Steve Smith was drafted No. 81 overall by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1987 NFL Draft out of Penn State. 128 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 21 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #81
- Round
- 3
- Draft class
- 1987
- NFL games
- 128
- Years as starter
- 6
- Career AV
- 2165th at Penn State
The pick
How Steve Smith came off the board in 1987.
- Position
- Running back RB
- College
-
Penn State
Big Ten at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
128 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 21 career approximate value
- Games played
- 128
- Seasons as a starter
- 6
- Career approximate value
- 2165th among Penn State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 1990% of career value
- Final season
- 19958 years after the draft
Around pick 81
Who came off the board on either side of Steve Smith.
Michigan
Washington · 1× All-Pro · 1× Pro Bowl
Fresno State
Penn State in the 1987 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Penn State · 3× Pro Bowl
#14
D.J. Dozier
RB · MIN
Penn State
#80
Tim Manoa
RB · CLE
Penn State
#84
Don Graham
LB · TB
Penn State
#126
John Bruno
P · ARI
Penn State
#132
Chris Conlin
G · MIA
Penn State
#141
Tim Johnson
DT · PIT
Penn State
#162
Bob White
LB · SF
Penn State
#222
Dan Morgan
G · DEN
Penn State
#247
Bob Ontko
LB · IND
Penn State
#268
Sid Lewis
DB · NYJ
Penn State
#286
Brian Siverling
TE · DET
Penn State
Other RB picks from Penn State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Saquon Barkley
RB · NYG · 2018
Penn State · 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
#3
Curt Warner
RB · SEA · 1983
Penn State · 3× Pro Bowl
#27
Larry Johnson
RB · KC · 2003
Penn State · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
#53
Miles Sanders
RB · PHI · 2019
Penn State · 1× Pro Bowl
#46
Matt Suhey
RB · CHI · 1980
Penn State
#214
Gary Brown
RB · TEN · 1991
Penn State
Other players named Steve Smith
Different people who share this name in the draft archive.
USC · 1× Pro Bowl
Oregon
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Steve Smith in the 1987 NFL Draft
Steve Smith is a Running back out of Penn State selected No. 81 overall by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1987 NFL Draft. 128 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 21 career approximate value Penn State has produced 248 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Steve Smith drafted?
Steve Smith was selected No. 81 overall by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1987 NFL Draft (Rd 3). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1987/steve-smith.
What college did Steve Smith play for?
Steve Smith played college football at Penn State in the Big Ten. See every Penn State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/penn-state-nittany-lions.
How did Steve Smith's NFL career turn out?
128 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 21 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1987/steve-smith.