List of Detroit Lions first-round draft picks

Last updated

Running back Barry Sanders was drafted third overall in 1989. He spent his whole 10-year career with the Lions, during which time he was a 10-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler, two-time Offensive Player of the Year, and the 1997 MVP. A first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, Sanders rushed for over 1,000 yards in every season he played and led the league in rushing yards four times. He was also selected to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Barry Sanders 2019.jpg
Running back Barry Sanders was drafted third overall in 1989. He spent his whole 10-year career with the Lions, during which time he was a 10-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler, two-time Offensive Player of the Year, and the 1997 MVP. A first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, Sanders rushed for over 1,000 yards in every season he played and led the league in rushing yards four times. He was also selected to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Matthew Stafford was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL draft. He spent 13 seasons with the team, during which he time he set various NFL records, including being the fastest to 30,000, 40,000, and 50,000 passing yards, being the first player to complete 60% or more of all passes in each game in a season, most fourth quarterback comebacks in a season, and the most game winning drives in a season. He was also the 2010 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Matthew Stafford 2020.jpg
Matthew Stafford was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL draft. He spent 13 seasons with the team, during which he time he set various NFL records, including being the fastest to 30,000, 40,000, and 50,000 passing yards, being the first player to complete 60% or more of all passes in each game in a season, most fourth quarterback comebacks in a season, and the most game winning drives in a season. He was also the 2010 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the North Division of the National Football Conference. [13] The franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930. [14] After being purchased by George A. Richards in 1934, the franchise was relocated to Detroit and renamed to the Detroit Lions in reference to the city's Major League Baseball franchise, the Detroit Tigers. [15] [16] The team plays its home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit. [17]

Contents

The NFL draft, officially known as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting", [18] [19] [20] is an annual event which serves as the league's most common source of player recruitment. [21] The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings; the teams with the worst win–loss records receive the earliest picks. Teams that qualified for the NFL playoffs select after non-qualifiers, and their order depends on how far they advanced, using their regular season record as a tie-breaker. The final two selections in the first round are reserved for the Super Bowl runner-up and champion. Draft picks are tradable and players or other picks can be acquired with them. [22]

In 1936, the league introduced the NFL draft after team owners voted on it in 1935. [23] [24] The intention of the draft is to make the NFL more competitive, as some teams had an advantage in signing players. [22] [24] From 1947 through 1958 the NFL designated the first overall selection as a "bonus" or "lottery pick". The pick was awarded by a random draw and the winner who received the "bonus pick" forfeited its selection in the final round of the draft and became ineligible for future draws. The system was abolished prior to the 1959 NFL draft, as all twelve teams in the league at the time had received a bonus choice. [25] [26]

Since the first draft, the Lions have selected 92 players in the first round. The team's first-round pick in the inaugural NFL draft was Sid Wagner, a guard from Michigan State; he was the 8th overall selection. [14] [27] The Lions have held the first overall pick four times and selected Frank Sinkwich in 1943, Leon Hart in 1950, Billy Sims in 1980, and Matthew Stafford in 2009. [28] In the most recent draft, held in 2024, the Lions selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. [29]

The Lions did not draft a player in the first round on seven occasions. [28] Seven of the team's first-round picks—Otto Graham, Calvin Johnson, Alex Karras, Johnny Robinson, Barry Sanders, Y. A. Tittle, and Alex Wojciechowicz—have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame; [30] [26] two of these, Graham and Tittle, chose not to play for the Lions and joined the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) instead. [31] [32] The Lions also used three first-round picks in the 1960s to select players–Pete Beathard, John Hadl, and Johnny Robinson–who chose to sign with the NFL's pre-merger direct competitor, the American Football League (AFL) instead. [33] [34] [30]

