6 strangest draft moments in NFL history

Vikings, Ravens miss picks

Do you know what happens if a team doesn't make a draft pick before its time expires? The Minnesota Vikings found out in 2003, then the Baltimore Ravens repeated the infamous feat in 2011. 

In the Vikings' case, the team was furiously negotiating a trade out of the seventh overall slot when their time expired. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers quickly submitted their draft picks (Byron Leftwich and Jordan Gross, respectively), effectively jumping the Vikings. The Vikings then abandoned trade talks, collected their thoughts and selected Kevin Williams ninth overall. 

Trade negotiations gone awry were also the root cause of the Ravens' missed pick at No. 26 overall in 2011. The Ravens thought they had a trade worked out with the Chicago Bears, but the Bears failed to confirm the deal with the league. When the Ravens' time on the clock expired, the Kansas City Chiefs rushed in their pick of Jonathan Baldwin. The confused Ravens then decided to cut off talks with the Bears and selected Jimmy Smith at No. 27.

Goodell, Ingram show off fancy handshake

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell isn't exactly known as the coolest guy on the block, but he showed some swag after announcing Melvin Ingram as the San Diego Chargers' selection with the 18th pick in the 2012 draft:

It turns out Ingram came to Goodell with the idea for the handshake prior to the draft and the commissioner was happy to oblige.

Patriots, Eagles trade for fun

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles had negotiated a trade of draft picks in 11 consecutive years entering the 2011 draft - every year since Bill Belichick joined the Patriots.

For no reason other than to keep the streak alive, the two teams negotiated a bizarre trade: a straight swap of the 193rd and 194th picks. 

Neither player selected made an impact in his career. 

Benson cries because Bears drafted him

Some players cry with joy upon hearing their name called at the draft.

Running back Cedric Benson cried because he felt the Chicago Bears were treating him unfairly by making him their choice at fourth overall in 2005.

Does this look like a guy who is super pumped to be a Bear?

Benson's agent had spoken to Bears general manager Jerry Angelo ahead of the draft and made it clear his client wanted more money than the Bears were willing to commit. He demanded the Bears pass on Benson. The team chose to ignore the demand.

Ultimately, Benson held out for 36 days before finally signing with the Bears. He went on to a disappointing career filled with off-field drama and minimal on-field production.

Falcons draft film star

By the 17th and final round of the 1972 draft, the Atlanta Falcons were apparently out of ideas.

With his team on the clock, Falcons coach Norm Van Brocklin yelled to his staff, "Do we want the roughest, toughest S.O.B. in the draft?" and then selected Hollywood actor John Wayne (then in his 60s) from "Fort Apache State."

NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, either lacking a sense or humor or perhaps fearing the trail of dead cowboys "The Duke" would leave in the league, disallowed the pick. 

Redskins take same player twice

The Washington Redskins really, really wanted to add UCLA halfback Cal Rossi to their roster in 1946.

The team made Rossi its choice with the ninth overall pick in the draft, only to learn that the talented runner was a junior and thus ineligible for selection.

Next year, the Redskins took Rossi again with the third overall pick, only to learn he actually had no desire to play football professionally.