Detroit Lions draft picks (1936–1969)

This article is part of series on the
Detroit Lions draft history
Draft picks from 1936 to 1969
Draft picks from 1970 to the present
List of first-round draft picks

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.[1] The franchise was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio, as the Portsmouth Spartans and joined the NFL on July 12, 1930.[2] 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.[3][4] The team plays its home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.[5]

The NFL draft, officially known as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting",[6][7] is an annual event which serves as the league's most common source of player recruitment.[8] 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.[9]

In 1936, the Lions took part in the first NFL draft of college football players.[10][11] With the eighth pick of the first round of that draft, Sid Wagner, a guard out of Michigan State University, became the Lions' first draft selection.[2] In addition to the annual draft, the Lions took part in the 1950 All-America Football Conference (AAFC) dispersal draft. This draft was organized after the AAFC, which was formed as a competing league in 1946, merged with the NFL. Three teams from the AAFC were admitted into the NFL, while the remaining players from the five defunct teams became automatically eligible for selection by an existing NFL team in the dispersal draft.[12][13] Thirteen of the players drafted by the Lions between 1936 and 1969 have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[14] The Lions took part in every draft from 1936 to 1969, prior to the AFL–NFL merger and the formation of the modern draft in 1970.[15][16]

Key

Key
† Indicates the player was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

1936 draft

Main article: 1936 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1936 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
8
8
 Sid Wagner Guard Michigan State
2
8
17
 Chuck Cheshire Back UCLA
3
8
26
 Andy Pilney Back Notre Dame
4
8
35
 Sheldon Beise Back Minnesota
5
8
44
 Kavanaugh Francis Center Alabama
6
8
53
 Abe Mickal Back LSU
7
8
62
 Charles Wasicek Tackle Colgate
8
8
71
 Dale Rennebohm Center Minnesota
9
8
80
 Bob Train End Yale
Source: Pro Football Reference[17]

1937 draft

Main article: 1937 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1937 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
7
7
 Lloyd Cardwell Wingback Nebraska
2
7
17
 Charley Hamrick Tackle Ohio State
3
7
27
 Vern Huffman Blocking back Indiana
4
7
37
 Bill Glassford Guard Pittsburgh
5
7
47
 Maury Patt End Carnegie Mellon
6
7
57
 George Bell Guard Purdue
7
7
67
 John Sprague End SMU
8
7
77
 Elvin Sayre Center Illinois
9
7
87
 Larry Kelley End Yale
10
7
97
 Kay Bell Tackle Washington State
Source: Pro Football Reference[18]

1938 draft

Alex Wojciechowicz sitting with his arms spread behind him. He's smiling and wearing a Detroit Lions uniform with no helmet.
Hall of Famer Alex Wojciechowicz, a two-way player, was the Lions' first-round selection in the 1938 draft.
Main article: 1938 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1938 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
6
6
 Alex Wojciechowicz † Center Fordham
3
6
21
 Pete Smith End Oklahoma
5
6
36
 Andy Bershak End North Carolina
6
6
46
 Karl Schleckman Tackle Utah
7
6
56
 Paul Szakash End Montana
8
6
66
 Dick Nardi Back Ohio State
9
6
76
 Jim Sirtosky Guard Indiana
10
6
86
 Ralph Wolf Center Ohio State
11
6
96
 Clarence Douglass Back Kansas
12
6
106
 Clint Frank Back Yale
Source: Pro Football Reference[19]

1939 draft

Raymond George on one knee with a football under his arm.
Raymond George was the Lions' tenth-round selection in the 1939 draft.
Main article: 1939 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1939 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
7
7
 John Pingel Tailback Michigan State
3
7
22
 Howard Weiss Fullback Wisconsin
5
7
37
 Steve Maronic Tackle North Carolina
6
7
47
 Joe Wendlick End Oregon State
7
7
57
 Darrell Tully Tailback Texas A&M–Commerce
8
7
67
 Dick Trzuskowski Tackle Idaho
9
7
77
 Bill Callihan Back Nebraska
10
7
87
 Raymond George Tackle USC
11
7
97
 Tony Calvelli Center Stanford
12
7
107
 Jim Coughlan End Santa Clara
13
7
117
 Prescott Hutchins Guard Oregon State
14
7
127
 Art Means Guard Washington
15
7
137
 Gene Hodge End Texas A&M–Commerce
16
7
147
 Bill Lazetich Wingback Montana
17
7
157
 Ralph Niehaus Tackle Dayton
18
7
167
 Dutch Niemant Back New Mexico
19
7
177
 Tony Tonelli Center USC
20
7
187
 Jim McDonald Center Illinois
21
2
192
 Merrill Waters End BYU
22
2
197
 Al Howe Tackle Xavier[20]
Source: Pro Football Reference[21]

1940 draft

Headshot of Bill Fisk.
Bill Fisk was the Lions' third-round selection in the 1940 draft.
Main article: 1940 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1940 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
6
6
 Doyle Nave Back USC
3
6
21
 Bill Fisk End USC
5
6
36
 Harry Smith Tackle USC
6
6
46
 Jim Rike Center Tennessee
7
6
56
 Bob Winslow Defensive end USC
8
6
66
 Bill Tranavitch Back Rutgers
9
6
76
 Bob Haas Tackle Missouri
10
6
86
 Leon DeWitte Back Purdue
11
6
96
 Erwin Prasse End Iowa
12
6
106
 Ken Binder Back Carnegie Mellon
13
6
116
 Justin Bowers Tackle Oklahoma
14
6
126
 Jack Morlock Wingback Marshall
15
6
136
 Stillman Rouse End Missouri
16
6
146
 Jack Padley Back Dayton
17
6
156
 Johnny Hackenbruck Tackle Oregon State
18
6
166
 Frank Ribar Guard Duke
19
6
176
 Herb McCarthy Back Denver
20
6
186
 Dub Parten Tackle Centenary
21
1
191
 Malvern Morgan Center Auburn
22
1
196
 Bob Orf End Missouri
Source: Pro Football Reference[22]

1941 draft

Headshot of Augie Lio
Augie Lio was the Lions' fourth-round selection in the 1941 draft.
Alex Schibanoff in a Detroit Lions uniform and no helmet with his arms and legs spread out.
Alex Schibanoff was the Lions' fourteenth-round selection in the 1941 draft.
Main article: 1941 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1941 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
5
5
 Jim Thomason Wingback Texas A&M
2
5
15
 Gene Goodreault End Boston College
3
5
20
 Harry Hopp Back Nebraska
4
5
30
 Augie Lio Guard Georgetown
5
5
35
 Robert Nelson Center Baylor
6
5
45
 John Tripson Tackle Mississippi State
7
5
55
 John Jett End Wake Forest
8
5
65
 Joseph Manzo Tackle Boston College
9
5
75
 Jasper Davis Back Duke
10
5
85
 Ted Pavelec Guard Detroit Mercy
11
5
95
 Milt Piepul Fullback Notre Dame
12
5
105
 Billy Jefferson Halfback Mississippi State
13
5
115
 Maurice Britt End Arkansas
14
5
125
 Alex Schibanoff Tackle Franklin & Marshall
15
5
135
 Perry Scott End Muhlenberg
16
5
145
 George Sarris Center Providence
17
5
155
 Fred Gage Back Wisconsin
18
5
165
 Charlie Ishmael Back Kentucky
19
5
175
 Len Isberg Back Oregon
20
5
185
 Paul Friedlander Back Carnegie Mellon
Source: Pro Football Reference[23]

