1988 NFL Draft


The 1988 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 24–25, 1988, at the Marriot Marquis in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
Notably, the first player selected at the quarterback position did not come until the third round with Tom Tupa, who was also selected because of his ability as a punter. This is the last draft in which the first quarterback was selected this late. In fact, only one draft since – 1996has gone without a quarterback being drafted in the first round.

Player selections

Round one

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
1Atlanta FalconsAundray BruceLinebackerAuburn
2Kansas City ChiefsNeil SmithDefensive endNebraska
3Detroit LionsBennie BladesSafetyMiami, FL
4Tampa Bay BuccaneersPaul GruberOffensive tackleWisconsin
5Cincinnati BengalsRickey DixonCornerbackOklahoma
6Los Angeles RaidersTim BrownWide receiverNotre Dame
7Green Bay PackersSterling SharpeWide receiverSouth Carolina
8New York JetsDave CadiganOffensive guardSouthern California
9Los Angeles RaidersTerry McDanielCornerbackTennessee
10New York GiantsEric MooreOffensive guardIndiana
11Dallas CowboysMichael IrvinWide receiverMiami, FL
12Phoenix CardinalsKen HarveyOutside linebackerCalifornia
13Philadelphia EaglesKeith JacksonTight endOklahoma
14Los Angeles RamsGaston GreenRunning backUCLA
15San Diego ChargersAnthony MillerWide receiverTennessee
16Miami DolphinsEric KumerowOutside linebackerOhio State
17New England PatriotsJohn StephensRunning backNorthwestern State
18Pittsburgh SteelersAaron JonesDefensive endEastern Kentucky
19Minnesota VikingsRandall McDanielOffensive guardArizona State
20Los Angeles RamsAaron CoxWide receiverArizona State
21Cleveland BrownsClifford CharltonOutside linebackerFlorida
22Houston OilersLorenzo WhiteRunning backMichigan State
23Chicago BearsBrad MusterFullbackStanford
24New Orleans SaintsCraig HeywardFullbackPittsburgh
25Los Angeles RaidersScott DavisDefensive endIllinois
26Denver BroncosTed GregoryNose tackleSyracuse
27Chicago BearsWendell DavisWide receiverLSU

Round two

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
28Atlanta FalconsMarcus CottonOutside linebackerSouthern California
29Detroit LionsChris SpielmanInside linebackerOhio State
30Philadelphia EaglesEric AllenCornerbackArizona State
31Cincinnati BengalsIckey WoodsRunning backUNLV
32Detroit LionsPat CarterTight endFlorida State
33San Francisco 49ersDanny StubbsOutside linebackerMiami, FL
34Green Bay PackersShawn PattersonDefensive endArizona State
35Los Angeles RamsAnthony NewmanSafetyOregon
36New York GiantsJohn ElliottTackleMichigan
37New York JetsTerry WilliamsCornerbackBethune-Cookman
38Phoenix CardinalsTony JefferyRunning backTexas Christian
39San Francisco 49ersPierce HoltDefensive tackleAngelo State
40Buffalo BillsThurman ThomasRunning backOklahoma State
41Dallas CowboysKen Norton Jr.Middle linebackerUCLA
42Miami DolphinsJarvis WilliamsSafetyFlorida
43New England PatriotsVincent BrownInside linebackerMississippi Valley
44Pittsburgh SteelersDermontti DawsonCenterKentucky
45Denver BroncosGerald PerryTackleSouthern University
46Los Angeles RamsWillie "Flipper" AndersonWide receiverUCLA
47Los Angeles RamsFred StricklandOutside linebackerPurdue
48Houston OilersQuintin JonesCornerbackPittsburgh
49Seattle SeahawksBrian BladesWide receiverMiami, FL
50Cleveland BrownsMichael Dean PerryDefensive tackleClemson
51Chicago BearsDante JonesMiddle linebackerOklahoma
52New Orleans SaintsBrett PerrimanWide receiverMiami, FL
53Tampa Bay BuccaneersLars TateRunning backGeorgia
54Minnesota VikingsBrad EdwardsSafetySouth Carolina
55Washington RedskinsChip LohmillerKickerMinnesota

