DE · pick 123 — first ever defensive end at #123 (1978)

DE·pick 123

FIRST DE EVER DRAFTED AT #123

Dan Gray

Drafted by DET · Rutgers

1978

DEs drafted at #123 in NFL history

most recent: Jack Sawyer (PIT, 2025)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1977, the model gave a defensive end at #123 a 6.7% chance in 1978.

Defensive end at #123, 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: 12.7% · 2027 model: 7.7%

Surrounding picks · 1978 draft

#118DTCarey, DwightDwight CareyKC
#119OTLouis BullardSEA
#120CBTerry JacksonNYG
#121OGAmos FowlerDET
#122WRKeith WrightCLE
#124RBEarl CarrARI
#125WRDennis PearsonATL
#126LBTom DinkelCIN
#127DTArchie ReeseSF
#128RBWilder, WillieWillie WilderGB

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 2 picks

2025Jack SawyerPIT — GM Omar Khan · Ohio St.
1981Wendell RayMIN — GM Mike Lynn · Missouri

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