CB · pick 40 — first ever cornerback at #40 (1979)

CB·pick 40

FIRST CB EVER DRAFTED AT #40

Lawrence Johnson

Drafted by CLE · Wisconsin

1979

CBs drafted at #40 in NFL history

most recent: Cooper DeJean (PHI, 2024)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1978, the model gave a cornerback at #40 a 7.7% chance in 1979.

Cornerback at #40, year by year

Each year's estimate uses only that year's draft and the years before it — no peeking ahead. The line smooths across neighboring picks and seasons so a single oddball draft doesn't dominate. The shaded band is the model's 90% uncertainty range.

Peak: 21.9% · 2027 model: 15.7%

Surrounding picks · 1979 draft

#35RBTheotis BrownARI
#36WREarnest GrayNYG
#37LBKen FantettiDET
#38LBReggie MathisNO
#39WRRickey WattsCHI
#41DEMark GastineauNYJ
#42DEWillie JonesLV
#43CDave HuffmanMIN
#44RBSteve AtkinsGB
#45LBJoe NormanSEA

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2024Cooper DeJeanPHI — GM Howie Roseman · Iowa
2019Trayvon MullenLV — GM Mike Mayock · Clemson
2008Tracy PorterNO — GM Mickey Loomis · Indiana
2001Ken LucasSEA — GM Mike Holmgren · Mississippi
1997Dexter McCleonLAR — GM John Shaw / Jay Zygmunt · Clemson
1984Victor ScottDAL — GM Tex Schramm · Colorado
1981Eric WrightSF — GM John McVay · Missouri

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