1956 NFL Draft


The 1956 National Football League draft had its first three rounds held on November 28, 1955, at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and its final twenty-seven rounds on January 17–18, 1956, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California
The previous NFL drafts in the 1950s were held in January; the first three rounds were moved up this year to late November to better compete with teams

Player selections

Round one

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
1Pittsburgh Steelers Gary GlickSafetyColorado A&M
2San Francisco 49ersEarl MorrallQuarterbackMichigan State
3Detroit LionsHoward "Hopalong" CassadyHalfbackOhio State
4Philadelphia EaglesBob PellegriniCenterMaryland
5Pittsburgh SteelersArt DavisHalfbackMississippi State
6Los Angeles Rams Joe MarconiFullbackWest Virginia
7Chicago CardinalsJoe ChildressFullbackAuburn
8Green Bay PackersJack LoschHalfbackMiami
9Baltimore ColtsLenny MooreHalfbackPenn State
10Chicago BearsMenan SchriewerEndTexas
11Los Angeles RamsCharlie HortonHalfbackVanderbilt
12Washington RedskinsEd VerebHalfbackMaryland
13Cleveland BrownsPreston CarpenterHalfbackArkansas

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
14Los Angeles RamsLeon ClarkeEndSouthern California
15San Francisco 49ersBruce BosleyTackleWest Virginia
16Philadelphia EaglesFrank D'AgnostinoTackleAuburn
17Pittsburgh SteelersJoe KrupaTacklePurdue
18Chicago CardinalsNorm MastersTackleMichigan State
19New York GiantsHenry MooreBackArkansas
20Green Bay PackersForrest GreggOffensive TackleSouthern Methodist
21Baltimore ColtsDick DonlinEndHamline
22Chicago BearsM. L. BrackettTackleAuburn
23Los Angeles RamsHugh PittsCenterTexas Christian
24Washington RedskinsJohn PaluckEndPittsburgh
25Cleveland BrownsBilly KinardBackMississippi

Round three

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
26San Francisco 49ersBill HerchmanTackleTexas Tech
27Detroit LionsDon McIlhennyBackSouthern Methodist
28Philadelphia EaglesDon SchaeferBackNotre Dame
29Pittsburgh SteelersJim TaylorCenterBaylor
30New York GiantsSam HuffLinebackerWest Virginia
31Chicago CardinalsJohn RoachQuarterbackSouthern Methodist
32Los Angeles RamsA. D. WilliamsDefensive endPacific
33Baltimore ColtsBob PascalBackDuke
34Cleveland BrownsLarry RossEndDenver
35Los Angeles RamsJohn MarshallBackSouthern Methodist
36Washington RedskinsFred WyantBackWest Virginia
37Cleveland BrownsBill QuinlanEndMichigan State

Round four

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
38Detroit LionsJerry ReichowQuarterbackIowa
39Pittsburgh SteelersDick MurleyGuardPurdue
40San Francisco 49ersFrank PajaczkowskiBackRichmond
41Washington RedskinsFran MachinskyTackleOhio State
42Chicago CardinalsSam SalernoTackleColorado
43Baltimore ColtsBen InabinetTackleClemson
44Green Bay PackersCecil MorrisGuardOklahoma
45New York GiantsJim KatcavageDefensive endDayton
46Los Angeles RamsWill BerzinskiBackWisconsin–La Crosse
47Chicago BearsJohn MellekasTackleArizona
48Los Angeles RamsJim CarmichaelEndCalifornia
49Cleveland BrownsBobby MossBackWest Virginia

