WR · pick 39 — first ever wide receiver at #39 (1979)

WR·pick 39

FIRST WR EVER DRAFTED AT #39

Rickey Watts

Drafted by CHI · Tulsa

1979

WRs drafted at #39 in NFL history

most recent: Denzel Boston (CLE, 2026)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1978, the model gave a wide receiver at #39 a 10.5% chance in 1979.

Wide receiver at #39, 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: 14.7% · 2027 model: 12.8%

Surrounding picks · 1979 draft

#34WRGordon JonesTB
#35RBTheotis BrownARI
#36WREarnest GrayNYG
#37LBKen FantettiDET
#38LBReggie MathisNO
#40CBLawrence JohnsonCLE
#41DEMark GastineauNYJ
#42DEWillie JonesLV
#43CDave HuffmanMIN
#44RBSteve AtkinsGB

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 7 picks

2026Denzel BostonCLE · Washington
2025Luther BurdenCHI — GM Ryan Poles · Missouri
2023Jonathan MingoCAR — GM Scott Fitterer · Mississippi
2014Marqise LeeJAX — GM David Caldwell · USC
2010Arrelious BennTB — GM Mark Dominik · Illinois
2005Mark BradleyCHI — GM Jerry Angelo · Oklahoma
1981Mardye McDoleMIN — GM Mike Lynn · Mississippi St.

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