RB · pick 41 — first ever running back at #41 (1981)

RB·pick 41

FIRST RB EVER DRAFTED AT #41

Joe Delaney

Drafted by KC — GM Jim Schaaf · Northwestern St. (LA)

1981

RBs drafted at #41 in NFL history

most recent: Kenneth Walker III (SEA, 2022)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1980, the model gave a running back at #41 a 12.9% chance in 1981.

Running back at #41, 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: 24.6% · 2027 model: 4.7%

Surrounding picks · 1981 draft

#36DTJohn HartySF — GM John McVay
#37WRCris CollinsworthCIN — GM Mike Brown / Duke Tobin
#38LBMike SingletaryCHI — GM Jim Finks
#39WRMardye McDoleMIN — GM Mike Lynn
#40CBEric WrightSF — GM John McVay
#42TEClay BrownDEN — GM Edgar Kaiser/staff
#43LBJim CollinsLAR — GM Don Klosterman
#44CBAnthony WashingtonPIT — GM Dick Haley
#45LBRobin SendleinMIN — GM Mike Lynn
#46DECurtis GreenDET — GM Russ Thomas

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2022Kenneth Walker IIISEA — GM John Schneider · Michigan St.
2020Jonathan TaylorIND — GM Chris Ballard · Wisconsin
2017Dalvin CookMIN — GM Rick Spielman · Florida St.
2004Tatum BellDEN — GM Mike Shanahan · Oklahoma St.
1997Byron HanspardATL — GM Harold Richardson · Texas Tech
1993Natrone MeansLAC — GM Bobby Beathard · North Carolina
1986Kenneth DavisGB — GM Forrest Gregg · TCU

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