1998 NFL draft
The 1998 NFL Draft was the 63rd annual player selection meeting by National Football League (NFL) franchises to select eligible American college football players and other eligible prospects, held over two days on April 18–19 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[1] The event consisted of seven rounds and a total of 241 picks, with the Indianapolis Colts holding the first overall selection and choosing quarterback Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee.[2] The draft is widely regarded as one of the most consequential in NFL history due to the high-profile quarterback debate at the top between Manning and Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, whom the San Diego Chargers selected second overall.[3] Manning went on to become a two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time NFL MVP, while Leaf's career became a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential marked by off-field issues and poor performance.[3] Beyond the top picks, the first round featured other immediate impact players, including cornerback Charles Woodson (fourth overall, Oakland Raiders, Michigan), running back Fred Taylor (ninth overall, Jacksonville Jaguars, Florida), and wide receiver Randy Moss (21st overall, Minnesota Vikings, Marshall).[2][4] The 1998 draft class produced four Pro Football Hall of Famers—Manning, Woodson, Moss, and offensive guard Alan Faneca (26th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers, LSU)—along with multiple Pro Bowl talents and long-term starters who contributed to playoff runs and championships across the league.[5] Rookie awards highlighted the class's talent, with Moss earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for his explosive 1,313-yard, 17-touchdown debut season and Woodson taking Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording five interceptions.[4][6] Overall, the selections addressed key needs for rebuilding teams like the Colts and Cardinals while bolstering contenders such as the Steelers and Jaguars, shaping NFL rosters well into the 2010s.[4]Background and preparation
1997 NFL season context
The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season in league history, consisting of 16 games per team from September 7, 1997, to January 4, 1998.[7] The Denver Broncos capped the year by defeating the Green Bay Packers 31–24 in Super Bowl XXXII on January 25, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, marking the Broncos' first championship and John Elway's only Super Bowl victory as a starting quarterback. In the regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs finished with the AFC's best record at 13–3, while the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers tied for the NFC's top mark at 13–3, with the Packers securing the No. 1 seed via tiebreaker. The playoff field featured 12 teams, six from each conference, including wild card qualifiers such as the Broncos (12–4), who advanced to the Super Bowl after upsetting the Jacksonville Jaguars 42–17 in the wild card round, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 14–10 in the divisional round, and beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 24–21 in the AFC Championship Game. The season's outcomes directly shaped the 1998 draft order, with non-playoff teams selecting in reverse order of regular-season records.[7] The Indianapolis Colts posted the league's worst record at 3–13, positioning them for the No. 1 overall pick and an opportunity to address foundational roster gaps after a campaign marred by offensive struggles and injuries at quarterback. Tied for second-worst at 4–12 were the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders, whose initial draft positions (Nos. 2–5 after tiebreakers involving strength of schedule) reflected urgent rebuilds, particularly on defense for the Raiders and offensive line for the Cardinals. The Cardinals held the initial No. 2 pick due to the worst strength of schedule, followed by the Chargers at No. 3. Additional bottom-dwellers included the St. Louis Rams (5–11). League-wide, co-MVPs Brett Favre of the Packers and Barry Sanders of the Lions exemplified the era's high-level individual play, but the disparity between top contenders and bottom feeders underscored the draft's role in restoring competitive balance.Key prospects and team needs
The 1998 NFL draft class was headlined by an intense debate over the top two quarterback prospects, Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee and Ryan Leaf from Washington State, both viewed as potential franchise saviors for struggling teams. Manning, measured at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, stood out for his accuracy on deep throws, quick release, and advanced pre-snap reads, having thrown for 3,819 yards and 36 touchdowns in his senior season while leading Tennessee to an SEC title. Leaf, at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, impressed scouts with his cannon arm, mobility, and ability to make plays on the run, culminating in a 10-2 record for Washington State with 3,637 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. However, evaluations noted Manning's superior leadership and work ethic as edges over Leaf, whose brash personality occasionally overshadowed his physical gifts.