1986 NFL draft
| 1986 NFL draft | |
|---|---|
New York Marriott Marquis (draft venue), photographed in 2024 | |
| General information | |
| Date(s) | April 29–30, 1986 |
| Location | New York Marriott Marquis in New York City, NY |
| Network(s) | ESPN |
| Overview | |
| 333 total selections in 12 rounds | |
| League | NFL |
| First selection | Bo Jackson, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Mr. Irrelevant | Mike Travis, DB San Diego Chargers |
| Most selections (17) | Cincinnati Bengals San Diego Chargers |
| Fewest selections (8) | Cleveland Browns |
| Hall of Famers | 1 |
The 1986 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 29–30, 1986, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
The first overall selection of the draft, Bo Jackson, had told the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the draft that he would refuse to sign with the team. Disputes with team owner Hugh Culverhouse intensified after Jackson was ruled ineligible to play college baseball due to a trip he took on Culverhouse's jet. This angered Jackson, as the Buccaneers had assured him that the visit would not cause any NCAA violations. It was said that Jackson, who was having what he called his best year playing baseball in school, made the Buccaneers nervous and that by getting him ruled ineligible to play baseball, he would be forced to focus on football. Prior to the 1987 NFL draft, the Buccaneers forfeited their rights to Jackson.