Round three

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
56Atlanta FalconsAlex HigdonTight endOhio State
56*Tampa Bay BuccaneersDan SileoDefensive tackleMiami, FL
57Cincinnati BengalsKevin WalkerInside linebackerMaryland
58Detroit LionsRay RoundtreeWide receiverPenn State
59Kansas City ChiefsKevin PorterSafetyAuburn
60San Diego ChargersQuinn EarlyWide receiverIowa
61Green Bay PackersKeith WoodsideRunning backTexas A&M
62New York GiantsSheldon WhiteCornerbackMiami
63New York JetsErik McMillanSafetyMissouri
64Philadelphia EaglesMatt PatchanTackleMiami, FL
65Buffalo BillsBernard FordWide receiverCentral Florida
66Washington RedskinsMike OliphantRunning backPuget Sound
67Dallas CowboysMark HutsonGuardOklahoma
68Phoenix CardinalsTom TupaQuarterback/punterOhio State
69New England PatriotsTom RehderTackleNotre Dame
70Pittsburgh SteelersChuck LanzaCenterNotre Dame
71Minnesota VikingsAl NogaDefensive endHawaii
72Houston OilersGreg MontgomeryPunterMichigan State
73Miami DolphinsFerrell EdmundsTight endMaryland
74New York JetsJames HastyCornerbackWashington State
75Seattle SeahawksTommy KaneWide receiverSyracuse
76Indianapolis ColtsChris ChandlerQuarterbackWashington
77Cleveland BrownsVan WaitersOutside linebackerIndiana
78Chicago BearsRalph JarvisDefensive endTemple
79Denver BroncosKevin GuidryCornerbackLouisiana State
80San Francisco 49ersBill RomanowskiOutside linebackerBoston College
81New Orleans SaintsTony StephensNose tackleClemson
82Los Angeles RamsMike PielDefensive endIllinois

Round four

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
83Tampa Bay BuccaneersRobert GoffDefensive endAuburn
84Cincinnati BengalsDavid GrantDefensive endWest Virginia
85Detroit LionsWilliam WhiteSafetyOhio State
86Tampa Bay BuccaneersJohn BruhinGuardTennessee
87New England PatriotsTim GoadNose tackleNorth Carolina
88Green Bay PackersRollin PutzierNose tackleOregon
89Green Bay PackersChuck CecilSafetyArizona
90Los Angeles RaidersTim RotherTackleNebraska
91San Diego ChargersJoe CampbellOutside linebackerNew Mexico State
92New York GiantsRicky ShawOutside linebackerOklahoma State
93San Diego ChargersStacy SearelsTackleAuburn
94Dallas CowboysDave WidellGuardBoston College
95Phoenix CardinalsMichael BrimCornerbackVirginia Union
96Kansas CityJ. R. AmbroseWide receiverMississippi
97New England PatriotsSammy MartinWide receiverLouisiana State
98San Diego ChargersDavid RichardsGuardUCLA
99Miami DolphinsGreg JohnsonGuardOklahoma
100New England PatriotsTeddy GarciaKickerLouisiana–Monroe
101Seattle SeahawksKevin HarmonRunning backIowa
102San Francisco 49ersBarry HeltonPunterColorado
103Cleveland BrownsAnthony BlaylockCornerbackWinston-Salem
104Indianapolis ColtsMichael BallCornerbackSouthern
105Chicago BearsJim ThorntonTight endCal State-Fullerton
106New Orleans SaintsLydell CarrRunning backOklahoma
107Tampa Bay BuccaneersMonte RobbinsPunterMichigan
108Minnesota VikingsTodd KalisGuardArizona State
109Washington RedskinsJamie MorrisRunning backMichigan

