1997 NFL Draft
| |
General Information | |
---|---|
Date(s) | April 19–20, 1997 |
Location |
Paramount Theatre at MSG in New York City, NY |
TV coverage (US) | ESPN |
Overview | |
240 total selections in 7 rounds | |
First selection |
Orlando Pace, OT St. Louis Rams |
Mr. Irrelevant |
Ronnie McAda, QB Green Bay Packers |
Most selections (14) | Miami Dolphins |
Fewest selections (3) |
Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers |
Hall of Famers |
3
|
The 1997 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 19–20, 1997, at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.[1][2] No teams chose to claim any players in the supplemental draft that year.
This draft was notable for its high-profile offensive linemen. The first overall selection was Orlando Pace, who has appeared in seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 2000 to 2006. Tarik Glenn was selected 19th overall and has been named to three Pro Bowls as well. Arguably the best of the bunch, Walter Jones, who made nine Pro Bowls (including eight consecutive from 2001–08), was a seven time All-Pro, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014, was selected 6th overall. Others include Chris Naeole, Dan Neil, Ryan Tucker, Jeff Mitchell, Mike Flynn, and Joe Andruzzi.
The '97 Draft is also well known for its running backs. Warrick Dunn was drafted 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and rushed for over 10,000 yards in his career. Corey Dillon, Tiki Barber, Antowain Smith, Priest Holmes, and Duce Staley all enjoyed productive seasons in the NFL.
This draft is also well known for its undrafted Pro Bowl players. Jake Delhomme, Holmes, Pat Williams, and four others made Pro-Bowl trips at some point in their careers.
Player selections
|
|
- ↑ Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career.
Notable undrafted players
† | = Pro Bowler[N 1] |
- ↑ Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career.
Hall of Famers
- Walter Jones, offensive tackle from Florida State University taken 1st round 6th overall by the Seattle Seahawks.
- inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2014.
- Orlando Pace, offensive tackle from Ohio State University taken 1st round 1st overall by the St. Louis Rams.
- inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2016.
- Jason Taylor, defensive end from University of Akron taken 3rd round 73rd overall by the Miami Dolphins.
- inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2017.
References
- ↑ "NFL Draft Locations". FootballGeography.com. October 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ↑ Salomone, Dan (October 2, 2014). "NFL Draft headed to Chicago in 2015". Giants.com. New York Giants. Archived from the original on 2015-09-30. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ↑ Players are identified as a Hall of Famer if they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.