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1974 NFL draft

NFL player selection

NFL player selection

FieldValue
name1974 NFL draft
imageAmericana Hotel. LOC gsc.5a16951 (1).jpg
captionAmericana Hotel (location of the draft), photographed in 1962
dateJanuary 29–30, 1974
time10:00am EST
locationAmericana Hotel
in New York City, NY
network*no television coverage*
leagueNFL
mr_irrelevantKen Dickerson, DB
[Miami Dolphins](1974-miami-dolphins-season)
firstEd "Too Tall" Jones, DE
[Dallas Cowboys](1974-dallas-cowboys-season)
fewnum10
fewest[Houston Oilers](1974-houston-oilers-season)
mostnum25
most[Baltimore Colts](1974-baltimore-colts-season)
overall442
rounds17
hofnum{{ Collapsible list
title7
1LB Randy Gradishar
2WR Lynn Swann
3TE Dave Casper
4LB Jack Lambert
5WR John Stallworth
6C Mike Webster
7S Donnie Shell
prev[1973](1973-nfl-draft)
next[1975](1975-nfl-draft)

in New York City, NY Miami Dolphins Dallas Cowboys The 1974 NFL draft took place at the Americana Hotel in New York City, New York, on January 29–30, 1974. Each of the 26 NFL teams were granted 17 selections for a total of 442 picks.

Many experts consider the Pittsburgh Steelers to have had the best draft class in NFL history as they selected four players later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster). A fifth Hall of Famer, Donnie Shell, was signed by Pittsburgh after going unselected in the draft. The closest any other team has come to this success in a draft is the Dallas Cowboys' 1964 draft, when three Hall of Famers were taken (Roger Staubach, Mel Renfro, and Bob Hayes. The Green Bay Packers also selected three Hall of Famers in 1958 (Jim Taylor, Ray Nitschke, and Jerry Kramer).

The Houston Oilers had the first pick in the 1974 draft based on their one-win record in 1973, but they traded the first overall pick—as well as the first pick of the third round, #53 overall—to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for defensive end Tody Smith and wide receiver Billy Parks. Dallas used the two picks to select two future Pro Bowlers, defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones and quarterback Danny White.

This was the first NFL draft since 1938 to not have any quarterbacks taken in the first round, and one of only six. Along with 1988, it is the only draft where no quarterback was taken in the first two rounds, and 1974 is generally regarded as one of the worst quarterback draft classes of all time, with only Danny White (the first quarterback taken, with the first pick in the third round) and fourth round pick Mike Boryla reaching the Pro Bowl, and even Boryla was out of the NFL by 1978.

In the seventeenth round, the Green Bay Packers selected wide receiver Randy Woodfield of Portland State (428th overall). Cut in training camp, he later became a convicted serial killer, known as the 'I-5 killer'.

The last remaining active player in the NFL from the 1974 draft class was center Mike Webster, who retired after the 1990 season.

Player selections

Pro BowlerHall of Famer
‡Hall of Fame]]r

|}

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Round 1–12

Round 13

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
313Houston OilersDan DixonGuardBoise State
314San Diego ChargersBrian VertefeuilleTackleIdaho State
315New York GiantsDennis ColvinTackleSouthwest Texas State
316Chicago BearsJoe BarnesQuarterbackTexas Tech
317Baltimore ColtsRandy HallDefensive backIdaho
318New York JetsJohn TateLinebackerJackson State
319St. Louis CardinalsJimmy PoulosRunning backGeorgia
320New Orleans SaintsMike TruaxLinebackerTulane
321New England PatriotsPhil BennettRunning backBoston College
322San Francisco 49ersTom OwenQuarterbackWichita State
323Philadelphia EaglesLars DitlevDefensive endSouth Dakota Tech
324Green Bay PackersEmmanuel ArmstrongLinebackerSan Jose State
325Detroit LionsFred RothwellCenterKansas State
326Denver BroncosJohn ClerkleyDefensive tackleFort Valley State
327Cleveland BrownsMike SeifertDefensive endWisconsin
328Kansas City ChiefsNorm RomagnoliLinebackerKentucky State
329Atlanta FalconsRalph PowellRunning backNebraska
330Oakland RaidersMike DenneryLinebackerSouthern Mississippi
331Buffalo BillsEd GatewoodLinebackerTennessee State
332Washington RedskinsStu O'DellLinebackerIndiana
333Pittsburgh SteelersFrank KolchQuarterbackEastern Michigan
334Dallas CowboysFred LimaKickerColorado
335Cincinnati BengalsTed JornovLinebackerIowa State
336Los Angeles RamsPete SolversonTackleDrake
337Minnesota VikingsGary KellerDefensive tackleUtah
338Miami DolphinsClayton HeathRunning backWake Forest