Round five

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
110Atlanta FalconsCharles DimryCornerbackNevada-Las Vegas
111Detroit LionsEric AndolsekGuardLouisiana State
112New Orleans SaintsGreg ScalesTight endWake Forest
113Tampa Bay BuccaneersWilliam HowardRunning backTennessee
114Cincinnati BengalsHerb WesterTackleIowa
115New England PatriotsTroy WolkowGuardMinnesota
116Green Bay PackersDarrell ReedLinebackerOklahoma
117Los Angeles RamsRobert DelpinoRunning backMissouri
118New York GiantsJon CarterDefensive endPittsburgh
119New York JetsMike WithycombeGuardFresno State
120Phoenix CardinalsChris GainesLinebackerVanderbilt
121Pittsburgh SteelersDarin JordanInside linebackerNortheastern
122Philadelphia EaglesEric EverettCornerbackTexas Tech
123Buffalo BillsEzekial GadsonDefensive backPittsburgh
124Minnesota VikingsDarrell FullingtonSafetyMiami, FL
125Houston OilersCris DishmanCornerbackPurdue
126Miami DolphinsRodney ThomasCornerbackBrigham Young
127Washington RedskinsCarl MimsDefensive backSam Houston State
128Pittsburgh SteelersJerry ReeseDefensive endKentucky
129Indianapolis ColtsJohn BaylorDefensive backSouthern Mississippi
130Houston OilersChris VerhulstTight endCal State-Chico
131Los Angeles RaidersDennis PriceCornerbackUCLA
132Phoenix CardinalsTony JordanRunning backKansas State
133Chicago BearsTroy JohnsonOutside linebackerOklahoma
134New Orleans SaintsKeith TaylorDefensive backIllinois
135Buffalo BillsKirk RoachKickerWestern Carolina
136Denver BroncosCorris ErvinDefensive backCentral Florida
137Los Angeles RamsJames WashingtonDefensive backUCLA
0Minnesota VikingsRyan BetheaDefensive backSouth Carolina

Round six

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
138Atlanta FalconsGeorge ThomasWide receiverNevada-Las Vegas
139Kansas City ChiefsJames SaxonRunning backSan Jose State
140Atlanta FalconsHouston HooverGuardJackson State
141Cincinnati BengalsPaul JettonCenterTexas
142Detroit LionsCarl PainterRunning backHampton
143Los Angeles RaidersErwin GrabisnaLinebackerCase Western Reserve
144Green Bay PackersNate HillDefensive endAuburn
145New York GiantsDavid HouleGuardMichigan State
146New York JetsPaul FraseDefensive tackleSyracuse
147Los Angeles RamsKeith JonesRunning backNebraska
148Phoenix CardinalsJon PhillipsGuardOklahoma
149Philadelphia EaglesDon McPhersonQuarterbackSyracuse
150Buffalo BillsDan MurrayOutside linebackerE. Stroudsburg, Pa.
151Dallas CowboysScott SeculesQuarterbackVirginia
152San Diego ChargersCedric FigaroMiddle linebackerNotre Dame
154New England PatriotsSteve JohnsonTight endVirginia Tech
155Pittsburgh SteelersWarren WilliamsRunning backMiami, FL
156Miami DolphinsGeorge CooperRunning backOhio State
157Houston OilersKurt CrainLinebackerAuburn
158Seattle SeahawksRoy HartNose tackleSouth Carolina
159Washington RedskinsStan HumphriesQuarterbackLouisiana-Monroe
160Philadelphia EaglesRob SterlingDefensive backMaine
161Chicago BearsLemuel StinsonCornerbackTexas Tech
162New Orleans SaintsBob SimsGuardFlorida
163Tampa Bay BuccaneersShawn LeeDefensive tackleNorth Alabama
164Minnesota VikingsDerrick WhiteDefensive backOklahoma
165Los Angeles RamsJeff KnaptonDefensive tackleWyoming

