1988 NFL draft
The 1988 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 April 24–25, 1988, at the Marriot Marquis in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
With the first overall pick of the draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected linebacker Aundray Bruce. Notably, the first player selected at the quarterback position did not come until the third round with Tom Tupa, who was also selected because of his ability as a punter. This is the last draft in which the first quarterback was selected this late. In fact, only one draft since – 1996 – has gone without a quarterback being drafted in the first round.
Player selections
Supplemental draft
Notable undrafted players
Hall of Famers
- Michael Irvin, wide receiver from Miami, taken 1st round 11th overall by Dallas Cowboys
- Randall McDaniel, offensive guard from Arizona State, taken 1st round 19th overall by Minnesota Vikings
- Thurman Thomas, running back from Oklahoma State, taken 2nd round 40th overall by Buffalo Bills
- Dermontti Dawson, center from Kentucky, taken 2nd round 44th overall by Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tim Brown, wide receiver from Notre Dame, taken 1st round 6th overall by Los Angeles Raiders
- Sterling Sharpe, wide receiver from South Carolina, taken 1st round 7th overall by Green Bay Packers
- Eric Allen, cornerback from Arizona State, taken 2nd round 30th overall by Philadelphia Eagles
Trades
;Round one
;Round two
;Round three
;Round four
;Round five
;Round six
;Round seven
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