Picks 96–104 are usually round-3 compensatory picks awarded to teams that lost free agents — a post-1994 invention. Pre-94 these were just regular round-3 / round-4 slots, no comp formula attached. Either era, the back of round 3 is where teams cash in on offensive linemen who slipped on day two: value, depth, future starters.
How rare was this draftigami?
Trained on every pick through 1977, the model gave a offensive guard at #96 a 7.4% chance in 1978.
Offensive guard at #96, 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: 23.1% · 2027 model: 14.1%
Surrounding picks · 1978 draft
#91WRTerry LeCountSF
#92DTDennis HarrisonPHI
#93CBGerald SmallMIA
#94OTFifer, WilliamWilliam FiferDET
#95LBBrian CabralATL
#97WRJimmy ChildsARI
#98WRMike RenfroTEN
#99WRDennis LawCIN
#100CJim HoughMIN
#101CBLarry AndersonPIT
Drafted at this same coordinate later · 4 picks
1997Brent SmithMIA — GM Jimmy Johnson · Mississippi St.