RB · pick 44 — first ever running back at #44 (1969)

RB·pick 44

FIRST RB EVER DRAFTED AT #44

Ron Sayers

Drafted by LAC · Nebraska-Omaha

1969

RBs drafted at #44 in NFL history

most recent: Matt Forte (CHI, 2008)

How rare was this draftigami?

No rarity score — the model compares each pick to its predictions for earlier seasons, and drafts from 1967–1969 sit before that runway is long enough.

Running back at #44, 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: 24.4% · 2027 model: 4.8%

Surrounding picks · 1969 draft

#39OGEd WhiteMIN
#40WRJerry LeViasTEN
#41QBBobby DouglassCHI
#42RBWarren BankstonPIT
#43WRVolly MurphyMIN
#45DERichard NealNO
#47TEJim YarbroughDET
#48RBEd PodolakKC
#49WRRichmond FlowersDAL
#50OGGeorge BuehlerLV

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2008Matt ForteCHI — GM Jerry Angelo · Tulane
2005J.J. ArringtonARI — GM Rod Graves · California
1995Ray ZellarsNO — GM Bill Kuharich · Notre Dame
1994Mario BatesNO — GM Bill Kuharich · Arizona St.
1979Steve AtkinsGB · Maryland
1977Horace IvoryNE · Oklahoma
1973Leon CrosswhiteDET · Oklahoma

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