1981 NFL Draft


The 1981 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 April 28–29, 1981, at the New York Sheraton Hotel in New York City. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
For the first time, the top two picks of the draft were named Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, respectively.

Player selections

Round one

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
1New Orleans SaintsGeorge RogersRunning backSouth Carolina
2New York GiantsLawrence TaylorLinebackerNorth Carolina
3New York JetsFreeman McNeilRunning backUCLA
4Seattle SeahawksKenny EasleyStrong SafetyUCLA
5St. Louis CardinalsE. J. JuniorLinebackerAlabama
6Green Bay PackersRich CampbellQuarterbackCalifornia
7Tampa Bay BuccaneersHugh GreenLinebackerPitt
8San Francisco 49ersRonnie LottCornerbackUSC
9Los Angeles RamsMel OwensLinebackerMichigan
10Cincinnati BengalsDavid VerserWide receiverKansas
11Chicago BearsKeith Van HorneOffensive tackleUSC
12Baltimore ColtsRandy McMillanRunning backPitt
13Miami DolphinsDavid OverstreetRunning backOklahoma
14Kansas City ChiefsWillie ScottTight endSouth Carolina
15Denver BroncosDennis SmithSafetyUSC
16Detroit LionsMark NicholsWide receiverSan José State
17Pittsburgh SteelersKeith GaryDefensive endOklahoma
18Baltimore ColtsDonnell ThompsonDefensive tackleNorth Carolina
19New England PatriotsBrian HollowayOffensive tackleStanford
20Washington RedskinsMark MayOffensive tacklePitt
21Oakland RaidersTed WattsCornerbackTexas Tech
22Cleveland BrownsHanford DixonCornerbackSouthern Miss
23Oakland RaidersCurt MarshOffensive tackleWashington
24San Diego ChargersJames BrooksRunning backAuburn
25Atlanta FalconsBobby ButlerCornerbackFlorida State
26Dallas CowboysHoward RichardsOffensive tackleMissouri
27Philadelphia EaglesLeonard MitchellDefensive endHouston
28Buffalo BillsBooker MooreRunning backPenn State
-New Orleans Saints Dave WilsonQuarterbackIllinois

Round two

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
29New Orleans SaintsRussell GaryStrong SafetyUniversity of Nebraska
30New York JetsMarion Barber Jr.Running backUniversity of Minnesota
31Seattle SeahawksDavid HughesRunning backBoise State University
32New York GiantsDave YoungTight endPurdue University
33St. Louis CardinalsNeil LomaxQuarterbackPortland State University
34Tampa Bay BuccaneersJames Wilder Sr.Running backUniversity of Missouri
35Green Bay PackersGary LewisTight endUniversity of Texas at Arlington
36San Francisco 49ersJohn HartyDefensive tackleUniversity of Iowa
37Cincinnati BengalsCris CollinsworthWide receiverUniversity of Florida
38Chicago BearsMike SingletaryLinebackerBaylor University
39Minnesota VikingsMardye McDoleWide receiverMississippi State University
40San Francisco 49ersEric WrightCornerbackUniversity of Missouri
41Kansas City ChiefsJoe DelaneyRunning backNorthwestern Louisiana State
42Denver BroncosClay BrownTight endBrigham Young University
43Los Angeles RamsJim CollinsLinebackerSyracuse University
44Pittsburgh SteelersAnthony WashingtonCornerbackFresno State
45Minnesota VikingsRobin SendleinLinebackerUniversity of Texas at Austin
46Detroit LionsCurtis GreenDefensive endAlabama State University
47New England PatriotsTony CollinsRunning backEast Carolina University
48Oakland RaidersHowie LongDefensive tackleVillanova University
49Buffalo BillsChris WilliamsCornerbackLouisiana State University
50Buffalo BillsByron FranklinWide receiverAuburn
51New Orleans SaintsRickey JacksonLinebackerUniversity of Pittsburgh
52Minnesota VikingsJarvis RedwineRunning backUniversity of Nebraska
53Dallas CowboysDoug DonleyWide receiverOhio State University
54Atlanta FalconsLyman WhiteLinebackerLouisiana State University
55Philadelphia EaglesDean MiraldiGuardUniversity of Utah
56Miami DolphinsAndra FranklinRunning backUniversity of Nebraska

