1961 American Football League draft
Because another league was in competition for the class of 1961 college stars, the American Football League draft for 1961 graduates was held in 1960, with a six-round telephone draft on November 21 and 22, that saw the Denver Broncos select New Mexico State's Bob Gaiters as the overall first draft pick. The draft was completed on December 5 and 6th, with rounds seven through thirty. The San Diego Chargers were still the "Los Angeles Chargers" in this draft, as their relocation was not announced until late January 1961.
Boston Patriots draft picks (selected second)
| Round | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | Tommy Mason | Half back | Tulane |
| 2 | Rip Hawkins | Center | North Carolina |
| 3 | Danny LaRose | Offensive end | Missouri |
| 4 | Mike Zeno | Guard | Virginia Tech |
| 5 | Fran Tarkenton 4 | Quarterback | Georgia |
| 6 | Larry Eisenhauer 1 | Tackle | Boston College |
| 7 | Paul Terhes | Quarterback | Bucknell |
| 8 | Charles Long 1 | Guard | Tennessee-Chattanooga |
| 9 | Roland Lakes | Center | Wichita |
| 10 | Richard Mueller | Offensive end | Kentucky |
| 11 | Mel West | Center | Missouri |
| 12 | Wayne Harris | Center | Arkansas |
| 13 | Dan Underwood | Tackle | McNeese State |
| 14 | James Earl Wright | Quarterback | Memphis State |
| 16 | George Balthazar | Tackle | Tennessee A&I |
| 17 | Ray Ratkowski | Halfback | Notre Dame |
| 18 | Tom Rodgers | Halfback | Kentucky |
| 19 | Joe Bellino | Halfback | Navy |
| 20 | Clarence Childs | Halfback | Florida A&M |
| 21 | Don Oakes | Guard | Virginia Tech |
| 22 | Bob Johnson | Offensive end | Michigan |
| 23 | Darrell DeDecker | Center | Illinois |
| 24 | Don Webb | Halfback | Iowa State |
| 25 | Robert Minihane | Tackle | Boston |
| 26 | Charles Granger | Tackle | Southern |
| 27 | Terry Huxhold | Tackle | Wisconsin |
| 28 | Bryant Harvard | Quarterback | Auburn |
| 29 | Ernie McMillan | Tackle | Illinois |
| 30 | George Hultz | Tackle | Mississippi Southern |
Buffalo Bills draft picks (selected third)
Dallas Texans draft picks (selected sixth)
Denver Broncos draft picks (selected first)
Houston Oilers draft picks (selected eighth)
New York Titans draft picks (selected fifth)
Oakland Raiders draft picks (selected fourth)
San Diego Chargers draft picks (selected seventh)
- 1 American Football League All-Star.
- 2 Member of the American Football League All-Time Team.
- 3 American Football League MVP
- 4 Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Notable undrafted players