DE · pick 44 — first ever defensive end at #44 (1968)

DE·pick 44

FIRST DE EVER DRAFTED AT #44

Steve Thompson

Drafted by NYJ · Washington

1968

DEs drafted at #44 in NFL history

most recent: Derrick Moore (DET, 2026)

How rare was this draftigami?

No rarity score — the model compares each pick to its predictions for earlier seasons, and drafts from 1967–1969 sit before that runway is long enough.

Defensive end at #44, 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: 16.7% · 2027 model: 11.8%

Surrounding picks · 1968 draft

#39RBCyril PinderPHI
#40WRFred HyattARI
#41OTRich BuzinNYG
#42SBob AtkinsARI
#43CBill LenkaitisLAC
#45WRDave McDanielsDAL
#46WRBob WallaceCHI
#47LBJohn GarlingtonCLE
#48QBMike LivingstonKC
#49WRMac HaikTEN

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 4 picks

2026Derrick MooreDET · Michigan
2025Donovan EzeiruakuDAL — GM Jerry Jones · Boston Col.
2016Jihad WardLV — GM Reggie McKenzie · Illinois
2010Lamarr HoustonLV — GM Al Davis era · Texas

→ see this cell on the full chart