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1974 NFL draft

The 1974 National Football League Draft was the 39th annual player selection meeting held by the league's franchises to choose eligible college players. It took place over two days, January 29–30, 1974, at the Americana Hotel in . The event consisted of 17 rounds comprising 442 total selections across the 26 NFL teams. The held the first overall pick and selected Ed "Too Tall" Jones from , who went on to play 15 professional seasons primarily with , recording 106 sacks and earning three honors. The draft class is widely regarded as one of the most talented in NFL history, particularly due to the Pittsburgh Steelers' extraordinary haul that fueled their dynasty of the 1970s. The Steelers selected four future Pro Football Hall of Famers, including wide receiver Lynn Swann (21st overall from USC in the first round), who caught 336 passes for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns over nine seasons, earning three Pro Bowls and a pivotal role in four Super Bowl victories; linebacker Jack Lambert (46th overall from Kent State in the second round), a six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler who intercepted 28 passes and helped anchor Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense; wide receiver John Stallworth (82nd overall from Alabama A&M in the fourth round), who amassed 537 receptions for 8,723 yards and 63 touchdowns over 14 seasons, including three Pro Bowls; and center Mike Webster (125th overall from Wisconsin in the fifth round), a nine-time Pro Bowler and six-time first-team All-Pro who started 220 games and protected quarterback Terry Bradshaw during the team's championship runs. These selections directly contributed to the Steelers winning Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV between 1975 and 1980. Beyond Pittsburgh, the draft yielded additional Hall of Famers who shaped contending teams of the era, including Dave Casper (45th overall by the from ), who recorded 378 receptions for 5,216 yards and 52 touchdowns across 11 seasons, earning five Pro Bowls and helping the Raiders to ; and linebacker Randy Gradishar (14th overall by the from Ohio State), a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team who led the " with 20 interceptions over 10 seasons. Other early-round standouts included Bo Matthews (second overall by the from ), who rushed for 1,566 yards in seven seasons, and guard John (third overall by the from Ohio State), a two-time Pro Bowler in four NFL years. Overall, the 1974 draft produced at least six Hall of Famers and numerous Pro Bowlers, bolstering rosters amid the league's merger-era expansion and competitive balance.

Event Overview

Date and Location

The 1974 NFL Draft was conducted over two days, on January 29 and 30, at the Americana Hotel in , . This venue served as the central hub for the league's annual player selection process, accommodating representatives from all participating teams in a structured conference setting typical of drafts during that era. NFL Commissioner presided over the proceedings, announcing selections and overseeing the event's logistics as the league's chief executive. A total of 442 players were chosen across 17 rounds by the 26 teams, reflecting the league's following the AFL-NFL merger and its commitment to replenishing rosters through collegiate talent. The draft's timing in late January allowed teams to address immediate needs ahead of the upcoming season while aligning with the conclusion of the postseason.

Draft Format and Rules

The 1974 NFL Draft adhered to the league's standard selection process, in which the teams picked players in reverse order of their records from the 1973 season, with the worst-performing team—the , who finished 1-13—originally holding the first overall choice. However, the acquired this pick via trade prior to the 1973 season. Ties among teams with identical records were resolved primarily by winning percentage, followed by strength-of-schedule tiebreakers if necessary, ensuring a clear draft order for each round. This inverse standings system aimed to provide competitive balance by giving struggling franchises priority access to top college talent. The draft spanned 17 rounds and was conducted over two days, January 29-30, with no supplemental draft available, as that mechanism for selecting underclassmen or special cases did not exist until 1977. Each team was originally allotted one pick per round, totaling 442 selections, though the order could shift dynamically due to trades negotiated before or during the event. Trades were a key feature, allowing teams to exchange current picks, future draft choices, or even players to acquire desired prospects or move up in the order, as evidenced by multiple franchises holding extra first-round selections. A distinctive aspect of the 1974 draft was the absence of any chosen in the first round—the first such occurrence since —reflecting evaluations of a relatively thin quarterback class that year. The event concluded with the 442nd pick, awarded to Ken Dickerson from by the ; this selection is now retroactively recognized as the draft's "," a honoring the final that formally began in 1976.

