| 1988 NFL draft | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Date(s) | April 24–25, 1988 |
| Location | New York Marriott Marquis in New York City |
| Network(s) | ESPN |
| Overview | |
| 333 total selections in 12 rounds | |
| League | NFL |
| First selection | Aundray Bruce, LB Atlanta Falcons |
| Mr. Irrelevant | Jeff Beathard, WR Los Angeles Rams |
| Most selections (14) | Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Los Angeles Rams New Orleans Saints New York Giants Miami Dolphins |
| Fewest selections (8) | Indianapolis Colts |
| Hall of Famers | |
The 1988 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 24–25, 1988, at the Marriot Marquis in New York City, New York.[1][2] The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
With the first overall pick of the draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected linebacker Aundray Bruce. Notably, the first player selected at the quarterback position did not come until the third round (68th overall) with Tom Tupa (by the Phoenix Cardinals), who was also selected because of his ability as a punter. This is the last draft in which the first quarterback was selected this late.[3] In fact, only one draft since – 1996 – has gone without a quarterback being drafted in the first round.[4]