By Darin The NFL Draft is now a massive, televised spectacle, but the event held in Pittsburgh on December 19, 1947, was far from the glamour we know today. Yet, the 1948 NFL Draft holds immense historical significance, marking a critical inflection point where the established league fought for survival against a fierce competitor: the newly formed All-America Football Conference (AAFC). This draft was less about talent acquisition and more about winning a brutal, high-stakes battle for the future of the sport.
Held just two years after the conclusion of World War II, the league was back in full swing, but the competition for college talent had never been tougher. The AAFC, backed by deep pockets, aggressively courted top players, forcing NFL teams to gamble on prospects who might choose the rival league. The draft’s unpredictability was immediate: first-overall pick Harry Gilmer went to the Washington Redskins, but perhaps the most famous name taken, quarterback Bobby Layne, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers but opted to sign with the AAFC’s Baltimore Colts. This talent war complicated evaluations and often rendered high draft picks useless unless the NFL team could match the AAFC’s contract offers.
Top 10 1948 Draft Selections
| Pick | Tm | Player | Pos | College/Univ |
| 1 | WAS | Harry Gilmer | QB | Alabama |
| 2 | NYG | Skippy Minisi | HB | Pennsylvania |
| 3 | CHI | Bobby Layne | QB | Texas |
| 4 | WAS | Lowell Tew | FB | Alabama |
| 5 | BOS | Vaughn Mancha | C | Alabama |
| 6 | DET | Y.A. Tittle | QB | LSU |
| 7 | GNB | Jug Girard | E | Wisconsin |
| 8 | PHI | Clyde Scott | HB | Arkansas |
| 9 | PIT | Dan Edwards | E | Georgia |
| 10 | CHI | Max Bumgardner | DE | Texas |
| 11 | CRD | Jim Spavital | FB | Oklahoma St. |
Hall of Fame Players from the 1948 NFL Draft
The 1948 Draft had many significant players, but none better than the future Pro Football Hall of Fame players taken in this event.
- Bobby Layne – Drafted on his birthday! What a present.
- Y.A. Tittle
- Lou Creekmur
The 1948 draft is a fantastic example of the era’s chaos and hidden potential. While many top picks struggled or defected, the draft yielded a massive late-round gem: offensive lineman Lou Creekmur. Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 21st round with the 186th pick, Creekmur went on to become an eight-time Pro Bowler, a six-time First-team All-Pro, and eventually earned a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His late selection illustrates how scouting was still an inexact science, a treasure hunt often decided by luck rather than comprehensive analysis.
Ultimately, the 1948 NFL Draft reflected a league in flux. It was a chaotic moment defined by the AAFC rivalry, where teams secured talent knowing they might not actually see them play. It solidified the need for the NFL to eventually absorb its rival, which occurred just two years later. More than a simple roster selection event, this draft in Pittsburgh was a defining chapter in the league’s evolution toward unified professional football.
Big thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com for the information.
