Gale Sayers was drafted 4th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft. The University of Kansas Jayhawks football team has had 177 players drafted into the National Football League (NFL).[ 1] [ A 1] [ A 2] Gale Sayers , John Riggins , Ray Evans , Mike Butler , John Hadl , and David Verser . Sayers, a College and Pro Football Hall of Famer , was the highest pick from KU as the fourth overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. Nine different Jayhawks have been drafted in the first round, Aqib Talib , who was drafted with the 20th overall selection in the 2008 NFL draft is the most recent Jayhawk to be drafted in the first round.
Through the annual NFL Draft each NFL franchise gets the chance to add new players to their teams. The current draft rules were established in 2009. The team with the worst record the previous year gets to pick first, then the next-worst team picks second, and so on. Teams that were not in the playoffs receive their draft order by their regular-season record. If 2 or more non-playoff teams have the same record the tie breaker used is their strength of schedule. Playoff teams receive their draft order after all the non-playoff teams, based on their round of elimination (wild card, division, conference, and Super Bowl).[ 3]
In 1944 the All-America Football Conference was established and it began play in 1946 in direct competition with the NFL. From 1946 to 1949 the two leagues fiercely competed for the top college football prospects with each league holding their own drafts, before the AAFC finally merged with the NFL at the end of the 1949 season.
Like the AAFC earlier, the American Football League (AFL) operated in direct competition with the NFL and held a separate draft. This led to a massive bidding war over top prospects between the two leagues. As part of the merger agreement on June 8, 1966, the two leagues would hold a multiple round "Common Draft". Once the AFL officially merged with the NFL in 1970, the "Common Draft" simply became the NFL Draft.[ 2] [ 4]
Sixteen former Jayhawks who were drafted have been selected to a Pro Bowl or AFL All-Star Game. Twelve former Jayhawks who were drafted have won a championship with their respective teams, one was named MVP, John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII .
John Riggins was drafted 6th overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 1971 NFL Draft. Aqib Talib was drafted 20th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2008 NFL Draft. Anthony Collins was drafted 112th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2008 NFL Draft. Darrell Stuckey was drafted 110th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2010 NFL Draft. Dexter McDonald was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 2015 NFL Draft. Moran Norris was selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 115th overall draft pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
Year[ A 3] [ A 4]
Round
Pick
Overall
Player
Team[ A 5]
Position
Notes
1938
9
6
76
Clarence Douglass Detroit Lions
B
1939
18
1
161
Dave Shirk Pittsburgh Pirates
E
19
35
175
Ferrell Anderson Brooklyn Dodgers
G
1940
14
3
123
Bill Bunson Philadelphia Eagles
B
1942
9
2
72
Hubert Ulrich Cleveland Rams
E
16
7
147
Ralph Miller Brooklyn Dodgers
B