Player selections

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson was drafted second overall in the 2007 NFL draft. He spent his entire nine-year career with the Lions, during which time he was a four-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, and set the single-season record for most receiving yards in a season. After retiring, Johnson was selected to the 2010s All-Decade Team and became a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. Calvin Johnson vs Green Bay 2.jpg
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson was drafted second overall in the 2007 NFL draft. He spent his entire nine-year career with the Lions, during which time he was a four-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, and set the single-season record for most receiving yards in a season. After retiring, Johnson was selected to the 2010s All-Decade Team and became a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Defensive tackle Alex Karras was drafted with the 10th overall pick of the 1958 NFL draft and played 11 seasons for the Lions. During his time with the team he was a nine-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. A member of the 1960s All-Decade Team, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. Alex Karras 1961 (cropped).jpg
Defensive tackle Alex Karras was drafted with the 10th overall pick of the 1958 NFL draft and played 11 seasons for the Lions. During his time with the team he was a nine-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. A member of the 1960s All-Decade Team, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Key
SymbolMeaning
†Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
*Selected number one overall
Position abbreviations
C Center
CB Cornerback
DB Defensive back
DE Defensive end
DT Defensive tackle
E End
FB Fullback
G Guard
HB Halfback
LB Linebacker
QB Quarterback
RB Running back
S Safety
T Tackle
TE Tight end
WB Wingback
WR Wide receiver
Detroit Lions first-round draft picks by season
SeasonPick [28] Player [28] Position [28] College [28] Notes
1936 8 Sid Wagner G Michigan State
1937 7 Lloyd Cardwell HB Nebraska
1938 6 Alex Wojciechowicz † C Fordham
1939 7 John Pingel HB Michigan State
1940 6 Doyle Nave QB USC Declined to play football [42] [43]
1941 5 Jim Thomason WB Texas A&M
1942 5 Bob Westfall FB Michigan
1943 1 Frank Sinkwich * RB Georgia
1944 4 Otto Graham † QB Northwestern Did not sign with team [A]
1945 6 Frank Szymanski C Notre Dame
1946 8 Bill Dellastatious HB Missouri Never played in the NFL [B]
1947 2 Glenn Davis HB Army Player rights traded to Los Angeles Rams [C]
1948 6 Y. A. Tittle † QB LSU Original pick traded to Pittsburgh Steelers. [D] Pick received in trade with Los Angeles Rams. [C] Signed with the Baltimore Colts of the AAFC. [32]
1949 2 John Rauch QB Georgia Player rights traded to New York Yanks [E]
1950 1 Leon Hart * E Notre Dame Lottery bonus pick [52]
5 Joe Watson C Rice
1951 No pickPick traded to Philadelphia Eagles [F]
1952 No pickPick traded to Cleveland Browns [G]
1953 13 Harley Sewell G Texas
1954 13 Dick Chapman T Rice Did not sign with team [H]
1955 12 Dave Middleton E Auburn
1956 3 Howard Cassady HB Ohio State
1957 12 Bill Glass G Baylor
1958 10 Alex Karras † DT Iowa
1959 6 Nick Pietrosante FB Notre Dame
1960 3 Johnny Robinson † DB LSU Signed for the AFL's Dallas Texans instead [57]
1961 No pickPick traded to Cleveland Browns [I]
1962 10 John Hadl RB Kansas Signed for the AFL's San Diego Chargers instead [34]
1963 12 Daryl Sanders T Ohio State
1964 5 Pete Beathard QB USC Signed for the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs instead [33] [34] [30]
1965 11 Tom Nowatzke FB Indiana
1966 No pickPick forfeited to Green Bay Packers [J]
1967 7 Mel Farr RB UCLA
1968 11 Greg Landry QB UMass
24 Earl McCullouch WR USC Pick received in trade with Los Angeles Rams [K]
1969 No pickPick traded to Los Angeles Rams [L]
1970 19 Steve Owens RB Oklahoma
1971 21 Bob Bell DT Cincinnati
1972 16 Herb Orvis DT Colorado
1973 17 Ernie Price DE Texas A&I Moved up draft order in trade with Chicago Bears [M]
1974 8 Ed O'Neil LB Penn State Moved up draft order in trade with New Orleans Saints [N]
1975 13 Lynn Boden G South Dakota State
1976 10 James Hunter DB Grambling State Pick received from Los Angeles Rams. [O] Moved down draft order in trade with Chicago Bears. [P]
16 Lawrence Gaines RB Wyoming
1977 No pickPick traded to Buffalo Bills [Q]
1978 11 Luther Bradley DB Notre Dame
1979 10 Keith Dorney T Penn State
1980 1 Billy Sims * RB Oklahoma
1981 16 Mark Nichols WR San Jose State
1982 15 Jimmy Williams LB Nebraska
1983 13 James Jones FB Florida
1984 20 David Lewis TE California
1985 6 Lomas Brown T Florida
1986 12 Chuck Long QB Iowa
