LB · pick 2 — first ever linebacker at #2 (1981)

LB·pick 2

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #2

Lawrence Taylor

Drafted by NYG — GM George Young · North Carolina

1981

LBs drafted at #2 in NFL history

most recent: David Bailey (NYJ, 2026)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1980, the model gave a linebacker at #2 a 5.4% chance in 1981.

Linebacker at #2, 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: 31.8% · 2027 model: 3.2%

Surrounding picks · 1981 draft

#1RBGeorge RogersNO — GM Ken Meyer/staff
#3RBFreeman McNeilNYJ — GM Jim Kensil
#4SKenny EasleySEA — GM John Thompson
#5LBE.J. JuniorARI — GM Bill Bidwill
#6QBRich CampbellGB — GM Bart Starr
#7LBHugh GreenTB — GM Phil Krueger

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2026David BaileyNYJ · Texas Tech
2011Von MillerDEN — GM John Elway · Texas A&M
2000LaVar ArringtonWAS — GM Vinny Cerrato · Penn St.
1996Kevin HardyJAX — GM Tom Coughlin · Illinois
1992Quentin CoryattIND — GM Jim Irsay/staff · Texas A&M
1987Cornelius BennettIND — GM Jim Irsay/staff · Alabama
1982Johnie CooksIND — GM Ernie Accorsi · Mississippi St.

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