CB · pick 45 — first ever cornerback at #45 (1972)

CB·pick 45

FIRST CB EVER DRAFTED AT #45

Clifford Brooks

Drafted by CLE · Tennessee State

1972

CBs drafted at #45 in NFL history

most recent: Brian Branch (DET, 2023)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1971, the model gave a cornerback at #45 a 9.4% chance in 1972.

Cornerback at #45, 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: 21.8% · 2027 model: 15.9%

Surrounding picks · 1972 draft

#40QBPat SullivanATL
#41OTSteve OkoniewskiATL
#42DTRosie ManningATL
#43OTJohn VellaLV
#44OTJean BarrettSF
#46SJack MildrenIND
#47WRGlenn DoughtyIND
#48RBLydell MitchellIND
#49WRTom ReynoldsNE
#50RBEd MarinaroMIN

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 5 picks

2023Brian BranchDET — GM Brad Holmes · Alabama
2019Joejuan WilliamsNE — GM Bill Belichick · Vanderbilt
2018Josh JacksonGB — GM Brian Gutekunst · Iowa
2001Fred SmootWAS — GM Vinny Cerrato · Mississippi St.
1998Brian KellyTB — GM Rich McKay · USC

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