1942 draft

Head shot of Bob Westfall
Bob Westfall was the Lions' first-round selection in the 1942 draft.
Mac Speedie on a 1950 Bowman football card.
Hall of Fame end Mac Speedie was the Lions' fifteenth-round selection in the 1942 draft.
Main article: 1942 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1942 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
5
5
 Bob Westfall Fullback Michigan
2
5
15
 Alf Bauman Defensive tackle Northwestern
3
5
20
 Bob Dethman Back Oregon State
4
5
30
 Mickey Sanzotta Back Case Western Reserve
5
5
35
 Joe Blalock End Clemson
6
5
45
 Murray Evans Blocking back Hardin–Simmons
7
5
55
 Tommy Colella Halfback Canisius
8
5
65
 Joe Franceski Tackle Scranton
9
5
75
 Emil Banjavic Wingback Arizona
10
5
85
 Bill Diehl Center Iowa
11
5
95
 John Polanski Fullback Wake Forest
12
5
105
 Joe Stringfellow Tailback Southern Miss
13
5
115
 Tony Arena Center Michigan State
14
5
125
 Wolf Heinberg Tackle UC Santa Barbara
15
5
135
 Mac Speedie † End Utah
16
5
145
 Firman Bynum Tackle Arkansas
17
5
155
 Dick Fisher Back Ohio State
18
5
165
 George Speth Tackle Murray State
19
5
175
 Blair Heaton End Susquehanna
20
5
185
 Ben Collins Back West Texas A&M
Source: Pro Football Reference[24]

1943 draft

Frank Sinkwich, shown from about the waist up, in a Georgia Bulldogs uniform and helmet.
Frank Sinkwich was selected first overall in the 1943 draft.
Main article: 1943 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1943 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
1
1
 Frank Sinkwich Back Georgia
2
1
11
 Dave Schreiner End Wisconsin
3
1
16
 Dick Ashcom Tackle Oregon
4
1
26
 Ralph Hamer Back Furman
5
1
31
 Lloyd Wickett Tackle Oregon State
6
1
41
 Jim Jones Tackle Union (TN)
7
1
51
 Paul Sizemore End Furman
8
1
61
 George Poschner End Georgia
9
1
71
 Jack Irish Tackle Arizona
10
1
81
 Jack Fenton Back Michigan State
11
1
91
 Dick Renfro Fullback Washington State
12
1
101
 Bob Kolesar Guard Michigan
13
1
111
 Del Huntsinger Back Portland
14
1
121
 Ellard Dernoncourt End Saint Louis
15
1
131
 Dick Woodward End Colorado
16
1
141
 Marv Bass Tackle William & Mary
17
1
151
 Vic Peelish Guard West Virginia
18
1
161
 Chet Maeda Halfback Colorado State
19
1
171
 Bert Kuczynski End Pennsylvania
20
1
181
 Al Scanland Back Oklahoma State
21
1
191
 Ace Lohry Back Iowa State
22
1
201
 Percy Holland Guard LSU
23
1
211
 Mike Fitzgerald Guard Missouri
24
1
221
 Bill Remington Center Washington State
25
1
231
 Huel Hamm Back Oklahoma
26
1
241
 Irv Konopka Tackle Idaho
27
1
251
 Chuck Fears Tackle UCLA
28
1
261
 Bert Ekern End Missouri
29
1
271
 Virgil Wagner Back Millikin
30
1
281
 Manny Kaplan Back Western Maryland
Source: Pro Football Reference[25]

1944 draft

Otto Graham shown from about the waste up smiling and holding a football.
Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham was the Lions' first-round selection in the 1944 draft.
John Greene sitting on a chair with no shirt on.
John Greene was the Lions' fifth-round selection in the 1944 draft.
Main article: 1944 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1944 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
4
4
 Otto Graham † Quarterback Northwestern
2
3
14
 Bob Cifers Halfback Tennessee
3
3
19
 Ralph Heywood End USC
4
3
30
 George Bettridge Back Utah
5
3
35
 John Greene End Michigan
6
3
46
 Ed Alliquie Tackle Santa Clara
7
3
57
 Paul Briggs Tackle Colorado
8
3
68
 Red Giske Guard Washington State
9
3
79
 Matthew Bolger End Notre Dame
10
3
90
 Herb Hein End Minnesota
11
3
101
 Paul White Halfback Michigan
12
3
112
 Jack Lescoulie Guard UCLA
13
3
123
 Doug Rehor Back Dickinson
14
3
134
 Bill Pritula Center Michigan
15
3
145
 Jim Molich End Fresno State
16
3
156
 Jules Yakapovich Back Colgate
17
3
167
 Jack Helms Defensive end Georgia Tech
18
3
178
 Elmer Madarik Halfback Detroit Mercy
19
3
189
 Bill Eubank End Mississippi State
20
3
200
 Ray Ahlstrom Back Saint Mary's (CA)[26]
21
3
211
 Alex Kapter Guard Northwestern
22
3
222
 Vic Clark Back Texas-El Paso
23
3
233
 Max Fischer Center Oklahoma
24
3
244
 Chuck Jacoby Back Indiana
25
3
255
 Bob McCarthy End Saint Mary's (CA)[26]
26
3
266
 Stan Hendrickson End Colorado
27
3
277
 Fred Bouldin Back Missouri
28
3
288
 Dick McElwee Back West Virginia
29
3
299
 Robert Derleth Tackle Michigan
30
3
310
 George Dick End Kansas
Source: Pro Football Reference[27]

1945 draft

Main article: 1945 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1945 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
6
6
 Frank Szymanski Center Notre Dame
3
8
24
 Stan Mohrbacher Guard Iowa
5
7
39
 Bob Wiese Back Michigan
6
6
49
 Gene Fekete Fullback Ohio State
7
8
62
 Mike Jarmoluk Defensive tackle Temple
8
7
72
 Jackie Lowther Back Detroit Mercy
9
6
82
 Les Joop Tackle Illinois
10
8
95
 Paul Walker End Yale
11
7
105
 Howie Hansen Tackle Utah State
12
6
115
 Mike Kasap Tackle Purdue
13
8
128
 Wally Hopp Back Nebraska
14
7
138
 Ben Trickey Back Iowa
15
6
148
 Windell Williams End Louisiana
16
8
161
 Wayne Flanigan End Denver
17
7
171
 O. J. Key Back Tulane
18
6
181
 Jim McWhorter Back Alabama
19
8
194
 Clyde LeForce Quarterback Tulsa
20
7
204
 Mike Castronis Guard Georgia
21
6
214
 Ken Currier Guard Wisconsin
22
8
227
 Jack Verutti Back Saint Mary's (CA)[28]
23
7
237
 Ray Olsen Back Tulane
24
6
247
 Russ Morrow Center Tennessee
25
8
260
 Stan Green Tackle Oklahoma
26
7
270
 Bob Ivory Guard Detroit Mercy
27
6
280
 Dell Taylor Back Tulsa
28
8
293
 Len Ciesla Back Creighton
29
7
303
 Frank Lopp Tackle Wisconsin
30
6
313
 Paul Limont End Notre Dame
31
3
321
 Ben Schadler Back Northwestern
32
2
326
 Tom Dorais Back Detroit Mercy
Source: Pro Football Reference[29]

