1979 NFL Draft


The 1979 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 3–4, 1979, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
The Buffalo Bills held the first overall pick in the draft, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the trade which sent O.J. Simpson to his hometown team. The Bills' selection at No. 1, Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau, refused to sign with the Bills and instead inked a lucrative deal with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Player selections

Round one

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
1Buffalo Bills Tom CousineauLinebackerOhio State
2Kansas City ChiefsMike BellDefensive EndColorado State
3Cincinnati BengalsJack ThompsonQuarterbackWashington State
4Chicago BearsDan HamptonDefensive TackleArkansas
5Buffalo BillsJerry ButlerWide ReceiverClemson
6Baltimore ColtsBarry KraussLinebackerAlabama
7New York GiantsPhil SimmsQuarterbackMorehead State
8St. Louis CardinalsOttis AndersonRunning BackMiami
9Chicago BearsAl HarrisDefensive EndArizona State
10Detroit LionsKeith DorneyOffensive TacklePenn State
11New Orleans SaintsRussell ErxlebenPlace Kicker/PunterTexas
12Cincinnati BengalsCharles AlexanderRunning BackLSU
13San Diego Chargers Kellen WinslowTight EndMissouri
14New York JetsMarty LyonsDefensive EndAlabama
15Green Bay PackersEddie Lee IveryRunning BackGeorgia Tech
16Minnesota VikingsTed BrownRunning BackNorth Carolina State
17Atlanta FalconsDon SmithDefensive EndMiami
18Seattle SeahawksManu TuiasosopoDefensive TackleUCLA
19Los Angeles RamsGeorge AndrewsLinebackerNebraska
20Cleveland BrownsWillis AdamsWide ReceiverHouston
21Philadelphia EaglesJerry RobinsonLinebackerUCLA
22Denver BroncosKelvin ClarkOffensive TackleNebraska
23Kansas City ChiefsSteve FullerQuarterbackClemson
24Miami DolphinsJon GieslerOffensive TackleMichigan
25New England PatriotsRick SanfordDefensive BackSouth Carolina
26Los Angeles RamsKent HillOffensive TackleGeorgia Tech
27Dallas CowboysRobert ShawCenterTennessee
28Pittsburgh SteelersGreg HawthorneRunning BackBaylor

Round two

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
29San Francisco 49ersJames OwensWide ReceiverUCLA
30Cincinnati BengalsDan RossTight EndNortheastern
31Houston OilersMike StensrudDefensive TackleIowa State
32Buffalo BillsFred SmerlasDefensive TackleBoston College
33Tampa Bay BuccaneersGreg RobertsOffensive GuardOklahoma
34Tampa Bay BuccaneersGordon JonesWide ReceiverPittsburgh
35St. Louis CardinalsTheotis BrownRunning BackUCLA
36New York GiantsEarnest GrayWide ReceiverMemphis State
37Detroit LionsKen FantettiLinebackerWyoming
38New Orleans SaintsReggie MathisLinebackerOklahoma
39Chicago BearsRickey WattsWide ReceiverTulsa
40Cleveland BrownsLawrence JohnsonDefensive BackWisconsin
41New York JetsMark GastineauDefensive EndEast Central
42Oakland RaidersWillie JonesDefensive EndFlorida State
43Minnesota VikingsDave HuffmanCenterNotre Dame
44Green Bay PackersSteve AtkinsRunning BackMaryland
45Seattle SeahawksJoe NormanLinebackerIndiana
46St. Louis CardinalsCalvin FavronLinebackerSoutheastern Louisiana
47Cleveland BrownsSam ClaphanOffensive TackleOklahoma
48Philadelphia EaglesPetey PerotOffensive GuardNorthwestern State
49Atlanta FalconsPat HowellOffensive GuardUSC
50Houston OilersJesse BakerDefensive EndJacksonville State
51Buffalo BillsJim HaslettLinebackerIUP
52New England PatriotsBob GolicDefensive TackleNotre Dame
53Miami DolphinsJeff ToewsOffensive TackleWashington
54Los Angeles RamsEddie HillRunning BackMemphis State
55Dallas CowboysAaron MitchellDefensive BackUNLV
56Pittsburgh SteelersZack ValentineLinebackerEast Carolina

