[1][2][3] The draft was instituted in an effort to end bidding wars among the league's teams by the arbitrary assignment of negotiating rights to amateur players.
It was haphazardly decided that the last place team from the previous season would get the first selection, and the process would continue in reverse order of the standings.
The first player ever drafted, Jay Berwanger, who had previously been awarded the initial Heisman Trophy, never played in the NFL.
[4] The Eagles received tackle Art Buss from the Bears in exchange for Berwanger's rights.
Riley Smith, the second pick, was the first player drafted to play in the NFL.