1946 draft

Russ Thomas on a 1948 Bowman football trading card.
Russ Thomas was the Lions' third-round selection in the 1946 draft. In 1967, he become the general manager of the franchise. He held that position for 22 seasons, with his final season being in 1988.[30]
Headshot of Ned Maloney smiling.
Ned Maloney was the Lions' twenty-first-round selection in the 1946 draft.
Main article: 1946 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1946 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
8
8
 Bill Dellastatious Back Missouri
3
7
22
 Russ Thomas Tackle Ohio State
5
8
38
 Dave Harris End Wake Forest
6
7
47
 Joe Eddins Guard Auburn
7
8
58
 Pete Berezney Tackle Notre Dame
8
7
67
 Keith DeCourcey Back Washington
9
8
78
 Bill Hedges Tackle West Texas A&M
10
7
87
 Thornton Dixon Tackle Ohio State
11
8
98
 Bob Stevens Back Oregon State
12
7
107
 Pat Farris Tackle Texas Tech
13
8
118
 Paul Copoulos Back Marquette
14
7
127
 Ty Irby Back Auburn
15
8
138
 Pat Thrash End South Carolina
16
7
147
 Kelley Mote End Duke
17
8
158
 Bill Scrugg Back Rice
18
7
167
 Ben Wall Back Central Michigan
19
8
178
 Merlin Kispert Back Minnesota
20
7
187
 Don Malmberg Tackle UCLA
21
8
198
 Ned Maloney End Purdue
22
7
207
 Jack Simmons Center Detroit Mercy
23
8
218
 Joe Pulte End Detroit Mercy
24
7
227
 Bob Funderberg Back Northwestern
25
8
238
 Ed Stacco Tackle Colgate
26
7
247
 Roger Anderson Guard Oregon State
27
8
258
 Chuck Murdock End Georgia Tech
28
7
267
 Dick Van Dusen Center Minnesota
29
8
278
 Bill Agnew Back California
30
7
287
 Tom Panos Guard Utah
31
3
293
 Orlando Palesse End Marquette
32
2
297
 Otis Schellstede Guard Oklahoma State
Source: Pro Football Reference[31]

1947 draft

Bump Elliott with two hands on his helmet, taking it off. Picture is from about the shoulders up.
Bump Elliott was the Lions' tenth-round selection in the 1947 draft.
J. T. White bent at the knees, with his hands on a football on the ground, ready to hike the ball.
J. T. White was the Lions' twenty-first-round selection in the 1947 draft.
Main article: 1947 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1947 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
2
2
 Glenn Davis Halfback Army
2
1
12
 Russ Thomas Tackle Ohio State
3
1
14
 Jim Kekeris Tackle Missouri
4
1
24
 Charley Hoover Center Vanderbilt
5
1
26
 Bob Chappuis Tailback Michigan
6
1
36
 Bernie Gallagher Guard Pennsylvania
7
1
46
 Ed Grain Guard Pennsylvania
8
1
56
 Harvey James Center Miami (FL)
9
1
66
 Kale Alexander Tackle South Carolina
10
1
76
 Bump Elliott Back Michigan
11
1
86
 Pete Sullivan Tackle Detroit Mercy
12
1
96
 LaVerne Camarata Back Iowa State
13
1
106
 Walt Vezmar Guard Michigan State
14
1
116
 Dick Hagen End Washington
15
1
126
 J. W. Meeks Back Texas A&M–Commerce
16
1
136
 Reed Nilsen Center BYU
17
1
146
 Tommy James Defensive back Ohio State
18
1
156
 Ralph Maughan End Utah State
19
1
166
 Buryl Baty Back Texas A&M
20
1
176
 Elmer Madar End Michigan
21
1
186
 J. T. White End Michigan
22
1
196
 Carl Schuette Linebacker Marquette
23
1
206
 Steve Cipot Tackle St. Bonaventure
24
1
216
 Bill Cadenhead Back Alabama
25
1
226
 Jim Cody Tackle Texas A&M–Commerce
26
1
236
 Earl Maves Wingback Wisconsin
27
1
246
 Bill Hillman Back Tennessee
28
1
256
 Arch Kelly End Detroit Mercy
29
1
266
 Bob Tulis Tackle Texas A&M
30
1
276
 Howard McAfee Tackle Tulane
Source: Pro Football Reference[32]

1948 draft

Les Bingaman on a 1954 Bowman football trading card
Les Bingaman was the Lions' third-round selection in the 1948 draft.
Don Doll in his USC yearbook photo.
Don Doll was the Lions' ninth-round selection in the 1948 draft.
Main article: 1948 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1948 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
6
6
 Y. A. Tittle † Quarterback LSU
2
2
13
 George Quist Back Stanford
3
2
15
 Les Bingaman Defensive guard Illinois
4
2
25
 Jim Minor Tackle Arkansas
6
2
37
 Bob Williamson Tackle Hobart
7
2
47
 Fred Enke Quarterback Arizona
7
8
53
 Moroni Schwab Tackle Utah State
9
2
67
 Don Doll Defensive back USC
10
2
77
 Paul Cleary End USC
11
2
87
 Fred Land Tackle LSU
13
2
107
 Russ Steger Back Illinois
14
2
117
 Hal Enstice Back Union (NY)[33]
15
2
127
 Pete Elliott Back Michigan
16
2
137
 Dave Templeton Guard Ohio State
17
2
147
 Quentin Sickels Guard Michigan
18
2
157
 Jim Spruill Tackle Rice
19
2
167
 Barney Hafen Defensive end Utah
20
2
177
 Aldo Dellosobelle Tackle Loyola Marymount
21
2
187
 Dean Dill Back USC
22
2
197
 Jack McEwen Back Colorado
23
2
207
 Rebel Steiner End Alabama
24
2
217
 Joe Suarez Guard Saint Mary's (CA)[33]
25
2
227
 Coy McGee Back Notre Dame
26
2
237
 Phil Alexander Tackle South Carolina
27
2
247
 Frank Pizza Tackle Toledo
28
2
257
 George Schutte Tackle USC
29
2
267
 Tony Pabalis Back Central Michigan
30
2
277
 Bob McCurry Center Michigan State
Source: Pro Football Reference[34]

