1972 NFL draft
The 1972 National Football League Draft was the 37th annual player selection meeting held by the league, conducted over two days from February 1 to 2 at the Essex House hotel in New York City.[1][2] In this 17-round event, NFL franchises selected a total of 442 eligible college players to bolster their rosters.[3] The Buffalo Bills held the first overall pick and chose defensive end Walt Patulski from the University of Notre Dame, a selection that later came to be regarded as one of the draft's notable disappointments as Patulski's strong start to his NFL career was sadly shortened by a career-ending injury in 1977.[4] The 1972 draft is often regarded as one of the least successful in NFL history, especially in the first round, with several picks failing to meet expectations—such as Patulski. Despite this, the draft is best remembered for its exceptional value in later rounds, producing just two Pro Football Hall of Famers with outsized impacts on their teams.[5] Running back Franco Harris, selected 13th overall in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Penn State, made an immediate contribution by rushing for 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and becoming a cornerstone of the Steelers' four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s.[6] Wide receiver Cliff Branch, a fourth-round pick (98th overall) by the Oakland Raiders from the University of Colorado, developed into a Pro Football Hall of Famer and deep-threat star who amassed 501 receptions for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns over 14 seasons, helping the Raiders secure three Super Bowl titles.[7] Other key contributors included tight end Riley Odoms, taken fifth overall by the Denver Broncos from the University of Houston and who earned four Pro Bowl nods during a 12-year career, and wide receiver Ahmad Rashad (originally Bobby Moore), selected fourth overall by the St. Louis Cardinals from the University of Oregon and later known for his versatility and broadcasting career.[8] Overall, the draft exemplified the unpredictability of early 1970s player evaluation, with only seven of the 26 first-rounders ever making a Pro Bowl, yet yielding talents that propelled franchises like the Steelers and Raiders to dominance in the decade.Overview and Background
Event Details
The 1972 NFL Draft was held over two days, February 1 and 2, at the Essex House hotel in New York City, New York.[9] This location continued the league's tradition of conducting the draft in New York during that era.[1] The event featured all 26 NFL teams, a roster that remained unchanged following the 1970 AFL-NFL merger and prior to the league's 1976 expansion. In total, 442 players were selected across 17 rounds, providing each team with multiple opportunities to build their rosters from eligible college prospects.[3] Selections proceeded in a structured format typical of the time, with teams picking in reverse order of their records from the 1971 season—poorest-performing teams first—and alternating turns round by round to ensure balanced distribution.[10]Historical Context
By 1972, the National Football League had fully realized the effects of the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, which had been agreed upon in 1966 and created a unified 26-team league structured into the American Football Conference and National Football Conference.[11][12] The merger's integration was complete following the 1970 season, with inter-conference scheduling and a single set of rules in place, stabilizing competition after years of rivalry.[13] A common draft had been implemented since 1967 to pool talent from both leagues, reducing bidding wars and ensuring a more equitable distribution of college prospects across the expanded roster of teams.[14] The 1971 NFL season provided the immediate backdrop for the 1972 draft, marked by the Dallas Cowboys' dominant championship run and stark contrasts in team performance. The Cowboys finished the regular season with an 11-3 record before defeating the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI on January 16, 1972, securing their first title and highlighting the league's growing parity and excitement.[15] At the other end of the spectrum, teams like the Buffalo Bills struggled severely, posting a 1-13 record that earned them the first overall pick in the draft and underscored the challenges faced by rebuilding franchises in the post-merger era. Amid this competitive landscape, the NFL grappled with escalating player salaries and labor tensions that shaped roster-building priorities. The average player salary had risen to approximately $27,000 by 1971, reflecting increased revenue from the merger and broader economic pressures, though top earners like quarterbacks could command up to $150,000.[16] The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), certified by the National Labor Relations Board in 1970, began asserting greater influence, leading to negotiations over minimum salaries—raised to $12,500 for rookies and $13,000 for veterans—and benefits, culminating in the first player strike in 1974.[17] These developments, alongside a gradual shift toward passing offenses encouraged by rule changes in 1974 that limited defensive contact with receivers, influenced teams to prioritize versatile, athletic prospects capable of adapting to evolving strategies.[18] The league's cultural momentum was propelled by surging popularity, particularly through expanding television coverage that amplified football's national appeal following the 1971 season. A four-year TV contract signed in 1970 with CBS and NBC, valued at an estimated $142 million, marked a significant escalation from prior deals and included broadcast of the Super Bowl, drawing tens of millions of viewers.[19] Televised games became a weekly staple, fueling attendance growth and revenue, as the merger's unified product attracted broader audiences and positioned the NFL as America's premier professional sport.[20]Draft Process