Round five

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
50Detroit LionsTom "The Bomb" TracyBackTennessee
51Los Angeles RamsJim FreemanEndIowa
52Pittsburgh SteelersBill MurakowskiBackPurdue
53Los Angeles RamsHerb NakkenBackUtah
54Philadelphia EaglesFred "Fuzzy" ThurstonGuardValparaiso
55Baltimore ColtsHerb GrayEndTexas
56Green Bay PackersBob SkoronskiTackleIndiana
57New York GiantsDon ChandlerBackFlorida
58Chicago BearsWillie GalimoreBackFlorida A&M
59Washington RedskinsGary LoweBackMichigan State
60Los Angeles RamsJesse WhittentonDefensive backTexas-El Paso
61Cleveland BrownsFranklin ClarkeEndColorado

Round six

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
62Detroit LionsBob LuskCenterWilliam & Mary
63Pittsburgh SteelersRay TaylorBackTexas Christian
64San Francisco 49ersTony SardiscoLinebackerTulane
65Philadelphia EaglesTirrel BurtonBackMiami
66Chicago CardinalsCharlie DupreBackBaylor
67Baltimore ColtsDon SchmidtBackTexas Tech
68Green Bay PackersBob BurrisBackOklahoma
69New York GiantsFred CasonBackFlorida
70Chicago CardinalsJohn DittrichTackleWisconsin
71Cleveland BrownsSherman PlunkettEndMaryland-Eastern Shore
72Los Angeles RamsEddie VincentBackIowa
73Cleveland BrownsPaul WigginEndStanford

Round seven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
74Detroit LionsGene CroninDefensive endPacific
75San Francisco 49ersLarry BarnesBackColorado State
76Pittsburgh SteelersDick GaspariCenterGeorge Washington
77Chicago CardinalsBob KonovskyTackleWisconsin
78Philadelphia EaglesJohn WaedekinTackleHardin-Simmons
79Baltimore ColtsBill WatersTackleAustin
80Green Bay PackersHank GremmingerEndBaylor
81New York GiantsRon NeryTackleKansas State
82Chicago BearsJ. C. CarolineBackIllinois
83Washington RedskinsDonnie CarawayBackHouston
84Los Angeles RamsJack MorrisBackOregon
85Cleveland BrownsChuck GriffithEndUSC

Round eight

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
86Detroit LionsJack PowellTackleTexas A&M
87Pittsburgh SteelersVere WellmanGuardWichita State
88San Francisco 49ersCharley SmithEndAbilene Christian
89Philadelphia EaglesElroy PayneBackMcMurry
90Chicago CardinalsDave LuncefordTackleBaylor
91Baltimore ColtsBill KomanGuardNorth Carolina
92Green Bay PackersRuss DennisEndMaryland
93New York GiantsDon HollederEndArmy
94Washington RedskinsDick JamesBackOregon
95Chicago BearsDick KlawitterCenterSouth Dakota State
96Los Angeles RamsGeorge BoyerLinebackerFlorida State
97Cleveland BrownsLen HellyerBackMarshall

Round nine

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
98Detroit LionsCalvin JonesGuardIowa
99San Francisco 49ersJim CoxEndCal Poly-San Luis Obispo
100Pittsburgh SteelersWayne EdmondsGuardNotre Dame
101Chicago CardinalsBob LovelyTackleTampa
102Philadelphia EaglesJohnny BrediceEndBoston University
103Baltimore ColtsJohn LewisEndMichigan State
104Green Bay PackersGordy DuvallBackUSC
105New York GiantsKen BradenCenterEast Texas State
106Chicago BearsKen VargoCenterOhio State
107Washington RedskinsFrancis "Whitey" RouviereBackMiami
108Los Angeles RamsMaury WoolfordTackleLouisville
109Cleveland BrownsJack HeckerEndBowling Green

Round ten

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
110Detroit LionsJoe SilasDefensive endSouth Carolina
111Pittsburgh SteelersLou BaldacciBackMichigan
112San Francisco 49ersJerry ZaleskiBackColorado State
113Philadelphia EaglesTom DimmickCenterHouston
114Chicago CardinalsWillis TowneEndWichita State
115Baltimore ColtsGene ScottBackCentre
116Green Bay PackersBob LaughertyBackMaryland
117New York GiantsJohnny HermannBackUCLA
118Pittsburgh SteelersBob NolanEndMiami
119Chicago BearsDick LucasEndBoston College
120Los Angeles RamsCharlie StickaBackTrinity
121Cleveland BrownsEddie RayburnTackleRice

