RB · pick 23 — first ever running back at #23 (1970)

RB·pick 23

FIRST RB EVER DRAFTED AT #23

Duane Thomas

Drafted by DAL · West Texas A&M

1970

RBs drafted at #23 in NFL history

most recent: Rashard Mendenhall (PIT, 2008)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1969, the model gave a running back at #23 a 17.6% chance in 1970.

Running back at #23, 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: 27.3% · 2027 model: 3.8%

Surrounding picks · 1970 draft

#18RBNorm BulaichIND
#19RBSteve OwensDET
#20CBSteve TannenNYJ
#21OTBob McKayCLE
#22LBJack ReynoldsLAR
#24TERaymond ChesterLV
#25OTJohn WardMIN
#26OTSid SmithKC
#27OTBob AsherDAL
#28WRRonnie ShanklinPIT

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 6 picks

2008Rashard MendenhallPIT — GM Kevin Colbert · Illinois
2003Willis McGaheeBUF — GM Tom Donahoe · Miami (FL)
2001Deuce McAllisterNO — GM Randy Mueller · Mississippi
1997Antowain SmithBUF — GM John Butler · Houston
1988Brad MusterCHI — GM Bill Tobin · Stanford
1972Jeff KinneyKC · Nebraska

→ see this cell on the full chart