By Darin The 1938 NFL Draft, the third in league history, marked a critical phase in the professional game’s development. Held at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago, the process was beginning to mature, moving away from pure speculation toward more informed scouting. Teams understood that the draft was the essential mechanism for acquiring and controlling college talent, creating a better competitive balance across the league.
The primary organizational “drama” leading up to the 1938 draft continued to center on two issues: the ongoing competition for players from rival leagues like the American Football League (AFL) and the difficulty of signing top-tier talent due to financial demands. The highest-profile collegiate players often held out or leveraged their fame into higher salaries, challenging the young league’s fiscal structure.
The draft was again condensed into 12 rounds, with 110 players selected. The Cleveland Rams, entering their second season in the league, held the first overall pick and aimed to secure a true franchise cornerstone.
The Top Ten Picks of 1938
| Pick | Tm | Player | Pos |
| 1 | RAM | Corby Davis | BB |
| 2 | PHI | Jim McDonald | B |
| 3 | BKN | Boyd Brumbaugh | B |
| 4 | PIT | Whizzer White | TB |
| 5 | CRD | Jack Robbins | TB |
| 6 | DET | Alex Wojciechowicz HOF | C |
| 7 | GNB | Cecil Isbell | TB |
| 8 | NYG | George Karamatic | FB |
| 9 | WAS | Andy Farkas | FB |
| 10 | CHI | Joe Gray | B |
Special thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com on the table information above.
The Cleveland Rams’ choice, Corbett Davis, was a strong, versatile fullback from Wyoming. While Davis provided some consistent rushing power for the Rams, his career was respectable but short, failing to reach the heights of a typical first overall selection.
Hall of Fame Talent Solidifies the Draft
Unlike the 1937 draft, the 1938 draft class contained a wealth of talent in the early rounds that would go on to define their positions and earn Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement, proving the scouting process was improving significantly.
Alex Wojciechowicz: Taken 6th in the first round (6th overall) by the Detroit Lions, Wojciechowicz was an elite two-way player (center/linebacker) who helped establish the foundation of the Lions and later the Eagles, earning his place as a Pro Football Hall of Famer in 1968.
Bruiser Kinard: Selected 2nd in the third round (15th overall) by the Brooklyn Dodgers, Kinard was a dominant offensive and defensive tackle who played ten seasons, earning multiple All-NFL selections and eventually becoming the first player from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
The 1938 NFL Draft truly marked a turning point, delivering not just star power but also foundational, durable talent that would lead franchises for years to come.