1987 7 Reggie Rogers DT Washington
1988 3 Bennie Blades DB Miami Moved down draft order in trade with Kansas City Chiefs [R]
1989 3 Barry Sanders † RB Oklahoma State
1990 7 Andre Ware QB Houston
1991 10 Herman Moore WR Virginia
1992 26 Robert Porcher DE South Carolina State
1993 No pickPick traded to New Orleans Saints [S]
1994 21 Johnnie Morton WR USC
1995 20 Luther Elliss DT Utah
1996 17 Reggie Brown LB Texas A&M Moved up draft order in trade with Seattle Seahawks [T]
23 Jeff Hartings G Penn State
1997 5 Bryant Westbrook DB Texas
1998 20 Terry Fair DB Tennessee
1999 9 Chris Claiborne LB USC
27 Aaron Gibson T Wisconsin Moved up draft order in trade with Miami Dolphins [U]
2000 20 Stockar McDougle T Oklahoma
2001 18 Jeff Backus T Michigan
2002 3 Joey Harrington QB Oregon
2003 2 Charles Rogers WR Michigan State
2004 7 Roy Williams WR Texas Moved down draft order in trade with Cleveland Browns [V]
30 Kevin Jones RB Virginia Tech Moved up draft order in trade with Kansas City Chiefs [W]
2005 10 Mike Williams WR USC
2006 9 Ernie Sims LB Florida State
2007 2 Calvin Johnson † WR Georgia Tech
2008 17 Gosder Cherilus T Boston College Moved down draft order in trade with Kansas City Chiefs [X]
2009 1 Matthew Stafford * QB Georgia
20 Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State Pick received in trade with Dallas Cowboys [Y]
2010 2 Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
30 Jahvid Best RB California Moved up draft order in trade with Minnesota Vikings [Z]
2011 13 Nick Fairley DT Auburn
2012 23 Riley Reiff T Iowa
2013 5 Ezekiel Ansah DE BYU
2014 10 Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
2015 28 Laken Tomlinson G Duke Moved down draft order in trade with Denver Broncos [AA]
2016 16 Taylor Decker T Ohio State
2017 21 Jarrad Davis LB Florida
2018 20 Frank Ragnow C Arkansas
2019 8 T. J. Hockenson TE Iowa
2020 3 Jeff Okudah CB Ohio State
2021 7 Penei Sewell T Oregon
2022 2 Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
12 Jameson Williams WR Alabama Moved up draft order in trade with Minnesota Vikings [AC]
2023 12 Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama Moved down draft order in trade with Arizona Cardinals [AD]
18 Jack Campbell LB Iowa
2024 24 Terrion Arnold CB Alabama Moved up draft order in trade with Dallas Cowboys [AE]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Quarterback Otto Graham could not play due to being enlisted with the Navy but signed a contract in 1945 to play for the AAFC's Cleveland Browns once discharged. [44] [31]
  2. ↑ Halfback Bill Dellastatious did not sign with the Lions. He chose to pursue coaching instead of playing. [45] [46]
  3. 1 2 Detroit traded the player rights for halfback Glenn Davis to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for their 1948 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 6 and 17 overall). Davis did not play in the NFL until 1950 due to military service obligations. [47] [48]
  4. ↑ Detroit traded their 1948 first-round selection (No. 3 overall), halfbacks Bob Cifers and Paul White, and the rights to Bob Chappuis to the Pittsburgh Steelers for halfback Bill Dudley. [49]
  5. ↑ Detroit traded the rights for John Rauch to the New York Yanks in exchange for the rights to Doak Walker. [50] Detroit would later have to give up an additional second-round pick in the 1950 draft due to a conflicting claim for Walker with the Cleveland Browns. [51]
  6. ↑ Detroit traded their 1951 first-round selection (No. 8 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Lindy Pearson. [53] [54]
  7. ↑ Detroit traded their 1952 first- and sixteenth-round selections (Nos. 9 and 189 overall), as well as Charley Schroll, Ed Wood, and cash to the Cleveland Browns for Jim Martin, Ed Pasky, Tom Lucia, Lowell Tew, and Dave Rakestraw. [55]
  8. ↑ Tackle Dick Chappus elected to return to Rice University in hopes of becoming an atomic scientist. [56]
  9. ↑ Detroit traded their 1961 first-round selection (No. 10 overall) and linebacker Bob Long to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback Jim Ninowski. [58]
  10. ↑ Detroit traded their 1966 first-round selection (No. 8 overall) to the Green Bay Packers for the right to sign free agent Ron Kramer. [59] [60] [61]
  11. ↑ Detroit traded defensive tackle Roger Brown to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for their 1968 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 24 and 74 overall) as well as their 1969 second-round selection (No. 47 overall). [62] [63] [64]
  12. ↑ Detroit traded their 1969 first-round selection (No. 8 overall), punter and wide receiver Pat Studstill, running back Tom Watkins, and quarterback Milt Plum to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Bill Munson. [65] [66]
