Detroit Lions draft picks (1936–1969)

The Detroit Lions participated in the annual National Football League (NFL) Draft from its inception in 1936. This article documents their draft selections from 1936 through 1969, a period marking the early years of the draft and encompassing some of the Lions' most successful seasons.

The NFL Draft allocates collegiate football players to NFL teams. Selection order is generally determined by the reverse order of the previous season's standings, although trades can alter this order. During the period covered here, the number of rounds in the draft varied.

Notable Detroit Lions draft picks during this era include:

• 1938: The Lions selected Parker Hall, a halfback from Mississippi, as the first overall pick.
• 1943: Frank Sinkwich, a Heisman Trophy-winning halfback from Georgia, was drafted first overall.
• 1957: The Lions drafted Jim Gibbons, an end from Iowa.
• 1958: The Lions selected Alex Karras, a defensive tackle from Iowa, with the tenth overall pick. Karras became a key player for the Lions and a Pro Bowl selection, although his career was interrupted by a suspension.
• 1961: The Lions drafted Joe Schmidt, a linebacker from Pittsburgh in the seventh round of the 1953 draft. Schmidt did not play for the team until 1954.
• 1967: Mel Farr, a running back from UCLA, was selected in the first round and became an integral part of the Lions' offense.

This list is not exhaustive but highlights some of the more significant players drafted by the Lions during this timeframe. Many other players drafted during this period contributed to the team, even if they did not achieve similar levels of individual accolades. Analyzing these draft classes reveals evolving drafting strategies and the challenges of predicting player performance at the professional level. Information on specific rounds, positions, and college affiliations of all players selected during these years can be found in various NFL draft databases and historical records.