LB · pick 26 — first ever linebacker at #26 (1976)

LB·pick 26

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #26

Kevin McLain

Drafted by LAR · Colorado State

1976

LBs drafted at #26 in NFL history

most recent: Jermaine Johnson II (NYJ, 2022)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1975, the model gave a linebacker at #26 a 13.8% chance in 1976.

Linebacker at #26, 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: 21.0% · 2027 model: 7.0%

Surrounding picks · 1976 draft

#21STim FoxNE
#22DTMike DawsonARI
#23OTMark KoncarGB
#24RBArchie GriffinCIN
#25DTJames WhiteMIN
#27CBAaron KyleDAL
#28TEBennie CunninghamPIT
#29LBSammy GreenSEA
#30RBJimmy DuBoseTB
#31OGDon MacekLAC

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 6 picks

2022Jermaine Johnson IINYJ — GM Joe Douglas · Florida St.
2014Marcus SmithPHI — GM Howie Roseman · Louisville
2009Clay MatthewsGB — GM Ted Thompson · USC
1996Ray LewisBAL — GM Ozzie Newsome · Miami (FL)
1980George CumbyGB — GM Bart Starr · Oklahoma
1978John AndersonGB · Michigan

→ see this cell on the full chart