1979 NFL draft: 19 picks in our player database 19 players from the 1979 draft are in our dataset. The earliest pick we hold is Mike Bell (round 1, pick 2). Most common positions: linebacker 4, defensive end 3, defensive tackle 2.
Round 3 Pick Player Pos Drafted by College 82 Joe Montana QB Notre Dame
Round 6 Pick Player Pos Drafted by College 165 Matt Bahr K Penn State
Round 7 Pick Player Pos Drafted by College 168 Max Montoya G UCLA / Mount San Jacinto College
Round 11 Pick Player Pos Drafted by College 289 Monte Coleman LB Central Arkansas
Round 12 Pick Player Pos Drafted by College 328 Drew Hill WR Georgia Tech
Only players in our dataset are listed (2025 rosters and long-career legends), not the full draft. Source: nflverse (CC BY 4.0).
1979 draft: questions Who is the earliest 1979 pick on this page? Mike Bell, round 1, pick 2, by the Kansas City Chiefs.
How many 1979 draftees are still playing? 0 of the 19 players listed here are on a 2025 roster.
Which colleges produced the most 1979 picks here? Notre Dame (3), Alabama (2), UCLA (2).
1978 class 1980 class