Historical Context

Pre-Draft Team Needs

Following a 10-4 regular season in 1973 that secured the title but ended in a playoff loss, the identified a need to reinforce their defensive line for greater depth and pass-rush capability. This priority was underscored by their pre-season trade with the in May 1973, acquiring the first overall pick in exchange for defensive end Tody Smith and wide receiver Billy Parks, signaling an intent to target elite defensive talent early in the draft. The , in the midst of establishing a dominant after back-to-back playoff appearances including a 10-4 record and Central runner-up finish in , focused on bolstering both their offense and defense. With a young core already in place from prior drafts, the team targeted wide receivers to enhance their passing attack and linebackers to solidify an already formidable front seven, aiming to address depth issues across multiple positions amid their ascent. The , coming off a disappointing 4-10 campaign in 1973 that placed them last in the , entered the draft with the league's highest number of selections at 25, providing ample opportunity for a comprehensive rebuild. Their poor performance exposed weaknesses across the roster, prompting a strategy centered on replenishing multiple positions, including the lines, secondary, and skill players, to reverse a downward trajectory marked by inconsistent quarterback play and defensive lapses. In contrast, the Houston Oilers held the fewest draft picks at 10 following their league-worst 1-13 record in 1973, which had originally earned them the top selection before trading it away. Still adjusting to the post-merger landscape and grappling with offensive struggles that limited them to just 199 points scored, the Oilers prioritized bolstering their offensive line to better protect Dan and improve run support.

College Talent Pool

The 1974 NFL Draft featured a notable concentration of talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), particularly Tennessee State University, which produced five players selected among the top 50 picks, underscoring the program's undefeated 1973 season and its impact on professional scouting. Led by defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones, the first player from an HBCU to be chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee State's haul included linebacker Waymond Bryant (No. 4 overall to the Chicago Bears), wide receiver John Holland (No. 27 to the New York Giants), defensive back Greg Kindle (No. 33 to the St. Louis Cardinals), and defensive lineman Carl Wafer (No. 42 to the Denver Broncos). This unprecedented representation from a small-school HBCU highlighted an emerging shift in NFL scouting practices toward greater diversity, as teams increasingly evaluated prospects from non-traditional programs beyond major Division I conferences. Major college programs also contributed significantly to the draft's early selections, with the University of Nebraska providing defensive end John Dutton, selected fifth overall by the as a consensus All-American defensive lineman. The () supplied wide receiver , taken 21st overall by the , while the offered running back , chosen second overall by the after rushing for 488 yards and five touchdowns in 1973. added tight end in the second round (45th overall) to the , rounding out a group of first- and early-second-round talents from established powerhouses that emphasized defensive linemen and skill-position players. The quarterback position stood out as particularly thin in this draft class, with no signal-callers selected in the first two rounds and the highest pick, Danny White from Arizona State, going 53rd overall in the third round to the Dallas Cowboys. White, who completed 55.1% of his passes for 2,609 yards and 23 touchdowns in his senior year, exemplified the lack of elite prospects at the position, as teams prioritized defensive and offensive line talent early. This scarcity reflected broader trends in college football at the time, where passing attacks were still developing compared to run-heavy offenses.

Player Selections

Rounds 1-4

The first round of the 1974 NFL Draft featured 26 selections, with the Dallas Cowboys selecting defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones from Tennessee State as the first overall pick to bolster their defensive line. This round notably lacked any quarterback selections, reflecting a draft class rich in defensive talent and offensive linemen rather than signal-callers. Among the highlights, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose wide receiver Lynn Swann from USC at the 21st overall pick, adding a dynamic playmaker to their receiving corps. Other key first-round choices included running back Bo Matthews (San Diego Chargers, No. 2), guard John Hicks (New York Giants, No. 3), and linebacker Waymond Bryant (Chicago Bears, No. 4), emphasizing teams' focus on immediate impact players in the trenches and backfield. The second round also comprised 26 picks, continuing the trend of defensive reinforcements with the Steelers selecting linebacker Jack Lambert from Kent State at No. 46 overall, a choice that addressed their linebacker depth needs. Additional notable selections included (, No. 42), Nate Wright (Minnesota Vikings, No. 29), and Mike Thomas (Washington Redskins, No. 35), showcasing a mix of secondary help and versatile offensive skill players. This round saw teams prioritizing athletic defenders and multi-purpose backs to enhance their schemes. In the third round of 26 picks, the draft finally produced its first when the chose from Arizona State at No. 53 overall, marking a shift toward addressing signal-caller voids after the earlier rounds ignored the position. Other selections highlighted emerging talents like guard Greg Horton (, No. 56) and Dexter Bussey (, No. 65). The round balanced offensive and defensive additions, with several teams targeting linemen and secondary players. The fourth round included 25 picks due to prior trades, with the Pittsburgh Steelers adding wide receiver John Stallworth from Alabama A&M at No. 82 overall, further strengthening their passing attack. Standouts like defensive back Don Staley (Chicago Bears, No. 78) exemplified the continued emphasis on pass-rush specialists. Overall, rounds 1 through 4 were heavy on defensive ends—such as Jones and others—and wide receivers like Swann and Stallworth, as teams invested in edge rushers and aerial threats to counter evolving offensive strategies.