Round three

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
57New Orleans SaintsFrank WarrenDefensive endAuburn University
58Seattle SeahawksBill DuganOffensive guardPenn State
59New York GiantsJohn MistlerWide receiverArizona State University
60New York JetsBen RudolphDefensive tackleLong Beach State University
61St. Louis CardinalsJeff GriffinCornerbackUtah
62Green Bay PackersRay StachowiczQuarterback/PunterMichigan State University
63Los Angeles RamsGreg MeisnerDefensive tackleUniversity of Pittsburgh
64Cincinnati BengalsJohn SimmonsCornerbackSouthern Methodist University
65San Francisco 49ersCarlton WilliamsonSafetyUniversity of Pittsburgh
66Los Angeles RamsRobert CobbDefensive endUniversity of Arizona
67Chicago BearsKen MargerumWide receiverStanford University
68Baltimore ColtsRandy Van DivierOffensive tackleUniversity of Washington
69Washington RedskinsRuss GrimmGuardUniversity of Pittsburgh
70Kansas City ChiefsMarvin HarveyTight endUniversity of Southern Mississippi
71New Orleans SaintsHoby BrennerTight endUniversity of Southern California
72Detroit LionsDon GrecoOffensive guardWestern Illinois University
73Pittsburgh SteelersRick DonnalleyCenterNorth Carolina
74Minnesota VikingsTim IrwinOffensive tackleUniversity of Tennessee
75Kansas City ChiefsRoger TaylorOffensive tackleOklahoma University
76Buffalo BillsMike MosleyWide receiverTexas A & M
77San Diego ChargersIrvin PhillipsCornerbackArkansas Tech University
78Kansas City ChiefsLloyd BurrussSafetyMaryland
79Houston OilersMichael HolstonWide receiverMorgan State University
80Atlanta FalconsScott WoernerDefensive backUniversity of Georgia
81Dallas CowboysGlen TitensorDefensive endBrigham Young University
82Philadelphia EaglesGreg LaFleurTight endLouisiana State University
83Buffalo BillsRobert GeathersDefensive tackleSouth Carolina State University

Round four

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
84Miami DolphinsSam GreeneWide receiverUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
85New York GiantsClifford ChatmanFullbackUniversity of Central Oklahoma
86New York JetsAl WashingtonLinebackerOhio State University
87Seattle SeahawksScott PhillipsWide receiverBrigham Young University
88St. Louis CardinalsSteve RhodesWide receiverOklahoma
89Tampa Bay BuccaneersJohn HoltCornerbackWest Texas University
90Washington RedskinsTom FlickQuarterbackUniversity of Washington
91Dallas CowboysScott PelluerLinebackerWashington State University
92Cleveland BrownsMike RobinsonDefensive endUniversity of Arizona
93Cincinnati BengalsGuy FrazierLinebackerUniversity of Wyoming
94Baltimore ColtsTim SherwinTight endBoston College
95Chicago BearsTodd BellSafetyOhio State University
96Miami DolphinsBrad WrightQuarterbackUniversity of New Mexico
97Kansas City ChiefsRon WashingtonWide receiverArizona State University
98Denver BroncosMark HerrmannQuarterbackPurdue University
99Detroit LionsTracy PorterWide receiverLSU
100Pittsburgh SteelersRobbie MartinWide receiverCal Poly
101Minnesota VikingsJohn SwainCornerbackUniversity of Miami
102New England PatriotsDon BlackmonLinebackerUniversity of Tulsa
103San Diego ChargersAmos LawrenceRunning backUniversity of North Carolina
104Los Angeles RamsGeorge LiljaCenterMichigan
105Green Bay PackersRichard TurnerDefensive tackleOklahoma
106Houston OilersNick EyreOffensive tackleBrigham Young University
107San Diego ChargersEric SieversTight endUniversity of Maryland
108Dallas CowboysDerrie NelsonLinebackerUniversity of Nebraska
109Atlanta FalconsJohn ScullyCenterNotre Dame
110Philadelphia EaglesCalvin MurrayRunning backOhio State University
111Oakland RaidersJohnny RobinsonDefensive tackleSouth Carolina State University

