By Darin The 1946 NFL Draft didn’t just select future football players; it marked the return of the sport’s greatest stars from military service in World War II and the beginning of a fierce, transformative rivalry with the new All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Held on January 14, 1946—the day the Cleveland Rams won the 1945 NFL Championship—this draft became a massive talent acquisition battleground. Teams vied for returning collegiate heroes who had the potential to define the post-war era. From the first overall pick to the sleeper selections who became Pro Football Hall of Fame legends, the 1946 class reshaped the NFL landscape forever.
Post-War Talent Surge and the AAFC Rivalry
The 1946 draft was unprecedented in both size and competition. With players returning from the war and two new major leagues—the NFL and the competing AAFC—battling for talent, teams went deep, selecting 307 players over 32 rounds. The NFL’s primary goal was securing the best talent to ward off the AAFC, which offered lucrative contracts and attracted several top draftees. The Boston Yanks secured the first overall pick and chose quarterback Frank Dancewicz out of Notre Dame, though he ultimately opted for the rival AAFC.
Despite the split of talent, the NFL managed to secure cornerstone players who would help transition the league into its modern structure. The draft’s significance is often viewed through the lens of which players stayed and who left, making the few genuine NFL legends drafted here all the more impactful.
Top Ten Selections of the 1946 NFL Draft
| Tm | Player | Pos |
| BOS | Boley Dancewicz | QB |
| CRD | Dub Jones | HB |
| PIT | Felix (Doc) Blanchard | B |
| CHI | Johnny Lujack | QB |
| NYG | George Connor HOF | T |
| GNB | Johnny Strzykalski | HB |
| PHI | Leo Riggs | B |
| DET | Bill Dellastatious | B |
| WAS | Cal Rossi | B |
| RAM | Emil Sitko | HB |
Hall of Fame Players Selected
While many top picks jumped to the AAFC, the 1946 class delivered a future Hall of Famer who made his mark in the NFL, often after their initial contracts or through league mergers. The two most significant players drafted who eventually starred in the NFL were:
- George Conner – Pro HOF
- Johnny Lujack – College HOF
- Doc Blanchard – College HOF
These selections ultimately helped validate the draft class as one that delivered championship-caliber talent.
Conclusion
The 1946 NFL Draft stands as a pivotal moment, marking both the final draft for the Cleveland Rams before their move to Los Angeles and the start of the post-war football boom. Although the AAFC skirmish claimed some top players, the selection of talents ensured this class produced lasting NFL history. This draft didn’t just fill rosters; it supplied the legendary players who built the foundation for the league’s eventual dominance.
Special Thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com