Rounds 5-10

The fifth round of the 1974 NFL draft featured 26 selections, with teams targeting depth players and potential starters across various positions, often from mid-major programs. A standout pick was center , selected by the at 125th overall from the University of Wisconsin; Webster quickly developed into a cornerstone of the Steelers' offensive line, starting 220 games over 15 seasons and earning nine nods. Other notable contributors included tight end Henry Childs (, 109th overall, Kansas State), who recorded 28 touchdown receptions over eight NFL seasons, including a appearance in 1979 after a trade to the , and defensive back Terry Schmidt (, 121st overall, Ball State), who started 89 games across 11 years primarily with the Saints and . These selections underscored the round's emphasis on versatile linemen and secondary depth to bolster team rosters amid the era's physical demands. Rounds 6 and 7 extended this focus on special teams specialists and backup contributors, yielding 52 picks that prioritized developmental role players, with some emerging as unexpected impacts. Running back Don Woods (Green Bay Packers, 134th overall, New Mexico) rushed for 3,150 yards over five seasons, including a Pro Bowl selection in 1976 after leading the league with 1,050 rushing yards as a rookie. Punter Chuck Ramsey (New England Patriots, 141st overall, Wake Forest) provided long-term stability, punting for eight seasons while ranking among the league's top performers in net average. In round 7, wide receiver Freddie Scott (Baltimore Colts, 174th overall, Amherst College) became a mid-round gem from a small school, amassing 4,982 receiving yards and three Pro Bowls (1979–1981) after a trade to the Detroit Lions, where he served as a reliable possession receiver. These rounds also saw trades for mid-round assets, such as the Colts acquiring the 174th pick from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for defensive end John Mosier, highlighting teams' strategic maneuvering for targeted talent. Rounds 8 through 10 encompassed 78 picks, shifting toward broader positional reinforcements like defensive backs and running backs, many from smaller colleges, to build long-term depth and special teams units. Selections in these rounds often filled roster gaps with high-upside prospects requiring development, such as defensive back Mike McCoy (Houston Oilers, 183rd overall, Western Kentucky), who appeared in 48 games over four seasons as a reserve cornerback. Running backs like Ken Grandberry (Chicago Bears, 190th overall, Washington State) contributed modestly with 1,080 rushing yards across five teams in six years, exemplifying the round's role in scouting raw athleticism from non-elite programs. Overall, rounds 5–10 accounted for 156 selections out of the draft's 442 total, emphasizing economical talent acquisition for backups and specialists amid teams' needs for sustainable depth.

Rounds 11-17

The later rounds of the 1974 NFL Draft, specifically rounds 11 through 16, consisted of 156 selections across 26 teams, focusing primarily on prospects intended for practice squads, special teams roles, and depth chart fillers rather than immediate starters. These picks targeted lesser-known college players from smaller programs or those with specialized skills, such as punters, kickers, and backup linemen, reflecting teams' strategies to build roster margins in an era when the league emphasized quantity in talent acquisition. Round 17 marked the draft's conclusion with 26 final selections, culminating in the 442nd overall pick, Ken Dickerson, a from , selected by the as the league's ""—a designation for the last player chosen, highlighting the diminishing expectations for late-round outcomes. Among these closing picks was an unusual case: Randy Woodfield from Portland State, taken 428th overall by the , who later gained notoriety for unrelated criminal convictions as a serial offender after his brief NFL stint. Post-draft, the 1974 selection process intensified competition in undrafted free agency, where teams scrambled to sign overlooked college players not selected in the 17 rounds, often prioritizing athletic potential for future development amid limited roster spots. This phase underscored the draft's role as a gateway rather than an exhaustive talent sweep, with clubs leveraging scouts to secure agreements immediately after the final pick to bolster depth.

