The 1981 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 during April 28–29, 1981, at the New York Sheraton Hotel in New York City. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
For the first time, the top two picks of the draft, running back George Rogers selected by the New Orleans Saints and linebacker Lawrence Taylor picked by the New York Giants, were named Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, respectively.
Player selections * = compensatory selection † = Pro BowlerPlayers are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career. ‡= Hall of FamerPlayers are identified as a Hall of Famer if they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Supplemental draft
Hall of Famers Mike Singletary, linebacker from Baylor, taken 2nd round 38th overall by the Chicago Bears Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1998.List of 1990s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com Lawrence Taylor, linebacker from North Carolina, taken 1st round 2nd overall by the New York Giants Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1999. Ronnie Lott, cornerback from Southern California, taken 1st round 8th overall by the San Francisco 49ers Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2000.List of 2000s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com Howie Long, defensive tackle from Villanova, taken 2nd round 48th overall by the Oakland Raiders Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2000. Rickey Jackson, linebacker from Pittsburgh, taken 2nd round 51st overall by the New Orleans Saints Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2010.Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 announced Russ Grimm, offensive guard from Pittsburgh, taken 3rd round 69th overall by the Washington Redskins Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2010. Kenny Easley, safety from UCLA, taken 1st round 4th overall by the Seattle Seahawks Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2017. Sam Mills, linebacker from Montclair State, signed undrafted by the Cleveland Browns Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2022 (posthumous).
Notable undrafted players † = Pro Bowler= Hall of Famer
References
External links NFL.com – 1981 Draft
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1981 NFL Draft Listing at Pro Football Reference