Round five

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
112New Orleans SaintsLouis OubreTackleOklahoma
113New York JetsTyrone KeysDefensive endMississippi State
114Seattle SeahawksEdwin BaileyGuardSouth Carolina State
115New York GiantsBill NeillDefensive tacklePittsburgh
116St. Louis CardinalsJohn GillenLinebackerIllinois
117Green Bay PackersByron BraggsDefensive tackleAlabama
118Oakland RaidersJames DavisDefensive backSouthern
119Washington RedskinsDexter ManleyDefensive endOklahoma State
120Cincinnati BengalsBenjie PryorTight endPittsburgh
121San Francisco 49ersLynn ThomasDefensive backPittsburgh
122San Francisco 49ersArrington JonesRunning backWinston-Salem State
123Minnesota VikingsWendell RayDefensive endMissouri
124Kansas City ChiefsTodd ThomasTackleNorth Dakota
125Denver BroncosKen LanierTackleFlorida State
126Miami DolphinsKen PooleDefensive endN.E. Louisiana
127Pittsburgh SteelersRicky MartinWide receiverNew Mexico
128New Orleans SaintsJerry BoyarskyDefensive tacklePittsburgh
129Detroit LionsLarry LeeGuardUCLA
130New England PatriotsSteve ClarkDefensive tackleKansas State
131San Diego ChargersKeith FergusonLinebackerOhio State
132Washington RedskinsGary SayreGuardCameron
133Houston OilersDelbert FowlerLinebackerWest Virginia
134Cleveland BrownsSteve CoxPunter/KickerArkansas
135Buffalo BillsCalvin ClarkDefensive endPurdue
136Atlanta FalconsEric SandersTackleNevada
137Dallas CowboysDanny SpradlinLinebackerTennessee
138Miami DolphinsTommy VigoritoRunning backVirginia

Round six

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
139New Orleans SaintsNat HudsonGuardGeorgia
140Seattle SeahawksSteve DurhamDefensive endClemson
141San Diego ChargersAndy GissingerTackleSyracuse
142New York JetsJohn WoodringLinebackerBrown
143St. Louis CardinalsDave AhrensLinebackerWisconsin
144New Orleans SaintsJohnnie PoeCornerbackMissouri
145New York GiantsMel HooverWide receiverArizona State
146Cincinnati BengalsRex RobinsonKickerGeorgia
147San Francisco 49ersPete KuglerDefensive tacklePenn State
148Washington RedskinsLarry KubinLinebackerPenn State
149Baltimore ColtsBubba GreenDefensive tackleNorth Carolina State
150Chicago BearsReuben HendersonCornerbackSan Diego State
151Denver BroncosAlvin LewisRunning backColorado State
152Miami DolphinsMack MooreDefensive endTexas A&M
153Kansas City ChiefsDock LuckieDefensive tackleFlorida
154Miami DolphinsFulton WalkerDefensive backWest Virginia
155Detroit LionsSam JohnsonDefensive backMaryland
156Pittsburgh SteelersBryan HinkleLinebackerOregon
157New England PatriotsRon WootenGuardNorth Carolina
158Los Angeles RamsWilliam DanielsDefensive tackleAlabama State
159Houston OilersBill KayDefensive backPurdue
160Cleveland BrownsRon SimmonsDefensive tackleFlorida State
161Buffalo BillsRobert HoltWide receiverBaylor
162San Diego ChargersBobby DuckworthWide receiverArkansas
163Dallas CowboysVince SkillingsDefensive backOhio State
164Atlanta FalconsHarry StanbackDefensive tackleNorth Carolina
165New York GiantsEdward O'NealRunning backTuskegee
166New Orleans SaintsGlen ReddLinebackerBrigham Young

Round seven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
167New Orleans SaintsKevin WilliamsWide receiverUSC
168New York GiantsLouis JacksonRunning backCal Poly
169New York JetsKenny NeilDefensive endIowa State
170Seattle SeahawksRon JohnsonWide receiverLong Beach State
171St. Louis CardinalsKevin DonnalleyDefensive backNorth Dakota State
172Green Bay PackersBill WhitakerDefensive backMissouri
173Dallas CowboysRon FellowsDefensive backMissouri
174Philadelphia EaglesAlan DuncanKickerTennessee
175Los Angeles RamsRon BattleTight endNorth Texas State
176Cincinnati BengalsJeff SchuhLinebackerMinnesota
177Chicago BearsJeff FisherDefensive backUSC
178Baltimore ColtsObed AririKickerClemson
179Miami DolphinsMike DaumTackleCal Poly
180Kansas City ChiefsBilly JacksonRunning backAlabama
181Denver BroncosSteve BusickLinebackerUSC
182Detroit LionsLee SpiveyTackleSouthern Methodist
183Pittsburgh SteelersDavid LittleLinebackerFlorida
184Minnesota VikingsDon ShaverRunning backKutztown
185New England PatriotsKen TolerWide receiverMississippi
186Seattle SeahawksBrad ScovillTight endPenn State
187Cleveland BrownsEddie JohnsonLinebackerLouisville
188Buffalo BillsSteve DoolittleLinebackerColorado
189San Diego ChargersPete HolohanTight endNotre Dame
190Los Angeles RamsMike ClarkDefensive endFlorida
191Dallas CowboysKen MillerDefensive backEastern Michigan
192Philadelphia EaglesDoak FieldLinebackerBaylor
193Houston OilersDon WashingtonDefensive backTexas A&I