1949 draft

John Panelli on a 1950 Bowman football trading card.
John Panelli was the Lions' second-round selection in the 1949 draft.
Jack Lininger on a 1951 Bowman football trading card.
Jack Lininger was the Lions' twenty-first-round selection in the 1949 draft.
Main article: 1949 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1949 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
2
2
 John Rauch Quarterback Georgia
2
1
12
 John Panelli Linebacker Notre Dame
3
1
22
 Lou Kusserow Linebacker Columbia
4
1
32
 Joe Sullivan Back Dartmouth
5
1
42
 George Brodnax End Georgia Tech
6
1
52
 Bob Meinert Back Oklahoma State
9
1
82
 Chuck Drazenovich Linebacker Penn State
10
1
92
 Bill Davis Guard Duke
11
1
102
 Ernie Settembre Tackle Miami (FL)
12
1
112
 Virgil Boteler Center New Mexico
13
1
122
 Al Russas Tackle Tennessee
14
1
132
 Dale Panter Tackle Utah State
15
1
142
 Bob Pifferini Center San Jose State
16
1
152
 Kimball Merrill Tackle BYU
17
1
162
 Zealand Thigpen Back Vanderbilt
18
1
172
 Bill Wehr Center Denison
19
1
182
 Wallace Triplett Halfback Penn State
20
1
192
 Joe Romano Tackle North Carolina
21
1
202
 Jack Lininger Linebacker Ohio State
22
1
212
 Gil Tobler Back Utah
23
1
222
 R. B. Patterson Guard Mississippi State
24
1
232
 Oswald Clark End Michigan
25
1
242
 Les Cowan End McMurry
Source: Pro Football Reference[35]

1950 draft

Leon Hart in a Detroit Lions uniform and helmet, from about the chest up.
Leon Hart was selected first overall by the Lions in the 1950 draft.
Thurman "Fum" McGraw on a 1951 Bowman football trading card.
Thurman "Fum" McGraw was the Lions' second-round selection in the 1950 draft.
Main article: 1950 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1950 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
1
1
 Leon Hart End Notre Dame
1
5
5
 Joe Watson Center Rice
2
13
27
 Thurman McGraw Defensive tackle Colorado State
3
4
31
 Art Murakowski Fullback Northwestern
4
4
44
 Ernie Kiely Guard Texas-El Paso
5
4
57
 Hal Fitkin Back Dartmouth
6
4
70
 Floyd Jaszewski Tackle Minnesota
7
4
83
 Bill Leverman Back St. Edward's
8
4
96
 Ralph McAlister Back Minnesota
9
4
109
 Ed Wood Guard Detroit Mercy
10
4
122
 Roland Malcolm Back Gustavus Adolphus
11
4
135
 Jack Wilson Tackle Ohio State
12
4
148
 Bucky Walters Tackle Brown
13
4
161
 Jim Ryan Back San Francisco
14
4
174
 Cliff Squires Center Nebraska Wesleyan
15
4
187
 Tom Worthington Back Northwestern
16
4
200
 Jerry Greiner Center Detroit Mercy
17
4
213
 Connie Callahan Back Morningside
18
4
226
 Don Stansauk Defensive tackle Denver
19
4
239
 Gus Cifelli Tackle Notre Dame
20
4
252
 Fred Davis End Maryland
21
4
265
 George Brewer Back Oklahoma
22
4
278
 Jim Tate Tackle Purdue
23
4
291
 Irv Heller Tackle Boston University
24
4
304
 Jim McDowell Guard William & Mary
25
4
317
 Gene Glick Back Michigan State
26
4
330
 Bobby Coy Lee Back Texas
27
4
343
 Elbert Johnson End Texas Tech
28
4
356
 Johnny Karras Back Illinois
29
4
369
 Russ Steger Back Illinois
30
4
382
 Rube DeRoin Center Oklahoma State
Source: Pro Football Reference[36]

1950 AAFC dispersal draft

Robert Hoernschemeyer on a 1952 Bowman trading card.
Robert Hoernschemeyer was the Lions' first-round selection in the 1950 AAFC dispersal draft.
Main article: 1950 AAFC dispersal draft
Detroit Lions AAFC dispersal draft selections in 1950
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] AAFC Team
1
4
4
 Robert Hoernschemeyer Halfback Chicago Hornets
2
4
17
 Lou Creekmur Tackle Los Angeles Dons[b]
3
4
30
 Bob Jensen End Chicago Hornets
4
4
47
 William Kay Tackle Buffalo Bills
5
4
60
 Richard Rifenberg End New York Yankees
6
4
75
 Joyce Pipkin End Los Angeles Dons
7
4
88
 George Benigni End Chicago Hornets
8
4
103
 Gerald Morrical Tackle New York Yankees
9
4
116
 Warren Huey End Chicago Hornets
10
4
131
 Ray Coates Halfback New York Giants
Source: ProFootballResearchers.org[13]

1951 draft

American football player Dick Stanfel on a 1955 Bowman football trading card.
Hall of Fame guard Dick Stanfel was the Lions' second-round selection in the 1951 draft.
Jack Christiansen on a 1952 Bowman football trading card with the Detroit Lions
Hall of Fame defensive back Jack Christiansen was the Lions' sixth-round selection in the 1951 draft.
Main article: 1951 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1951 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
2
5
19
 Dick Stanfel † Guard San Francisco
3
7
33
 Dorne Dibble End Michigan State
4
6
44
 Pete D'Alonzo Fullback Villanova
5
5
55
 Jim Doran End Iowa State
5
8
58
 LaVern Torgeson Linebacker Washington State
6
7
69
 Jack Christiansen † Defensive back Colorado State
7
6
80
 Bob Momsen Middle guard Ohio State
8
5
91
 Dick Raklovits Back Illinois
10
7
117
 Jim Shoaf Guard LSU
11
5
128
 Frankie Anderson End Oklahoma
13
6
153
 Wayne Siegert Tackle Illinois
14
5
164
 Lee Wittmer Tackle Detroit Mercy
15
7
178
 Jim Hill Defensive back Tennessee
16
6
189
 Ted Geremsky End Pittsburgh
17
5
200
 Darrel Meisenheimer Defensive back Oklahoma State
18
7
214
 Eddie Wolgast Back Arizona
19
6
225
 Gordy Hanson Tackle Washington State
20
5
236
 Harry Gibbons Back South Dakota State
21
7
250
 King Block Back Idaho
22
6
261
 Dan Foldberg End Army
23
5
272
 Dick Gabriel Back Lehigh
24
7
286
 George Buksar Back San Francisco
25
6
297
 Dick Harris Center Texas
26
5
308
 Frank Kazmierski Center West Virginia
27
7
322
 Harry Allis End Michigan
28
6
333
 Dick Peot Tackle South Dakota State
29
5
344
 Bruce Womack Guard West Texas A&M
30
7
358
 Ron Horwath Back Detroit Mercy
Source: Pro Football Reference[39]

1952 draft

Yale Lary on a 1952 Bowman football trading card.
Hall of Fame safety and punter Yale Lary was the Lions' third-round selection in the 1952 draft.
Main article: 1952 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1952 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
3
9
34
 Yale Lary † Defensive back Texas A&M
4
8
45
 Pat Summerall Defensive end Arkansas
5
9
58
 Bob Miller Defensive tackle Virginia
6
8
69
 Gordon Cooper End Denver
7
9
82
 Wes Gardner Center Utah
8
8
93
 Tom Dublinski Quarterback Utah
9
9
106
 Sonny Gandee Linebacker Ohio State
10
8
117
 Steve Dowden Tackle Baylor
11
9
130
 Keith Flowers Center TCU
12
8
141
 Jim Roshto Back LSU
13
9
154
 Carroll McDonald Center Florida
14
8
165
 Ray Oliverson Back BYU
15
9
178
 John Burgamy Guard Georgia
17
9
202
 Hank Lauricella Halfback Tennessee
18
8
213
 Stan Campbell Guard Iowa State
19
9
226
 Blaine Earon Defensive end Duke
20
8
237
 Gil Mains Defensive tackle Murray State
21
9
250
 Showboat Boykin Back Mississippi
22
8
261
 Jim David Defensive back Colorado State
23
9
274
 Hal Maxwell End Mississippi
24
8
285
 Bob Werckle Tackle Vanderbilt
25
9
298
 Byron Bailey Halfback Washington State
26
8
309
 Buddy Terry End Stephen F. Austin
27
9
322
 Bob Trout End Baylor
28
8
333
 Hal Turner Defensive end Tennessee State
29
9
346
 Art Hudson Back Western Illinois
30
8
357
 Ray Don Dillon Back Prairie View A&M
Source: Pro Football Reference[40]

