison formed one of the NFL's most prolific quarterback-receiver duos with , amassing 14,580 receiving yards and eight first-team honors during his 13-year career with the Colts. Lewis, selected 26th overall by the Baltimore Ravens, a defensive leader for , recorded 2,059 tackles and was named MVP while earning two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Notably, the Green Bay Packers had Lewis on the phone and were ready to select him at No. 27 overall, but the Ravens picked him one pick earlier. Dawkins provided versatile safety play for the Eagles over 13 seasons, with nine s and a reputation for intimidating hits that earned him the nickname "." Owens, known for his athleticism and physicality, totaled 15,934 receiving yards across five teams, securing six s despite a contentious path to enshrinement. Thomas excelled as a tackling machine for the Dolphins, leading the NFL in tackles four times and earning seven nods in his first 10 seasons.

Other High Achievers

, chosen first overall by the , recorded 814 receptions for 10,571 yards and 64 touchdowns across 11 NFL seasons with the Jets, , , and , securing four nods for his consistent production as a possession receiver. His career highlight included a victory with the , where he contributed 28 receptions for 238 yards in the playoffs. Despite leading the Jets in receiving yards multiple times, Johnson fell short of Hall of Fame enshrinement due to competition from era-defining wideouts. Eddie George, selected 14th overall by the Houston Oilers (later Tennessee Titans), earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1996 with 1,368 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on 335 carries, powering a Titans offense that reached the playoffs. He amassed 10,441 career rushing yards and 64 touchdowns over nine seasons, primarily with Tennessee, including leading the league in yards from scrimmage in 1997 (2,121) and 1998 (2,256), while earning four Pro Bowl selections and a spot on the 2000 All-Pro First Team. George's physical running style defined Titans ground attacks, though knee injuries curtailed his later years. Simeon Rice, the third overall pick by the , claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year with 13 sacks and 71 tackles in 1996, setting the stage for a pass-rushing career totaling 122.5 sacks, the 20th-most in history at retirement. Over 12 seasons with , , and briefly , he earned four berths and a ring with the Buccaneers, where he added 37.5 sacks in five years alongside elite defenses. Rice's length and burst made him a perennial double-digit sack threat early on, though inconsistent team success limited broader accolades. Terry Glenn, drafted seventh overall by the New England Patriots, compiled 592 receptions for 6,848 yards and 44 touchdowns in eight seasons across New England, Green Bay, Buffalo, and Dallas, highlighted by a 1996 Pro Bowl season with 69 catches for 1,132 yards and 6 scores as a rookie. His career blended speed and route-running precision but was marred by off-field issues and injuries, preventing sustained elite status. Similarly, fourth-rounder Joe Horn, selected 161st overall by the Kansas City Chiefs before starring with New Orleans, notched 539 receptions for 8,744 yards and 58 touchdowns, including five Pro Bowls and iconic celebrations that energized Saints crowds. The 1996 class's wide receiver depth extended to such contributors, underscoring its positional strength beyond Hall inductees.

Notable Draft Busts

Lawrence Phillips, a running back from the University of Nebraska, was selected sixth overall by the in the first round after the Rams traded running back Jerome Bettis to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the draft in exchange for the Steelers' second-round pick in 1996 and a fourth-round pick in 1997. Despite high expectations from his college production, including 1,722 rushing yards in 1995, Phillips managed only 634 yards on 199 carries (3.2 average) in 15 games during his 1996 rookie season with the Rams. His NFL career totaled 1,453 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns over 35 games across three teams (Rams, , ), ending after the 1999 season amid repeated off-field legal troubles, including incidents that led to his release from the Rams in December 1997. Cedric Jones, a from the , was chosen fifth overall by the . Jones recorded 15 sacks in 63 games over five seasons (1996–2000), primarily with the Giants, but chronic eye injuries—stemming from a pre-draft cornea transplant in early 1996 and subsequent re-injury—severely limited his effectiveness and availability. His per-game sack rate of 0.24 ranked below expectations for a top-five pick, contributing to his classification as a disappointment relative to the draft capital invested. Other first-round selections, such as defensive end Regan Upshaw (ninth overall, ), showed moderate production with 34.5 career sacks across nine seasons but failed to anchor the as anticipated, rotating through multiple teams without All-Pro recognition. These cases highlight how behavioral red flags, medical vulnerabilities, and inconsistent on-field translation undermined several high investments in the 1996 class.