Round eight

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
194New England PatriotsKen NaberKickerStanford
195New York JetsLloyd JonesWide receiverBrigham Young
196Seattle SeahawksEric LaneRunning backBrigham Young
197New York GiantsJohn PowersGuardMichigan
198St. Louis CardinalsMike FisherWide receiverBaylor
199Tampa Bay BuccaneersDenver JohnsonTackleTulsa
200Green Bay PackersLarry WertsLinebackerJackson State
201Washington RedskinsCharlie BrownWide receiverSouth Carolina State
202Cincinnati BengalsBobby KempSafetyFullerton State
203San Francisco 49ersGarry WhiteRunning backMinnesota
204Baltimore ColtsKen SittonDefensive backOklahoma
205Chicago BearsScott ZettekDefensive tackleNotre Dame
206Kansas City ChiefsDavid DornWide receiverRutgers
207New York GiantsMark ReedQuarterbackMorehead State
208Miami DolphinsWilliam JudsonCornerbackSouth Carolina State
209Pittsburgh SteelersFrank WilsonRunning backRice
210Minnesota VikingsWade WilsonQuarterbackEast Texas State
211Detroit LionsBob NiziolekTight endColorado
212New England PatriotsLin DawsonTight endNorth Carolina State
213New York JetsJ. C. WattsQuarterbackOklahoma
214New Orleans SaintsGene GladysLinebackerPenn State
215New Orleans SaintsKevin EvansDefensive backArkansas
216Los Angeles RamsArt PlunkettTackleUNLV
217Houston OilersWillie TullisWide receiverTroy State
218Dallas CowboysPaul PiurowskiLinebackerFlorida State
219Atlanta FalconsCliff ToneyDefensive backAuburn
220Baltimore ColtsHosea TaylorDefensive tackleHouston
221New York GiantsBilly ArdGuardWake Forest

Round nine

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
222New Orleans SaintsToussaint TylerRunning backWashington
223Seattle SeahawksJim StoneRunning backNotre Dame
224New York GiantsByron HuntLinebackerSouthern Methodist
225New York JetsAdmiral Dewey LarryDefensive backUNLV
226St. Louis CardinalsStump MitchellRunning backCitadel
227Green Bay PackersTim HuffmanTackleNotre Dame
228Tampa Bay BuccaneersMike FordQuarterbackSouthern Methodist
229Cincinnati BengalsJim HannulaTackleNorthern Illinois
230Cincinnati BengalsSamoa SamoaRunning backWashington State
231Washington RedskinsDarryl GrantGuardRice
232Chicago BearsFrank DittaGuardBaylor
233Baltimore ColtsTim GoochDefensive tackleKentucky
234Denver BroncosRusty OlsenDefensive endWashington
235Miami DolphinsJohn NoonanWide receiverNebraska
236Seattle SeahawksJim WhatleyWide receiverWashington State
237Kansas City ChiefsTony VereenDefensive backSoutheastern Louisiana
238Detroit LionsHugh JerniganDefensive backArkansas
239Pittsburgh SteelersJames HunterTackleUSC
240Detroit LionsDave MartinDefensive backVillanova
241Buffalo BillsRobb RiddickRunning backMillersville
242Los Angeles RamsRon SeawellLinebackerPortland State
243Houston OilersAvon RileyLinebackerUCLA
244Cleveland BrownsRandy SchleusenerGuardNebraska
245Atlanta FalconsCalvin FanceRunning backRice
246Dallas CowboysMike WilsonWide receiverWashington State
247Philadelphia EaglesChuck CommiskeyOffensive linemanMississippi
248Oakland RaidersCurt MohlTackleUCLA

Round ten

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
249New Orleans SaintsHokie GajanRunning backLouisiana State
250New York GiantsMike BarkerDefensive tackleGrambling
251New York JetsMarty WetzelLinebackerTulane
252Seattle SeahawksKen DawsonRunning backSavannah State
253St. Louis CardinalsJames MallardWide receiverAlabama
254Tampa Bay BuccaneersKen McCuneDefensive endTexas
255Green Bay PackersNickie HallQuarterbackTulane
256Baltimore ColtsGregg GerkenLinebackerNorthern Arizona
257Washington RedskinsPhil KesselQuarterbackNorthern Michigan
258Cincinnati BengalsHubert SimpsonRunning backTennessee
259Baltimore ColtsTrent BryantDefensive backArkansas
260Chicago BearsTim CliffordQuarterbackIndiana
261Miami DolphinsSteve FolsomTight endUtah
262Kansas City ChiefsLes StuddardGuardTexas
263St. Louis CardinalsJim JoinerWide receiverMiami
264Detroit LionsAndy CannavinoLinebackerMichigan
265Pittsburgh SteelersMike MayockSafetyBoston College
266Minnesota VikingsJames MurphyWide receiverUtah State
267Washington RedskinsAllan KennedyTackleWashington State
268San Diego ChargersRobert ParhamRunning backGrambling
269Los Angeles RamsRobert AlexanderRunning backWest Virginia
270Houston OilersLarry JonesRunning backColorado State
271Cleveland BrownsDean PraterDefensive endOklahoma State
272Buffalo BillsJustin CrossTackleWestern Colorado
273Dallas CowboysPat GrahamDefensive tackleCalifornia
274Atlanta FalconsRobert MurphyDefensive backOhio State
275Philadelphia EaglesHubie OliverRunning backArizona
276Oakland RaidersFrank HawkinsRunning backNevada

