1978 NFL Draft


The 1978 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 2–3, 1978, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the first pick in the 1978 draft, by virtue of their 2–12 record in 1977. Tampa Bay traded the pick to the Oilers, for tight end Jimmie Giles and the Oilers' first- and second-round picks in the 1978 draft, and their third- and fifth-round picks in 1979.
Leon White, who was drafted in the third round, went on to have an extensive professional wrestling career as Big Van Vader.

Player selections

Round one

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
1Houston OilersEarl CampbellRunning BackTexas
2Kansas City ChiefsArt StillDefensive EndKentucky
3New Orleans SaintsWes ChandlerWide ReceiverFlorida
4New York JetsChris WardOffensive TackleOhio State
5Buffalo BillsTerry MillerRunning BackOklahoma State
6Green Bay PackersJames LoftonWide ReceiverStanford
7San Francisco 49ersKen MacAfeeTight EndNotre Dame
8Cincinnati Bengals Ross BrownerDefensive EndNotre Dame
9Seattle SeahawksKeith SimpsonCornerbackMemphis State
10New York GiantsGordon KingOffensive TackleStanford
11Detroit LionsLuther BradleyCornerbackNotre Dame
12Cleveland BrownsClay MatthewsLinebackerUSC
13Atlanta FalconsMike KennOffensive TackleMichigan
14San Diego ChargersJohn JeffersonWide ReceiverArizona State
15St. Louis CardinalsSteve LittleKickerArkansas
16Cincinnati BengalsBlair BushCenterWashington
17Tampa Bay BuccaneersDoug WilliamsQuarterbackGrambling
18New England PatriotsBob CryderGuardAlabama
19St. Louis CardinalsKen GreeneSafetyWashington State
20Los Angeles RamsElvis PeacockRunning BackOklahoma
21Minnesota VikingsRandy HollowayDefensive EndPittsburgh
22Pittsburgh SteelersRon JohnsonCornerbackEastern Michigan
23Cleveland BrownsOzzie NewsomeTight EndAlabama
24San Francisco 49ersDan BunzLinebackerLong Beach State
25Baltimore ColtsReese McCallTight EndAuburn
26Green Bay PackersJohn AndersonLinebackerMichigan
27Denver BroncosDon LatimerDefensive TackleMiami
28Dallas CowboysLarry BetheaDefensive EndMichigan State

Round two

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
29Kansas City ChiefsSylvester HicksDefensive endTennessee State
30Tampa Bay BuccaneersJohnny DavisRunning backAlabama
31New York JetsMark MerrillLinebackerMinnesota
32Buffalo BillsDee HardisonDefensive endNorth Carolina
33New Orleans SaintsJames TaylorTackleMissouri
34Green Bay PackersMike HuntLinebackerMinnesota
35Cincinnati Bengals Ray GriffinDefensive backOhio State
36Seattle SeahawksKeith ButlerLinebackerMemphis State
37New York GiantsOdis McKinneyDefensive backColorado
38Buffalo BillsScott HutchinsonDefensive endFlorida
39Cleveland BrownsJohnny EvansPunterNorth Carolina State
40Detroit LionsAl BakerDefensive endColorado State
41San Diego ChargersMilton HardawayTackleOklahoma State
42St. Louis CardinalsJohn BarefieldLinebackerTexas A&I
43Atlanta FalconsSteve StewartLinebackerMinnesota
44Tampa Bay Buccaneers Brett MoritzGuardNebraska
45Cincinnati BengalsDave TurnerRunning backSan Diego State
46Los Angeles RamsStan JohnsonDefensive tackleTennessee State
47San Francisco 49ersWalt DowningGuardMichigan
48Minnesota VikingsJohn TurnerDefensive backMiami
49Pittsburgh SteelersWillie FryDefensive endNotre Dame
50New England PatriotsMatt CavanaughQuarterbackPittsburgh
51Miami DolphinsGuy BenjaminQuarterbackStanford
52Baltimore ColtsMike WoodsLinebackerCincinnati
53Los Angeles RamsRon SmithWide receiverSan Diego State
54Oakland RaidersDave BrowningDefensive endWashington
55Denver BroncosBill GayTight endUSC
56Dallas CowboysTodd ChristensenTight endBrigham Young

