The 1978 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 May 2–3, 1978, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the first overall pick in the 1978 draft, by virtue of their 2–12 record in 1977. Tampa Bay traded the pick to the Oilers, for tight end Jimmie Giles and the Oilers' first- and second-round picks in the 1978 draft, and their third- and fifth-round picks in 1979.Wire services. "Oilers make a deal". Eugene Register-Guard. Apr 25, 1978
Leon White, who was drafted in the third round, went on to have an extensive professional wrestling career as Big Van Vader.
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
Notable undrafted players = Pro Bowler ‡= Hall of Famer
Hall of Famers Earl Campbell, running back from Texas, taken 1st round 1st overall by Houston Oilers Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1991.List of 1990s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com Ozzie Newsome, wide receiver from Alabama, taken 1st round 23rd overall by Cleveland Browns Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1999. James Lofton, wide receiver from Stanford, taken 1st round 6th overall by Green Bay Packers Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2003.List of 2000s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com Warren Moon, quarterback from Washington, signed undrafted by Houston Oilers Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2006.
References
External links NFL.com – 1978 Draft
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1978 NFL Draft Listing at Pro Football Reference