[8] Several teams entering the draft had acute needs at quarterback following dismal 1997 campaigns marked by instability under center and poor offensive output. The Indianapolis Colts, who finished 3-13 with just 313 points scored (20th in the league)—had rotated through four starters and desperately sought a long-term leader to stabilize their franchise after years of mediocrity. Likewise, the San Diego Chargers (4-12, 266 points scored, 26th in the league) lost veteran Stan Humphries to retirement and needed an immediate upgrade to salvage a passing attack that ranked 25th in passing yards. The Arizona Cardinals (4-12, 379 points allowed, 16th-most in the NFL) prioritized defensive reinforcements, particularly a disruptive pass rusher, to address a unit that surrendered 328.6 yards per game (ranked 17th) and finished 28th in sacks with 27.[9] Beyond the quarterbacks, the draft offered elite defensive talent that aligned with widespread needs for improved secondaries and front sevens across rebuilding rosters. Cornerback Charles Woodson of Michigan, the 1997 Heisman Trophy winner at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, was coveted for his ball skills, speed (4.48-second 40-yard dash), and versatility in coverage and run support, making him a prime target for teams like the Oakland Raiders, whose secondary allowed 3,954 passing yards (24th in the league) in 1997. Defensive end Andre Wadsworth from Florida State (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) emerged as a top pass-rush specialist with 15 sacks in his final college season, fitting the Cardinals' urgency to generate pressure after ranking near the bottom in sacks the prior year. Wide receiver Randy Moss of Marshall (6-foot-4, 188 pounds) represented high-risk, high-reward potential with his 4.50-second 40-yard dash and unmatched leaping ability—evidenced by 26 touchdown receptions in his last two seasons—but character issues from a high school arrest caused him to slide, appealing to offense-starved teams like the Minnesota Vikings, who ranked ninth in scoring but sought explosive vertical threats.[2] The overall prospect pool was deep in defensive linemen and linebackers, providing options for teams addressing run defense woes from the 1997 season. For instance, the Chicago Bears (4-12, 421 points allowed, 29th-most) and St. Louis Rams (5-11, 365 points allowed, 21st-most) targeted reinforcements along the lines, with standouts like Nebraska defensive end Grant Wistrom (6-foot-5, 265 pounds, 19.5 sacks over two seasons) and USC linebacker Chris Claiborne (6-foot-3, 245 pounds, 122 tackles as a senior) offering immediate athleticism and tackling prowess to shore up vulnerable units. The Bears permitted 2,358 rushing yards (6th-fewest). These prospects underscored a draft tailored to the league's emphasis on defensive rebuilds amid an era of high-scoring offenses.[4]The draft
Venue and format
The 1998 NFL Draft took place over two days, April 18 and 19, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[1][10] This venue served as the central "war room" or command center for the league's annual player selection process, accommodating league officials, team representatives, and media coverage.[1] The draft consisted of seven rounds, with a total of 241 players selected across 30 teams, following the league's structure established in prior years.[11] The first three rounds were conducted on the opening day, starting in the morning and concluding around 8:38 p.m., while the remaining four rounds occurred the following day, beginning at approximately 11:06 a.m. and lasting until completion.[1] In total, the event spanned about 14 hours and 25 minutes, allowing teams to make picks in predetermined order while facilitating on-site trades to adjust selections.[1] This two-day format emphasized the first round's high-profile nature, with subsequent rounds focusing on deeper talent evaluation.[12]Selection order determination
The selection order for the 1998 NFL draft was established according to the league's standard procedures, based on the outcomes of the 1997 regular season. Non-playoff teams were ranked in reverse order of their win-loss-tie records, with the worst-performing team awarded the first pick. Among the 12 playoff qualifiers from 1997, the order followed their postseason results: teams eliminated in the wild card round picked before those eliminated in the divisional round, and so on, culminating with the Super Bowl winner (Denver Broncos) selecting last overall at position 30. Ties in regular season records were resolved through a series of predefined tiebreakers to ensure a unique order. The primary criterion was strength of schedule, calculated as the combined winning percentage of all 16 opponents faced during the 1997 season (with ties counting as half a win and half a loss); teams with the weaker (lower) opponents' winning percentage received higher draft priority. Subsequent tiebreakers, if needed, included head-to-head game results, winning percentage against common opponents, and net points scored in divisional games. Non-playoff teams always took precedence over playoff teams in tied segments.[13] In the 1997 season, the Indianapolis Colts compiled the league's worst record at 3-13, securing the No. 1 overall pick with an opponents' winning percentage of .543. Four teams tied at 4-12, requiring tiebreakers: the Arizona Cardinals ranked second overall (opponents' .498), followed by the San Diego Chargers (.521), Oakland Raiders (.531), and Chicago Bears (.553). The New Orleans Saints, at 6-10, held the seventh position, while the expansion Baltimore Ravens finished 6-9-1 to claim the tenth spot. This initial order was subject to modifications via pre-draft trades, but the foundational structure emphasized rewarding teams with the poorest performance and toughest schedules.[13][14]Selections and trades