Round seven

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
166Atlanta FalconsMichael HaynesWide receiverNorthern Arizona
167Tampa Bay BuccaneersKerry GoodeRunning backAlabama
168Cincinnati BengalsRich RomerOutside linebackerUnion, New York
169Detroit LionsJeff JamesWide receiverStanford
170Kansas City ChiefsTroy StedmanLinebackerWashburn
171Los Angeles RaidersDerrick CrudupSafetyOklahoma
172New York JetsGary PattonRunning backEastern Michigan
173Green Bay PackersGary RichardDefensive backPittsburgh
174Denver BroncosPat KellyTight endSyracuse
175New York GiantsMike PerezQuarterbackSan Jose State
176Philadelphia EaglesTodd WhiteWide receiverCal State-Fullerton
177Buffalo BillsTim BorckyTackleMemphis
178Dallas CowboysOwen HoovenTackleOregon State
179Phoenix CardinalsErnie JonesWide receiverIndiana
180Miami DolphinsKerwin BellQuarterbackFlorida
181New England PatriotsDarryl UsherWide receiverIllinois
182Pittsburgh SteelersMarc ZenoWide receiverTulane
183Minnesota VikingsBrad BeckmanTight endNebraska-Omaha
184Buffalo BillsBo WrightRunning backAlabama
185Seattle SeahawksRay JacksonDefensive backOhio State
186New York GiantsDanta WhitakerTight endMississippi Valley
187Houston OilersTracey EatonSafetyPortland State
188Cleveland BrownsThane GashDefensive backEast Tennessee State
189Chicago BearsCaesar RentieTackleOklahoma
190New Orleans SaintsBrian FordeOutside linebackerWashington State
191San Francisco 49ersKevin BryantLinebackerDelaware State
192Denver BroncosGarry FrankGuardMississippi State
193Washington RedskinsHarold HicksDefensive backSan Diego State

Round eight

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
194Atlanta FalconsPhillip BrownLinebackerAlabama
195Cincinnati BengalsCurtis MaxeyDefensive tackleGrambling
196Detroit LionsGary HaddDefensive tackleMinnesota
197Kansas City ChiefsAlfredo RobertsTight endMiami, FL
198Tampa Bay BuccaneersAnthony SimpsonRunning backEast Carolina
199Los Angeles RaidersMike AlexanderWide receiverPenn State
200Green Bay PackersPatrick CollinsRunning backOklahoma
201Los Angeles RamsDarryl FranklinWide receiverWashington
202New York GiantsSammy LillyCornerbackGeorgia Tech
203New York JetsKeith NeubertTight endNebraska
204Buffalo BillsJohn HagySafetyTexas
205Dallas CowboysMark HiggsRunning backKentucky
206Phoenix CardinalsTim MooreLinebackerMichigan State
207Philadelphia EaglesDavid SmithRunning backWestern Kentucky
208Chicago BearsDavid TateDefensive backColorado
209Pittsburgh SteelersMark NicholsNose tackleMichigan State
210Minnesota VikingsJoe CainOutside linebackerOregon Tech
211Pittsburgh SteelersMike HinnantTight endTemple
212Miami DolphinsHarry GalbreathGuardTennessee
213Buffalo BillsJeff WrightNose tackleCentral Missouri
214Houston OilersDavid ViaeneTackleMinnesota-Duluth
215Seattle SeahawksRobert TylerTight endSouth Carolina State
216Cleveland BrownsJ. J. BirdenWide receiverOregon
217Chicago BearsHarvey ReedRunning backHoward
218New Orleans SaintsGlenn DerbyGuardWisconsin
219San Francisco 49ersLarry ClarksonTackleMontana
220Miami DolphinsLouis CheekTackleTexas A&M
221Washington RedskinsDarryl McGillRunning backWake Forest

