RB · pick 22 — first ever running back at #22 (1971)

RB·pick 22

FIRST RB EVER DRAFTED AT #22

Don McCauley

Drafted by IND · North Carolina

1971

RBs drafted at #22 in NFL history

most recent: Omarion Hampton (LAC, 2025)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1970, the model gave a running back at #22 a 16.5% chance in 1971.

Running back at #22, 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: 27.6% · 2027 model: 3.7%

Surrounding picks · 1971 draft

#17CBNorm ThompsonARI
#18RBRocky ThompsonNYG
#19SJack TatumLV
#20DEJack YoungbloodLAR
#21DTBob BellDET
#23CBTim AndersonSF
#24RBLeo HaydenMIN
#25DETody SmithDAL
#26CBLeonard DunlapIND
#27DTJulius AdamsNE

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 4 picks

2025Omarion HamptonLAC — GM Joe Hortiz · North Carolina
2008Felix JonesDAL — GM Jerry Jones · Arkansas
1988Lorenzo WhiteTEN — GM Ladd Herzeg · Michigan St.
1974Charley YoungDAL · NC State

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