Notable Players

Hall of Fame Inductees

The 1974 NFL Draft class yielded six inductees into the , one of the highest totals from any single draft year in league history. These players exemplified exceptional longevity, statistical dominance, and championship impact, meeting the Hall's criteria of sustained excellence, peer recognition through selections and , and contributions to team success over careers spanning a decade or more. Four of the inductees were drafted by the , who selected them across the first five rounds to bolster their roster during a transformative era. Randy Gradishar, selected 14th overall in the first round by the Denver Broncos out of Ohio State, earned induction in 2024 for his role as the cornerstone of the "Orange Crush" defense. As a middle linebacker, he started midway through his rookie season and went on to record 20 interceptions and 1,349 tackles (unofficial, as pre-1980s stats were not officially tracked), earning seven Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro honors, including the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year award. Lynn Swann, taken 21st overall in the first round by the from , was enshrined in 2001 for his acrobatic receiving prowess that defined play. Initially serving as a complementary option in a run-heavy offense, Swann exploded in the playoffs, catching 336 passes for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns over nine seasons, with three selections and a MVP performance where he hauled in nine receptions for 161 yards. Dave Casper, drafted 45th overall in the second round by the from , joined the Hall in 2002 as one of the era's premier tight ends, nicknamed "The " for his elusive style. He transitioned quickly from a blocking role to a receiving threat, amassing 378 catches for 5,216 yards and 52 touchdowns in 11 seasons, earning five Pro Bowls and two first-team honors while contributing to wins in XI and XV. Jack Lambert, chosen 46th overall in the second round by the from Kent State, was inducted in 1990 for his ferocious middle linebacker presence that anchored the defense. As a , he started immediately and won Defensive Rookie of the Year, going on to secure six , four first-team selections, and two rings (IX and XIV) across 11 seasons, with 28 interceptions and over ,300 tackles. John Stallworth, selected 82nd overall in the fourth round by the from Alabama A&M, earned his 2002 induction through resilient production as a deep-threat despite chronic injuries. He began as a rotational player but developed into a star, recording 543 receptions for 8,723 yards and 63 touchdowns in 13 seasons, with three appearances and four victories (IX, X, XIII, XIV). Mike Webster, picked 125th overall in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers from Wisconsin, was honored in 1997 as the gold standard for centers with unmatched durability. He started every game as a rookie and played in 220 consecutive contests over 17 seasons, earning nine Pro Bowls and six first-team All-Pro nods while anchoring the offensive line for four Super Bowl triumphs (IX, X, XIII, XIV) and allowing just one fumble recovery against.

Undrafted Standouts

In the , the process of signing undrafted free agents occurred immediately following the 17-round draft, with teams free to negotiate and sign eligible without owing compensation to other franchises or adhering to territorial restrictions, relying heavily on scout evaluations to identify overlooked talent from smaller programs or . This contrasted sharply with the structured paths of drafted , who received guaranteed roster spots and rookie contracts, forcing undrafted signees to compete intensely in training camps for survival on the depth chart. The most celebrated undrafted standout from the 1974 class was safety Donnie Shell, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent out of South Carolina State University after receiving tryout invitations from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots but ultimately choosing Pittsburgh. Shell emerged as a vital component of the Steelers' Steel Curtain defense, starting 164 of 201 career games over 14 seasons (1974–1987) and recording 51 interceptions, the most by any strong safety in NFL history at the time of his retirement. His contributions included four Super Bowl victories (IX, X, XIII, XIV), five Pro Bowl selections (1978–1982), and five All-Pro honors (first-team in 1979, 1980, 1982; second-team in 1978, 1981), where he provided hard-hitting run support and coverage that complemented drafted peers like Jack Lambert and Jack Ham in forming one of the league's most dominant secondaries. Shell's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 underscored his perseverance, as he credited scout Bill Nunn's advocacy for HBCU players with securing his opportunity amid the era's biases against non-major college athletes. Other notable undrafted from the included Steelers , who joined out of and became a reliable blocker and receiver, catching 119 passes for 1,514 yards over eight seasons while contributing to four titles (IX, X, XIII, XIV) as a key special teams and offensive contributor. Similarly, wide receiver Alfred Jenkins signed with the in 1975 after a brief stint in the , going on to lead the in receiving yards (1,358) in 1981 and earn a Pro Bowl nod that year, amassing 6,267 career yards despite his small-school background at Morris Brown College. These exemplified how undrafted free agents in 1974 could forge Hall of Fame-caliber or championship legacies through sheer determination, often outlasting higher-profile drafted counterparts by embedding themselves in team cultures built on depth and opportunity.

