LB · pick 45 — first ever linebacker at #45 (1971)

LB·pick 45

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #45

Phil Villapiano

Drafted by LV · Bowling Green

1971

LBs drafted at #45 in NFL history

most recent: Edgerrin Cooper (GB, 2024)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1970, the model gave a linebacker at #45 a 12.0% chance in 1971.

Linebacker at #45, 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: 22.2% · 2027 model: 7.9%

Surrounding picks · 1971 draft

#40RBBo CornellCLE
#41OGStephen LawsonCIN
#42DELewis, ScottScott LewisKC
#43OTDan DierdorfARI
#44OTWayne WaltonNYG
#46RBVirgil RobinsonGB
#47WROtto StoweMIA
#48LBCharlie WeaverDET
#49RBJoe OrdunaSF
#50OGHank AllisonPHI

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 13 picks

2024Edgerrin CooperGB — GM Brian Gutekunst · Texas A&M
2022David OjaboBAL — GM Eric DeCosta · Michigan
2015Eric KendricksMIN — GM Rick Spielman · UCLA
2013Kevin MinterARI — GM Steve Keim · LSU
2009Clint SintimNYG — GM Jerry Reese · Virginia
2008Jordon DizonDET — GM Matt Millen · Colorado
2005Lofa TatupuSEA — GM Tim Ruskell · USC
1999Rahim AbdullahCLE — GM Dwight Clark · Clemson
1989Frank StamsLAR — GM John Shaw · Notre Dame
1987David WymanSEA — GM Mike McCormack · Stanford
1981Robin SendleinMIN — GM Mike Lynn · Texas
1980Larry McGrewNE — GM Bucko Kilroy · USC
1979Joe NormanSEA · Indiana

→ see this cell on the full chart