Round 14

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
339Buffalo BillsPhil LammDefensive backNorth Carolina
340New York GiantsMike HayesTackleVirginia State
341San Diego ChargersGreg BaileyDefensive backLong Beach State
342Chicago BearsPaul VellanoDefensive tackleMaryland
343New York JetsGreg FountainGuardMississippi State
344Baltimore ColtsEd CollinsWide receiverRice
345St. Louis CardinalsCharles SmithRunning backYankton
346New England PatriotsCecil BowensRunning backKentucky
347San Francisco 49ersWalt WilliamsonDefensive endMichigan
348New Orleans SaintsKent MarshallDefensive backTexas Christian
349Philadelphia EaglesDave SmithLinebackerOklahoma
350Green Bay PackersAndrew NelomsDefensive tackleKentucky State
351Detroit LionsDavid JonesDefensive backHoward Payne
352Cleveland BrownsBob HuntRunning backHeidelberg
353Kansas City ChiefsFrank PomaricoGuardNotre Dame
354Denver BroncosRich MarksDefensive backNorthern Illinois
355Buffalo BillsPhil GurbadaDefensive backMayville
356Atlanta FalconsJohn GivensGuardVillanova
357Oakland RaidersDon WillinghamRunning backWisconsin–Milwaukee
358Pittsburgh SteelersBruce HenleyDefensive backRice
359Dallas CowboysDoug RichardsDefensive backBrigham Young
360Cincinnati BengalsMike PhillipsTackleCornell
361Washington RedskinsDon Van GalderQuarterbackUtah
362Los Angeles RamsAnanias CarsonWide receiverLangston
363Minnesota VikingsAlan DixonRunning backHarding
364Miami DolphinsSam JohnsonLinebackerArizona State

Round 15

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
365Houston OilersBilly JohnsonWide receiverWidener
366San Diego ChargersCharles AnthonyLinebackerUSC
367New York GiantsLarry JonesWide receiverN.E. Missouri
368Chicago BearsOliver AlexanderTight endGrambling
369Baltimore ColtsPat KellyLinebackerRichmond
370New York JetsWillie BristerTight endSouthern
371St. Louis CardinalsVince AncellDefensive backArkansas State
372San Francisco 49ersLeonard GrayTight endLong Beach State
373New Orleans SaintsLarry CipaQuarterbackMichigan
374New England PatriotsSam HuntLinebackerStephen F. Austin
375Philadelphia EaglesSid BondTackleTexas Christian
376Green Bay PackersDave WannstedtTacklePittsburgh
377Detroit LionsJohn WellsGuardKansas State
378Kansas City ChiefsLem BurnhamLinebackerU.S. International
379Denver BroncosPeil PenningtonQuarterbackMassachusetts
380Cleveland BrownsRansom TerrellLinebackerArizona
381Atlanta FalconsWillie JonesWide receiverIowa State
382Buffalo BillsKen WilliamsLinebackerSouthwestern Louisiana
383Oakland RaidersGreg MathisDefensive backIdaho State
384Dallas CowboysBruce CraftTackleGeneva
385Cincinnati BengalsIsaac JacksonRunning backKansas State
386San Diego ChargersGreg MeczkaTight endBowling Green
387Pittsburgh SteelersLarry HuntDefensive tackleIowa State
388Los Angeles RamsBob ThomasKickerNotre Dame
389Minnesota VikingsKurt WachtlerDefensive tackleSt. John's
390Miami DolphinsLarry GatesDefensive backWestern Michigan

Round 16

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
391Houston OilersMatthew WilliamsRunning backN.E. Louisiana
392New York GiantsBuddy BrownGuardAlabama
393San Diego ChargersNeal SkarinDefensive endArizona State
394Chicago BearsRandy GeistDefensive backColorado
395New York JetsJazz JacksonRunning backWestern Kentucky
396Baltimore ColtsDave MargavageTackleKentucky
397St. Louis CardinalsAlonzo EmeryRunning backArizona State
398New Orleans SaintsDon ColemanLinebackerMichigan
399New England PatriotsLucious SelmonDefensive tackleOklahoma
400San Francisco 49ersJack ConnersDefensive backOregon
401Philadelphia EaglesJim SmithLinebackerMonmouth
402Green Bay PackersMark CooneyLinebackerColorado
403Detroit LionsMyron WilsonDefensive backBowling Green
404Denver BroncosDarrell AustinTackleSouth Carolina
405Kansas City ChiefsBarry BeersGuardWilliam & Mary
406Buffalo BillsSanford QvaleTackleNorth Dakota State
407Cleveland BrownsPreston AndersonDefensive backRice
408Atlanta FalconsSylvester McGeeRunning backRhode Island
409Oakland RaidersDelario RobinsonWide receiverKansas
410Cincinnati BengalsDarryl BishopDefensive backKentucky
411Washington RedskinsNate AndersonRunning backEastern Illinois
412Pittsburgh SteelersOctavus MorganLinebackerIllinois
413Dallas CowboysGene KillianGuardTennessee
414Los Angeles RamsDave OttmarPunterStanford
415Minnesota VikingsJohn GoebelRunning backSt. Thomas
416Miami DolphinsJessie WolfDefensive tacklePrairie View A&M