Round three

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
57Oakland Raiders Derrick JensenRunning backTexas-Arlington
58Kansas City ChiefsGary SpaniLinebackerKansas State
59Buffalo BillsDennis JohnsonFullbackMississippi State
60New Orleans SaintsBarry BennettDefensive tackleConcordia
61New York JetsMickey ShulerTight endPenn State
62Green Bay PackersEstus HoodCornerbackIllinois State
63Seattle SeahawksBob JuryCornerbackPittsburgh
64Miami DolphinsLyman SmithDefensive tackleDuke
65Buffalo BillsDanny FultonWide receiverNebraska-Omaha
66Philadelphia EaglesReggie WilkesLinebackerGeorgia Tech
67Cleveland BrownsLarry CollinsRunning backTexas A&I
68Cleveland BrownsMark MillerQuarterbackBowling Green
69St. Louis CardinalsDoug GreeneDefensive backTexas A&I
70Atlanta FalconsStan WaldemoreGuardNebraska
71San Diego ChargersRickey AndersonRunning backSouth Carolina State
72Cincinnati BengalsTed VincentDefensive tackleWichita State
73Houston OilersGifford NielsenQuarterbackBrigham Young
74Chicago BearsBrad ShearerDefensive tackleTexas
75Minnesota VikingsWhip WaltonLinebackerSan Diego State
76Pittsburgh SteelersCraig ColquittPunterTennessee
77New England PatriotsCarlos PennywellWide receiverGrambling
78Los Angeles RamsFrank CorralKickerUCLA
79San Francisco 49ersErnie HughesGuardNotre Dame
80Los Angeles RamsLeon WhiteCenterColorado
81Miami DolphinsJimmy CefaloWide receiverPenn State
82Oakland RaidersLindsey MasonTackleKansas
83Cincinnati BengalsDon BassWide receiverHouston
84Dallas CowboysDave HudgensTackleOklahoma

Round four

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
85Kansas City ChiefsDaniel JohnsonLinebackerTennessee State
86Oakland Raiders Maurice HarveySafetyBall State
87New Orleans SaintsDon SchwartzDefensive backWashington State
88New York JetsDodie DonnellRunning backNebraska
89Buffalo BillsLucius SanfordLinebackerGeorgia Tech
90New York GiantsBilly TaylorRunning backTexas Tech
91San Francisco 49ersTerry LeCountWide receiverFlorida
92Philadelphia EaglesDennis HarrisonDefensive tackleVanderbilt
93Miami DolphinsGerald SmallCornerbackSan Jose State
94Detroit LionsWilliam FiferTackleWest Texas State
95Atlanta FalconsBrian CabralLinebackerColorado
96St. Louis CardinalsGeorge CollinsGuardGeorgia
97St. Louis CardinalsJim ChildsWide receiverCal Poly-San Luis Obispo
98Houston OilersMike RenfroWide receiverTexas Christian
99Cincinnati BengalsDennis LawWide receiverEast Tennessee State
100Minnesota VikingsJim HoughCenterUtah State
101Pittsburgh SteelersLarry AndersonCornerbackLouisiana Tech
102New England PatriotsDwight WheelerTackleTennessee State
103Cleveland BrownsPete PallaraGuardTennessee-Chattanooga
104Kansas City ChiefsPete WoodsQuarterbackMissouri
105Los Angeles RamsMark MangesQuarterbackMaryland
106Miami DolphinsEric LaaksoTackleTulane
107Detroit LionsHomer EliasGuardTennessee State
108Oakland RaidersJoe StewartWide receiverMissouri
109Detroit LionsLarry TearryCenterWake Forest
110Dallas CowboysAlois BlackwellRunning backHouston

Round five

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
111Miami DolphinsTed BurgmeierDefensive backNotre Dame
112Kansas City ChiefsJerrold McRaeWide receiverTennessee State
113New York JetsRandy SidlerLinebackerPenn State
114Buffalo BillsKen SpaethTight endNebraska
115New Orleans SaintsEric FeltonDefensive backTexas Tech
116Green Bay PackersMike DouglassLinebackerSan Diego State
117Baltimore ColtsFrank MyersTackleTexas A&M
118Kansas City ChiefsDwight CareyDefensive tackleTexas-Arlington
119Seattle SeahawksLouis BullardTackleJackson State
120New York GiantsTerry JacksonCornerbackSan Diego State
121Detroit LionsAmos FowlerGuardSouthern Mississippi
122Cleveland BrownsKeith WrightWide receiverMemphis State
123Detroit LionsDan GrayDefensive endRutgers
124St. Louis CardinalsEarl CarrRunning backFlorida
125Atlanta FalconsDennis PearsonWide receiverSan Diego State
126Cincinnati BengalsTom DinkelLinebackerKansas
127San Francisco 49ersArchie ReeseDefensive tackleClemson
128Green Bay Packers Willie WilderRunning backFlorida
129New England PatriotsBill MatthewsLinebackerSouth Dakota State
130Philadelphia EaglesNorris BanksRunning backKansas
131Cincinnati BengalsRob HertelQuarterbackUSC
132New York GiantsJim KrahlDefensive tackleTexas Tech
133San Francisco 49ersBruce ThreadgillDefensive backMississippi State
134Kansas City ChiefsRobert WoodsWide receiverGrambling
135San Diego ChargersJohn ChomaGuardVirginia
136Oakland RaidersDerrick RamseyTight endKentucky
137New York GiantsBrian DeRooWide receiverRedlands
138Dallas CowboysRich RosenGuardSyracuse