Round eleven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
122Detroit LionsLew WackerBackRichmond
123San Francisco 49ersStew PellTackleNorth Carolina
124Detroit LionsTom SelepBackMaryland
125Chicago CardinalsFob JamesBackAuburn
126Philadelphia EaglesKenny KellerBackNorth Carolina
127Baltimore ColtsDennis ShawEndNorth Texas State
128Green Bay PackersMike HudockCenterMiami
129New York GiantsDick MoloneyBackKentucky
130Chicago BearsJohn JankansEndArizona State
131Washington RedskinsTom PowellGuardColgate
132Los Angeles RamsJim DeckerBackUCLA
133Cleveland BrownsBill UnderdonkTackleWest Virginia

Round twelve

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
134Detroit LionsBob NunneryTackleLouisiana State
135Pittsburgh SteelersPhil TarasovicEndYale
136San Francisco 49ersRoger SwedbergTackleIowa
137Philadelphia EaglesTommy HarkinsEndVanderbilt
138Chicago CardinalsJerry WalkerTackleTexas Tech
139Baltimore ColtsSteve MyhraGuardNorth Dakota
140Green Bay PackersMax BurnettBackArizona
141Washington RedskinsGerry PlanutisBackMichigan State
142Washington RedskinsGil MorenoTackleUCLA
143Chicago BearsBuddy CruzeEndTennessee
144Los Angeles RamsEm LindbeckQuarterbackIllinois
145Cleveland BrownsHarry JavernickTackleColorado

Round thirteen

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
146Detroit LionsO. K. FergusonBackLouisiana State
147San Francisco 49ersRalph MoodyBackKansas
148Pittsburgh SteelersWeldon HolleyBackBaylor
149Chicago CardinalsBo BolingerGuardOklahoma
150Philadelphia EaglesJames SidesBackTexas Tech
151Baltimore ColtsJack HillBackUtah State
152Green Bay PackersJim MenseCenterNotre Dame
153New York GiantsEd CrawfordBackMississippi
154Chicago BearsDick GroggGuardMinnesota
155Washington RedskinsJerry WardGuardDayton
156Los Angeles RamsMike NorciaBackKent State
157Cleveland BrownsJim FureyCenterKansas State

Round fourteen

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
158Detroit LionsRonnie FallsLinebackerDuke
159Pittsburgh SteelersJim EmmonsTackleAlabama
160San Francisco 49ersR. C. OwensEndCollege of Idaho
161Philadelphia EaglesFrank ReichCenterPenn State
162Chicago CardinalsCarnell NeumanBackIllinois
163Baltimore ColtsTed SchwangerBackTennessee Tech
164Green Bay PackersCharlie ThomasBackWisconsin
165New York GiantsJohn McMullanGuardNotre Dame
166Washington RedskinsPat UebelBackArmy
167Chicago BearsMilt GrahamEndColgate
168Los Angeles RamsTom RunnelsBackNorth Texas State
169Cleveland BrownsCharlie SidwellBackWilliam & Mary

Round fifteen

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
170Detroit LionsHorace "Buzzy" AllertDefensive endSouthwest Texas State
171San Francisco 49ersReed HendersonTackleUtah State
172San Francisco 49ersGene BoydBackAbilene Christian
173Chicago CardinalsCharley AndersonEndLouisiana Tech
174Philadelphia EaglesDon BrantBackMontana
175Baltimore ColtsJohn PolzerQuarterbackVirginia
176Green Bay PackersBuddy AllistonGuardMississippi
177New York GiantsRon MelnikTackleArmy
178Chicago BearsDick FitzgeraldBackNotre Dame
179Chicago CardinalsTom SpiersQuarterbackArkansas State
180Los Angeles RamsDick ShattoBackKentucky
181Cleveland BrownsWillie DavisDefensive EndGrambling