Round eleven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
277New Orleans SaintsLester MickensWide receiverKansas
278New York JetsEd GallDefensive tackleMaryland
279Seattle SeahawksLance OlanderRunning backColorado
280San Diego ChargersMatt PetrzelkaTackleIowa
281St. Louis CardinalsMike SherrodTight endIllinois
282Green Bay PackersForrest ValoraLinebackerOklahoma
283Tampa Bay BuccaneersJohnny Ray SmithDefensive backLamar
284Washington RedskinsJerry HillWide receiverNorth Alabama
285Cincinnati BengalsRobert JacksonDefensive backCentral Michigan
286San Francisco 49ersRob DeBoseTight endUCLA
287Chicago BearsLonnie JohnsonRunning backIndiana
288Baltimore ColtsHolden SmithWide receiverCalifornia
289Kansas City ChiefsFrank CaseDefensive endPenn State
290Denver BroncosPat WalkerWide receiverMiami
291Miami DolphinsJim JensenQuarterbackBoston University
292Pittsburgh SteelersRick TrocanoQuarterbackPittsburgh
293Minnesota VikingsBrent KnourekFullbackOregon State
294Detroit LionsWillie JacksonDefensive backMississippi State
295New England PatriotsBrian BuckleyQuarterbackHarvard
296Los Angeles RamsMarcellus GreeneDefensive backArizona
297Houston OilersClaude MatthewsGuardAuburn
298Cleveland BrownsLarry FridayDefensive backMississippi State
299Buffalo BillsBuster BarnettTight endJackson State
300San Diego ChargersCarlos BradleyLinebackerWake Forest
301Atlanta FalconsKeith ChappelleWide receiverIowa
302Dallas CowboysTim MorrisonGuardGeorgia
303Philadelphia EaglesGail DavisDefensive tackleVirginia Union
304Oakland RaidersChester WillisRunning backAuburn
0New England Patriots Chy DavidsonWide receiverRhode Island

Round twelve

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
305New Orleans SaintsJim WilksDefensive tackleSan Diego State
306Seattle SeahawksJeff BednarekDefensive tacklePacific
307New York GiantsMike MaherTight endWestern Illinois
308New York JetsMike MoellerTackleDrake
309St. Louis CardinalsJoe AdamsGuardNebraska
310Tampa Bay BuccaneersBrad WhiteDefensive tackleTennessee
311Green Bay PackersCliff LewisLinebackerSouthern Mississippi
312Cincinnati BengalsMark O'ConnellQuarterbackBall State
313San Francisco 49ersMajor OgilvieRunning backAlabama
314Washington RedskinsClint DidierTight endPortland State
315Baltimore ColtsEric ScogginsLinebackerUSC
316Chicago BearsBob ShuprytLinebackerNew Mexico
317Denver BroncosJohn HankerdLinebackerNotre Dame
318Miami DolphinsJohn AlfordDefensive tackleSouth Carolina State
319Kansas City ChiefsBob GaglianoQuarterbackUtah State
320Minnesota VikingsBrian WilliamsTight endSouthern
321Denver BroncosMandel RobinsonRunning backWyoming
322San Francisco 49ersJoe AdamsQuarterbackTennessee State
323New England PatriotsCris CrissyDefensive backPrinceton
324Houston OilersBill CapeceKickerFlorida State
325Cleveland BrownsKevin McGillTackleOregon
326Buffalo BillsKeith ClarkLinebackerMemphis State
327San Diego ChargersStacy CharlesWide receiverBethune-Cookman
328Los Angeles RamsJairo PenarandaRunning backUCLA
329Dallas CowboysNate LundyWide receiverIndiana
330Atlanta FalconsMark McCantsDefensive backTemple
331Philadelphia EaglesRay EllisDefensive backOhio State
332Oakland RaidersPhil NelsonTight endDelaware

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