Round six

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
139Chicago BearsJohn SkibinskiRunning backPurdue
140Oakland RaidersTom DavisCenterNebraska
141New York JetsBobby JacksonCornerbackFlorida State
142New Orleans SaintsMike RiekerQuarterbackLehigh
143New York JetsGregg RobinsonDefensive tackleDartmouth
144Green Bay PackersLeotis HarrisGuardArkansas
145Buffalo BillsEric SmithTackleSouthern Mississippi
146Seattle SeahawksGlenn StarksWide receiverTexas A&I
147New York GiantsRandy PassGuardGeorgia Tech
148San Francisco 49ersElliott WalkerRunning backPittsburgh
149Cleveland BrownsAl PittsCenterMichigan State
150Detroit LionsDwight HicksSafetyMichigan
151St. Louis CardinalsJack WilliamsDefensive endBowling Green
152Atlanta FalconsRodney ParkerWide receiverTennessee State
153Detroit LionsTony ArdizzoneGuardNorthwestern
154Houston OilersConrad RuckerTight endSouthern
155Cincinnati BengalsSteve GeiseRunning backPenn State
156New England PatriotsKen ColemanLinebackerMississippi
157New Orleans SaintsFrancis ChesleyLinebackerWyoming
158Chicago BearsMekeli IeremiaDefensive endBrigham Young
159Washington RedskinsTony GreenRunning backFlorida
160Pittsburgh SteelersRandy ReutershanWide receiverPittsburgh
161Baltimore ColtsBen GarryRunning backSouthern Mississippi
162Tampa Bay BuccaneersElijah MarshallWide receiverNorth Carolina State
163Miami DolphinsDoug BettersDefensive endNevada
164Oakland RaidersMike LevensellerWide receiverWashington State
165Detroit LionsJesse ThompsonWide receiverCalifornia
166Dallas CowboysHarold RandolphLinebackerEast Carolina

Round seven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
167Atlanta FalconsAlfred JacksonWide receiverTexas
168Kansas City ChiefsRicky OdomDefensive backUSC
169New York JetsLevi ArmstrongDefensive backUCLA
170New York JetsJames EarleyRunning backMichigan State
171Buffalo BillsMario CelottoLinebackerUSC
172Green Bay PackersGeorge PlasketesLinebackerMississippi
173Seattle SeahawksJohn HarrisSafetyArizona State
174New York GiantsDan DoorninkRunning backWashington State
175San Francisco 49ersFred QuillanCenterOregon
176Oakland RaidersArthur WhittingtonRunning backSouthern Methodist
177Detroit LionsBruce GibsonRunning backPacific
178Miami DolphinsKarl BaldischwilerTackleOklahoma
179Atlanta FalconsJames WrightTight endTexas Christian
180San Diego ChargersCliff FeatherstoneDefensive backColorado State
181St. Louis CardinalsDave StiefWide receiverPortland State
182Cincinnati BengalsJoe BransonDefensive backLivingstone College
183Buffalo BillsSteve PowellRunning backN.E. Missouri State
184Kansas City ChiefsBill KellarWide receiverStanford
185Chicago BearsHerman JonesWide receiverOhio State
186Philadelphia EaglesGreg MarshallDefensive tackleOregon State
187Pittsburgh SteelersMark DufresneTight endNebraska
188New England PatriotsMike HawkinsLinebackerTexas A&I
189Los Angeles RamsReggie DossDefensive endHampton
190Miami DolphinsLloyd HenryWide receiverN.E. Missouri State
191Baltimore ColtsJeff LoganRunning backOhio State
192Oakland RaidersEarl InmanLinebackerBethune-Cookman
193Cincinnati BengalsDanny BassTackleElon
194Dallas CowboysTom RandallDefensive tackleIowa State