Player selections
The 1998 NFL Draft featured 241 players selected across seven rounds by the league's 30 teams. The first round, held on April 18, 1998, emphasized high-profile quarterbacks and defensive talents, with the top two picks going to signal-callers amid intense debate over the class's elite prospects. Peyton Manning, a quarterback from the University of Tennessee, was chosen first overall by the Indianapolis Colts, marking the beginning of a legendary career that included five MVP awards and two Super Bowl victories. Immediately following, the San Diego Chargers selected Ryan Leaf, quarterback from Washington State, second overall after trading up from the third spot in a deal with the Arizona Cardinals that also involved future picks.[2][4] The remainder of the first round saw a mix of defensive ends, running backs, and offensive linemen addressing team needs in pass rush, ground games, and protection. Notable selections included Charles Woodson, a versatile cornerback from the University of Michigan, taken fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders; he would go on to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with seven interceptions in his debut season. Running back Curtis Enis from Penn State was the Chicago Bears' fifth overall choice, while the St. Louis Rams bolstered their defense with Nebraska defensive end Grant Wistrom at sixth overall. The New Orleans Saints invested in offensive line stability by selecting San Diego State tackle Kyle Turley seventh overall, and the Dallas Cowboys added North Carolina defensive end Greg Ellis eighth. Jacksonville Jaguars acquired Florida running back Fred Taylor ninth overall via a trade with the Buffalo Bills, and the expansion Baltimore Ravens rounded out the top 10 with Miami cornerback Duane Starks. Several first-round picks involved trades, including the Chargers' move for Leaf and the Jaguars' acquisition of Taylor in exchange for quarterback Rob Johnson and a fourth-round selection.[2][4][3]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis Colts | Peyton Manning | QB | Tennessee |
| 2 | San Diego Chargers | Ryan Leaf | QB | Washington State |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | Andre Wadsworth | DE | Florida State |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | Charles Woodson | CB | Michigan |
| 5 | Chicago Bears | Curtis Enis | RB | Penn State |
| 6 | St. Louis Rams | Grant Wistrom | DE | Nebraska |
| 7 | New Orleans Saints | Kyle Turley | OT | San Diego State |
| 8 | Dallas Cowboys | Greg Ellis | DE | North Carolina |
| 9 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Fred Taylor | RB | Florida |
| 10 | Baltimore Ravens | Duane Starks | CB | Miami (FL) |
| 11 | Philadelphia Eagles | Tra Thomas | OT | Florida State |
| 12 | Atlanta Falcons | Keith Brooking | LB | Georgia Tech |
| 13 | Cincinnati Bengals | Takeo Spikes | LB | Auburn |
| 14 | Carolina Panthers | Jason Peter | DE | Nebraska |
| 15 | Seattle Seahawks | Anthony Simmons | LB | Clemson |
| 16 | Tennessee Oilers | Kevin Dyson | WR | Utah |
| 17 | Cincinnati Bengals | Brian Simmons | LB | North Carolina |
| 18 | New England Patriots | Robert Edwards | RB | Georgia Southern |
| 19 | Green Bay Packers | Vonnie Holliday | DE | North Carolina |
| 20 | Detroit Lions | Terry Fair | CB | Tennessee |
| 21 | Minnesota Vikings | Randy Moss | WR | Marshall |
| 22 | New England Patriots | Tebucky Jones | DB | Syracuse |
| 23 | Oakland Raiders | Mo Collins | G | Florida |
| 24 | New York Giants | Shaun Williams | DB | UCLA |
| 25 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Donovin Darius | DB | Syracuse |
| 26 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Alan Faneca | G | LSU |
| 27 | Kansas City Chiefs | Victor Riley | OT | Auburn |
| 28 | San Francisco 49ers | R.W. McQuarters | CB | Oklahoma State |
| 29 | Miami Dolphins | John Avery | RB | Ole Miss |
| 30 | Denver Broncos | Marcus Nash | WR | Tennessee |
Notable trades
One of the most significant pre-draft trades in the 1998 NFL draft occurred on March 13, 1998, between the San Diego Chargers and the Arizona Cardinals, enabling the Chargers to secure the second overall pick to select quarterback Ryan Leaf from Washington State. In return, the Cardinals received the Chargers' third overall pick (used on defensive end Andre Wadsworth from Florida State), their second-round pick (33rd overall, used on safety Corey Chavous from Vanderbilt), a 1999 first-round pick (14th overall, used on wide receiver David Boston from Ohio State), running back Eric Metcalf, and linebacker Patrick Sapp.[17][18] This deal has been widely regarded as one of the most lopsided in NFL draft history, given Leaf's underwhelming career marked by injuries and off-field issues, contrasted with the productive contributions from the Cardinals' acquisitions, including Metcalf's Pro Bowl performance that year and the immediate impact of Wadsworth and Chavous on Arizona's defense.