1953 draft

Joe Schmidt running in his Pittsburgh Panthers football uniform with no helmet on and his mouth open.
Hall of Fame linebacker Joe Schmidt was selected in the seventh round by the Lions in the 1953 draft.
Ted Topor from about the chest up.
Ted Topor was the Lions' fifteenth-round selection in the 1953 draft.
Main article: 1953 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1953 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
13
13
 Harley Sewell Guard Texas
2
12
25
 Gene Gedman Halfback Indiana
4
12
50
 Charlie Ane Tackle USC
6
12
74
 Ollie Spencer Tackle Kansas
7
12
86
 Joe Schmidt † Linebacker Pittsburgh
8
12
98
 Lew Carpenter Halfback Arkansas
9
12
110
 Carlton McCormack Center TCU
10
12
122
 Dreher Gaskin End Clemson
11
12
134
 Elmer Messenger Guard Washington State
12
12
146
 Larry Spencer Back Wake Forest
13
12
158
 Bob Thomas End Washington and Lee
14
12
170
 Jack Barger Tackle New Mexico
15
12
182
 Ted Topor Linebacker Michigan
16
12
194
 Bob Volonnino Guard Army/Villanova
17
12
206
 Ray Green Tackle Duke
18
12
218
 Ed Mioduszewski Quarterback William & Mary
19
12
230
 Paul Held Quarterback San Jose State
20
12
242
 Gerry Hart Tackle Army/Mississippi
21
12
254
 Bob Tata Back Virginia
22
12
266
 Pete Retzlaff End South Dakota State
23
12
278
 Carl Karilivacz Defensive back Syracuse
24
12
290
 Truett Grant Tackle Duke
25
12
302
 Marv Brown Halfback Texas A&M–Commerce
26
12
314
 Jim Dooley Center Penn State
27
12
326
 Jackie Parker Back Mississippi State
28
12
338
 Laurin Pepper Back Southern Miss
29
12
350
 Harley Rector Tackle Wayne State (NE)[41]
30
11
361
 Hal Maus End Montana
Source: Pro Football Reference[42]

1954 draft

Bill Bowman on a 1954 Bowman football trading card.
Bill Bowman was the Lions' third-round selection in the 1954 draft.
Bill Stits on a 1954 Bowman football trading card.
Bill Stits was the Lions' fourth-round selection in the 1954 draft.
Main article: 1954 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1954 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
13
13
 Dick Chapman Tackle Rice
2
12
25
 Jim Neal Center Michigan State
3
12
37
 Bill Bowman Fullback William & Mary
4
7
44
 Bill Stits Defensive back UCLA
4
12
49
 Howard McCants End Washington State
5
12
61
 George Parozzo Tackle William & Mary
6
2
63
 Pence Dacus Back Texas State
6
12
73
 Dick Kercher Halfback Tulsa
7
12
85
 Jack Cross Back Utah
8
12
97
 Milt Davis Defensive back UCLA
9
12
109
 Bob Lawson Back Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
10
12
121
 Jack Carroll End Holy Cross
11
12
133
 Milt Schwenk Tackle Washington State
12
12
145
 Bob Hartman Tackle Oregon State
13
12
157
 Jim Swierczek Back Marshall
14
12
169
 Ray Novak Back Nebraska
15
12
181
 Kirk Hinderlider End Colorado State
16
12
193
 Bob Chuoke Tackle Houston
17
12
205
 Rick Kaser Back Toledo
18
12
217
 Norm Hayes Tackle Idaho
19
12
229
 Buster Graves Tackle Arkansas
20
12
241
 Jim Durrant Guard Utah
21
12
253
 Jack Kistler Back Duke
22
12
265
 Dewey Brundage Defensive end BYU
23
12
277
 Jack Shanafelt Tackle Pennsylvania
24
12
289
 Bobby Burrows Guard Duke
25
12
301
 Richie Woit Defensive back Arkansas State
26
12
313
 Jim George Tackle Syracuse
27
12
325
 Dick Rzeszut Center Benedictine
28
12
337
 Dolph Rutschman Back Linfield
29
12
349
 Mel Bertrand Center Idaho
30
11
360
 Ellis Horton Back Eureka
Source: Pro Football Reference[43]

1955 draft

Jim Salsbury on a 1955 Bowman football trading card.
Jim Salsbury was the Lions' second-round selection in the 1955 draft.
Lee Riley on a 1955 Bowman football trading card.
Lee Riley was one of the Lions' fourth-round selections in the 1955 draft.
Main article: 1955 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1955 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
12
12
 Dave Middleton End Auburn
2
11
24
 Jim Salsbury Guard UCLA
3
11
36
 Darris McCord Defensive end Tennessee
4
2
39
 Gordon Malloy Back Miami (FL)
4
11
48
 Lee Riley Defensive back Detroit Mercy
5
11
60
 Bud Brooks Guard Arkansas
6
11
72
 Elijah Childers Tackle Prairie View A&M
7
11
84
 Bert Zagers Defensive back Michigan State
8
5
90
 Leon Cunningham Linebacker South Carolina
8
11
96
 Bill Walker End Maryland
8
12
97
 Lamoine Holland End Rice
9
11
108
 Walt Jenkins Defensive end Wayne State
10
11
120
 Tom Gastall Back Boston University
11
11
132
 Herb McDermott Tackle Iowa State
12
11
144
 Dick Goist Back Cincinnati
13
11
156
 Don Henderson Tackle Utah
14
11
168
 Jerry Gajda Back Benedictine
15
11
180
 George Atkins Guard Auburn
16
11
192
 Al Marr End Bradley
17
11
204
 Don Daly Back Eastern Kentucky
18
11
216
 Pat Oleksiak Back Tennessee
19
11
228
 Bob Muller Center Eastern Kentucky
20
11
240
 Fred Mahaffey Back Denver
21
11
252
 Jim Walters Tackle Mississippi
22
11
264
 George Albrecht Back Maryland
23
11
276
 George Galuska Back Wyoming
24
11
288
 Bob Flacke Guard Holy Cross
25
11
300
 Dick Miller Tackle Illinois
26
11
312
 Duncan McDonald Back Michigan
27
11
324
 Mike Troka Back Trinity (CT)[44]
28
11
336
 Harry Lovell Guard South Carolina
29
11
348
 Bill Dearing Back Florida
30
10
359
 Charley Hatch End Utah State
Source: Pro Football Reference[45]

