| 1977 NFL draft | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Date(s) | May 3–4, 1977 |
| Location | Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, NY |
| Overview | |
| 335 total selections in 12 rounds | |
| League | NFL |
| First selection | Ricky Bell, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Mr. Irrelevant | Jim Kelleher, RB Minnesota Vikings |
| Most selections (18) | Cincinnati Bengals Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Fewest selections (6) | Washington Redskins |
| Hall of Famers | 3
|
The 1977 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 3–4, 1977, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, New York.[1][2] The league also held its first supplemental draft, which took place after the regular draft and before the regular season.
This was the first draft in the common draft era (since 1967) with twelve rounds, five rounds fewer than the previous decade. The draft had twelve rounds until reduced to eight in 1993 and seven the following year, where it has remains.
The draft began with commissioner Pete Rozelle dedicating a moment of silence to California quarterback Joe Roth, one of the most electric passers in college football. Eligible for this draft, he died in February from skin cancer at the age of 21.
With the first overall pick of the draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected USC running back Ricky Bell. Next was Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett of national champion Pittsburgh, taken by the Dallas Cowboys.