1971 NFL draft

The 1971 NFL draft was held January 28–29, 1971, at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York. The Boston Patriots, who did not officially change their name to New England Patriots until after the draft, used the first overall pick of the draft to select quarterback Jim Plunkett. It was the first draft where the first three selections were quarterbacks (Plunkett, Archie Manning, and Dan Pastorini).

During round 17, after Falcons coach Norm Van Brocklin had yelled to his staff "Do we want the roughest, toughest s.o.b. in the draft?!", the team drafted the then-64-year-old actor John Wayne, though saying he was from "Fort Apache State" (Wayne actually played football at USC); NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle rejected the selection.

Hall of Famers

 * Jack Ham, linebacker from Pennsylvania State, taken 2nd round 34th overall by Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1988.


 * John Riggins, running back from Kansas, taken 1st round 6th overall by New York Jets
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1992.


 * Dan Dierdorf, offensive tackle from Michigan, taken 2nd round 43rd overall by St. Louis Cardinals
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1996.


 * Jack Youngblood, defensive end from Florida, taken 1st round 20th overall by Los Angeles Rams
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2001.


 * Harold Carmichael, wide receiver from Southern, taken 7th round 161st overall by Philadelphia Eagles
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2020