Notable North Dakotan's Who Have Been Drafted In The NFL

Did you watch the NFL draft this past week and weekend?

I'm a HUGE NFL and Minnesota Vikings fan. I love just about everything about the NFL except the draft. It's about as exciting as watching paint dry to me. I do usually tune in for a few minutes each year to see which "bust" the Vikings pick first (every now and then they hit it I know aka Justin Jefferson).

I joked with our Townsquare Media Sports director Rob Meltzer that watching the NFL draft is for people with really bad marriages. That might be a little bit of an exaggeration but not by much. It all seems so Hollywood these days with the crazy outfits the players are wearing and their entourage. It all seems so outrageous.

With that being said, I do love it when our North Dakota boys make it big and are drafted into the NFL.

As you might have guessed, the state of North Dakota is not a hotbed for NFL talent. It's tough when we have 5 months of winter every year. Well, make it back-to-back years that a young man from North Dakota heard his name announced on the draft podium.

According to the NDHSAA, these are North Dakotans who have been drafted in the NFL over the years.

Cody Mauch (2017 Hankinson High School graduate)

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Drafted in the second round (48th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2023 NFL Draft held at Union Station in Kansas City.

Cordell Volson (2016 Drake High School graduate)

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Drafted in the fourth round (136th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2022 NFL Draft held in Las Vegas.

Carson Wentz (2011 Bismarck Century High School graduate)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Drafted in the first round (No. 2 overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2016 NFL Draft held at Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.

Connor McGovern (2011 Fargo Shanley High School graduate)

Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Drafted in the fifth round (144th overall) by the Denver Broncos during the 2016 NFL Draft held at Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.

Greg Eslinger (2002 Bismarck High graduate)

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Drafted in the sixth round (198th overall) by the Denver Broncos during the 2006 NFL Draft held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Brooks Bollinger (1998 Grand Forks Central High School graduate)

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Drafted in the sixth round (200th overall) by the New York Jets during the 2003 NFL Draft held at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City.

Jim Kleinsasser (1995 Carrington High School graduate)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Drafted in the second round (44th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings during the 1999 NFL Draft held at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City.

Phil Hansen (1986 Oakes High School graduate)

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Drafted in the second round (54th overall) by the Buffalo Bills during the 1991 NFL Draft held at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Mark Slater (1973 Bishop Ryan High School graduate)

Drafted in the 12th round (315th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 1978 NFL Draft held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

Randy Hedberg (1973 Parshall High School graduate)

Drafted in the eighth round (196th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 1977 NFL Draft held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

Doug Beaudoin (1972 Jamestown High School graduate)

Drafted in the ninth round (243rd overall) by the New England Patriots of the 1976 NFL Draft held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

Dave “Butch” Lince (1962 Mott Lincoln High School Graduate)

Drafted in the seventh round (99th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 1966 NFL Entry Draft held at the Summit Hotel in New York City. * Lince was also drafted in the 14th round (122nd overall of the 1966 AFL Draft.

Ron Green (1962 Fargo Central High School Graduate)

Drafted in the ninth round (134th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings during the 1966 NFL Entry Draft held at the Summit Hotel in New York City.

Dave Osborn (1961 Cando High School graduate)

Drafted in the 13th round (176th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings during the 1965 NFL Entry Draft held at the Summit Hotel in New York City.

Steve Myhra (1952 Wahpeton High School graduate)

Drafted in the 12th Round (139th overall) by the Baltimore Colts during the 1956 NFL Draft held at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Pete Retzlaff (1949 Ellendale High School graduate)

Drafted in the 22nd round (266th overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 1953 NFL Draft held at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia.

Bob Greenhalgh (Fargo Central High School graduate)

Drafted in the 29th round (266th overall) by the New York Giants in the 1948 NFL Draft held at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Pittsburgh.

Jerry Mulready (Fargo Central High School graduate)

Drafted in the 19th round (169th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1947 NFL Draft held at the Commodore Hotel in New York City.

Bob Wiese (Jamestown High School graduate)

Drafted in the fifth round (39th overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 1945 NFL Draft held at the Commodore Hotel in New York City.

Charlie Gainor (Milnor High School graduate)

Drafted in the 18th round (164th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1939 NFL Draft held at the New Yorker Hotel in New York City.

Ernie Wheeler (Fargo Central High School graduate)

Drafted in the fifth round (32nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1939 NFL Draft held at the New Yorker Hotel in New York City.

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