DE · pick 54 — first ever defensive end at #54 (1972)

DE·pick 54

FIRST DE EVER DRAFTED AT #54

Jim LeClair

Drafted by CIN · North Dakota

1972

DEs drafted at #54 in NFL history

most recent: A.J. Epenesa (BUF, 2020)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1971, the model gave a defensive end at #54 a 7.6% chance in 1972.

Defensive end at #54, 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: 16.1% · 2027 model: 11.4%

Surrounding picks · 1972 draft

#49WRTom ReynoldsNE
#50RBEd MarinaroMIN
#51DESims, LesterLester SimsCLE
#52WRCharles McKeeDAL
#53DESwendson, FredFred SwendsonBUF
#55DTJohn MendenhallNYG
#56RBLewis JolleyTEN
#57DETom BeckmanARI
#58LBPhillips, BillBill PhillipsDEN
#59OTBart BuetowMIN

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 6 picks

2020A.J. EpenesaBUF — GM Brandon Beane · Iowa
2010Carlos DunlapCIN — GM Mike Brown / Duke Tobin · Florida
2008Jason JonesTEN — GM Mike Reinfeldt · Eastern Michigan
1991Phil HansenBUF — GM Bill Polian · North Dakota St.
1980Cleveland CrosbyCLE — GM Art Modell/staff · Arizona
1978Dave BrowningLV · Washington

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