Legacy and Impact

Key Team Contributions

The 1974 NFL draft provided the with one of the most transformative classes in league history, directly contributing to their dynasty of four victories between 1975 and 1980. Key selections included wide receiver (first round, 21st overall), linebacker Jack Lambert (second round, 46th overall), wide receiver (fourth round, 82nd overall), and center (fifth round, 125th overall), all of whom became integral to the team's defense and explosive offense. Swann's acrobatic receptions and Lambert's ferocious tackling anchored the Steelers' immediate success, propelling them to and X wins in 1975 and 1976, while Stallworth's speed and Webster's blocking sustained the core through championships in XIII (1979) and XIV (1980). This draft class not only filled roster gaps but also fostered long-term stability, with these players combining for over 20 appearances and enabling Pittsburgh's 10-4 record in 1974 en route to playoff dominance. For the , the draft's top pick, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, acquired via a pre-draft trade from the , became a cornerstone of their defensive line and facilitated multiple deep playoff runs throughout the . In exchange for Tody Smith and wide receiver Billy Parks, Dallas secured Houston's first-round (No. 1 overall) and third-round (No. 53 overall) selections, allowing them to draft the 6-foot-9 Jones, whose pass-rushing prowess and run-stopping ability immediately bolstered a unit that helped the Cowboys reach three consecutive Super Bowls from 1975 to 1978. Jones recorded approximately 6 sacks (unofficial statistic) in his 1974 rookie season and remained a fixture through Dallas's 12-2 campaign in 1975, contributing to Championship appearances and enhancing the team's reputation for physical, playoff-caliber defenses over the next decade. The 1974 draft also highlighted the contributions of players from , an HBCU, whose selections elevated the visibility of Black college programs across multiple rosters. In addition to Jones (No. 1 overall to ), Tennessee State produced Waymond Bryant (first round, fourth overall, LB, ), John Holland (second round, 29th overall, WR, Minnesota Vikings), Greg Kindle (second round, 33rd overall, G, St. Louis Cardinals), and Carl Wafer (second round, 42nd overall, DE, ), part of a record 43 HBCU players selected league-wide. These athletes provided immediate depth to their teams' secondaries and front sevens—Bryant, for instance, started as a for the Bears—while Jones's milestone as the first HBCU No. 1 pick inspired broader scouting interest in HBCU talent, leading to sustained impacts on rosters like 's through the decade.

Broader Historical Significance

The 1974 NFL Draft is widely regarded as producing one of the most transformative classes in league history, particularly through the ' selections, which laid the foundation for their dominant 1970s dynasty. The Steelers drafted four future Pro Football Hall of Famers in the first five rounds— (21st overall), linebacker Jack Lambert (46th overall), (82nd overall), and (125th overall)—a feat unmatched by any other team in a single draft. These players contributed to the Steelers' four victories between 1975 and 1980, establishing a model for sustained excellence through patient, talent-focused drafting that influenced franchise-building strategies across the NFL. The draft also marked a pivotal moment in increasing representation from (HBCUs), driven by the unprecedented success of , which placed five players in the top 50 selections, including the No. 1 overall pick, Ed "Too Tall" —the first HBCU player ever selected at that position. This breakthrough highlighted the talent depth at HBCUs and prompted a shift in scouting practices, as exemplified by Steelers scout Bill Nunn's dedicated coverage of these programs, which uncovered gems like Stallworth and helped integrate overlooked Black talent into the league more systematically. The visibility of 's draftees encouraged broader investment in HBCU scouting, challenging biases and expanding the talent pool during an era of growing civil rights awareness in professional sports. Other teams benefited significantly from the draft, such as the selecting tight end (second round, 42nd overall), a five-time er who contributed to their victory, and the drafting linebacker (first round, 14th overall), a key part of the " with seven selections. Conversely, the draft underscored the inherent unpredictability of player evaluation, exemplified by its notably weak class, which produced no first-round selections and few long-term starters, such as (drafted in the third round, 53rd overall, by the ). This scarcity highlighted how even high-stakes positions could yield underwhelming results, reinforcing the draft's risks despite improving scouting sophistication. , a non-quarterback standout from that class, remained the last active player from the 1974 draft, retiring after the 1990 season following a 17-year career that included nine s and anchoring Pittsburgh's championship lines. A darker aspect of the draft serves as a about off-field risks in player selection: Randy Woodfield, taken by the in the 17th round (428th overall), was released during amid multiple arrests for , only to later emerge as the notorious "I-5 Killer," a serial murderer convicted in 1981 of killing at least two women and linked to up to 44 deaths and over 100 sexual assaults along Interstate 5. His case, rooted in early behavioral red flags overlooked in the late rounds, prompted greater emphasis on background checks in subsequent drafts. Overall, the 1974 draft symbolized a transitional era in player evaluation, coinciding with league preparations for expansion—the addition of the and in 1976—which intensified competition from the rival and necessitated more rigorous, inclusive scouting to build deeper rosters. The Steelers' innovative approach, blending traditional metrics with HBCU outreach, set a for modern talent assessment amid these structural shifts.