Hall of fame basketball coach
1944
1
9
9
Ray Evans |
Chicago Bears
B
9
11
87
Gene Long Boston Yanks
G
26
1
264
Warren Hodges Chicago Cardinals
T
30
3
310
George Dick Detroit Lions
E
1945
27
5
276
Don Fambrough Chicago Cardinals
B
27
11
285
Bill Chestnut Green Bay Packers
B
1947
23
6
211
Otto Schnellbacher Chicago Cardinals NFL
DB
1951 )
29
5
270
Bill Hogan Green Bay Packers NFL
B
1948
19
1
166
Don Ettinger New York Giants NFL
G
20
10
185
Dick Monroe Chicago Cardinals NFL
C
1949
22
8
219
Dick Bertuzzi Chicago Bears NFL
B
23
7
228
Frank Pattee Washington Redskins NFL
B
1950
5
6
59
Forrest Griffith New York Giants
B
21
2
263
Bud French New York Bulldogs
B
21
7
268
Dick Tomlinson Pittsburgh Steelers
G
27
5
344
Ed Lee Washington Redskins
T
1951
3
8
34
Mike McCormack ‡±
New York Yanks
T
1954 , 1955 )1951 , 1956 , 1957 , 1960 , 1961 , 1962 )
5
2
52
Wade Stinson Green Bay Packers
B
29
3
342
S. P. Garnett San Francisco 49ers
T
1952
20
11
240
Bob Brandenberry Cleveland Browns
B
25
8
297
Bud Laughlin San Francisco 49ers
B
1953
2
6
19
Gil Reich Green Bay Packers
B
4
8
45
George Mrkonic Philadelphia Eagles
G
6
12
73
Ollie Spencer Detroit Lions
T
12
5
138
Jerry Robertson Pittsburgh Steelers
B
13
10
155
Galen Fiss ‡
Cleveland Browns
B
1964 )1962 , 1963 )
22
1
254
Merlin Gish Baltimore Colts
C
26
10
311
Charlie Hoag Cleveland Browns
B
1954
5
6
55
Bob Hantla San Francisco 49ers
G
14
8
165
Hal Patterson Philadelphia Eagles
B
18
10
215
Morris Kay San Francisco 49ers
E
26
11
312
Joe Lundy Cleveland Browns
G
1955
21
8
249
John Anderson Philadelphia Eagles
E
1956
13
2
147
Ralph Moody San Francisco 49ers
B
26
8
309
Bev Butler New York Giants
B
1957
11
9
130
Bob Kraus Chicago Cardinals
G
14
4
161
Don Feller Cleveland Browns
B
16
6
187
Ed Prelock Baltimore Colts
T
20
9
238
Tom Horner Chicago Cardinals
T
22
6
259
Chet Vanatta Baltimore Colts
T
26
9
310
Ted Rohde Chicago Cardinals
B
30
8
357
Frank Gibson Chicago Cardinals
T
1958
12
6
139
Ron Clairborne Los Angeles Rams
T
18
12
217
Larry Carrier Detroit Lions
B
1959
14
7
163
John Peppercorn Pittsburgh Steelers
E
26
11
311
Homer Floyd Cleveland Browns
B
1960
8
12
96
Fred Hageman New York Giants NFL
C
10
2
110
Curtis McClinton †‡
Los Angeles Rams NFL
RB
IV )1962 , 1966, 1967) (Offensive MVP in 1962)
1961
14
6
110
Curtis McClinton †‡
Dallas Texans AFL
RB
IV )1962 , 1966, 1967) (Offensive MVP in 1962)
14
3
185
Doyle Schick Washington Redskins NFL
B
1962
1
10
10
John Hadl |
Detroit Lions NFL
QB
1964 , 1965, 1968, 1969) (1969 MVP)1972 , 1973 )
3
8
24
John Hadl |
San Diego Chargers AFL
QB
1964 , 1965, 1968, 1969) (1969 MVP)1972 , 1973 )
7
1
85
Bert Coan Washington Redskins NFL
RB
14
1
105
Bert Coan San Diego Chargers AFL
RB
20
8
274
Roger McFarland San Francisco 49ers NFL
RB
23
1
177
Elvin Basham Oakland Raiders AFL
G
27
7
215
Roger McFarland Houston Oilers AFL
RB
1963
7
6
90
Marv Clothier Dallas Cowboys NFL
G
1965
1
4
4
Gale Sayers |±
Chicago Bears NFL
RB
1965 , 1966 , 1967 , 1968 , 1969 )
1
5
5
Gale Sayers |±
Kansas City Chiefs AFL
B
1965 , 1966 , 1967 , 1968 , 1969 )
8
3
101
Brian Schweda Chicago Bears NFL
T
8
10
108
Mike Shinn Green Bay Packers NFL
E
16
1
121
Brian Schweda Denver Broncos AFL
T
19
1
145
Ron Oelschlager Denver Broncos AFL
RB
1966
11
6
97
Willie Ray Smith Kansas City Chiefs AFL
DB
14
7
125
Mike Johnson Oakland Raiders AFL
DB
15
7
134
