<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> NFL Drafts </Li> <Li> 1937 → </Li> </Ul> <P> The 1936 National Football League Draft was the first draft of the National Football League (NFL). It took place on February 8, 1936, at the Ritz - Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The draft was instituted in an effort to equalize strength amongst the league's teams . The last place team from the previous season would get the first selection, and the process would continue in reverse order of the standings . Under this structure the Philadelphia Eagles, who finished 1935 at 2--9, would select first . </P> <P> This was the only draft to have nine rounds; the number increased to ten for the 1937 draft . The first player ever drafted, Jay Berwanger, who had previously been awarded the initial Heisman Trophy, never played in the NFL . His rights were traded by the Philadelphia Eagles to the Chicago Bears, as the Eagles felt they would be unable to meet Berwanger's reported demand of $1000 per game . The Eagles received tackle Art Buss from the Bears in exchange for Berwanger's rights . George Halas was unable to convince Berwanger to sign with the Bears . Riley Smith, the second pick, was the first player drafted to play in the NFL . </P> <P> The following is the breakdown of the 81 players selected: </P>

Who was the first person drafted in the nfl