image: 1944

The 1944 NFL Draft

image: Angelo Bertelli, QB, Notre Dame

#1 Pick

Angelo Bertelli, QB, Notre Dame

Drafted by the Boston Yanks first overall, never played for the team

Enlisted in the Marine Corp Reserve and was called to activy duty during World War II

Returned to United States in 1946 and signed with the AAFC Los Angeles Dons

The 1944 Draft Picks

Draft# Team Player, Position, College
1 Boston Yanks Angelo Bertelli, QB, Notre Dame
2 Chicago Cardinals Pat Harder, FB, Wisconsin
3 Brooklyn Tigers Creighton Miller, B, Notre Dame
4 Detroit Lions OTTO GRAHAM, QB, Northwestern
5 Philadelphia Eagles STEVE VAN BUREN, HB, LSU
6 New York Giants Billy Hillenbrand, HB, Indiana
7 Green Bay Packers Merv Pregulman, C, Michigan
8 Washington Redskins Micka Mike, FB, Colgate
9 Chicago Bears Ray Evans, TB, Kansas
10 Pittsburgh Steelers Johnny Podesto, B, Mary's
11 Cleveland Rams Tony Butkovich, B, Illinois

Pick Acquired From

  • N/A

Hall of Famers selected in 1944 NFL Draft

  • OTTO GRAHAM (1st Round, 4th Overall) (Drafted by Lions but signed with the Cleveland Browns in 1946)
  • STEVE VAN BUREN (1st Round, 5th Overall)
  • BOB WATERFIELD (5th Round, 42nd Overall) (Drafted as a future selection)