1979 NFL draft


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The 1979 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 3–4, 1979, at the Waldorf Astoria 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.

1979 NFL draft
General information
Date(s)May 3–4, 1979
LocationWaldorf Astoria Hotel
in New York City, NY
Overview
330 total selections in 12 rounds
LeagueNFL
First selectionTom Cousineau, LB
Buffalo Bills
Mr. IrrelevantMike Almond, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers
Most selections (17)New York Jets
Fewest selections (5)Washington Redskins
Hall of Famers

← 1978

1980 →

The Buffalo Bills held the first overall pick in the draft, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the trade which sent O. J. Simpson to his hometown team. The Bills' selection at No. 1, Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau, refused to sign with the Bills and instead signed a lucrative deal with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

= Pro Bowler [3] = Hall of Famer
* = compensatory selection
† = Pro Bowler[3]
‡ = Hall of Famer[4]
Positions key
C Center CB Cornerback DB Defensive back DE Defensive end[a]
DL Defensive lineman DT Defensive tackle FB Fullback FS Free safety
G Guard[b] K Kicker[c] KR Kickoff returner LB Linebacker
LS Long snapper MLB Middle linebacker[d] OT Offensive tackle OL Offensive lineman
OLB Outside linebacker[a] NT Nose tackle P Punter PR Punt returner
QB Quarterback RS Return specialist RB Running back S Safety
SS Strong safety TE Tight end WR Wide receiver
  1. ^ a b May sometimes be referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
  2. ^ Also known as offensive guard (OG)
  3. ^ Also known as placekicker (PK)
  4. ^ Also known as inside linebacker (ILB)
  • Kellen Winslow, tight end from Missouri, taken 1st round 13th overall by San Diego Chargers
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1995.[6]
  • Joe Montana, quarterback from Notre Dame, taken 3rd round 82nd overall by San Francisco 49ers
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2000.[7]
  • Dan Hampton, defensive tackle from Arkansas, taken 1st round 4th overall by Chicago Bears
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2002.[7]
  • Bill Cowher, linebacker from North Carolina State, undrafted and signed by Philadelphia Eagles
Inducted: For his Coaching achievements Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Notable undrafted players

edit

  1. ^ "NFL Draft Locations". FootballGeography.com. October 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  2. ^ Salomone, Dan (October 2, 2014). "NFL Draft headed to Chicago in 2015". Giants.com. New York Giants. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career.
  4. ^ Players are identified as a Hall of Famer if they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  5. ^ "Steelers Facts & Info". SteelerTribute.com. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 30, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  6. ^ List of 1990s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com "Pro Football Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
  7. ^ a b List of 2000s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com "Pro Football Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2008.