[19] Another key pre-draft transaction took place on February 13, 1998, when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded quarterback Rob Johnson to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the Bills' ninth overall first-round pick and a fourth-round selection (101st overall). The Jaguars used the top pick to draft running back Fred Taylor from Florida, who rushed for over 11,000 yards in his 13-year career, earning two Pro Bowl nods and becoming a cornerstone of Jacksonville's offense during their late-1990s contention window. Meanwhile, Johnson started just 14 games for the Bills over two seasons before being released.[20][21] This trade exemplified the Jaguars' strategy under general manager Michael Lombardi to bolster their backfield while capitalizing on the Bills' desperation for a starter amid Jim Kelly's retirement. Pre-draft maneuvering also featured the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trading their 23rd overall first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for two second-round selections (34th and 59th overall), executed on April 18, 1998, during draft proceedings. The Buccaneers used the 34th pick on wide receiver Jacquez Green from Florida, providing speed to their receiving corps, while the 59th pick was later traded to the Chargers for a 2000 first-round pick. The Raiders selected guard Mo Collins from Florida with the acquired 23rd pick, addressing their offensive line needs in a year when they finished 8-8.[20][10] During the draft itself on April 18-19, 1998, several smaller trades reshaped later selections, such as the Carolina Panthers trading their 44th overall second-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for a third-rounder (76th overall) and a 1999 fifth-round pick, enabling Miami to select defensive tackle Larry Webster while Carolina targeted offensive line depth. Additionally, multi-team deals around the 41st pick involved the Raiders, Buccaneers, and others shuffling mid-round assets to optimize positional value. These in-draft exchanges, while less transformative than the pre-draft blockbusters, contributed to the fluidity of the seven-round event held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[4]| Trade Date | Teams Involved | Assets Received by First Team | Assets Received by Second Team | Notable Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 13, 1998 | San Diego Chargers ↔ Arizona Cardinals | 1998 1st round (2nd overall: Ryan Leaf) | 1998 1st round (3rd overall: Andre Wadsworth), 1998 2nd round (33rd: Corey Chavous), 1999 1st round (14th: David Boston), RB Eric Metcalf, LB Patrick Sapp | Chargers' ill-fated QB grab; Cardinals built core pieces |
| February 13, 1998 | Jacksonville Jaguars ↔ Buffalo Bills | 1998 1st round (9th: Fred Taylor), 1998 4th round (101st: Tavian Banks) | QB Rob Johnson | Jaguars gained Pro Bowl RB; Bills' QB experiment failed quickly |
| April 18, 1998 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers ↔ Oakland Raiders | 1998 2nd round (34th: Jacquez Green), 1998 2nd round (59th: traded) | 1998 1st round (23rd: Mo Collins) | Buccaneers gained flexibility; Raiders addressed OL |
Post-draft developments
Supplemental draft
The 1998 NFL Supplemental Draft took place on July 9, 1998, providing an opportunity for players who had become eligible after the regular April draft due to academic, disciplinary, or other issues.[22] Only two selections were made, both in the second round, as teams weighed the cost of forfeiting their corresponding second-round picks in the 1999 NFL Draft.[23] This limited activity reflected the supplemental draft's role as a niche mechanism for addressing unforeseen player availability, rather than a major talent acquisition event.[24] The first pick went to the San Diego Chargers, who selected defensive tackle Jamal Williams from Oklahoma State with the second-round (No. 1 overall supplemental) choice. Williams, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound interior lineman, had entered the supplemental process after academic ineligibility prevented him from returning for his senior season, despite initially planning to do so and skipping the regular draft as an underclassman candidate.[25] The Chargers valued his disruptive potential along the defensive line, built on two seasons of strong production at Oklahoma State where he recorded multiple sacks and tackles for loss. The Green Bay Packers followed with the second and final selection, offensive tackle Mike Wahle from the U.S. Naval Academy, using their second-round (No. 2 overall supplemental) pick. Wahle, measured at 6-foot-6 and 306 pounds, had been suspended by the NCAA for his senior year after testing positive for steroids, making him ineligible for the regular draft.[26] Scouts praised his athletic footwork and size during pre-draft evaluations, positioning him as a developmental prospect for Green Bay's offensive line rebuild.[27]| Round | Overall | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | San Diego Chargers | Jamal Williams | DT | Oklahoma State |
| 2 | 2 | Green Bay Packers | Mike Wahle | OT | Navy |
Notable undrafted players
