The 1986 NFL Draft

The 1986 NFL Draft holds a distinctive place in professional football history, marked by a Heisman Trophy winner's standoff, a future Hall of Fame receiver slipping down the draft board, and a mix of successes and disappointments among the first round of selections. Held on April 29-30, 1986, the draft saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Bo Jackson with the first overall pick, a pick clouded by Jackson's declaration that he would not sign with the team.

Jackson's situation was unique. A phenomenal athlete, he excelled in both football and baseball. His refusal to sign with Tampa Bay stemmed from a dispute with the team's owner, Hugh Culverhouse, which led to Jackson being ruled ineligible to play college baseball. This rift ultimately led Jackson to pursue a professional baseball career before eventually joining the NFL with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987.

While Jackson's draft saga was a major storyline, the 1986 draft class itself presented a range of talent. Here's a look at the first 30 selections:

✦ 1986 NFL Draft: First 30 Selections

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn

Atlanta Falcons: Tony Casillas, NT, Oklahoma

Houston Oilers: Jim Everett, QB, Purdue

Indianapolis Colts: Jon Hand, DE, Alabama

St. Louis Cardinals: Anthony Bell, LB, Michigan State

New Orleans Saints: Jim Dombrowski, OT, Virginia

Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Jozwiak, OT, West Virginia

San Diego Chargers: Leslie O'Neal, DE, Oklahoma State

Pittsburgh Steelers: John Rienstra, G, Temple

Philadelphia Eagles: Keith Byars, FB, Ohio State

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Kelly, LB, Washington

Detroit Lions: Chuck Long, QB, Iowa

San Diego Chargers: James Fitzpatrick, OT, USC

Minnesota Vikings: Gerald Robinson, DE, Auburn

Seattle Seahawks: John L. Williams, FB, Florida

Buffalo Bills: Ronnie Harmon, RB, Iowa

Atlanta Falcons: Tim Green, LB, Syracuse

Dallas Cowboys: Mike Sherrard, WR, UCLA

New York Giants: Eric Dorsey, DE, Notre Dame

Buffalo Bills: Will Wolford, OT, Vanderbilt

Cincinnati Bengals: Tim McGee, WR, Tennessee

New York Jets: Mike Haight, OT, Iowa

Los Angeles Rams: Mike Schad, OT, Queen's University (Canada)

Los Angeles Raiders: Bob Buczkowski, DE, Pittsburgh

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Roderick Jones, CB, Southern Methodist

New England Patriots: Reggie Dupard, RB, Southern Methodist

Chicago Bears: Neal Anderson, RB, Florida

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jackie Walker, LB, Jackson State

Detroit Lions: Garry James, RB, LSU

Washington Redskins: Markus Koch, DE, Boise State

The 1986 draft produced its share of notable NFL careers. Jim Everett went on to become a Pro Bowl quarterback for the Rams, though his career was marked by some inconsistencies. Leslie O'Neal was a highly productive pass rusher for the Chargers, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections. Keith Byars proved to be a versatile running back and receiver for several teams, known for his receiving ability out of the backfield.

However, perhaps the most significant long-term impact of the 1986 draft came from a player selected later in the second round:

Jerry Rice: Selected 16th in the first round (41st overall) by the San Francisco 49ers. Rice is widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history. His unparalleled work ethic, route-running precision, and exceptional hands led to a Hall of Fame career filled with numerous records and Super Bowl victories.

While the first round had some successes, it also included players who did not live up to their draft expectations. The draft serves as a reminder of the inherent uncertainty in projecting college talent to the NFL level. Factors such as injuries, coaching changes, and the transition to the professional game can significantly impact a player's career trajectory. The 1986 NFL Draft, with its mix of hits, misses, and the unique Bo Jackson situation, remains a fascinating case study in NFL draft history.