Round sixteen

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
182Detroit LionsLen ZyzdaDefensive endPurdue
183Pittsburgh SteelersLionel ReedBackCentral State
184San Francisco 49ersGeorge HerringQuarterbackMississippi Southern
185Philadelphia EaglesBilly HixTackleMiddle Tennessee State
186Chicago CardinalsGeorge WelshQuarterbackNavy
187Baltimore ColtsGene "Moose" HendrixBackDrake
188Green Bay PackersCurtis LynchTackleAlabama
189New York GiantsAl PortneyTackleMissouri
190Washington RedskinsWells GrayGuardWisconsin
191Chicago BearsRay BrownBackFlorida
192Los Angeles RamsArnie PelluerEndWashington State
193Cleveland BrownsThurlow CooperEndMaine

Round seventeen

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
194Detroit LionsKen WindEndHouston
195San Francisco 49ersDick WeissTackleMississippi
196Pittsburgh SteelersBill SchmittGuardPittsburgh
197Chicago CardinalsRon BeagleEndNavy
198Philadelphia EaglesJoe MastrogiovanniBackWyoming
199Baltimore ColtsBill DanenhauerEndEmporia State
200Green Bay PackersBart StarrQuarterbackAlabama
201New York GiantsTom MooneyTackleMiami
202Chicago BearsTom AdamsEndUCLA
203Washington RedskinsEagle DayQuarterbackMississippi
204Los Angeles RamsJack ButlerTackleKentucky
205Cleveland BrownsEddie WestQuarterbackNorth Carolina State

Round eighteen

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
206Detroit LionsEmidio PetrarcaBackBoston College
207Pittsburgh SteelersJohn StephansQuarterbackHoly Cross
208San Francisco 49ersBill YelvertonTackleMississippi
209Philadelphia EaglesNick ConsolesDefensive backWake Forest
210Chicago CardinalsJim BrownGuardUCLA
211Baltimore ColtsEarl LoomanGuardStetson
212Green Bay PackersStan IntiharEndCornell
213New York GiantsMatt BooneBackNorth Carolina Central
214Washington RedskinsJim PyburnEndAuburn
215Chicago BearsEarl PaytonBackPrairie View A&M
216Los Angeles RamsJack KlotzTackleWidener
217Cleveland BrownsHal "Candy" CarrollBackCase Western Reserve

Round nineteen

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
218Detroit LionsDale VaughnBackVirginia Military Inst
219San Francisco 49ersPete ArrigoniBackArizona
220Pittsburgh SteelersJerry JacobsGuardFlorida State
221Chicago CardinalsRay ZagarBackMarquette
222Philadelphia EaglesDelano WomackBackTexas
223Baltimore ColtsBob FyvieTackleLafayette
224Green Bay PackersKen VakeyEndTexas Tech
225New York GiantsRay DettringBackMissouri
226Chicago BearsJohn SmithBackUCLA
227Washington RedskinsRay LemekGuardNotre Dame
228Los Angeles RamsCharlie DeesTackleMcNeese State
229Cleveland BrownsJohn SebestEndEastern Kentucky

Round twenty

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
230Detroit LionsJoe StephensonEndVanderbilt
231Pittsburgh SteelersFred GlatzEndPittsburgh
232San Francisco 49ersBob ScarbroughCenterAuburn
233Philadelphia EaglesDarrell GloverTackleMaryland-Eastern Shore
234Chicago CardinalsDickie MattisonBackGeorgia Tech
235Baltimore ColtsBob HillBackJackson State
236Green Bay PackersClyde LetbetterTackleBaylor
237New York GiantsMike FallsGuardMinnesota
238Washington RedskinsVince GonzalesBackLouisiana State
239Chicago BearsCharley MaximeGuardAuburn
240Los Angeles RamsJohn CoyneTackleWest Chester
241Cleveland BrownsJoe MobraEndOklahoma

