1961 American Football League draft
Round Player Position College
1 Joe Rutgens Joe Rutgens Tackle Illinois
2 George Fleming George Fleming Halfback Washington
3 Myron Pottios Myron Pottios Linebacker Notre Dame
4 Elbert Kimbrough Elbert Kimbrough Defensive back Northwestern
5 Dick Norman Dick Norman Quarterback Stanford
6 Bobby Crespino Bobby Crespino Tight End Mississippi
7 Ray Purdin Ray Purdin Halfback Northwestern
8 Tom Watkins Tom Watkins Halfback Iowa State
8 Dick Price Dick Price Guard Mississippi
9 Lowndes Shingler Lowndes Shingler Quarterback Clemson
10 Ken Petersen Ken Petersen Tackle Utah
11 Doug Mayberry Doug Mayberry Fullback Utah State
12 Bob Schmitz Bob Schmitz Linebacker Montana State
13 Gerald Burch Gerald Burch Offensive end Georgia Tech
14 Clark Miller Clark Miller Defensive end Utah State
15 Bob Coolbaugh Bob Coolbaugh Offensive end Richmond
16 Chuck Lamson Chuck Lamson Defensive back Wyoming
17 Joe Novsek Joe Novsek Defensive end Tulsa
18 Joe Krakoski Joe Krakoski Defensive back Illinois
19 Charles Fuller Charles Fuller Halfback Cal State-San Francisco
Oakland Raiders draft picks ( selected fourth )
Because another league was in competition for the class of 1961 college stars, the American Football League draft for 1961 graduates was held in 1960, with a six-round telephone draft on November 21 and 22, that saw the Denver Broncos select New Mexico State's Bob Gaiters as the overall first draft pick. The draft was completed on December 5 and 6th, with rounds seven through thirty. The San Diego Chargers were still the Los Angeles Chargers in this draft, as their relocation was not announced until late January 1961.