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1981 NFL draft

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 April 28–29, 1981, at the New York Sheraton Hotel in New York City.[1][2] 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.

= Pro Bowler [3] = Hall of Famer
* = compensatory selection
† = Pro Bowler[3]
‡ = Hall of Famer[4]
Positions key
C Center CB Cornerback DB Defensive back DE Defensive end[a]
DL Defensive lineman DT Defensive tackle FB Fullback FS Free safety
G Guard[b] K Kicker[c] KR Kickoff returner LB Linebacker
LS Long snapper MLB Middle linebacker[d] OT Offensive tackle OL Offensive lineman
OLB Outside linebacker[a] NT Nose tackle P Punter PR Punt returner
QB Quarterback RS Return specialist RB Running back S Safety
SS Strong safety TE Tight end WR Wide receiver
  1. ^ a b May sometimes be referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
  2. ^ Also known as offensive guard (OG)
  3. ^ Also known as placekicker (PK)
  4. ^ Also known as inside linebacker (ILB)
  • Mike Singletary, linebacker from Baylor, taken 2nd round 38th overall by the Chicago Bears
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1998.[6]
  • 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.[6]
  • 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.[7]
  • Howie Long, defensive tackle from Villanova, taken 2nd round 48th overall by the Oakland Raiders
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2000.[7]
  • Rickey Jackson, linebacker from Pittsburgh, taken 2nd round 51st overall by the New Orleans Saints
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2010.[8]
  • Russ Grimm, offensive guard from Pittsburgh, taken 3rd round 69th overall by the Washington Redskins
Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2010.[8]
  • 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).