Undrafted Players

Key Undrafted Signings and Successes

The signed kicker from South Dakota State as an undrafted shortly after the 1996 NFL Draft concluded on April 20. Vinatieri, who had kicked for the in earlier that year, outperformed incumbent to claim the Patriots' starting role during training camp in July 1996. In his rookie season, he converted 33 of 37 attempts (89.2%) and 86 of 87 extra points, helping New England reach . Vinatieri's 10-year tenure with the Patriots (1996–2005) yielded three Pro Bowl nods (1999, 2002, 2004), two first-team All-Pro honors (1996, 2004), and victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX, where he scored a perfect 18 points in XXXVI and provided clutch kicks across all three. Iconic moments included a 45-yard field goal in a blinding snowstorm during the 2001 AFC Divisional playoff against the Oakland Raiders, securing a 16–13 overtime win, and a 48-yard kick to force overtime in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Following free agency in 2006, Vinatieri joined the , where he added a fourth title (XLI) and three more selections (2009, 2010, 2014), retiring in 2021 as the NFL's then-all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points from 1,915 extra points and 661 . His career 83.8% field goal accuracy on 822 attempts ranked among the highest for high-volume kickers, demonstrating sustained elite performance despite entering without draft pedigree. While other undrafted signings from the 1996 class, such as various depth players across teams, contributed marginally, Vinatieri represented the draft's most enduring post-draft success story.

Legacy and Impact

Performance Metrics and Value Analysis

The 1996 NFL draft class generated substantial value across multiple positions, particularly at , linebacker, and offensive tackle, contributing to its ranking among the top five draft classes in league by weighted approximate value metrics. Collective career approximate value (AV) for drafted players totaled approximately 2,800, yielding an average of about 11 AV per pick across 254 selections, a figure indicative of strong depth beyond elite talents. This performance stemmed from 54 selections and 19 first-team honors, reflecting sustained contributions from mid-round picks alongside first-round stars. Key value drivers included exceptional output from the top tier, with the class's top-10 players accounting for over 900 AV, ranking second all-time in top-10 production. Lower-tier picks like wide receivers (AV 59), Eddie Kennison (AV 50), and (AV 54) amplified overall returns, with the wide receiver subgroup alone amassing over 105,000 receiving yards through 2006, surpassing any prior class. Success rates were elevated, with roughly 80% of players achieving positive AV, far exceeding typical draft benchmarks where most later-round selections yield minimal or negative returns after accounting for opportunity costs. Retrospective analyses highlight the class's efficiency, as it delivered franchise-cornerstone players without reliance on quarterbacks, enabling teams like (384 team AV from their picks) to build contention cores through defensive and offensive line investments. This distributed value mitigated bust risks, with only isolated first-round failures like Kerry Collins (AV 68, but inconsistent impact) diluting potential, underscoring the draft's causal role in elevating multiple franchises' trajectories via high-volume, verifiable on-field production.

Team Outcomes and Long-Term Effects

The Baltimore Ravens, participating in their inaugural draft as an expansion franchise, selected offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden fourth overall and linebacker Ray Lewis 26th overall, selections that anchored the team's foundation and propelled them to contention within four years. Ogden, who earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, provided elite pass protection that stabilized the offensive line during the franchise's early instability. Lewis, with 13 Pro Bowls, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2018, emerged as the defensive leader whose ferocious play style defined the Ravens' identity, contributing directly to their Super Bowl XXXV victory in 2001 by recording 51 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions in the championship season. These picks are widely regarded as the most successful first-round haul for any expansion team, enabling the Ravens to transition from a 3-13 record in 1996 to a perennial powerhouse with two Super Bowl titles in the subsequent decades. The ' selection of wide receiver 19th overall yielded a transformative offensive weapon that paired seamlessly with quarterback , drafted two years later, to form one of the NFL's most prolific passing duos. Harrison amassed 14,580 receiving yards and 128 touchdowns over 13 seasons, all with Indianapolis, earning eight nods and a pivotal role in the team's 2006 triumph, where he caught 20 passes for 250 yards in the playoffs. This pick elevated the Colts from mediocrity—evidenced by their 3-13 finish in 1997—to consistent AFC contenders, with Harrison's precision route-running and reliability generating over 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons from 1999 to 2006. The long-term effect included franchise records and a shift toward offensive dominance that sustained success into the 2010s. Other franchises experienced more variable outcomes, often hampered by busts or underutilized talent amid deeper draft classes at wide receiver and linebacker. The ' first overall pick, , delivered 587 receptions and four Pro Bowls across a solid career but could not salvage a dismal 1-15 rookie season or prevent ongoing instability, as the team cycled through rebuilds without leveraging the draft's depth for broader impact. Similarly, the ' 17th overall choice of linebacker Reggie Brown yielded minimal contributions—zero Pro Bowls and early exit—missing opportunities like Lewis, which exacerbated their defensive woes and contributed to a decade of playoff droughts. In contrast, teams like the benefited modestly from later-round picks such as wide receiver (traded contextually), but the draft's uneven distribution meant most clubs saw limited franchise-altering returns compared to the Ravens and Colts. Overall, the 1996 draft's long-term effects underscored the causal importance of elite defensive and offensive linchpins in building sustained success, with the Ravens' haul exemplifying how two high-impact first-rounders can accelerate a rebuild, while misses elsewhere perpetuated cycles of underachievement for talent-rich but poorly evaluated teams. Empirical metrics, such as combined Pro Bowl appearances from top picks (over 30 for Ogden, Lewis, and Harrison alone), highlight the class's outsized value for select franchises amid a quarterback drought that limited broader offensive revolutions.

References

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