1956 draft

Main article: 1956 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1956 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
3
3
 Howard Cassady Halfback Ohio State
3
2
27
 Don McIlhenny Halfback SMU
4
1
38
 Jerry Reichow End Iowa
5
1
50
 Tom Tracy Halfback Tennessee
6
1
62
 Bob Lusk Center William & Mary
7
1
74
 Gene Cronin Defensive end Pacific
8
1
86
 Jack Powell Tackle Texas A&M
9
1
98
 Calvin Jones Guard Iowa
10
1
110
 Joe Silas Defensive end South Carolina
11
1
122
 Lew Wacker Back Richmond
11
3
124
 Tom Selep Back Maryland
12
1
134
 R. B. Nunnery Tackle LSU
13
1
146
 O. K. Ferguson Back LSU
14
1
158
 Ronnie Falls Linebacker Duke
15
1
170
 Buzzy Allert Defensive end Texas State
16
1
182
 Len Zyzda Defensive end Purdue
17
1
194
 Ken Wind End Houston
18
1
206
 Emidio Petrarca Back Boston College
19
1
218
 Dale Vaughn Back VMI
20
1
230
 Joe Stephenson End Vanderbilt
21
1
242
 Bob Blechen Center Whittier
22
1
254
 Dick Marazza Tackle Clemson
23
1
266
 Bob Garrard Back Georgia
24
1
278
 Jarv Walz End Central Michigan
25
1
290
 Jerry Hall Back Rice
26
1
302
 Joe Walden Back West Texas A&M
27
1
314
 Bryan Burnthorne Guard Tulane
28
1
326
 John Smith Guard Northwestern
29
1
338
 Doug Peters Back UCLA
30
1
350
 John Gibbens Tackle Texas State
Source: Pro Football Reference[46]

1957 draft

Gene Alderton in a Detroit Lions uniform with a football in his hand.
Gene Alderton was the Lions' fifteenth-round selection in the 1957 draft.
Jack Kemp at a podium with his arms up.
Jack Kemp, pictured here in 2008, was the Lions' seventeenth-round selection in the 1957 draft.
Main article: 1957 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1957 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
12
12
 Bill Glass Defensive end Baylor
2
11
24
 John Gordy Guard Tennessee
3
11
36
 Terry Barr Halfback Michigan
4
11
48
 Steve Junker End Xavier (OH)
5
10
59
 John Barrow Guard Florida
6
10
71
 Ken Russell Tackle Bowling Green
7
10
83
 Jerry Leahy Tackle Colorado
8
10
95
 Dave Liddick Defensive tackle George Washington
9
10
107
 John Nikkel End TCU
10
10
119
 Tom Rychlec End American International
11
10
131
 Carl Osterloh Center Missouri
12
10
143
 Charlie O'Brien End Valparaiso
13
10
155
 Bill West Back Eastern Oregon
14
10
167
 Phil Smith Back Jacksonville State
15
10
179
 Gene Alderton Center Maryland
16
10
191
 Hillmer Olson Center Virginia Tech
17
10
203
 Jack Kemp Quarterback Occidental
18
10
215
 Jay Weenig Guard BYU
19
10
227
 Bob Gunderman End Virginia
20
10
239
 Alex Lazzerino Tackle South Carolina
21
10
251
 Dudley Meredith Defensive tackle Lamar
22
10
263
 Tom Schulte End Eastern Kentucky
23
10
275
 George Gillar Back Texas A&M
24
10
287
 Joe Scales Back Vanderbilt
25
10
299
 Carl Johnson Back South Dakota
26
10
311
 Chuck Muelhaupt Guard Iowa State
27
10
323
 Dick Trafas End St. Thomas
28
10
335
 Joe Smith Back Houston
29
10
347
 Hugh Martin Guard Pomona
30
9
358
 Mike Shill Tackle Furman
Source: Pro Football Reference[47]

1958 draft

Alex Karras in a jersey and on his hands and toes, as if about to rush a passer.
Hall of Fame defensive tackle Alex Karras was selected by the Lions' in the first round of the 1958 draft.
Main article: 1958 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1958 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
10
10
 Alex Karras † Defensive tackle Iowa
4
8
45
 Wayne Walker Linebacker Idaho
6
12
73
 Dan Lewis Halfback Wisconsin
7
10
83
 Ralph Pfeifer Back Kansas State
7
12
85
 Hal Outten Tackle Virginia
8
7
92
 Karl Koepfer Guard Bowling Green
8
12
97
 Phil Blazer Guard North Carolina
9
6
103
 Jim Loftin Back Alabama
9
12
109
 Ben Paolucci Defensive tackle Wayne State
10
12
121
 Elliot Schaubach Tackle William & Mary
11
12
133
 Claude Chaney Back Dayton
12
12
145
 Hal Boutte End San Jose State
13
12
157
 Barry Maroney Back Cincinnati
14
12
169
 Ken Webb Halfback Presbyterian
15
10
179
 John Scheldrup End Iowa State
15
12
181
 Jerry Mohlman Back Benedictine
16
12
193
 Gordon Ringquist Tackle Central Michigan
17
12
205
 Walt Gurasich Guard USC
18
7
212
 Bill Austin Center Auburn
18
12
217
 Larry Carrier Back Kansas
19
12
229
 Dave Bottos Back Murray State
20
12
241
 Bill Curry Tackle Western Kentucky
21
12
253
 Jim Wagstaff Defensive back Idaho State
22
12
265
 Buddy Nidiffer End South Carolina
23
12
277
 Frank Destino Back South Carolina
24
12
289
 Dave Whitsell Defensive back Indiana
25
12
301
 Jim Cook Back Auburn
26
12
313
 Joe Bruce Tackle Middle Tennessee State
27
12
325
 Don Agers Tackle Missouri S&T
28
12
337
 Jack Pitt End South Carolina
29
12
349
 Henry Herzog Back Kentucky
30
11
360
 Tommy Bronson Back Tennessee
Source: Pro Football Reference[48]

1959 draft

Nick Pietrosante shown in a promotional image wearing a Detroit Lions uniform, without a helmet, and carrying a football.
Nick Pietrosante was the Lions' first-round selection in the 1959 draft.
Main article: 1959 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1959 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
6
6
 Nick Pietrosante Fullback Notre Dame
2
6
18
 Charley Horton Guard Baylor
2
7
19
 Mike Rabold Guard Indiana
3
6
30
 Ron Koes Center North Carolina
3
12
36
 Ron Luciano Tackle Syracuse
4
6
42
 Art Brandriff Back VMI
4
10
46
 Bob Grottkau Guard Oregon
6
7
67
 Dick Guesman Defensive tackle West Virginia
7
5
77
 Ben Donnell Defensive end Vanderbilt
8
4
88
 Jim Lenden Tackle Oregon
9
5
101
 Carl Smith Fullback Tennessee
10
4
112
 Jack Laraway Linebacker Purdue
11
5
125
 Harry Jacobs Linebacker Bradley
12
4
136
 Ron Stehouwer Guard Colorado State
13
5
149
 Jim Steffen Defensive back UCLA
14
4
160
 Jim Baldwin Center McMurry
15
5
173
 Bruce Maher Defensive back Detroit Mercy
16
4
184
 George McGee Tackle Southern
17
5
197
 Jack Rudolph Linebacker Georgia Tech
18
4
208
 Dave Holden Tackle Los Angeles State
19
5
221
 Rufus Granderson Defensive tackle Prairie View A&M
20
4
232
 Dan McGrew Center Purdue
21
5
245
 Buddy Davis Back Richmond
22
4
256
 Lebron Shields Defensive end Tennessee
23
5
269
 Sal Cesario Tackle Denver
24
4
280
 Fred Riddle Back Pittsburgh
25
5
293
 Dan Chamberlain End Sacramento State
26
4
304
 Jim Bradley Back Lincoln (MO)[49]
27
5
317
 Bill Jerry Tackle South Carolina
28
4
328
 Vince Matthews Back Texas
29
5
341
 Dave Sime End Duke
30
4
352
 Ron Stover End Oregon
Source: Pro Football Reference[50]