One of the most prominent undrafted free agents from the 1998 NFL draft class was center Jeff Saturday, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going unselected but was waived prior to the season and later joined the Indianapolis Colts in 1999.[28] Saturday anchored the Colts' offensive line for 13 seasons, earning six Pro Bowl selections (2002, 2005–2007, 2009–2010) and two first-team All-Pro honors (2007, 2009), while starting all 188 games he appeared in for Indianapolis and contributing to their Super Bowl XLI victory in 2007.[28] He finished his career with the Green Bay Packers in 2012, retiring after 14 seasons with 11 Pro Bowls overall, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019 as the only center from his draft class to achieve that distinction. Linebacker London Fletcher, signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Division III John Carroll University, emerged as a defensive stalwart across 16 NFL seasons.[29] Fletcher played a key role in the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" era, starting on their Super Bowl XXXIV-winning team in 1999 and recording 2,031 career tackles, the most by any undrafted player in NFL history.[30] He earned four Pro Bowl nods (2001, 2010–2012) while with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, and set the league record for consecutive starts by a non-kicker with 215 from 1998 to 2010.[29] Kicker Mike Vanderjagt, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts after the 1998 draft, became one of the most accurate placekickers of his era during his nine-year NFL career.[31] Vanderjagt converted 86.5% of his field goal attempts (243 of 281), holding the NFL record for consecutive field goals made without a miss at one point with 42 from 2002 to 2004.[32] He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2003 and a first-team All-Pro honor that year, appearing in 106 games primarily with the Colts before finishing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2006.[31] These players exemplified the potential of undrafted talent in the 1998 class, contributing significantly to championship runs and individual accolades despite initial oversights by scouting departments.Legacy and impact
Hall of Fame inductees
The 1998 NFL draft class produced four inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a notable achievement that underscores the draft's depth in elite talent across positions. These players—Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Randy Moss, and Alan Faneca—collectively earned multiple Super Bowl rings, numerous All-Pro selections, and records that redefined their roles, contributing to the class's reputation as one of the most impactful in modern NFL history. Peyton Manning, selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts, revolutionized the quarterback position with his precision passing, football intelligence, and leadership, amassing 71,940 career passing yards (second all-time at induction), 539 touchdowns (fourth all-time), and five NFL MVP awards. He led the Colts to an NFL record 11 consecutive playoff appearances from 1999 to 2009 and won Super Bowls XLI and 50 with the Denver Broncos, earning induction in 2021 on his first ballot.[33] Charles Woodson, taken fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders, was a versatile defensive back who excelled as both a cornerback and safety, recording 65 career interceptions (tied for fifth all-time), 12 defensive touchdowns (NFL record for non-kickers), and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1998. A three-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler, he contributed to Super Bowl XLV victory with the Green Bay Packers and was inducted in 2021, recognized for his playmaking ability that bridged eras of defensive schemes.[34] Randy Moss, selected 21st overall by the Minnesota Vikings, transformed the wide receiver role with his extraordinary speed, leaping ability, and contested-catch prowess, setting the NFL single-season touchdown reception record with 23 in 2007 and accumulating 15,292 receiving yards (fourth all-time). A six-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, he played in four Super Bowls and was inducted in 2018 for his explosive impact that elevated passing offenses league-wide.[35] Alan Faneca, chosen 26th overall (second round) by the Pittsburgh Steelers, anchored offensive lines for 13 seasons, earning six first-team All-Pro honors (2001, 2002, 2004–2007) and nine consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2001 to 2009 and protecting quarterbacks on one Super Bowl-winning team (Steelers in XL). His technical mastery in pass protection and run blocking made him a cornerstone of zone-blocking schemes, leading to his 2021 induction as one of the era's premier guards.[36]| Player | Position | Draft Team (Pick) | Induction Year | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peyton Manning | QB | Indianapolis Colts (1) | 2021 | 5× NFL MVP, 2× Super Bowl champion, 14× Pro Bowl |
| Charles Woodson | DB | Oakland Raiders (4) | 2021 | Defensive Rookie of the Year, 3× All-Pro, 1× Super Bowl champion |
| Randy Moss | WR | Minnesota Vikings (21) | 2018 | NFL single-season TD receptions record (23), 6× All-Pro, 6× Pro Bowl |
| Alan Faneca | G | Pittsburgh Steelers (26) | 2021 | 6× All-Pro, 9× Pro Bowl, 1× Super Bowl champion |