WR · pick 4 — first ever wide receiver at #4 (1971)

WR·pick 4

FIRST WR EVER DRAFTED AT #4

J. D. Hill

Drafted by BUF · Arizona State

1971

WRs drafted at #4 in NFL history

most recent: Carnell Tate (TEN, 2026)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1970, the model gave a wide receiver at #4 a 6.3% chance in 1971.

Wide receiver at #4, 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: 12.2% · 2027 model: 9.4%

Surrounding picks · 1971 draft

#1QBJim PlunkettNE
#2QBArchie ManningNO
#5DERichard HarrisPHI
#6RBJohn RigginsNYJ
#7RBJoe ProfitATL
#8WRFrank LewisPIT
#9RBJohn BrockingtonGB

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 10 picks

2026Carnell TateTEN · Ohio St.
2024Marvin Harrison Jr.ARI — GM Monti Ossenfort · Ohio St.
2015Amari CooperLV — GM Reggie McKenzie · Alabama
2014Sammy WatkinsBUF — GM Doug Whaley · Clemson
2011A.J. GreenCIN — GM Mike Brown / Duke Tobin · Georgia
2000Peter WarrickCIN — GM Mike Brown / Duke Tobin · Florida St.
1995Michael WestbrookWAS — GM Charley Casserly · Colorado
1992Desmond HowardWAS — GM Charley Casserly · Michigan
1984Kenny JacksonPHI — GM Jim Murray · Penn St.
1972Bobby MooreARI · Oregon

→ see this cell on the full chart