Round three

Round four

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
83Buffalo BillsKen JohnsonDefensive EndKnoxville
84Cincinnati BengalsJames WhiteDefensive TackleAlbany State
85Kansas City ChiefsFrank ManumaleugaLinebackerSan Jose State
86Pittsburgh SteelersRussell DavisRunning BackMichigan
87Buffalo BillsJeff NixonDefensive BackRichmond
88Detroit LionsUlysses NorrisTight EndGeorgia
89St. Louis CardinalsRoy GreenDefensive Back Henderson State
90New York GiantsPhil TaborDefensive EndOklahoma
91Cincinnati BengalsVaughn LusbyDefensive BackArkansas
92Detroit LionsJon BrooksLinebackerClemson
93New Orleans SaintsJim KovachLinebackerKentucky
94Philadelphia EaglesBen CowinsRunning BackArkansas
95Cleveland BrownsMatt MillerTackleColorado
96New York JetsEric CunninghamOffensive GuardPenn State
97Minnesota VikingsSteve DilsQuarterbackStanford
98New York JetsJohnny LynnDefensive BackUCLA
99Los Angeles RamsDerwin TuckerDefensive BackIllinois
100Atlanta FalconsLynn CainRunning BackUSC
101Atlanta FalconsCharles JohnsonDefensive BackGrambling
102Seattle SeahawksMark BellTight EndColorado State
103Washington RedskinsDon WarrenTight EndSan Diego State
104San Diego ChargersJohn FloydWide ReceiverN.E. Louisiana
105Denver BroncosCharles JeffersonDefensive BackMcNeese State
106New England PatriotsEddie HarePunterTulsa
107Miami DolphinsSteve HowellRunning BackBaylor
108Los Angeles RamsJerry WilkinsonDefensive TackleOregon State
109Dallas CowboysRalph DeLoachDefensive EndCalifornia
110Pittsburgh SteelersCalvin SweeneyWide ReceiverUSC

Round five

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
111San Francisco 49ersTom SeabronLinebackerMichigan
112Kansas City ChiefsEarl GantRunning BackMissouri
113Cincinnati BengalsCasey MerrillDefensive EndCalifornia-Davis
114Buffalo BillsRod KushDefensive BackNebraska-Omaha
115Baltimore ColtsLarry BrazielDefensive BackUSC
116Buffalo BillsDan ManucciQuarterbackKansas State
117New York GiantsCleveland JacksonTight EndUNLV
118St. Louis CardinalsSteve HenryDefensive BackEmporia State
119San Francisco 49ersJerry AldridgeRunning BackAngelo State
120New Orleans SaintsHarlan HucklebyRunning BackMichigan
121Dallas CowboysBob HukillOffensive GuardNorth Carolina
122Los Angeles RamsVictor HicksTight EndOklahoma
123New York JetsKelly KirchbaumLinebackerKentucky
124Cleveland BrownsRich DimlerDefensive TackleUSC
125New York JetsStan BlinkaLinebackerSam Houston State
126Philadelphia EaglesScott FitzkeeWide ReceiverPenn State
127Atlanta FalconsMike ZeleDefensive TackleKent State
128Dallas CowboysCurtis AndersonDefensive EndCentral State
129Minnesota VikingsJerry MeterLinebackerMichigan
130St. Louis CardinalsMark BellWide ReceiverColorado State
131Detroit LionsWalt BrownCenterPittsburgh
132Denver BroncosRick LeachQuarterbackMichigan
133Tampa Bay BuccaneersChuck FusinaQuarterbackPenn State
134Miami DolphinsDon BessillieuDefensive BackGeorgia Tech
135New England PatriotsJohn ZamberlinLinebackerPacific Lutheran
136Dallas CowboysRon SpringsRunning BackOhio State
137Pittsburgh SteelersDwaine BoardDefensive EndNorth Carolina A&T

