1998 NFL draft
 |
|
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Date(s) | April 18–19, 1998 |
| Location |
Theatre at MSG in New York City, NY |
| TV coverage (US) | ESPN |
| Overview | |
| 241 total selections in 7 rounds | |
| First selection |
Peyton Manning, QB Indianapolis Colts |
| Mr. Irrelevant | Cam Quayle, TE Baltimore Ravens |
| Most selections (12) | New York Jets |
| Fewest selections (5) | Detroit Lions |
The 1998 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 18–19, 1998, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
Before the draft, there was a debate on whether the Indianapolis Colts should select Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf with the first overall pick; both were considered excellent prospects and future franchise quarterbacks. Leaf was considered to have more upside and a stronger throwing arm, while Manning was considered a prospect who was NFL ready and more mature. On the day of the draft, the Colts selected Manning due to Leaf's disdain for Indianapolis. Manning went on to win the Most Valuable Player award in five different seasons, the most of any NFL player ever, whereas Leaf was out of the NFL by 2002 and is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
A supplemental draft was held in the summer of 1998. For each player selected in the supplemental draft, the team forfeits its pick in that round in the draft of the following season. The Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers both selected players in the 2nd round.
None of the drafted players from the 1998 NFL Draft have been inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame yet.
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