1974 NFL Draft

The 1974 National Football League Draft took place at the Americana Hotel in New York City on January 29–30, 1974. Each of the 26 NFL teams was granted 17 selections for a total of 442 picks.

Many experts consider the Pittsburgh Steelers as having the best draft in NFL history (or even pro-sports history) as they selected four players later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster). The closest any other team has come to this success in a draft were several teams that drafted two Hall of Famers (including the Pittsburgh Steelers themselves in 1970).

Notable undrafted free agents

 * Donnie Shell, strong safety, South Carolina State University, Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Pat Leahy, kicker, Saint Louis University, New York Jets

Hall of famers

 * Jack Lambert, Linebacker from Kent State University taken 2nd round 46th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 1990.


 * Mike Webster, Center from University of Wisconsin–Madison taken 5th round 125th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 1997.


 * Lynn Swann, Wide Receiver from USC taken 1st round 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2001.


 * Dave Casper, Tight End from University of Notre Dame taken 2nd round 45th overall by the Oakland Raiders.
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2002.


 * John Stallworth, Wide Receiver from Alabama A&M taken 4th round 82nd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2002.