LB · pick 97 — first ever linebacker at #97 (1968)

LB·pick 97

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #97

John Douglas

Drafted by DAL · Missouri

1968

LBs drafted at #97 in NFL history

most recent: Jacob Phillips (CLE, 2020)

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 #97, 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: 20.4% · 2027 model: 10.2%

Surrounding picks · 1968 draft

#92RBBrendan McCarthyGB
#93LBEd MooneyDET
#94DTDennis CraneWAS
#95OGLen McNeilPHI
#96LBJoe SchmiesingARI
#98WRJohnny FullerSF
#99OTWayne MassCHI
#100WRKen DyerLAC
#101DTGary MagnerNYJ
#102CBDrake GarrettDEN

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 10 picks

2020Jacob PhillipsCLE — GM Andrew Berry · LSU
2013Zaviar GoodenTEN — GM Ruston Webster · Missouri
2010Rennie CurranTEN — GM Mike Reinfeldt · Georgia
2009Tyrone McKenzieNE — GM Bill Belichick · South Florida
2004Reggie TorborNYG — GM Ernie Accorsi · Auburn
1995Troy DumasKC — GM Carl Peterson · Nebraska
1992Dwight HollierMIA — GM Don Shula · North Carolina
1986Tommy TaylorLAC — GM Steve Ortmayer · UCLA
1974Ken HutchersonDAL · Livingston
1973Bill SingletaryLAC · Temple

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