Round nine

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
222Atlanta FalconsJames PrimusRunning backUCLA
223Detroit LionsKip CorringtonSafetyTexas A&M
224Kansas City ChiefsAzizuddin Abdur-Ra'OofWide receiverMaryland
225Tampa Bay BuccaneersReuben DavisDefensive endNorth Carolina
226Cincinnati BengalsBrandy WellsDefensive backNotre Dame
227Los Angeles RaidersReggie WareRunning backAuburn
228Green Bay PackersNeal WilkinsonTight endJames Madison
229Los Angeles RaidersScott TaborPunterCalifornia
230New York JetsRalph TammGuardWest Chester
231Los Angeles RamsPat FosterDefensive tackleMontana
232Dallas CowboysBrian BedfordWide receiverCalifornia
233Phoenix CardinalsScott DillTackleMemphis
234Detroit LionsTodd IrvinTackleMississippi
235Buffalo BillsCarlton BaileyInside linebackerNorth Carolina
236Pittsburgh SteelersGordon LockbaumRunning backHoly Cross
237Minnesota VikingsPaul McGowanLinebackerFlorida State
238San Diego ChargersJoey HowardTackleTennessee
239Miami DolphinsJeff CrossDefensive endMissouri
240New England PatriotsNeil GalbraithDefensive backCentral Oklahoma
241Houston OilersDavid SpradlinLinebackerTexas Christian
242Seattle SeahawksDeatrich WiseNose tackleJackson State
243Indianapolis ColtsJeff HerrodOutside linebackerMississippi
244Cleveland BrownsDanny CopelandDefensive backEastern Kentucky
245Chicago BearsRogie MageeWide receiverLouisiana State
246New Orleans SaintsClarence NunnDefensive backSan Diego State
247San Francisco 49ersBrian BonnerLinebackerMinnesota
248Denver BroncosMel Farr Jr.Running backUCLA
249Washington RedskinsBlake PetersonLinebackerMesa State

Round ten

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
250Atlanta FalconsStan ClaytonGuardPenn State
251Kansas City ChiefsKenny GambleRunning backColgate
252Pittsburgh SteelersJohn JacksonTackleEastern Kentucky
253Cincinnati BengalsEllis DillahuntDefensive backEast Carolina
254Detroit LionsPaco CraigWide receiverUCLA
255Los Angeles RaidersNewt HarrellTackleWest Texas A&M
256Green Bay PackersBud KeyesQuarterbackWisconsin
257New York JetsJohn BootyDefensive backTexas Christian
258Los Angeles RamsR. C. MullinTackleLouisiana-Lafayette
259New York GiantsEric HickersonDefensive backIndiana
260Phoenix CardinalsAndy SchillingerWide receiverMiami
261Philadelphia EaglesJoe SchusterDefensive tackleIowa
262Buffalo BillsMartin MayhewCornerbackFlorida State
263Dallas CowboysBilly OwensDefensive backPittsburgh
264Minnesota VikingsBrian HabibGuardWashington
265New York GiantsSteve WilkesTight endAppalachian State
266Miami DolphinsArtis JacksonNose tackleTexas Tech
267New England PatriotsRodney LossowCenterWisconsin
268Denver BroncosChanning WilliamsRunning backArizona State
269Seattle SeahawksDerwin JonesDefensive endMiami, FL
270Indianapolis ColtsO'Brien AlstonOutside linebackerMaryland
271Houston OilersMarco JohnsonWide receiverHawaii
272Cleveland BrownsBrian WashingtonDefensive backNebraska
273Chicago BearsJoel PorterGuardBaylor
274New Orleans SaintsTodd SantosQuarterbackSan Diego State
275San Francisco 49ersTim FoleyKickerGeorgia Southern
276New Orleans SaintsVincent FizerLinebackerSouthern U.
277Washington RedskinsHenry BrownDefensive endOhio State