1960 draft

Gail Cogdill in a Detroit Lions uniform, with no helmet, catching a football.
Gail Cogdill was the Lions' sixth-round selection in the 1960 draft.
Jim Norton in a Detroit Lions uniform, with no helmet, with his knees bent and hands out forward.
Jim Norton was the Lions' seventh-round selection in the 1960 draft.
Main article: 1960 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1960 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
3
3
 Johnny Robinson † Defensive back LSU
2
3
15
 Warren Rabb Quarterback LSU
3
3
27
 Bob Scholtz Center Notre Dame
4
3
39
 Jim Andreotti Center Northwestern
4
6
42
 Roger Brown Defensive tackle Maryland Eastern Shore
6
3
63
 Gail Cogdill Split end Washington State
7
3
75
 Jim Norton Defensive back Idaho
9
3
99
 Max Messner Linebacker Cincinnati
10
3
111
 Grady Alderman Tackle Detroit Mercy
10
9
117
 Jim O'Brien Tackle Boston College
11
3
123
 Ted Aucreman End Indiana
12
3
135
 Dave Ross End Los Angeles State
13
3
147
 Pete Tunney Halfback Occidental
14
3
159
 Jim Glasgow Tackle Jacksonville State
15
3
171
 Darrell Harper Halfback Michigan
16
3
183
 Steve Rasso Back Cincinnati
17
3
195
 Bob Hudson End Louisiana Tech
18
3
207
 Frank Walton Halfback John Carroll
19
3
219
 Gene Prebola Tight end Boston University
20
3
231
 Dean Look Quarterback Michigan State
Source: Pro Football Reference[51]

1961 draft

Main article: 1961 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1961 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
2
9
23
 Dan LaRose Tackle Missouri
3
6
34
 Dick Mills Guard Pittsburgh
3
10
38
 Houston Antwine Defensive tackle Southern Illinois
4
9
51
 Ron Hartline Fullback Oklahoma
5
10
66
 Earl Faison Defensive end Indiana
5
14
70
 Ron Puckett Tackle Los Angeles State
8
9
107
 Larry Muff End Benedictine
9
10
122
 Bob Brooks Fullback Ohio
10
9
135
 Errol Linden Tackle Houston
11
10
150
 Larry Vargo Defensive back Detroit Mercy
12
9
163
 Tom Rodgers Back Kentucky
13
10
178
 Paul Hodge Linebacker Pittsburgh
14
9
191
 Charley Bowers Halfback Arizona State
15
10
206
 Mike Lauber End Wisconsin–River Falls
16
9
219
 Gus Krantz Tackle Northern Michigan
17
10
234
 Tom Goode Center Mississippi State
18
9
247
 John Gregor Tackle Montana
19
10
262
 Gene Valesano Back Northern Michigan
20
9
275
 Tom Lewis Back Lake Forest
Source: Pro Football Reference[52]

1962 draft

Side view of Mike Bundra from the shoulder up.
Mike Bundra was the Lions' sixth-round selection in the 1962 draft.
Main article: 1962 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1962 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
10
10
 John Hadl Quarterback Kansas
2
10
24
 Eddie Wilson Quarterback Arizona
3
10
38
 Bobby Thompson Defensive back Arizona
4
6
48
 John Lomakoski Tackle Western Michigan
4
10
52
 Larry Ferguson Halfback Iowa
5
10
66
 Dan Birdwell Defensive tackle Houston
6
10
80
 Mike Bundra Defensive tackle USC
7
10
94
 Tom Hall Wide receiver Minnesota
8
10
108
 Murdock Hooper Tackle Houston
8
11
109
 Frank Imperiale Guard Southern Illinois
9
10
122
 Todd Grant Center Michigan
10
10
136
 Jerry Archer Center Pittsburg State
11
10
150
 Karl Anderson Tackle Bowling Green
12
10
164
 Gale Sprute Center Winona State
13
10
178
 Sherlock Knight Tackle Central State (OH)[53]
14
10
192
 Jim Davidson Back Maryland
15
10
206
 Dick Broadbent End Delaware
16
10
220
 Tom Sestak Defensive tackle McNeese State
17
10
234
 Rucker Wickline Center Marshall
18
10
248
 Joe Zuger Quarterback Arizona State
19
10
262
 Jim Bernhardt Tackle Linfield
20
10
276
 Bob Brown End Michigan
Source: Pro Football Reference[54]

1963 draft

Main article: 1963 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1963 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
12
12
 Daryl Sanders Tackle Ohio State
2
13
27
 Roy Williams Defensive tackle Pacific
4
13
55
 Chuck Walton Guard Iowa State
6
13
83
 Don King Halfback Syracuse
7
12
96
 John Gamble Guard Pacific
8
13
111
 Dennis Gaubatz Linebacker LSU
9
12
124
 Ken Dill Linebacker Mississippi
10
13
139
 Nick Ryder Fullback Miami (FL)
11
12
152
 Karl Kassulke Defensive back Drake
12
13
167
 Tom Janik Defensive back Texas A&M–Kingsville
13
12
180
 Ernie Clark Linebacker Michigan State
14
13
195
 Bill O'Brien Tackle Xavier[55]
15
12
208
 Jim Simon Guard Miami (FL)
16
13
223
 Charlie Johnson Tackle Villanova
17
12
236
 Gene Frantz Back BYU
18
13
251
 Al Greer End Jackson State
19
12
264
 Lucien Reeberg Tackle Hampton
20
13
279
 Gordon Scarborough Back Texas A&M–Commerce
Source: Pro Football Reference[56]

1964 draft

Bill Parcells smiling in an air force shirt, shown from about the chest up.
Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, pictured here in 1978, was the Lions' seventh-round selection in the 1964 draft.
Main article: 1964 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1964 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
5
5
 Pete Beathard Quarterback USC
2
6
20
 Matt Snorton Tight end Michigan State
3
2
30
 Pat Batten Fullback Hardin–Simmons
3
5
33
 Gerry Philbin Defensive end Buffalo
4
6
48
 Wally Hilgenberg Linebacker Iowa
5
5
61
 Benny Nelson Defensive back Alabama
6
6
76
 John Hilton Tight end Richmond
7
5
89
 Bill Parcells Tackle Wichita State
9
5
117
 Wayne Rasmussen Defensive back South Dakota State
10
6
132
 Larry Hand Defensive end Appalachian State
10
8
134
 Glenn Holton Halfback West Virginia
11
5
145
 Don Hyne Tackle Baldwin Wallace
12
6
160
 Warren Wells Split end Texas Southern
13
5
173
 John Miller Tackle Idaho State
14
6
188
 Doug Bickle End Hillsdale
15
5
201
 Roger LaLonde Defensive tackle Muskingum
16
6
216
 Allan Robinson Halfback BYU
17
5
229
 Joe Provenzano Tackle Kansas State
18
6
244
 Willis Langley Tackle LSU
19
5
257
 Bruce Zellmer Halfback Winona State
20
6
272
 Steve Barilla Tackle Wichita State
Source: Pro Football Reference[57]