Steve Renko Oakland Raiders AFL
FB
1967
6
1
134
George Harvey New Orleans Saints
G
17
25
444
Jeff Elias Green Bay Packers
TE
1968
10
20
266
Ben Olison Dallas Cowboys
WR
1969
2
15
41
Bobby Douglass Chicago Bears
QB
3
8
60
Vernon Vanoy New York Giants
DE
4
21
99
John Zook Los Angeles Rams
DE
1973 )
5
13
117
Keith Christensen New Orleans Saints
T
10
9
243
Donnie Shanklin Philadelphia Eagles
RB
14
3
341
Billy Hunt Atlanta Falcons
DB
16
19
409
Junior Riggins St. Louis Cardinals
RB
1970
2
18
44
Jim Bailey Baltimore Colts
DT
6
11
141
John Mosier Denver Broncos
TE
10
13
247
Jim Hatcher Atlanta Falcons
DB
11
24
284
Emery Hicks Oakland Raiders
LB
17
12
428
Bill Bell Atlanta Falcons
K
1971
1
6
6
John Riggins ‡±
New York Jets
FB
XVII )1975 )
2
15
41
Stephen Lawson Cincinnati Bengals
G
5
2
106
Larry Brown ‡
Pittsburgh Steelers
TE
IX , X , XIII , XIV )1982 )
8
24
206
Ron Jessie Dallas Cowboys
WR
1976 )
1972
5
16
120
Bob Childs Los Angeles Rams
G
7
2
158
Steve Conley Cincinnati Bengals
RB
14
2
340
Karl Salb Buffalo Bills
DT
15
16
380
Steve Roach Detroit Lions
LB
15
17
381
Kenny Page Los Angeles Rams
LB
1973
3
24
76
Roger Bernhardt Pittsburgh Steelers
G
4
5
83
Gery Palmer Baltimore Colts
T
9
25
233
Eddie Sheats Washington Redskins
LB
15
15
379
Vince O'Neil Buffalo Bills
RB
1974
1
15
15
Don Goode San Diego Chargers
LB
2
23
49
Delvin Williams San Francisco 49ers
RB
1976 , 1978 )
3
11
63
Mitch Sutton Philadelphia Eagles
DT
3
14
66
David Jaynes Kansas City Chiefs
QB
16
19
409
Delario Robinson Oakland Raiders
WR
1975
2
14
40
Emmett Edwards Houston Oilers
WR
4
25
103
Bruce Adams Minnesota Vikings
WR
5
25
129
Robert Miller Minnesota Vikings
RB
6
13
143
Steve Towle Miami Dolphins
LB
6
19
149
Mike Lemon New Orleans Saints
LB
1976
2
15
43
Kurt Knoff Los Angeles Rams
DB
2
29
57
Eddie Lewis San Francisco 49ers
DB
3
11
71
Dave Scott Atlanta Falcons
G
6
10
166
Steve Taylor Kansas City Chiefs
DB
9
4
241
Jeff Turner Buffalo Bills
LB
1977
1
9
9
Mike Butler Green Bay Packers
DE
2
3
31
Nolan Cromwell Los Angeles Rams
DB
1980 , 1981 , 1982 , 1983 )
2
13
41
Terry Beeson Seattle Seahawks
LB
4
15
99
Laverne Smith Pittsburgh Steelers
RB
5
7
119
Skip Sharp Philadelphia Eagles
DB
7
10
177
Chris Golub Kansas City Chiefs
DB
8
20
215
Waddell Smith Kansas City Chiefs
WR
1978
3
26
82
Lindsey Mason Oakland Raiders
T
5
16
126
Tom Dinkel Cincinnati Bengals
LB
5
20
130
Norris Banks Philadelphia Eagles
RB
11
10
288
Billy Campfield Philadelphia Eagles
RB
1979
3
25
81
Mike Wellman Los Angeles Rams
C
1980
2
3
31
Kirby Criswell Cincinnati Bengals
LB
3
14
70
LeRoy Irvin Los Angeles Rams
DB
1985 , 1986 )
5
13
123
Jim Zidd New York Jets
LB
11
16
293
Mike Hubach New England Patriots
P
1981
1
10
10
David Verser Cincinnati Bengals
WR
11
1
277
Lester Mickens New Orleans Saints
WR
1982
7
17
184
Greg Smith Kansas City Chiefs
DT
9
8
231
Dan Wagoner Detroit Lions
DB
1983
2
24
52
Wayne Capers Pittsburgh Steelers
WR
11
20
299
Bucky Scribner Green Bay Packers
P
1984
5
12
124
Paul Fairchild New England Patriots
G
7
16
184
Bruce Kallmeyer New England Patriots
K
7
19
187
Renwick Atkins Detroit Lions
T
1984s
3
20
76
Frank Seurer Seattle Seahawks
QB
3
22
78
Reggie Smith Denver Broncos
T
1986
3
20
75
Alvin Walton †
Washington Redskins
DB
XXII )
6
22
160
Lynn Williams Los Angeles Rams
RB
7
8
174
Mike Norseth Cleveland Browns
QB
7
19
185
