LB · pick 8 — first ever linebacker at #8 (1974)

LB·pick 8

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #8

Ed O'Neil

Drafted by DET · Penn State

1974

LBs drafted at #8 in NFL history

most recent: Isaiah Simmons (ARI, 2020)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1973, the model gave a linebacker at #8 a 8.2% chance in 1974.

Linebacker at #8, 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: 23.6% · 2027 model: 7.8%

Surrounding picks · 1974 draft

#3OGJohn HicksNYG
#4LBWaymond BryantCHI
#5DEJohn DuttonIND
#6DTCarl BarzilauskasNYJ
#7TEJ. V. CainARI
#9RBWilbur JacksonSF
#10DTBill SandiferSF
#11RBJohn CappellettiLAR
#12RBBarty SmithGB
#13LBRick MiddletonNO

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2020Isaiah SimmonsARI — GM Steve Keim · Clemson
2018Roquan SmithCHI — GM Ryan Pace · Georgia
2015Vic BeasleyATL — GM Thomas Dimitroff · Clemson
2010Rolando McClainLV — GM Al Davis era · Alabama
1997James FarriorNYJ — GM Bill Parcells · Virginia
1990Chris SingletonNE — GM Sam Jankovich · Arizona
1987Shane ConlanBUF — GM Bill Polian · Penn St.

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