1977 NFL draft


The 1977 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, 1977, at the Roosevelt Hotel |Roosevelt Hotel] in New York City, New York. The league also held its first supplemental draft, which took place after the regular draft and before the regular season.
This was the first draft in the common draft era with twelve rounds, five rounds fewer than the previous decade. The draft had twelve rounds until reduced to eight in 1993 and seven the following year, where it has remains.
The draft began with commissioner Pete Rozelle dedicating a moment of silence to 1976 [California Golden Bears football team|California] quarterback Joe Roth, one of the most electric passers in 1976 [NCAA Division I football season|college football]. Eligible for this draft, he died in February from skin cancer at the age of 21.
With the List of first overall [National Football League Draft picks|first overall pick] of the draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers] selected 1976 [USC Trojans football team|USC] running back Ricky Bell. Next was Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett of national champion 1976 [Pittsburgh Panthers football team|Pittsburgh], taken by the Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys].

Player selections

Round 1–10

Round 11

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
280Tampa Bay BuccaneersSammy StrockTight EndUniversity of Alabama
281Tampa Bay BuccaneersJohn BafiaQuarterbackBoston College
282Buffalo BillsNate JacksonRunning backTennessee State
283Philadelphia EaglesRocco MooreTackleWestern Michigan
284New York GiantsBill HelmsTight endSan Diego State
285New Orleans SaintsJohn BlainTackleSan Jose State
286Philadelphia EaglesMike CordovaQuarterbackStanford
287Atlanta FalconsDave FarmerRunning backUSC
288Kansas City ChiefsMaurice MitchellWide receiverNorthern Michigan
289Houston OilersAl RomanoLinebackerPittsburgh
290Green Bay PackersTerry RandolphDefensive backAmerican International
291Miami DolphinsJohn AlexanderDefensive endRutgers
292Cincinnati BengalsJoel ParrishGuardGeorgia
293Detroit LionsTony DaykinLinebackerGeorgia Tech
294Chicago BearsConnie ZelencikCenterPurdue
295San Francisco 49ersBrian BillickTight endBrigham Young
296Cleveland BrownsCharles NashWide receiverArizona
297Denver BroncosPhil HeckLinebackerCalifornia
298Pittsburgh SteelersLou WestDefensive backCincinnati
299Cincinnati BengalsCarl AllenDefensive backSouthern Mississippi
300Washington RedskinsDon HarrisDefensive backRutgers
301St. Louis CardinalsGreg LeeDefensive backWestern Illinois
302Los Angeles RamsCarson LongKickerPittsburgh
303New England PatriotsRay CostictLinebackerMississippi State
304Baltimore ColtsBrian RuffLinebackerThe Citadel
305Dallas CowboysDon WardlowTight endWashington
306Minnesota VikingsKeith HartwigWide receiverArizona
307New York JetsDave ButterfieldDefensive backNebraska

Round 12

Pick #NFL teamPlayerPositionCollege
308Tampa Bay BuccaneersChip SheffieldWide receiverLenoir-Rhyne
309Buffalo BillsCharles RomesDefensive backNorth Carolina Central
310Pittsburgh SteelersJimmy StephensTight endFlorida
311New York GiantsElmo SimmonsRunning backTexas-Arlington
312New York JetsPhil GargisRunning backAuburn
313New York JetsDave ConradTackleMaryland
314St. Louis CardinalsDon ParrishDefensive endPittsburgh
315New Orleans SaintsOakley DaltonDefensive tackleJackson State
316Houston OilersOve JohanssonKickerAbilene Christian
317Oakland RaidersRod MartinLinebackerUSC
318Kansas City ChiefsRay BurksLinebackerUCLA
319San Diego ChargersJim StansikTight endEastern Michigan
320Minnesota VikingsAdam DzierdzikCorner BackOhio State
321Miami DolphinsTerry AndersonWide receiverBethune-Cookman
322Chicago BearsKyle EckeWide ReceiverJackson State
323San Francisco 49ersStephen AragonGuardNorth Dakota
324Denver BroncosEthan RanneyTight endWestern Illinois
325Chicago BearsAnthony DzierdzikCenterGeorgia Tech
326Cincinnati BengalsEthan VenderveenWide receiverMorehouse
327Washington RedskinsJustin VenderveenDefensive endMissouri
328St. Louis CardinalsElliot EckeLinebackerTexas
329Seattle SeahawksCharlie KirkDefensive tackleTulsa
330Los Angeles RamsBenedict FernziWide ReciaverIllinois
331Baltimore FatsosJakob CeponDefensive Line MenNorth Dakota
332Dallas CowboysGreg PetersGuardCalifornia
333New England PatriotsDave PrestonRunning backBowling Green
334Oakland RaidersRolf BenirschkeKickerCalifornia-Davis
335Minnesota VikingsJim KelleherRunning BackColorado

Supplemental draft

Notable undrafted players

Hall of Famers

  • Tony Dorsett, running back from Pittsburgh, taken 1st round 2nd overall by Dallas Cowboys
  • Tony Dungy, safety from Minnesota, undrafted and signed by Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Joe Klecko, defensive tackle from Temple, taken 6th round 144th overall by New York Jets