Selection Order and Trades
The selection order for the 1972 NFL Draft was determined by the inverse order of each team's regular-season record from the 1971 NFL season, with the 10 playoff teams from that year picking after the non-playoff teams regardless of their records. Ties among teams with identical records were broken using the strength of schedule, calculated as the combined winning percentage of the opponents each team faced.[21] This system positioned the Buffalo Bills, who posted the league's worst record of 1-12-1 in 1971, to select first overall, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals (4-9-1) at No. 2 and the Chicago Bears (6-8) at No. 3. The order then proceeded through the remaining non-playoff teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals (4-9-1) at No. 4, Denver Broncos (4-10) at No. 5, and Houston Oilers (4-9-1) at No. 6, before reaching the playoff qualifiers. The Miami Dolphins, fresh off their Super Bowl VI victory with a 10-3-1 mark, held the 25th pick, while the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys (11-3) selected last at No. 26.[3] Pre-draft trades reshaped some teams' positions by exchanging players or future assets for immediate draft capital. Similarly, the San Diego Chargers obtained the Patriots' original first-round selection (also No. 17) from New England in exchange for defensive end Fred Dryer, a 1972 sixth-round pick, and a 1973 second-rounder, though the Chargers later moved the asset. The Chargers were also active in late-January trades, including sending linebacker Jeff Staggs, their 1972 second-round pick, and 1973 second- and third-round picks to the Los Angeles Rams for defensive end Deacon Jones, defensive tackle Greg Wojcik, and fullback Lee White. These maneuvers allowed teams like the Giants—who acquired an additional first-round pick (No. 24) from the Minnesota Vikings in the January 1972 Fran Tarkenton trade—to bolster their early-round options without relying solely on their 7-7 finish from 1971.[22][23] Intra-draft trades during the February 1, 1972, proceedings in New York City further adjusted the order, particularly in mid-to-late rounds, as teams swapped picks for veterans to address roster needs. The Chargers were particularly active, completing three deals on draft day. Such exchanges, often involving mid-round selections for established talent or future considerations, highlighted the draft's fluidity and contributed to a total of over 20 documented pick movements across rounds.[24]Top Prospects
The 1972 NFL Draft featured a strong class of college seniors anticipated to address key positional needs across the league, with defensive linemen drawing particular attention amid teams' efforts to bolster pass rushes after a 1971 season marked by record-breaking offensive production. Pre-draft scouting reports and All-American selections from organizations like the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), and Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) highlighted players who combined athletic prowess, versatility, and statistical dominance in their final college campaigns. These prospects were evaluated through individual workouts and pro days, film study, and interviews, with media outlets emphasizing their potential impact in a league transitioning toward more sophisticated defensive schemes. Leading the consensus top prospects was Walt Patulski, a defensive end from Notre Dame, projected by many scouts as the No. 1 overall selection due to his explosive speed, 6-foot-6 frame, and disruptive presence on the line; he earned unanimous All-American honors in 1971 after recording 10 sacks and helping Notre Dame to an 8-2 record.[25][26] Sherman White, another defensive end from California, generated significant hype for his quick first step and pass-rush potential, having been named a consensus first-team All-American while leading the Pac-8 Conference with 12 sacks and earning All-Coast recognition for the second straight year.[27][28] Riley Odoms, a tight end from the University of Houston, rounded out the elite tier with his receiving skills and blocking tenacity, securing second-team All-American status after a 1971 season that included 45 receptions for 730 yards and eight touchdowns, signaling a rising value for hybrid tight ends capable of stretching defenses.[29][30] Position trends in pre-draft evaluations underscored the premium on defensive linemen, as teams sought reinforcements against aerial attacks that saw league-wide passing yards exceed 20,000 for the first time in 1971, prompting a shift toward versatile ends who could pressure quarterbacks without frequent blitzes. Tight ends and wide receivers also gained traction, valued for their role in diversifying offenses beyond run-heavy schemes dominant in the late 1960s. Among lower-profile players generating early buzz as potential late-round steals was Franco Harris, a fullback from Penn State, praised in scouting notes for his vision, power between the tackles, and 1971 stats of 169 carries for 1,028 yards, though he was not initially projected in the top 10.[31] Media coverage amplified these prospects through pre-draft All-American teams and expert analyses in publications such as Street & Smith's College Football Yearbook, which previewed the 1971 season's standouts and forecasted their pro transitions based on coach polls and statistical breakdowns.[32] Outlets like these often ranked Patulski and White atop big boards, while Odoms appeared on multiple regional honors lists, reflecting a blend of national acclaim and positional scarcity that shaped draft anticipation.Player Selections
