1961 NFL draft

Draft that included seven future Hall of Famers.

The 1961 NFL draft was held at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia on December 27–28, 1960. It marked the first regular draft for the Dallas Cowboys, who had only participated in the 1960 expansion draft, and the league later conducted an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings, as an expansion team, received the first overall pick and selected running back Tommy Mason, while the Cowboys, with the worst record the previous season, picked second.

Quick Facts

Date: December 27–28, 1960
Location: Warwick Hotel; in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
League: NFL
First: Tommy Mason, HB; Minnesota Vikings
Fewest: Pittsburgh Steelers
Most: San Francisco 49ers
Overall: 280
Rounds: 20

Facts from the source article.

Hall of Famers

Seven players selected in this draft later entered the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Herb Adderley, a running back from Michigan State, was taken 14th overall by the Green Bay Packers and inducted in 1980. Bob Lilly, a tackle from Texas Christian University, went 13th overall to the Dallas Cowboys and was inducted in 1980. David "Deacon" Jones, a defensive end from South Carolina State, was chosen 186th overall by the Los Angeles Rams and inducted in 1980.

Fran Tarkenton, a quarterback from Georgia, was selected 29th overall by the Minnesota Vikings and inducted in 1986. Mike Ditka, a tight end from the University of Pittsburgh, was picked 5th overall by the Chicago Bears and inducted in 1988. James Earl "Jimmy" Johnson, a running back from UCLA, was taken 6th overall by the San Francisco 49ers and inducted in 1994. Billy Shaw, an offensive guard from Georgia Tech, was drafted 184th overall by the Dallas Cowboys but signed with the Buffalo Bills of the AFL; he was inducted in 1999.