  13. ↑ Detroit traded their 1973 first-round selection (No. 19 overall) and tight end Craig Cotton to the Chicago Bears in exchange for their 1973 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 17 and 58 overall). [67] [68]
  14. ↑ Detroit traded their 1974 first-round selection (No. 13 overall) and center Dave Thompson to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for their 1974 first-round selection (No. 8 overall) and 1975 sixth-round selection (No. 138 overall). [68]
  15. 1 2 Detroit received a 1976 first-round selection (No. 8 overall) from the Los Angeles Rams as compensation for free agent wide receiver Ron Jessie. [69]
  16. ↑ Detroit traded a 1976 first-round selection (No. 8 overall, received from Los Angeles Rams) [O] to the Chicago Bears in exchange for their 1976 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 10 and 68 overall). [68]
  17. ↑ Detroit traded their 1977 first-round selection (No. 12 overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for wide receiver J. D. Hill. [70]
  18. ↑ Detroit traded their 1988 first-round selection (No. 2 overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for their 1988 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 3 and 29 overall). [71]
  19. ↑ Detroit traded their 1993 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 8 and 89 overall) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for linebacker Pat Swilling. [72]
  20. ↑ During the 1995 NFL draft, Detroit traded their 1995 second-round selection (No. 51 overall) to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for their 1996 first-round selection (No. 21 overall). Prior to the 1996 NFL draft, Detroit traded San Diego's first-round selection (No. 21 overall) and their own 1996 third-round selection (No. 91 overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for their 1996 first-round selection (No. 17 overall). [73]
  21. ↑ Detroit traded their 1999 second-, third-, and fourth-round selection (Nos. 39, 70, and 142 overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their 1999 first-round selection (No. 27 overall). [74]
  22. ↑ Detroit traded their 2004 first-round selection (No. 6 overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for their 2004 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 7 and 37 overall). [75]
  23. ↑ Detroit traded their 2004 second- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 36 and 105 overall) Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for their 2004 first-round selection (No. 30 overall). [75]
  24. ↑ Detroit traded their 2008 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 15 and 76 overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for their 2008 first-, third-, and fifth-round selections (Nos. 17, 66, and 136 overall). [76] [77]
  25. ↑ Detroit traded their 2009 seventh-round selection (No. 210 overall) and wide receiver Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for their 2009 first-, third-, and sixth-round selections (Nos. 20, 82, and 192 overall). [78]
  26. ↑ Detroit traded their 2010 second-, fourth-, and seventh-round selections (Nos. 34, 100, and 214 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for their 2010 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 30 and 128 overall). [79]
  27. ↑ Detroit traded their 2015 first-round selection (No. 23 overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for their 2015 first- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 28 and 143 overall), their 2016 fifth-round selection (No. 169 overall), and guard Manny Ramirez. [80]
  28. 1 2 Detroit traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2022 first-round selection (No. 32 overall), a 2023 first-round selection (No. 6 overall), a 2021 third-round selection (No. 101 overall), and quarterback Jared Goff. [81]
  29. ↑ Detroit traded a 2022 first- (received from Los Angeles Rams in Matthew Stafford trade), [AB] second-, and third-round selections (Nos. 32, 34, and 66 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for their 2022 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 12 and 46 overall). [82]
  30. ↑ Detroit traded a 2023 first- (received from Los Angeles Rams in Matthew Stafford trade) [AB] and third-round selection (Nos. 6 and 81 overall) to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for their 2023 first-, second-, and fifth-round selections (Nos. 12, 34, and 168 overall). [83]
  31. ↑ Detroit traded their 2024 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 29 and 73 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for their 2024 first-round selection (No. 24 overall) and 2025 seventh-round selection (no. yet to be determined). [84]