Round eight

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
195Kansas City ChiefsJohn Henry WhiteRunning backLouisiana Tech
196Tampa Bay BuccaneersJohn McGriffLinebackerMiami
197New York JetsDerrick GaffneyWide receiverFlorida
198New England PatriotsTerry FalconGuardMontana
199New Orleans SaintsBrooks WilliamsTight endNorth Carolina
200Green Bay PackersDennis SproulQuarterbackArizona State
201New York GiantsJeff GradyLinebackerFlorida A&M
202Washington RedskinsWalker LeeWide receiverNorth Carolina
203New York JetsMike MockPunterTexas Tech
204Minnesota VikingsMike WoodKickerSoutheast Missouri State
205Cleveland BrownsJesse TurnbowDefensive tackleTennessee
206Detroit LionsJim BreechKickerCalifornia
207Oakland RaidersMark NicholsDefensive endColorado State
208Pittsburgh SteelersRick MoserRunning backRhode Island
209Atlanta FalconsDavid AdkinsLinebackerOhio State
210Houston OilersJ. C. WilsonDefensive backPittsburgh
211Cincinnati BengalsBill MillerTackleWestern Illinois
212Chicago BearsGeorge FreitasTight endCalifornia
213New York JetsRoy EppesDefensive backClemson
214Pittsburgh SteelersAndre KeysWide receiverCal Poly-San Luis Obispo
215New England PatriotsMosi TatupuRunning backUSC
216Atlanta FalconsDavid WilliamsDefensive backTennessee-Martin
217Miami DolphinsSean ClancyLinebackerAmherst
218Baltimore ColtsMonte AnthonyRunning backNebraska
219Washington RedskinsDon HoverLinebackerWashington State
220San Diego ChargersGavin HendrickPunterWashington State
221Denver BroncosFrank SmithTackleAlabama A&M
222Dallas CowboysHomer ButlerWide receiverUCLA

Round nine

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
223Tampa Bay BuccaneersWillie TaylorWide receiverPittsburgh
224Kansas City ChiefsLarry BrownTackleMiami
225New York JetsReggie GrantDefensive backOregon
226New Orleans SaintsRichard CarterDefensive backNorth Carolina State
227New York JetsNeil HuttonDefensive backPenn State
228Green Bay PackersKeith MyersQuarterbackUtah State
229San Francisco 49ersHerman ReddenDefensive backHoward
230Philadelphia EaglesCharles WilliamsDefensive backJackson State
231Seattle SeahawksRich GrimmettTackleIllinois
232New York GiantsBill SwiackiTight endAmherst
233San Francisco 49ersDean MooreLinebackerIowa
234Cleveland BrownsJon KramerGuardBaylor
235St. Louis CardinalsJoe MosleyTight endCentral State
236Atlanta FalconsTom PridemoreSafetyWest Virginia
237San Diego ChargersHenry BradleyDefensive tackleAlcorn State
238Cincinnati BengalsRon ShumonLinebackerWichita State
239Houston OilersJim MolDefensive endMorningside
240Minnesota VikingsMike DeutschPunterColorado State
241Pittsburgh SteelersLance ReynoldsTackleBrigham Young
242New England PatriotsTim PetersenLinebackerArizona State
243Washington RedskinsJohn HurleyQuarterbackSanta Clara
244Chicago BearsMike MartinLinebackerKentucky
245Baltimore ColtsDave StuddardTackleTexas
246Los Angeles RamsAndre AndersonDefensive endNew Mexico State
247Miami DolphinsBruce HardyTight endArizona State
248San Diego ChargersBlake WhitlatchLinebackerLouisiana State
249San Francisco 49ersSteve McDanielsTackleNotre Dame
250Dallas CowboysRuss WilliamsDefensive backTennessee

Round ten

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
251Kansas City ChiefsEarl BryantDefensive endJackson State
252Tampa Bay BuccaneersAaron BrownLinebackerOhio State
253New York GiantsGreg JorgensenGuardNebraska
254New York JetsLouis RichardsonDefensive endFlorida State
255Buffalo BillsWill GrantCenterKentucky
256Green Bay PackersLarry KeyRunning backFlorida State
257Atlanta FalconsRicky PattonRunning backJackson State
258Seattle SeahawksRob StewartWide receiverLafayette
259Green Bay PackersMark TottenCenterFlorida
260San Francisco 49ersMike ConnellPunterCincinnati
261Cleveland BrownsBrent WatsonTackleTennessee
262Detroit LionsFred ArringtonLinebackerPurdue
263Atlanta FalconsRay StrongRunning backUNLV
264San Diego ChargersCharles PriceTight endCincinnati
265St. Louis CardinalsRandy GillLinebackerSan Jose State
266Houston OilersSteve YoungTight endWake Forest
267Cincinnati BengalsTom DePasoLinebackerPenn State
268Pittsburgh SteelersDoug BeckerLinebackerNotre Dame
269New England PatriotsBryan FergusonDefensive backMiami
270Washington RedskinsScott HartensteinDefensive endAzusa Pacific
271Chicago BearsBen ZambiasiLinebackerGeorgia
272Minnesota VikingsHughie ShawRunning backTexas A&I
273Los Angeles RamsCharles PealTackleIndiana
274Miami DolphinsMark DennardCenterTexas A&M
275Baltimore ColtsDallas OwensDefensive backKentucky
276Pittsburgh Steelers Tom JurichKickerNorthern Arizona
277Denver BroncosVince KinneyWide receiverMaryland
278Dallas CowboysBarry TomasettiTackleIowa
0Houston Oilers Johnnie DirdenWide receiverSam Houston State

