WR · pick 173 — first ever wide receiver at #173 (1970)

WR·pick 173

FIRST WR EVER DRAFTED AT #173

Merritt, RolandRoland Merritt

Drafted by WAS · Maryland

1970

WRs drafted at #173 in NFL history

most recent: Darnell Mooney (CHI, 2020)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1969, the model gave a wide receiver at #173 a 13.2% chance in 1970.

Wide receiver at #173, 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: 16.3% · 2027 model: 12.0%

Surrounding picks · 1970 draft

#167CBRandy MontgomeryDEN
#168DTBill NelsonLAR
#169WROrcutt, GaryGary OrcuttATL
#171CBFabish, JimJim FabishLAC
#172CCleo WalkerGB
#174QBGordon SladeIND
#175LBKen GeddesDET
#177OGCraig WycinskyCLE
#178CBJames HarrisWAS
#179LBDon AbbeyDAL

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2020Darnell MooneyCHI — GM Ryan Pace · Tulane
1995Charlie SimmonsGB — GM Ron Wolf · Georgia Tech
1987Jamie HollandLAC — GM Steve Ortmayer · Ohio St.
1985James HarbourIND — GM Jim Irsay/staff · Mississippi
1980Malcolm BarnwellLV — GM Al Davis · Virginia Union
1979Kirk GibsonARI · Michigan State
1977Randle, KenKen RandleCLE · USC

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