Round six

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
138San Francisco 49ersRuben VaughanDefensive TackleColorado
139Cincinnati BengalsSteve KreiderWide ReceiverLehigh
140Kansas City ChiefsSpider GainesWide ReceiverWashington
141Buffalo BillsMike BurrowOffensive GuardAuburn
142Oakland RaidersIra MatthewsWide ReceiverWisconsin
143Houston OilersDaryl HuntLinebackerOklahoma
144St. Louis CardinalsThomas LottRunning BackOklahoma
145New York GiantsBob TorreyRunning BackPenn State
146New Orleans SaintsRicky RayDefensive BackNorfolk State
147Chicago BearsJohn SullivanLinebackerIllinois
148Denver BroncosJeff McIntyreLinebackerArizona State
149New York JetsBill DufekOffensive GuardMichigan
150Baltimore ColtsJim MooreTackleOhio State
151Cleveland BrownsClinton BurrellDefensive BackLouisiana State
152Minnesota VikingsJoe SenserTight EndWest Chester
153Green Bay PackersDave SimmonsLinebackerNorth Carolina
154Atlanta FalconsMike MoroskiQuarterbackCalifornia-Davis
155Dallas CowboysTim LavenderDefensive BackUSC
156Oakland RaidersHenry WilliamsDefensive BackSan Diego State
157Pittsburgh SteelersBill MurrellTight EndWinston-Salem State
158New York GiantsEddie HicksRunning BackEast Carolina
159Houston OilersMike MurphyLinebackerSW Missouri State
160Dallas CowboysMike SalzanoOffensive GuardNorth Carolina
161Pittsburgh SteelersDwayne WoodruffDefensive BackLouisville
162Miami DolphinsSteve LindquistOffensive GuardNebraska
163Cleveland BrownsJim RonanDefensive TackleMinnesota
164Dallas CowboysChris DeFranceWide ReceiverArizona State
165Pittsburgh SteelersMatt BahrKickerPenn State
0Buffalo Bills Rod StewartRunning BackKentucky

Round seven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
166San Francisco 49ersPhil FrancisRunning BackStanford
167Kansas City ChiefsKen KremerDefensive EndBall State
168Cincinnati BengalsMax MontoyaOffensive TackleUCLA
169Seattle SeahawksLarry PolowskiLinebackerBoise State
170Buffalo BillsTom MulladyTight EndRhodes College
171Houston OilersTim RiesDefensive BackSW Missouri State
172New York GiantsSteve AlversTight EndMiami
173St. Louis CardinalsKirk GibsonWide ReceiverMichigan State
174Chicago BearsLee KunzLinebackerNebraska
175Oakland RaidersJack MatiaOffensive TackleDrake
176New Orleans SaintsStan SytsmaLinebackerMinnesota
177New England PatriotsJudson FlintDefensive BackMemphis State
178Philadelphia EaglesDon SwaffordOffensive TackleFlorida
179New York JetsEmmett KingRunning BackHouston
180Green Bay PackersHenry MonroeDefensive BackMississippi State
181Minnesota VikingsBob WinkelDefensive TackleKentucky
182Washington RedskinsRich MilotLinebackerPenn State
183Cleveland BrownsCody RisienOffensive TackleTexas A&M
184Green Bay PackersRich WingoLinebackerAlabama
185Philadelphia EaglesCurtis BuncheDefensive EndAlbany State
186Atlanta FalconsRoger WestlundOffensive TackleWashington
187New York JetsKeith BrownDefensive BackMinnesota
188Denver BroncosLuke PrestridgePunterBaylor
189Miami DolphinsUwe von SchamannKickerOklahoma
190Los Angeles RamsJeff DelaneyDefensive BackPittsburgh
191Dallas CowboysGreg FitzpatrickLinebackerYoungstown State
192Pittsburgh SteelersBruce KimballOffensive GuardMassachusetts

Round eight

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
193Green Bay PackersRon CassidyWide ReceiverUtah State
194Cincinnati BengalsHowie KurnickLinebackerCincinnati
195Kansas City ChiefsMike WilliamsRunning BackNew Mexico
196Philadelphia EaglesChuck CorrealCenterPenn State
197Baltimore ColtsSteve HeimkreiterLinebackerNotre Dame
198New York JetsMarshall HarrisDefensive TackleTexas Christian
199St. Louis CardinalsLarry MillerLinebackerBrigham Young
200New York GiantsD.K. PerryDefensive BackSouthern Methodist
201New York GiantsRoy SimmonsOffensive GuardGeorgia Tech
202New Orleans SaintsDoug PanfilOffensive GuardTulsa
203Chicago BearsRick MossDefensive BackPurdue
204Cleveland BrownsKent PerkovDefensive EndSan Diego State
205New York JetsWillie BeamonLinebackerBoise State
206Miami DolphinsJeff GrothWide ReceiverBowling Green
207Baltimore ColtsNesby GlasgowDefensive BackWashington
208Green Bay PackersRick PartridgePunterUtah
209Oakland RaidersRobert HawkinsRunning BackKentucky
210San Diego ChargersWilbert HaslipRunning BackHawaii
211Philadelphia EaglesMax RunagerPunterSouth Carolina
212Atlanta FalconsKeith MillerLinebackerN.E. Oklahoma
213Detroit LionsJohn MohringLinebackerC.W. Post
214Houston OilersCarter HartwigDefensive BackUSC
215Miami DolphinsGlenn BlackwoodDefensive BackTexas
216New England PatriotsRandy LoveRunning BackHouston
217Tampa Bay BuccaneersGene SandersDefensive TackleTexas A&M
218Kansas City ChiefsRobert BrewerOffensive GuardTemple
219Dallas CowboysBruce ThorntonDefensive TackleIllinois
220Pittsburgh SteelersTom GravesLinebackerMichigan State