Rounds 1–4
The first four rounds of the 1972 NFL Draft, held on February 1–2 in New York City, featured 104 selections across 26 teams, with a focus on bolstering defensive fronts, offensive lines, and skill positions amid varying team needs like rebuilding defenses and enhancing passing attacks.[33] Round 1 included 26 picks, emphasizing high-impact defensive ends and tackles early, while later rounds in this group highlighted emerging running backs and defensive backs. Trades influenced several selections, such as the New York Giants acquiring the 17th overall pick from the New England Patriots in exchange for defensive end Fred Dryer, a 1972 sixth-round pick, and a 1973 second-round pick, allowing the Giants to draft cornerback Eldridge Small.[22] The Atlanta Falcons also benefited from trades, securing three consecutive second-round picks (40th–42nd overall) to address multiple roster gaps.[3]Round 1 Selections
The following table lists all 26 first-round picks, including player, position, college, and brief team context where applicable:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo Bills | Walt Patulski | DE | Notre Dame | Selected to anchor a struggling defense after the Bills' 1-13 season; considered a major bust with only 13.5 career sacks over five seasons.[3][34] |
| 2 | Cincinnati Bengals | Sherman White | DE | California | Aimed at improving pass rush; White struggled with injuries and recorded just 10 sacks in four years, marking him as a notable disappointment.[3][31] |
| 3 | Chicago Bears | Lionel Antoine | T | Southern Illinois | Chosen to strengthen the offensive line; Antoine started 10 games as a rookie but had a short career limited to three seasons.[3] |
| 4 | St. Louis Cardinals | Ahmad Rashad (as Bobby Moore) | WR | Oregon | Intended to boost the receiving corps; Rashad became a Pro Bowl wide receiver and later a successful broadcaster after changing his name in 1973.[3][35] |
| 5 | Denver Broncos | Riley Odoms | TE | Houston | Picked to enhance the passing game; Odoms earned four Pro Bowl nods and set franchise records for tight end receptions.[3] |
| 6 | Houston Oilers | Greg Sampson | T | Stanford | Selected for offensive line depth; Sampson played eight seasons but never lived up to first-round expectations.[3] |
| 7 | Green Bay Packers | Willie Buchanon | DB | San Diego State | Aimed at secondary improvement; Buchanon made three Pro Bowls and intercepted 25 passes over nine years.[3] |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | Royce Smith | G | Georgia | Chosen to solidify the interior line; Smith started 48 games but was part of a generally underwhelming draft class.[3] |
| 9 | New York Jets | Jerome Barkum | TE | Jackson State | Intended as a receiving threat; Barkum played 11 seasons but managed only one Pro Bowl appearance.[3] |
| 10 | Minnesota Vikings | Jeff Siemon | LB | Stanford | Selected to reinforce the linebacker corps; Siemon started 178 games and earned one Pro Bowl selection.[3] |
| 11 | Green Bay Packers | Jerry Tagge | QB | Nebraska | Picked as a potential franchise quarterback; Tagge threw just 19 career NFL passes, a significant miss.[3] |
| 12 | Chicago Bears | Craig Clemons | DB | Iowa | Aimed at secondary speed; Clemons intercepted six passes in four seasons before moving to the USFL.[3] |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Franco Harris | RB | Penn State | Chosen to add backfield depth; Harris became a Hall of Famer with four Super Bowl rings and 12,120 rushing yards, a premier steal.[3][33] |
| 14 | Philadelphia Eagles | John Reaves | QB | Florida | Selected for quarterback competition; Reaves completed 52.4% of passes in five seasons, underperforming expectations.[3] |
| 15 | Atlanta Falcons | Clarence Ellis | DB | Notre Dame | Intended for defensive backfield help; Ellis intercepted 19 passes over seven seasons, including a Pro Bowl in 1975.[3] |
| 16 | Detroit Lions | Herb Orvis | DT | Colorado | Picked to fortify the defensive line; Orvis played six seasons with 15 sacks but was traded after early promise.[3] |
| 17 | New York Giants | Eldridge Small | DB | Texas A&M-Kingsville | Acquired via trade to address secondary needs; Small intercepted 15 passes in five seasons.[3][22] |
| 18 | Cleveland Browns | Thom Darden | DB | Michigan | Selected for defensive versatility; Darden picked off 42 passes, including a franchise-record 10 in 1978, earning a Pro Bowl.[3] |
| 19 | San Francisco 49ers | Terry Beasley | WR | Auburn | Aimed at wide receiver talent; Beasley caught just 46 passes in three injury-plagued seasons.[3] |
| 20 | New York Jets | Michael Taylor | LB | Michigan | Chosen for linebacker speed; Taylor recorded 11 career sacks before retiring early due to injuries.[3] |
| 21 | Oakland Raiders | Mike Siani | WR | Villanova | Picked to complement the offense; Siani had 112 receptions over seven seasons.[3] |
| 22 | Baltimore Colts | Tom Drougas | T | Oregon | Selected for offensive line protection; Drougas started 46 games but was waived after four years.[3] |
| 23 | Kansas City Chiefs | Jeff Kinney | RB | Nebraska | Intended as a complementary back; Kinney rushed for 1,018 yards over four seasons.[3] |
| 24 | New York Giants | Larry Jacobson | DT | Nebraska | Aimed at run defense; Jacobson had 22 sacks in eight seasons.[3] |
| 25 | Miami Dolphins | Mike Kadish | DT | Notre Dame | Chosen to deepen the defensive interior; Kadish played seven seasons with 13 sacks.[3] |
| 26 | Dallas Cowboys | Bill Thomas | RB | Boston College | Selected for backfield options; Thomas rushed for 331 yards in two seasons.[3] |