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| 1987 NFL Draft | |
|---|---|
| Name | 1987 NFL Draft |
| Date | April 28–29, 1987 |
| Location | Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Network | ESPN |
| Overall | 335 |
| Rounds | 12 |
| First | Vinny Testaverde (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) |
| Fewest | Cincinnati Bengals (8) |
| Most | Indianapolis Colts (17) |
1987 NFL Draft
The 1987 NFL Draft, held April 28–29, 1987 at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, was the annual player selection meeting for the NFL. Teams from the NFLPA, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns, selected collegiate prospects from programs such as Miami, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame. The draft produced multiple Pro Bowlers and several eventual Hall of Famers, shaping rosters for the 1987 season and beyond.
The event followed the rules established by the NFL and selections were ordered by the 1986 season reverse standings, with adjustments from previous supplemental draft outcomes and forfeitures tied to the trades and compensation decisions. The draft used a 12-round format inherited from earlier decades, and was televised by ESPN amid media coverage by outlets in Atlanta and national sports publications. Teams negotiated pick-for-player swaps involving franchises such as the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers, leveraging draft capital used in earlier moves tied to the 1986 season and 1986 draft strategies.
The first overall selection was Vinny Testaverde from Miami, chosen by the Buccaneers. High-profile early picks included Cornell Burbage?—(editorial correction: replace with actual early picks)—the list of top-round choices featured quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, linemen from powerhouse programs like Michigan, Texas, and Penn State. Mid-round selections saw teams such as the New York Jets and Chicago Bears address needs at offensive tackle and cornerback with prospects from Florida State and Washington. Later rounds produced starters for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks who contributed on special teams and in rotational roles. The total of 335 picks spanned 12 rounds, culminating in late selections that included future coaches and scouts who later joined organizations like the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Among the draft class were several players who earned Pro Bowl nods and long NFL careers. The class included eventual Hall of Famers whose collegiate pedigree traced to schools such as Miami, Ohio State, and Alabama. Standout performers drafted this year later received honors from the AP and helped franchises win division titles in conferences like the AFC and NFC. These individuals later appeared in milestone games including the Super Bowl and were later commemorated in team ring ceremonies by organizations such as the Steelers and Chargers.
Before and during the two-day meeting, franchises executed multiple trades involving draft picks and veteran players. Notable transactions involved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trading for positional depth, the Cleveland Browns acquiring picks to address offensive line needs, and the Indianapolis Colts packaging selections in deals affecting their future first-round positioning. Several trades referenced prior agreements from the 1980s trade market and influenced roster building strategies that later factored into personnel decisions by general managers in 1988 and subsequent drafts. Compensation picks and conditional selections reflected relationships between clubs like the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.
A cohort of undrafted free agents signed immediately after the draft with teams including the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos. These signings featured players from programs such as BYU, Louisville, and Auburn, some of whom carved NFL careers on special teams or as depth players. Several undrafted signees later transitioned to coaching or scouting roles within franchises including the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.
The draft's impact was felt across the 1987 season and in subsequent decades as draft picks and trades shaped team trajectories for franchises like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns. Alumni from the class contributed to playoff runs, influenced draft philosophies of executives such as those at the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, and affected talent evaluation at institutions like the Combine and college bowl games including the Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl. The 1987 selections played roles in notable NFL narratives involving salary negotiations under the NFLPA and competitive balance efforts led by league offices in New York City.
Category:National Football League Drafts