Round nine

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
221San Francisco 49ersSteve HamiltonDefensive TackleMissouri
222Kansas City ChiefsJames FolstonTight EndCameron
223Cincinnati BengalsScott BurkDefensive BackOklahoma State
224Baltimore ColtsRuss HendersonPunterVirginia
225Tampa Bay BuccaneersHenry VereenWide ReceiverUNLV
226Buffalo BillsKeven BakerDefensive EndWilliam Penn
227New York GiantsTom RuskLinebackerIowa
228St. Louis CardinalsBob RozierDefensive EndCalifornia
229Kansas City ChiefsJoe RobinsonOffensive TackleOhio State
230Chicago BearsJerome HeavensRunning BackNotre Dame
231Detroit LionsJeff KomloQuarterbackDelaware
232New York JetsGordy SprattlerRunning BackNorth Dakota State
233Washington RedskinsKris HainesWide ReceiverNotre Dame
234Cleveland BrownsCarl McGeeLinebackerDuke
235Green Bay PackersJohn ThompsonTight EndUtah State
236Minnesota VikingsBilly DiggsWide ReceiverWinston-Salem State
237San Diego ChargersAlvin GarrettWide ReceiverAngelo State
238Oakland RaidersJim RourkeOffensive TackleBoston College
239Atlanta FalconsDave ParkinDefensive BackUtah State
240Seattle SeahawksEzra TateRunning BackMississippi State
241Cleveland BrownsCurtis WeathersTight EndMississippi
242Denver BroncosCharlie TaylorWide ReceiverRice
243Houston OilersRichard EllenderWide ReceiverMcNeese State
244Miami DolphinsJeff WestonDefensive TackleNotre Dame
245New England PatriotsJohn SpagnolaTight EndYale
246Los Angeles RamsJeff RutledgeQuarterbackAlabama
247Dallas CowboysGarry CobbLinebackerUSC
248Pittsburgh SteelersRick KirkDefensive EndDenison

Round ten

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
249San Francisco 49ersDwight ClarkWide ReceiverClemson
250Cincinnati BengalsNathan PooleRunning BackLouisville
251Kansas City ChiefsMike DuPreeLinebackerFlorida
252San Francisco 49ersHoward BallageDefensive BackColorado
253Buffalo BillsDave MarlerQuarterbackMississippi State
254Baltimore ColtsSteve StephensTight EndOklahoma State
255St. Louis CardinalsJerry HollowayTight EndWestern Illinois
256New York GiantsDan FowlerOffensive GuardKentucky
257Chicago BearsJoe ResticDefensive BackNotre Dame
258Miami DolphinsJerome StantonDefensive BackMichigan State
259Oakland RaidersRicky SmithDefensive BackTulane
260Kansas City ChiefsGerald JacksonDefensive BackMississippi State
261Cleveland BrownsJohn SmithWide ReceiverTennessee State
262New York JetsSteve SybeldonOffensive TackleNorth Dakota
263New York JetsEd McGlassonCenterYoungstown State
264Green Bay PackersFrank LockettWide ReceiverNebraska
265San Diego ChargersTony PetruccioDefensive TacklePenn State
266Atlanta FalconsBruce BeekleyLinebackerOregon
267Seattle SeahawksRobert HardyDefensive TackleJackson State
268Kansas City ChiefsLarry WillisWide ReceiverAlcorn State
269San Diego ChargersAl GreenDefensive BackLSU
270New England PatriotsMartin CoxWide ReceiverVanderbilt
271New England PatriotsAllan ClarkRunning BackNorthern Arizona
272Miami DolphinsMike KozlowskiRunning BackColorado
273Los Angeles RamsGrady EbensbergerDefensive TackleHouston
274Dallas CowboysMike CalhounDefensive TackleNotre Dame
275Pittsburgh SteelersTod ThompsonTight EndBrigham Young

