LB · pick 36 — first ever linebacker at #36 (1978)

LB·pick 36

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #36

Keith Butler

Drafted by SEA · Memphis State

1978

LBs drafted at #36 in NFL history

most recent: Shaquille Leonard (IND, 2018)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1977, the model gave a linebacker at #36 a 12.9% chance in 1978.

Linebacker at #36, 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: 22.1% · 2027 model: 7.4%

Surrounding picks · 1978 draft

#31LBMark MerrillNYJ
#32DEDee HardisonBUF
#33OTJames TaylorNO
#34LBMike HuntGB
#35CBRay GriffinCIN
#37CBOdis McKinneyNYG
#38DEScott HutchinsonBUF
#39STJohnny EvansCLE
#40DEAl BakerDET
#41OTMilton HardawayLAC

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 8 picks

2018Shaquille LeonardIND — GM Chris Ballard · South Carolina St.
2016Myles JackJAX — GM David Caldwell · UCLA
2005Barrett RuudTB — GM Bruce Allen · Nebraska
1999Mike PetersonIND — GM Bill Polian · Florida
1989John RoperCHI — GM Bill Tobin · Texas A&M
1984Thomas BensonATL — GM Tom Braatz · Oklahoma
1983Mike WilcherLAR — GM Don Klosterman · North Carolina
1980Buddy CurryATL — GM Eddie LeBaron · North Carolina

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