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| Norman Shaw, WR, Georgia Force |
The Georgia Force opened the 1979 USFL/WFL draft by taking soon-to-be-superstar WR Norman Shaw with the first overall pick.
Shaw has everything you look for in a WR — 96 speed, 100 (potential) intelligence, 100 pass catching, 100 route running, 100 avoid fumble, 100 ball carrying. He's not excited about catching kicks (41), so someone else will have to risk his career on special teams. His volatility is only 24, so Shaw is no likely to bust.
Shaw set almost every PAC-12 record imaginable while at UCLA. The Georgia Force passing attack could someday help him rival those numbers, with five receivers potentially beginning the season at 70 or higher overall. QB Phillip Anderson has averaged 4,480 yards per season in his four seasons as a starter for the Force.
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| Philip Williamson, LB, Jacksonville |
The third pick was the most controversial one, with the Charlotte Hornets grabbing former Michigan quarterback Stanley Snyder. While Snyder's ratings look solid, his tendency to put the ball on the ground (4/15 avoid fumble) caused him to fall out of favor with Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Two teams decided to go for the boom/Wesley Griffin or bust/Juan Bonnett with 100-volatility first round selections. Houston (WLB Thomas Esparza) and Honolulu (RB Shane Esquivel) both rolled the dice and must now sweat out training camp to see what kind of returns they got on such a significant investment.
There was lots of trade action, most involving picks — 15 trades in all from the days leading up to the draft through the midway point of the second round.
The draft continues through Saturday.
A history of first overall picks:
- 1979, Georgia Force, WR Norman Shaw
- 1978, Philadelphia Bell, SS Herbert Lynn
- 1977, Michigan Panthers, RDE Alton Pastor
- 1976, New York Stars, CB Rodney Preston
- 1975, Charlotte Hornets, MLB Fernando Stone