References

  1. ↑ "Barry Sanders Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (July 16, 2023). "Barry Sanders turns 55: Five fast facts to know on Hall of Fame running back's birthday". CBS Sports . Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ "NFL Rushing Yards Year-by-Year Leaders". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Barry Sanders". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ Battista, Judy. "NFL's All-Time Team: Jim Brown tops RBs; Bill Belichick a coach". National Football League . Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Matthew Stafford Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  7. ↑ Rothstein, Michael (January 2, 2017). "Lions' Stafford fastest to 30,000 passing yards". ESPN . Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 Dajani, Jordan (October 20, 2019). "Matthew Stafford breaks Matt Ryan's record, becomes fastest quarterback to reach 40,000 career passing yards". CBS Sports . Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  9. ↑ Kerr, Jeff (September 9, 2022). "Matthew Stafford matches Drew Brees for quickest to 50,000 passing yards in NFL history". CBS Sports . Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  10. ↑ "NFL Fourth Quarter Comebacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1950)". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  11. ↑ "NFL Game-Winning Drives Single-Season Leaders (since 1950)". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  12. ↑ Clawson, Douglas (October 27, 2022). "Why Daniel Jones' NFL-record five game-winning drives through seven games aren't what they seem". CBS Sports . Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  13. ↑ Astbury, Matt (April 12, 2023). "Why are there divisions and conferences in the NFL? How do they work?". DAZN . Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  14. 1 2 "Team Facts". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Detroit Lions". National Football League . Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ "How did your NFL team gets its name? Origins explained for all 32". ESPN . February 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  17. ↑ Astbury, Matt (January 15, 2024). "Detroit Lions stadium: What is Ford Field's capacity and does it have a roof?". DAZN . Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  18. ↑ "NFL Draft Profile – NFL Draft". ESPN . Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  19. ↑ Farmer, Sam (April 26, 2008). "What makes them tick" . Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  20. ↑ Reuter, Chad (April 13, 2012). "Who will be the best pro RB? Martin vs. Miller vs. Wilson". National Football League . Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  21. ↑ "NFL 2021 Draft date: when and where is it taking place?". Diario AS . February 18, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  22. 1 2 "The rules of the NFL Draft". National Football League . Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  23. ↑ "1936 – The NFL's First Draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Learn the history of the NFL Draft". National Football League . Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  25. ↑ Signora, Michael; Gilbert, Zak; Drexler, Sam; Enos, Cody; Romanko, Reilly (eds.). "Official 2023 National Football League Record & Fact Book" (PDF). National Football League . p. 529. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Hall of Famers by Draft Round". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  27. ↑ "1936 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Detroit Lions All-Time Draft History". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  29. ↑ Twentyman, Tim (April 25, 2024). "Lions trade up, draft cornerback Terrion Arnold". Detroit Lions . Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  30. 1 2 3 Cummings, Ian (June 21, 2023). "History of Detroit Lions First-Round NFL Draft Picks All Time". Pro Football Network . Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  31. 1 2 Slagter, Josh (April 23, 2013). "From Barry Sanders to Charles Rogers, Detroit Lions have lengthy history in top five of NFL draft". MLive Media Group . Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  32. 1 2 Rothschild, Richard (October 9, 2017). "Y.A. Tittle: The Man Who Ignited Football in NY". Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  33. 1 2 "NFL vs AFL II, 12 Jan 1964". Fort Worth Star-Telegram (clipping). Associated Press. January 12, 1964. p. 67. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  34. 1 2 3 Goldstein, Richard (November 30, 2022). "John Hadl, Standout Quarterback of the A.F.L., Dies at 82" . The New York Times . sec. B, p. 15. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Calvin Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  36. 1 2 "Calvin Johnson". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  37. ↑ Battista, Judy (April 6, 2020). "NFL 2010s All-Decade Team: Tom Brady, Aaron Donald headliners". National Football League . Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  38. ↑ Ford, Ryan (August 9, 2021). "Here's how Calvin Johnson compares to the 30 other Pro Football Hall of Fame WRs". Detroit Free Press . Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Alex Karras Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Pro Football Reference All-Decade Teams – 1960s". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Alex Karras". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  42. ↑ Florence, Mal (December 11, 1990). "Nave Dies; USC's Hero in '39 Game" . Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Doyle Nave (1995) – Rose Bowl Hall of Fame". Rose Bowl Game . Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  44. ↑ Cantor, George (2008). Paul Brown: The Man Who Invented Modern Football. Chicago: Triumph Books. p. 80. ISBN   978-1-57243-725-8.
