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 The
number of rounds stayed at 30 throughout the decade of the 1950s.
By the middle of the decade, the NFL once again felt the squeeze
of competition as the Canadian Football League was attempting to
gain popularity by signing big-name college stars from the United
States. In order to combat the threat, the NFL held early drafts
from 1956-1959. The first four rounds of the drafts were held in
late November or early December and rounds 5-30 were held in January.
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Select among the years below to see more in-depth coverage of
that year's draft:
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 Colorful
nicknames were commonplace in football during this era. Drafted
in the 1st round were Fred “Curly” Morrison, Leo “The
Lion” Nomellini, and Harold “Bud” Grant. Also
drafted were players with names like “Muscles”, “Snakey”,
“Tank”, “Dopey”, “Red”, and
“Choo-Choo”. |
 The
Cleveland Browns had a historic ninth-round, though their choices
made history off the football field. Burl Toler, a guard from
San Francisco U., never played in the pros, but became the first
ever African-American NFL official. Their other pick: Hall of
Fame coach Don Shula. |
 Cleveland
took Bert Rechichar, an all-purpose back, with the 10th pick.
Traded to Baltimore a year later, he also served as the Colt’s
placekicker. On September 27, 1953, Rechichar set the NFL record
for the longest field goal (56), a mark broken when Tom Demspey
booted a 63-yarder in 1970. |
 Future
Hall of Famer Doug Atkins was drafted by the Cleveland Browns
in the 1st round. However, the defensive end made his claim to
fame with the Chicago Bears who acquired him through a trade in
1955. |
 The
Chicago Bears used their 2nd round pick on Florida back Rick Casares
who went on to become the team’s all-time leading rusher
in a career that lasted through 1964. Walter Payton eventually
surpassed Casares’ career total in 1979. |
 The
Baltimore Colts selected fullback Alan Ameche with the third pick.
Nicknamed “The Horse”, Ameche scored the overtime
touchdown in the famous 1958 NFL Championship. Pittsburgh picked
up quarterback Johnny Unitas in the 9th round, but the Steelers
cut Johnny U. before the season. |
 With
their 2nd round pick, the Packers selected tackle Forrest Gregg
from SMU. Gregg’s Hall of Fame career can best be summed
up by legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who called him the “greatest
player I ever coached.” |
 The
Cleveland Browns drafted Hall of Famer Henry Jordan in the 5th
round with a pick acquired through a trade with the Packers. Two
seasons later, the defensive tackle was traded to Green Bay. |
 Green
Bay solidified their future by drafting two future Hall of Famers
in the first three rounds. The Packers took running back Jim Taylor
in the 2nd round and linebacker Ray Nitschke in the 3rd round. |
 Pittsburgh's
personnel department had a long wait in the draft as the team
had traded away their first seven picks. The Steelers' first pick
came in the 8th round with Tom Barnett selected as the 91st player
overall. |
1950s Draft Notes
 Hall
of Fame coach Bud Grant was selected 14th overall by the Philadelphia
Eagles in 1950. An end, Grant played two seasons in the NFL. He caught
56 passes for 997 yards and 7 touchdowns in 1952 for Philadelphia.
Roosevelt
Brown, the Hall of Fame tackle from the New York Giants, holds the distinction
of the being the lowest round draft pick ever elected to the Pro Football
Hall of Fame. The Giants took Rosey, who played his college ball at Morgan
State, in the 27th round, 321st overall.
King
Hill, a quarterback from Rice, became the last bonus pick when the Chicago
Cardinals selected him in the 1958 NFL Draft. Hill played 14 seasons in
the NFL with the Cardinals, Eagles, and Vikings.
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