Round 17

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
417Houston OilersBill HedgeTackleNortheast Missouri
418San Diego ChargersCharles DeJurnettDefensive tackleSan Jose State
419New York GiantsSteve CrosbyRunning backFort Hays State
420Chicago BearsCraig HollandQuarterbackTexas-Arlington
421Baltimore ColtsTim BerraWide receiverMassachusetts
422New York JetsDoug LowreyGuardArkansas State
423St. Louis CardinalsJohn MoseleyDefensive backMissouri
424New England PatriotsGary HudsonDefensive backBoston College
425San Francisco 49ersLevi StanleyGuardHawaii
426New Orleans SaintsMarvin WilliamsWide receiverWestern Illinois
427Philadelphia EaglesCliff BrownRunning backNotre Dame
428Green Bay PackersRandy WoodfieldWide receiverPortland State
429Detroit LionsCollis TempleDefensive endLouisiana State
430Cleveland BrownsCarlton BuchananDefensive tackleSW Oklahoma State
431Kansas City ChiefsDavid LangnerDefensive backAuburn
432Denver BroncosBoyd BrownTight endAlcorn A&M
433Atlanta FalconsAl DavisGuardBoise State
434Buffalo BillsSal CasolaKickerCincinnati
435Oakland RaidersJames MorrisDefensive tackleMissouri Valley College
436Baltimore ColtsBuzzy LewisDefensive backFlorida State
437Pittsburgh SteelersLarry MooreDefensive endAngelo State
438Dallas CowboysLawrie SkolroodTackleNorth Dakota
439Cincinnati BengalsJim SmithRunning backNorth Carolina Central
440Los Angeles RamsWillie TownsendWide receiverNotre Dame
441Minnesota VikingsEarl GarrettDefensive backBoston State College
442Miami DolphinsKen DickersonDefensive backTuskegee
Pro BowlerHall of Famer

Notable undrafted players

†Pro BowlerHall of Famer

Hall of Famers

  • Jack Lambert, linebacker from Kent State, taken 2nd round 46th overall by Pittsburgh Steelers :Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1990.
  • Mike Webster, center from Wisconsin, taken 5th round 125th overall by Pittsburgh Steelers :Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1997.
  • Lynn Swann, wide receiver from Southern California, taken 1st round 21st overall by Pittsburgh Steelers :Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2001.
  • Dave Casper, tight end from Notre Dame, taken 2nd round 45th overall by Oakland Raiders :Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2002.
  • John Stallworth, wide receiver from Alabama A&M, taken 4th round 82nd overall by Pittsburgh Steelers :Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2002.
  • Donnie Shell, safety from South Carolina State, undrafted and signed by Pittsburgh Steelers :Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2020.
  • Randy Gradishar, linebacker from Ohio State, taken 1st round 14th overall by Denver Broncos :Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2024.

References

References

  1. . (October 2, 2014). ["NFL Draft Locations"](http://www.footballgeography.com/nfl-draft-sites/).
  2. (October 2, 2014). "NFL Draft headed to Chicago in 2015". [[New York Giants]].
  3. (January 29, 1974). "Noll Seeks First-Round Draft Ace No. 6". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
  4. Battista, Judy. (January 15, 2020). "Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class thick with NFL history".
  5. (25 April 2016). "Three Hall of Famers make 1964 Cowboys' best draft class".
  6. "Dallas Cowboys.com: Cowboys Top 50 List: No. 26 Ed Too Tall Jones".
  7. "NFL Draft History: Quarterback Draft Class Facts/Figures".
  8. "Randall Woodfield, the I-5 killer, former Green Bay Packer".
  9. Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career.
  10. Players are identified as a Hall of Famer if they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  11. "Heisman Trophy".
  12. This last selection is commonly referred to as [[Mr. Irrelevant]].
  13. "Pro Football Hall of Fame".
  14. "Pro Football Hall of Fame".
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