  45. ↑ Demara, Max (April 22, 2019). "Detroit Lions have checkered history trading pick No. 8". 247Sports . Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Joseph William (Bill) Dellastatious". The Jackson Sun . November 9, 2023. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  47. ↑ "Lions Draft Glenn Davis, Army Star". The Daily Item (clipping). United Press. December 17, 1946. p. 13. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  48. ↑ "National League Rams Get Rights To Glenn Davis". Springfield News-Sun (clipping). Associated Press. September 10, 1947. p. 14. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  49. ↑ "Dudley Traded to Lions by Steelers". The Punxsutawney Spirit (clipping). Associated Press. August 7, 1947. p. 6. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ "Georgia Grid Star Signed By Boston". The Morning News (clipping). Associated Press. January 8, 1949. p. 15. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  51. ↑ "Detroit obtains draft rights to Doak Walker". St. Petersburg Times . Florida. Associated Press. January 22, 1950. p. 33. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  52. ↑ "The 1950 NFL Draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Sooners' Pearson to Detroit Lions". Sioux City Journal (clipping). Associated Press. August 18, 1950. p. 22. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ "1951 National Football League Draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Lions, Browns Complete Big Player Trade". The Owosso Argus-Press . Associated Press. June 12, 1951. p. 8. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2013– via Google News.
  56. ↑ Falls, Joe (October 20, 1955). "Low Draft Choices Hurt Detroit Lions This Year". The Clarion-Ledger (clipping). Associated Press. p. 21. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  57. ↑ "Johnny Robinson". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Browns Draft History 1960s". Cleveland Browns . Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  59. ↑ Fox, Bob (March 13, 2013). "The Biggest Free-Agency Busts in Green Bay Packers History". Bleacher Report . Archived from the original on March 19, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Lions Sign Ron Kramer". The Oshkosh Northwestern (clipping). United Press International. August 4, 1965. p. 17. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  61. ↑ "Teams Agreed to Draft Pick—Rozelle". The La Crosse Tribune (clipping). Associated Press. August 7, 1965. p. 5. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  62. ↑ "Rams Get Roger Brown In Trade". Petaluma Argus-Courier (clipping). Associated Press. September 8, 1967. p. 8. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  63. ↑ "The 1968 NFL Draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  64. ↑ "1969 NFL/AFL Common Draft Pick Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  65. ↑ "'68 Review | May | Lions Get Munson". Lansing State Journal (clipping). December 24, 1968. p. 18. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  66. ↑ "The 1969 NFL Draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  67. ↑ Wallace, William N. (January 31, 1973). "Matuszak First Choice in N.F.L. Draft" . The New York Times . p. 31. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  68. 1 2 3 Payton, Mike (April 11, 2022). "NFL Draft: Breaking down every 1st-round trade in Detroit Lions history". Pride of Detroit . Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  69. ↑ "Rams Go for 'Kids' --- 16 of them". Los Angeles Times (clipping). September 7, 1976. p. 45. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  70. ↑ Pierson, Don (May 1, 1977). "NFL draft Tuesday: Can poor strike gold?". Chicago Tribune (clipping). p. 84. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  71. ↑ "First Round Trade History of the Chiefs". Kansas City Chiefs . April 1, 2014. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  72. ↑ DeCamp, Scott (April 28, 2016). "From boom to bust: How Detroit Lions first-round picks have fared since Billy Sims". MLive Media Group . Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  73. ↑ "1996 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  74. ↑ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  75. 1 2 "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  76. ↑ "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  77. ↑ "2008 NFL Draft Trades". ESPN . Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  78. ↑ Davis, Brian (October 14, 2008). "Dallas Cowboys get pick back, then ship it to Detroit Lions". The Dallas Morning News . Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  79. ↑ "Draft trade tracker: Let's make a deal: 49ers, Broncos swap first-round picks". National Football League . April 22, 2010. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  80. ↑ "2015 NFL Draft trade tracker: Details of all the moves". National Football League . April 30, 2015. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  81. ↑ Scott, Jelani (January 30, 2021). "Lions to trade Matthew Stafford to Rams in blockbuster deal involving Jared Goff, picks". National Football League . Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  82. ↑ "2022 NFL draft trade tracker: Eagles trade No. 18 pick for WR A.J. Brown". ESPN . April 28, 2022. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  83. ↑ "2023 NFL draft trade tracker: Eagles move up to draft Jalen Carter". ESPN . April 28, 2023. Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  84. ↑ Patra, Kevin (April 25, 2024). "Lions trade up to select Alabama CB Terrion Arnold at No. 24 overall in 2024 NFL Draft". National Football League . Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.