Round eleven

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
276San Francisco 49ersBilly McBrideDefensive BackTennessee State
277Kansas City ChiefsStan RomeWide ReceiverClemson
278Cincinnati BengalsKen BungardaDefensive EndMissouri
279Buffalo BillsPaul LawlerDefensive BackColgate
280Baltimore ColtsJohn PriestnerLinebackerWestern Ontario
281Tampa Bay BuccaneersBob RippentropTight EndFresno State
282New York GiantsMike MinceDefensive BackFresno State
283St. Louis CardinalsNate HendersonOffensive TackleFlorida State
284New York GiantsKen JohnsonRunning BackMiami
285New Orleans SaintsDavid HallWide ReceiverMissouri-Rolla
286Chicago BearsBob WrightOffensive TackleCincinnati
287Cleveland BrownsRandy PoeschlDefensive EndNebraska
288New York JetsDanny SandersQuarterbackCarson-Newman
289Washington RedskinsMonte ColemanLinebackerCentral Arkansas
290Green Bay PackersMark ThorsonDefensive BackOttawa
291Minnesota VikingsBrian NelsonWide ReceiverTexas Tech
292Atlanta FalconsBill LeerCenterColorado State
293Seattle SeahawksJim HineslyOffensive GuardMichigan State
294Oakland RaidersBruce DavisOffensive TackleUCLA
295San Diego ChargersDave RaderQuarterbackTulsa
296Philadelphia EaglesAl ChesleyLinebackerPittsburgh
297Denver BroncosZach DixonRunning BackTemple
298Houston OilersMike TaylorOffensive TackleGeorgia Tech
299Miami DolphinsMike BlantonDefensive EndGeorgia Tech
300Washington RedskinsTony HallWide ReceiverKnoxville
301Los Angeles RamsJesse DeremusDefensive TackleTennessee State
302Detroit LionsEddie ColeLinebackerMississippi
303Pittsburgh SteelersCharlie MooreCenterWichita State

Round twelve

Pick #NFL TeamPlayerPositionCollege
304Cincinnati BengalsJim BrownerDefensive BackNotre Dame
305Kansas City ChiefsMichael ForrestRunning BackArkansas
306Baltimore ColtsCharlie GreenWide ReceiverKansas State
307Tampa Bay BuccaneersDave LoganDefensive TacklePittsburgh
308Buffalo BillsMike HarrisRunning BackArizona State
309St. Louis CardinalsRick McBrideLinebackerGeorgia
310New York GiantsTim GillespieOffensive GuardNorth Carolina State
311New Orleans SaintsKelsey FinchRunning BackTennessee
312Chicago BearsDave BeckerDefensive BackIowa
313Detroit LionsBob ForsterCenterBrown
314New York JetsPaul DarbyWide ReceiverSouthwest Texas State
315Cleveland BrownsDewitt MethvinCenterTulane
316Oakland RaidersDirk AbernathyDefensive BackBowling Green
317Minnesota VikingsDavid StephensLinebackerKentucky
318Green Bay PackersBill MoatsPunterSouth Dakota
319Seattle SeahawksJeff MooreRunning BackJackson State
320Oakland RaidersReggie KinlawMiddle GuardOklahoma
321San Diego ChargersFrank DuncanDefensive BackSan Francisco State
322Pittsburgh SteelersEd SmithLinebackerVanderbilt
323Atlanta FalconsStuard WalkerLinebackerColorado
324Houston OilersWayne WilsonRunning BackShepherd College
325Denver BroncosDave JacobsKickerSyracuse
326Detroit LionsBrian SweeneyWide ReceiverTexas A&I
327Miami DolphinsLarry FortnetQuarterbackMiami
328Los Angeles RamsDrew HillWide ReceiverGeorgia Tech
329Dallas CowboysQuentin LowryLinebackerYoungstown State
330Pittsburgh SteelersMike AlmondWide ReceiverNorthwest Louisiana

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