DE · pick 18, First DE at #18 in the Common Draft since 1967, rounds 1-7, DE grouping. (1981)

DE·pick 18

FIRST DE IN OUR WINDOW AT #18

Donnell Thompson

Drafted by IND , GM Dick Szymanski · North Carolina

1981 · round 1

Common Draft since 1967, rounds 1-7, DE grouping.

DEs drafted at #18 in NFL history

most recent: Melvin Ingram (LAC, 2012)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1980, the model gave a defensive end at #18 a 9.5% chance in 1981.

Defensive end at #18, year by year

Each year's estimate uses only that year's draft and the years before it , no peeking ahead. The line smooths across neighboring picks and seasons so a single oddball draft doesn't dominate. The shaded band is the model's 90% uncertainty range.

Peak: 15.6% · 2027 model: 9.4%

Surrounding picks · 1981 draft

#13RBDavid OverstreetMIA , GM Don Shula
#14TEWillie ScottKC , GM Jim Schaaf
#15SDennis SmithDEN , GM Edgar Kaiser/staff
#16WRMark NicholsDET , GM Russ Thomas
#17DEKeith GaryPIT , GM Dick Haley
#19OTBrian HollowayNE , GM Bucko Kilroy
#20OGMark MayWAS , GM Bobby Beathard
#21CBTed WattsLV , GM Al Davis
#22CBHanford DixonCLE , GM Art Modell/staff
#23OGCurt MarshLV , GM Al Davis

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 11 picks

2012Melvin IngramLAC , GM A.J. Smith · South Carolina
2009Robert AyersDEN , GM Brian Xanders · Tennessee
2005Erasmus JamesMIN , GM Mike Tice / Brzezinski · Wisconsin
2004Will SmithNO , GM Mickey Loomis · Ohio St.
2003Calvin PaceARI , GM Rod Graves · Wake Forest
1997Kenny HolmesTEN , GM Floyd Reese · Miami (FL)
1991Alfred WilliamsCIN , GM Mike Brown / Duke Tobin · Colorado
1990Tony BennettGB , GM Tom Braatz · Mississippi
1988Aaron JonesPIT , GM Dick Haley · Eastern Kentucky
1987Tony WoodsSEA , GM Mike McCormack · Pittsburgh
1985Freddie Joe NunnARI , GM Bill Bidwill · Mississippi

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