1965 draft

Main article: 1965 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1965 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
11
11
 Tom Nowatzke Fullback Indiana
2
11
25
 Jerry Rush Defensive tackle Michigan State
3
11
39
 Fred Biletnikoff † Wide receiver Florida State
4
4
46
 Tom Myers Quarterback Northwestern
5
1
57
 Tom Vaughn Defensive back Iowa State
5
8
64
 Ed Flanagan Center Purdue
5
11
67
 John Flynn End Oklahoma
6
11
81
 Earl Hawkins Back Emory and Henry
7
8
92
 Greg Kent Tackle Utah
7
11
95
 Bob Kowalkowski Guard Virginia
8
11
109
 Larry Harbin Back Appalachian State
9
11
123
 Bruce McLenna Halfback Hillsdale
10
11
137
 Frank Pennie Tackle Florida
11
11
151
 Jim Kearney Defensive back Prairie View A&M
12
11
165
 Jim Moore Linebacker North Texas
13
11
179
 Jack Jacobson Defensive back Oklahoma State
14
11
193
 Larry Brown Back Oklahoma
15
11
207
 Wallace Dickey Tackle Texas State
16
11
221
 John Smith Tackle Maryland Eastern Shore
17
11
235
 Sonny Odom Halfback Duke
18
11
249
 Karl Sweetan Quarterback Wake Forest
19
11
263
 Preston Love Back Nebraska
20
11
277
 George Wilson Quarterback Notre Dame
Source: Pro Football Reference[58]

1966 draft

Main article: 1966 NFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1966 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
2
8
24
 Nick Eddy Running back Notre Dame
3
7
39
 Bill Malinchak Split end Indiana
4
7
55
 Doug Van Horn Guard Ohio State
4
11
59
 Willie Walker Wide receiver Tennessee State
5
3
67
 Bill Cody Linebacker Auburn
6
7
87
 Wayne DeSutter Tackle Western Illinois
7
8
103
 Johnnie Robinson Defensive back Tennessee State
8
7
117
 John Pincavage Halfback Virginia
9
11
136
 Dick Cunningham Tackle Arkansas
10
8
148
 Bruce Yates Tackle Auburn
10
10
150
 Tom Brigham Defensive end Wisconsin
11
9
164
 Jack O'Billovich Linebacker Oregon State
12
8
178
 Randy Winkler Tackle Tarleton State
13
7
192
 Bill Maselter Tackle Wisconsin
14
11
211
 Denis Moore Defensive tackle USC
15
10
225
 Bill Sullivan Defensive end West Virginia
16
9
239
 Jerry Gendron End Wisconsin–Eau Claire
17
8
253
 Ralph Dunlap Defensive end Baylor
18
7
267
 Bill Johnson End West Alabama
19
11
286
 Bob Baier Tackle Simpson
20
10
300
 Allen Smith Halfback Findlay
Source: Pro Football Reference[59]

1967 draft

Mel Farr from the shoulders up.
Mel Farr was the Lions' first-round selection in the 1967 draft.
Lem Barney smiling in a red suit jacket, shown from about the shoulders up.
Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney, pictured here in 2015, was the Lions' second-round selection in the 1967 draft.
Main article: 1967 NFL/AFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1967 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
7
7
 Mel Farr Running back UCLA
2
8
34
 Lem Barney † Defensive back Jackson State
3
7
60
 Paul Naumoff Linebacker Tennessee
4
8
88
 Lew Kamanu Defensive end Weber State
6
8
141
 Tim Jones Quarterback Weber State
6
11
144
 John McCambridge Defensive end Northwestern
7
7
166
 Ted Tuinstra Tackle Iowa State
9
7
218
 Mike Weger Defensive back Bowling Green
10
8
245
 Jerry Hayhoe Guard USC
11
7
270
 Ray Shirey Tackle Arizona State
12
7
297
 Eric Watts Defensive back San Jose State
13
7
322
 Lamar Wright Guard Georgia Tech
14
8
349
 Cleveland Robinson Defensive end South Carolina State
15
7
374
 Sam Burke Defensive back Georgia Tech
16
8
401
 Jerry Zawadzkas Tight end Columbia
17
7
426
 Ken Ramsey Defensive tackle Northwestern
Source: Pro Football Reference[60]

1968 draft

Earl McCullouch in a USA shirt, shown from
Earl McCullouch was one of the Lions' first-round selections in the 1968 draft.
Main article: 1968 NFL/AFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1968 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
1
11
11
 Greg Landry Quarterback Massachusetts
1
24
24
 Earl McCullouch Wide receiver USC
2
10
37
 Jerry DePoyster Kicker Wyoming
3
19
74
 Charlie Sanders † Tight end Minnesota
4
10
93
 Ed Mooney Linebacker Texas Tech
5
9
120
 Phil Odle Wide receiver BYU
6
10
148
 Mike Spitzer Defensive end San Jose State
8
10
202
 Terry Miller Linebacker Illinois
9
10
229
 Greg Barton Quarterback Tulsa
10
10
256
 Granville Liggins Linebacker Oklahoma
11
10
283
 Dwight Little Guard Kentucky
12
10
310
 Ed Caruthers Defensive back Arizona
13
10
337
 Chuck Bailey Tackle Humboldt State
14
10
364
 Richie Davis End Upsala
15
10
391
 Jim Oliver Running back Colorado State
16
10
418
 Bob Rokita Defensive end Arizona State
Source: Pro Football Reference[61]

1969 draft

Main article: 1969 NFL/AFL draft
Detroit Lions' selections in the 1969 NFL draft
Round Pick # Overall Name Position[a] College
2
8
34
 Altie Taylor Running back Utah State
2
21
47
 Jim Yarbrough Tackle Florida
3
7
59
 Larry Walton Wide receiver Arizona State
8
8
190
 Jim Carr Tackle Jackson State
9
8
216
 Rocky Rasley Guard Oregon State
10
8
242
 Bob Bergum Defensive end Wisconsin–Platteville
11
8
268
 Ron Walker Defensive end Morris Brown
12
8
294
 Bob Hadlock Defensive tackle George Fox
13
3
320
 Wilson Bowie Running back USC
14
8
346
 George Hoey Defensive back Michigan
15
8
372
 Fred Gough Linebacker Texas–Arlington
16
8
398
 Ken Spain Defensive end Houston
16
17
407
 John Stahl Guard Fresno State
17
8
424
 Gary Steele Tight end Army
Source: Pro Football Reference[62]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Position reflects the source for each table (Pro Football Reference) and may not be representative of a player’s college position or a modern equivalent position.
  2. ^ Lou Creekmur was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1948 NFL draft and the Los Angeles Dons in the 1948 AAFC draft but never signed for either team, choosing instead to return to the College of William & Mary to complete his master's degree. As a result, Creekmur was placed into the player pool for the 1950 AAFC dispersal draft.[37][38]

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