Round twenty-one

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
242Detroit LionsBob BlechenCenterWhittier
243San Francisco 49ersL. C. JoynerEndContra Costa J.C.
244Pittsburgh SteelersGene MartellTackleNotre Dame
245Chicago CardinalsRonnie HerrBackTexas Tech
246Philadelphia EaglesJack AdamsTackleSan Jose State
247Baltimore ColtsJim HarnessBackMississippi State
248Green Bay PackersHal O'BrienBackSouthern Methodist
249New York GiantsDon McCombEndVillanova
250Chicago BearsJimmy WaddellBackCompton J.C.
251Washington RedskinsHoward SchnellenbergerEndKentucky
252Los Angeles RamsMilt RobichauxEndTrinity
253Cleveland BrownsGene KapishEndNotre Dame

Round twenty-two

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
254Detroit LionsDick MarazzaTackleClemson
255Pittsburgh SteelersRay DiPasqualeBackPittsburgh
256San Francisco 49ersClarence WessmanEndSan Jose State
257Philadelphia EaglesJoe MillerBackCincinnati
258Chicago CardinalsJim MurphyTackleStephen F. Austin
259Baltimore ColtsPat Del VicaroGuardSouthern Mississippi
260Green Bay PackersJohnny PopsonBackFurman
261New York GiantsJerry HarkraderBackOhio State
262Washington RedskinsGeorge NiculaTackleNotre Dame
263Chicago BearsJoe BillingsTackleMemphis State
264Los Angeles RamsDick FoutsEndMissouri
265Cleveland BrownsSam "First Down" BrownBackUCLA

Round twenty-three

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
266Detroit LionsBob GarrardBackGeorgia
267San Francisco 49ersMike MonroeBackWashington
268Pittsburgh SteelersPete NeftQuarterbackPittsburgh
269Chicago CardinalsTony BranoffBackMichigan
270Philadelphia EaglesChet SpencerEndOklahoma State
271Baltimore ColtsAl "Bear" StephensonTackleIdaho State
272Green Bay PackersJesse BirchfieldGuardDuke
273New York GiantsBob "Slick" McCoolBackMississippi
274Chicago BearsLou HoltEndHoward Payne
275Washington RedskinsDon St. JohnBackXavier
276Los Angeles RamsAl PaulsonBackWashington State
277Cleveland BrownsDon AlthouseEndSyracuse

Round twenty-four

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
278Detroit LionsJarv WalzEndCentral Michigan
279Pittsburgh SteelersBryan EngramEndTexas Christian
280San Francisco 49ersEd WallaceTackleSan Diego J.C.
281Philadelphia EaglesJohn ParhamBackWake Forest
282Chicago CardinalsOrville TraskTackleRice
283Baltimore ColtsBobby FoxQuarterbackEast Texas State
284Green Bay PackersDon WilsonCenterRice
285New York GiantsGerry HuthGuardWake Forest
286Washington RedskinsJohnny TatumCenterTexas
287Chicago BearsJesse CasteteBackMcNeese State
288Los Angeles RamsSam WilliamsDefensive endMichigan State
289Cleveland BrownsJim HughesGuardSan Jose State

Round twenty-five

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
290Detroit LionsJerry HallBackRice
291San Francisco 49ersPaul GoadBackAbilene Christian
292Pittsburgh SteelersBill O'DellBackClemson
293Chicago CardinalsBill WheelerTackleKentucky
294Philadelphia EaglesJohnny GroganTackleDayton
295Baltimore ColtsBrad MillsBackKentucky
296Green Bay PackersFranz KoenekeEndMinnesota
297New York GiantsHarry SpeersBackFlorida
298Chicago BearsJerry HentschelTackleSam Houston State
299Washington RedskinsFranklin BrooksGuardGeorgia Tech
300Los Angeles RamsGlen TunningGuardPittsburgh
301Cleveland BrownsBob DavenportBackUCLA