Round eleven

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
278Atlanta FalconsJames MillingWide receiverMaryland
279Tampa Bay BuccaneersFrank PillowWide receiverTennessee State
280Cincinnati BengalsPaul HickertKickerMurray State
281Detroit LionsDanny McCoinQuarterbackCincinnati
282Kansas City ChiefsDanny McManusQuarterbackFlorida State
283Los Angeles RaidersDavid WeberQuarterbackCarroll, Wis.
284Seattle SeahawksRick McLeodTackleWashington
285San Diego ChargersEd MillerCenterPittsburgh
286New York GiantsGreg HarrisWide receiverTroy State
287New York JetsJohn GalvinMiddle linebackerBoston College
288Philadelphia EaglesIzel JenkinsCornerbackNorth Carolina State
289Buffalo BillsPete CurkendallNose tacklePenn State
290Dallas CowboysChad HenningsDefensive tackleAir Force
291Phoenix CardinalsKeith McCoyDefensive backFresno State
292Miami DolphinsTom KelleherRunning backHoly Cross
293San Diego ChargersGeorge HinkleDefensive endArizona
294New England PatriotsMarvin AllenRunning backTulane
295Pittsburgh SteelersBobby DawsonDefensive backIllinois
296Minnesota VikingsNorman FloydDefensive backSouth Carolina
297Indianapolis ColtsDonnie DeeTight endTulsa
298Houston OilersJethro FranklinDefensive endFresno State
299Seattle SeahawksDwayne HarperCornerbackSouth Carolina State
300Cleveland BrownsHendley HawkinsWide receiverNebraska
301Chicago BearsSteve ForchLinebackerNebraska
302New Orleans SaintsGary CouchWide receiverMinnesota
303San Francisco 49ersChet BrooksSafetyTexas A&M
304Denver BroncosShaun GradyRunning backDuke
305Washington RedskinsCurt KochDefensive endColorado

Round twelve

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
306Atlanta FalconsCarter WileyDefensive backVirginia Tech
307Cincinnati BengalsCarl ParkerWide receiverVanderbilt
308Indianapolis ColtsAatron KenneyWide receiverWis. Stevens Point
309Buffalo BillsJohn DriscollTackleNew Hampshire
310Tampa Bay BuccaneersVictor JonesInside linebackerVirginia Tech
311Los Angeles RaidersGreg KunkelGuardKentucky
312Green Bay PackersScott BoltonWide receiverAuburn
313New York GiantsDavid FutrellNose tackleBrigham Young
314New York JetsAlbert GossNose tackleJackson State
315Washington RedskinsWayne RossPunterSan Diego State
316Buffalo BillsTom ErlandsonLinebackerWashington
317Dallas CowboysBen HummelLinebackerUCLA
318Phoenix CardinalsChris CarrierDefensive backLouisiana State
319Philadelphia EaglesSteve KaufusiDefensive endBrigham Young
320Miami DolphinsBrian KinchenTight endLouisiana State
321New England PatriotsDave NugentNose tackleBoston College
322Pittsburgh SteelersJames EarleLinebackerClemson
323New York GiantsBrendan McCormackDefensive tackleSouth Carolina
324San Diego ChargersWendell PhillipsDefensive backNorth Alabama
325Houston OilersJohn BrantleyInside linebackerGeorgia
326Seattle SeahawksDave DesRochersTackleSan Diego State
327Indianapolis ColtsTim VeslingKickerSyracuse
328Cleveland BrownsSteve SlaydenQuarterbackDuke
329Chicago BearsGreg ClarkInside linebackerArizona State
330New Orleans SaintsPaul JurgensenDefensive endGeorgia Tech
331San Francisco 49ersGeorge MiraLinebackerMiami, FL
332Denver BroncosMichael RhyanQuarterbackCal State Fullerton
333Los Angeles RamsJeff BeathardWide receiverSouthern Oregon

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