DE · pick 51 — first ever defensive end at #51 (1972)

DE·pick 51

FIRST DE EVER DRAFTED AT #51

Sims, LesterLester Sims

Drafted by CLE · Alabama State

1972

DEs drafted at #51 in NFL history

most recent: Nic Scourton (CAR, 2025)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1971, the model gave a defensive end at #51 a 7.7% chance in 1972.

Defensive end at #51, 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: 16.3% · 2027 model: 11.6%

Surrounding picks · 1972 draft

#46SJack MildrenIND
#47WRGlenn DoughtyIND
#48RBLydell MitchellIND
#49WRTom ReynoldsNE
#50RBEd MarinaroMIN
#52WRCharles McKeeDAL
#53DESwendson, FredFred SwendsonBUF
#54DEJim LeClairCIN
#55DTJohn MendenhallNYG
#56RBLewis JolleyTEN

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 10 picks

2025Nic ScourtonCAR — GM Dan Morgan · Texas A&M
2017DeMarcus WalkerDEN — GM John Elway · Florida St.
2015Nate OrchardCLE — GM Ray Farmer · Utah
2011Da'Quan BowersTB — GM Mark Dominik · Clemson
2001Paul ToviessiDEN — GM Mike Shanahan · Marshall
1992Chuck SmithATL — GM Ken Herock · Tennessee
1990Mike FoxNYG — GM George Young · West Virginia
1984Sean JonesLV — GM Al Davis · Northeastern
1975Bob BarberPIT · Grambling State
1973Steve BaumgartnerNO · Purdue

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