Round twenty-six

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
302Detroit LionsJoe WaldenBackWest Texas State
303Pittsburgh SteelersFrank SweeneyGuardXavier
304San Francisco 49ersRommie LouddEndUCLA
305Philadelphia EaglesEarl LunsfordBackOklahoma State
306Chicago CardinalsChuck ZickefooseEndKansas State
307Baltimore ColtsJim LohrTackleSouthwest Missouri State
308Green Bay PackersDick GoeheTackleMississippi
309New York GiantsBev BullerBackKansas
310Washington RedskinsDave BurnhamBackWheaton
311Chicago BearsDon OrrBackVanderbilt
312Los Angeles RamsHardiman CuretonTackleUCLA
313Cleveland BrownsJack KammermanEndUtah

Round twenty-seven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
314Detroit LionsBryan BurnthorneGuardTulane
315San Francisco 49ersJerry GustafsonQuarterbackStanford
316Pittsburgh SteelersBuddy BensonBackArkansas
317Chicago CardinalsJack HutchinsonTackleOklahoma State
318Philadelphia EaglesAl EllettTackleAlabama
319Baltimore ColtsHerb HartwellBackVirginia
320Green Bay PackersDick KolianEndWisconsin
321New York GiantsGerry NesbittBackArkansas
322Chicago BearsWaylon BuchananEndEast Texas State
323Washington RedskinsRoyce FlippinBackPrinceton
324Los Angeles RamsRoger SieselTackleMiami
325Cleveland BrownsEd DwyerEndPurdue

Round twenty-eight

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
326Detroit LionsJohn SmithGuardNorthwestern
327Pittsburgh SteelersBill DeGraafBackCornell
328San Francisco 49ersJerry DrewBackCalifornia
329Philadelphia EaglesBill StrawnLinebackerWestern Kentucky
330Chicago CardinalsJim MillerQuarterbackWisconsin
331Baltimore ColtsJohn ShearerQuarterbackShepherd
332Green Bay PackersBobby LanceQuarterbackFlorida
333New York GiantsBill FullerTackleArkansas
334Washington RedskinsBilly HicksBackJacksonville State
335Chicago BearsBob AlexanderBackTrinity
336Los Angeles RamsJohn MorrowTackleMichigan
337Cleveland BrownsOllie SparksGuardIowa State

Round twenty-nine

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
338Detroit LionsDoug PetersBackUCLA
339San Francisco 49ersDean BensonGuardWillamette
340Pittsburgh SteelersWes ThompsonTackleAlabama
341Chicago CardinalsJim TroglioBackNorthwestern
342Philadelphia EaglesBob HughesBackSouthern Mississippi
343Baltimore ColtsJim RusherEndKansas State
344Green Bay PackersVester NewcombCenterSouthwest J.C.
345New York GiantsJim NelsonGuardDuke
346Chicago BearsBilly KrietemeyerBackVanderbilt
347Washington RedskinsPat BiscegliaGuardNotre Dame
348Los Angeles RamsMickey BatesBackIllinois
349Cleveland BrownsJohn BattosEndVanderbilt

Round thirty

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
350Detroit LionsJohn GibbensTackleSouthwest Texas State
351San Francisco 49ersBob MitchellTacklePuget Sound
352Philadelphia EaglesJoe UlmBackSan Jose State
353Chicago CardinalsBill KuceraTackleColorado
354Baltimore ColtsTerry SweeneyBackMiddle Tennessee State
355Green Bay PackersRod HermesQuarterbackBeloit
356New York GiantsWayne WilliamsEndSouthern Illinois
357Washington RedskinsBuck NystromGuardMichigan State
358Chicago BearsJim BucklerGuardAlabama
359Los Angeles RamsDick KackmeisterCenterCentral Michigan
360Cleveland BrownsBob BartholomewTackleWake Forest

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