LB · pick 98 — first ever linebacker at #98 (1970)

LB·pick 98

FIRST LB EVER DRAFTED AT #98

John Ebersole

Drafted by NYJ · Penn State

1970

LBs drafted at #98 in NFL history

most recent: Payton Wilson (PIT, 2024)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1969, the model gave a linebacker at #98 a 11.4% chance in 1970.

Linebacker at #98, 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 · 1970 draft

#93WRKen EllisGB
#94TEMaddox, BillBill MaddoxLAC
#95DTSteve SmearIND
#96STSkip ButlerGB
#97DEWes GrantNYG
#99CBStevenson, RickyRicky StevensonCLE
#100LBRoss BrupbacherCHI
#101OTJohn FitzgeraldDAL
#102LBTony ClineLV
#103OTPaul LaavegWAS

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 8 picks

2024Payton WilsonPIT — GM Omar Khan · North Carolina St.
2020Malik HarrisonBAL — GM Eric DeCosta · Ohio St.
2005LeRoy HillSEA — GM Tim Ruskell · Clemson
2000Na'il DiggsGB — GM Ron Wolf · Ohio St.
1996Donnie EdwardsKC — GM Carl Peterson · UCLA
1995Preston HarrisonLAC — GM Bobby Beathard · Ohio St.
1990DeMond WinstonNO — GM Jim Finks · Vanderbilt
1980David HodgeSF — GM John McVay · Houston

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