Johnny Holloway Dallas Cowboys
WR
1987
11
10
289
Paul Oswald Pittsburgh Steelers
C
1991
10
17
267
Curtis Moore Houston Oilers
LB
1992
5
12
124
Chris Perez Miami Dolphins
T
9
9
233
Tim Hill Cleveland Browns
DB
1993
1
26
26
Dana Stubblefield ‡
San Francisco 49ers
DT
XXIX )1994 , 1995 , 1997 )
3
23
79
Gilbert Brown †
Minnesota Vikings
DT
XXXI )
1994
4
25
128
Chris Maumalanga New York Giants
DT
1995
7
6
214
Gerald McBurrows St. Louis Rams
DB
7
20
228
Hessley Hempstead Detroit Lions
G
1996
3
18
79
Dorian Brew Miami Dolphins
DB
7
10
219
Rod Jones Cincinnati Bengals
T
7
17
226
Chris Banks †
Denver Broncos
G
XXXIII )
7
26
235
L. T. Levine Denver Broncos
RB
1997
3
33
93
Ronnie Ward Miami Dolphins
RB
5
33
163
June Henley Kansas City Chiefs
RB
6
32
195
Isaac Byrd Kansas City Chiefs
WR
1998
7
50
239
Ron Warner †
New Orleans Saints
LB
XXXVII )
2001
4
20
115
Moran Norris New Orleans Saints
FB
2002
4
15
113
Nate Dwyer Arizona Cardinals
DT
6
15
187
Justin Hartwig †
Tennessee Titans
C
XLIII )
2004
4
36
132
Adrian Jones New York Jets
T
2005
5
3
139
David McMillan Cleveland Browns
DE
2008
1
20
20
Aqib Talib ‡
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DB
50 )2013 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016 )
4
13
112
Anthony Collins Cincinnati Bengals
T
4
33
132
Derek Fine Buffalo Bills
TE
6
5
171
Marcus Henry New York Jets
WR
2010
4
12
110
Darrell Stuckey San Diego Chargers
DB
2014 )
5
34
165
Kerry Meier Atlanta Falcons
WR
6
22
191
Dezmon Briscoe Cincinnati Bengals
WR
2013
5
23
156
Tanner Hawkinson Cincinnati Bengals
T
2015
5
4
140
Ben Heeney Oakland Raiders
LB
6
15
191
JaCorey Shepherd Philadelphia Eagles
DB
7
25
242
Dexter McDonald Oakland Raiders
DB
2018
4
16
116
Dorance Armstrong Dallas Cowboys
DE
2020
6
1
180
Hakeem Adeniji Cincinnati Bengals
T
2022
6
2
181
Kyron Johnson Philadelphia Eagles
LB
2024
3
22
86
Dominick Puni San Francisco 49ers
G
5
9
144
Austin Booker Chicago Bears
DE
Notable undrafted players [ edit ] Below are players who played at least two seasons in the NFL.
Note: No drafts held before 1936
^ The history of the AFL is officially recognized by the NFL and so this list includes the AFL Draft (1960–1966) and the Common Draft (1967–1969).[ 2]
^ The AAFC merged with the NFL at the end of the 1949 season and so this list includes the AAFC Draft (1946–1949).
^ From 1960 through 1966, teams with a superscript AFL denotes a player drafted in the AFL Draft and teams with a superscript NFL denotes a player drafted in the
NFL Draft .
^ From 1946 through 1949, teams with a superscript AAFC denotes a player drafted in the All-America Football Conference and teams with a superscript NFL denotes a player drafted
in the NFL Draft .
^ This is the team that drafted the player, not their most recent team.
^ "Kansas Drafted Players/Alumni" . Sports Reference LLC . Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2012 .^ a b Cross, B. Duane (January 22, 2001). "The AFL: A Football Legacy" . Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2012 . ^ Clayton, John (March 26, 2009). "Draft order to change for playoff teams" . ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. ^ "Time Changes for 2008 NFL Draft" . NFL . April 22, 2008. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2009 .
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