LB · pick 43 — first ever linebacker at #43 (1978)

LB·pick 43

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #43

Steve Stewart

Drafted by ATL · Minnesota

1978

LBs drafted at #43 in NFL history

most recent: Jacob Rodriguez (MIA, 2026)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1977, the model gave a linebacker at #43 a 12.7% chance in 1978.

Linebacker at #43, 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: 7.8%

Surrounding picks · 1978 draft

#38DEScott HutchinsonBUF
#39STJohnny EvansCLE
#40DEAl BakerDET
#41OTMilton HardawayLAC
#42LBJohn BarefieldARI
#44OGBrett MoritzTB
#45RBDave TurnerCIN
#46DTJohnson, StanStan JohnsonLAR
#47OGWalt DowningSF
#48CBJohn TurnerMIN

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 11 picks

2026Jacob RodriguezMIA · Texas Tech
2019Jahlani TavaiDET — GM Bob Quinn · Hawaii
2015Benardrick McKinneyHOU — GM Rick Smith · Mississippi St.
2010Sergio KindleBAL — GM Ozzie Newsome · Texas
2003Pisa TinoisamoaLAR — GM Charley Armey · Hawaii
1988Vincent BrownNE — GM Patrick Sullivan · Miss. Valley St.
1987Rick GrafMIA — GM Don Shula · Wisconsin
1985Carl ZanderCIN — GM Mike Brown / Duke Tobin · Tennessee
1984Ed WilliamsNE — GM Patrick Sullivan · Texas
1981Jim CollinsLAR — GM Don Klosterman · Syracuse
1980Matt MillenLV — GM Al Davis · Penn St.

→ see this cell on the full chart