DE · pick 51, First DE at #51 in the Common Draft since 1967, rounds 1-7, DE grouping. (1972)

DE·pick 51

FIRST DE IN OUR WINDOW AT #51

Sims, LesterLester Sims

Drafted by CLE · Alabama State

1972 · round unknown

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

DEs drafted at #51 in NFL history

most recent: Nic Scourton (CAR, 2025)

How rare was this draftigami?

Trained on every pick through 1971, the model gave a defensive end at #51 a 7.5% chance in 1972.

Defensive end at #51, 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: 11.0% · 2027 model: 10.3%

Surrounding picks · 1972 draft

#46SJack MildrenIND
#47WRGlenn DoughtyIND
#48RBLydell MitchellIND
#49WRTom ReynoldsNE
#50RBEd MarinaroMIN
#52WRCharles McKeeDAL
#53DESwendson, FredFred SwendsonBUF
#54DEJim LeClairCIN
#55DTJohn MendenhallNYG
#56RBLewis JolleyTEN

Drafted at this same coordinate later · 10 picks

2025Nic ScourtonCAR , GM Dan Morgan · Texas A&M
2017DeMarcus WalkerDEN , GM John Elway · Florida St.
2015Nate OrchardCLE , GM Ray Farmer · Utah
2011Da'Quan BowersTB , GM Mark Dominik · Clemson
2001Paul ToviessiDEN , GM Mike Shanahan · Marshall
1992Chuck SmithATL , GM Ken Herock · Tennessee
1990Mike FoxNYG , GM George Young · West Virginia
1984Sean JonesLV , GM Al Davis · Northeastern
1975Bob BarberPIT · Grambling State
1973Steve BaumgartnerNO · Purdue

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