Round eleven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
279Pittsburgh Steelers Nat TerryDefensive backFlorida State
280Kansas City ChiefsRay MiloDefensive backNew Mexico State
281New York JetsPat RyanQuarterbackTennessee
282Buffalo BillsJerry BlantonLinebackerKentucky
283New Orleans SaintsNathan BesaintDefensive tackleSouthern
284Green Bay PackersTerry JonesDefensive tackleAlabama
285New Orleans SaintsDave RileyRunning backWest Virginia
286New York GiantsDennis HeimDefensive tackleSW Missouri State
287San Francisco 49ersWillie McCrayDefensive endTroy State
288Philadelphia EaglesBill CampfieldRunning backKansas
289Detroit LionsRichard MurrayDefensive tackleOklahoma
290Cleveland BrownsLarry GillardDefensive tackleMississippi State
291Oakland RaidersDean JonesDefensive backFresno State
292Cincinnati BengalsCal PrinceRunning backLouisville
293Atlanta FalconsScooter ReedDefensive backBaylor
294Cincinnati BengalsMark DonahueGuardMichigan
295Houston OilersWillie ThicklenWide receiverAlabama State
296New England PatriotsCharlie WilliamsLinebackerFlorida
297Washington RedskinsMike WilliamsDefensive backTexas A&M
298Chicago BearsWalt UnderwoodDefensive endUSC
299Minnesota VikingsRon HarrisRunning backColorado State
300Pittsburgh SteelersTom BrzozaCenterPittsburgh
301Seattle SeahawksGeorge HalasLinebackerMiami
302Baltimore ColtsHenry MasonWide receiverCentral Missouri State
303Los Angeles RamsRon HostetlerLinebackerPenn State
304Oakland RaidersBob GlazebrookDefensive backFresno State
305Denver BroncosLacy BrumleyTackleClemson
306Dallas CowboysDennis ThurmanCornerbackUSC

Round twelve

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
307Kansas City ChiefsWillie BrockCenterColorado
308Tampa Bay BuccaneersKevin McLeeRunning backGeorgia
309Buffalo BillsRichard CrumpRunning backN.E. Oklahoma A&M
310New Orleans SaintsLarry HardyTight endJackson State
311New York JetsAlan WilliamsPunterFlorida
312Green Bay PackersEason RamsonTight endWashington State
313New York GiantsGreg LawsonRunning backWestern Illinois
314San Francisco 49ersDan IronsTackleTexas Tech
315Philadelphia EaglesMark SlaterCenterMinnesota
316Seattle SeahawksJeff BergeronRunning backLamar
317Cleveland BrownsLeo BidermannTackleCalifornia
318Detroit LionsMark PattersonDefensive backWashington State
319St. Louis CardinalsAnthony ClayLinebackerSouth Carolina State
320Atlanta FalconsDaria ButlerLinebackerOklahoma State
321San Diego ChargersKevin BellWide receiverLamar
322Houston OilersJohn SchuhmacherGuardUSC
323Cincinnati BengalsKim FeatsentWide receiverKent State
324Washington RedskinsSteve McCabeGuardBowdoin
325Chicago BearsLew SibleyLinebackerLouisiana State
326Minnesota VikingsJeff MorrowTackleMinnesota
327Pittsburgh SteelersBrad CarrLinebackerMaryland
328New England PatriotsJohn GibneyCenterColgate
329Baltimore ColtsBruce AllenPunterRichmond
330Los Angeles RamsGus CoppensTackleUCLA
331Miami DolphinsMike MooreRunning backMiddle Tennessee State
332Oakland RaidersJoe ConronWide receiverPacific
333Miami DolphinsBill KenneyQuarterbackNorthern Colorado
334Dallas CowboysLee WashburnGuardMontana State
0San Francisco 49ers Rod ConnorsRunning backSouthern California

Notable undrafted players

Hall of Famers