LB · pick 71 — first ever linebacker at #71 (1967)

LB·pick 71

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #71

Leon Ward

Drafted by IND · Oklahoma State

1967 · earliest year in the data window

LBs drafted at #71 in NFL history

most recent: Christian Kirksey (CLE, 2014)

How rare was this draftigami?

No rarity score — the model compares each pick to its predictions for earlier seasons, and drafts from 1967–1969 sit before that runway is long enough.

Linebacker at #71, 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: 9.3%

Surrounding picks · 1967 draft

#66DEDennis RandallNYJ
#67OTHarold AkinLAC
#68RBHarry WilsonPHI
#69QBVidal CarlinARI
#70DETom RhoadsBUF
#72WREppie BarneyCLE
#73CRockne "Rocky" FreitasPIT
#74CBHenry KingNYJ
#74SHenry KingNYJ
#75LBBill FairbandLV

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2014Christian KirkseyCLE — GM Ray Farmer · Iowa
2008Tavares GoodenBAL — GM Ozzie Newsome · Miami (FL)
2002Ben LeberLAC — GM John Butler · Kansas St.
1993Rick HamiltonWAS — GM Charley Casserly · Central Florida
1973Jim LaslavicDET · Penn State
1969Chip HealyARI · Vanderbilt
1968Ed HarmonDAL · Louisville

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