Bennie Blades was drafted No. 3 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1988 NFL Draft out of Miami. 136 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 46 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #3
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1988
- NFL games
- 136
- Years as starter
- 9
- Career AV
- 4643rd at Miami
- Pro Bowls
- 1
The pick
How Bennie Blades came off the board in 1988.
- Position
- Defensive back DB
- College
-
Miami
ACC at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
136 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 46 career approximate value
- Games played
- 136
- Seasons as a starter
- 9
- Career approximate value
- 4643rd among Miami picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 4496% of career value
- Final season
- 19979 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× Pro Bowl
Around pick 3
Who came off the board on either side of Bennie Blades.
Auburn
Nebraska · 1× All-Pro · 6× Pro Bowl
Wisconsin
Oklahoma
Miami in the 1988 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Miami · Hall of Fame · 1× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
#33
Danny Stubbs
DE · SF
Miami
#49
Brian Blades
WR · SEA
Miami · 1× Pro Bowl
#52
Brett Perriman
WR · NO
Miami
#64
Matt Patchan
T · PHI
Miami
#124
Darrell Fullington
DB · MIN
Miami
#153
Melvin Bratton
RB · MIA
Miami
#155
Warren Williams
RB · PIT
Miami
#197
Alfredo Roberts
TE · KC
Miami
#269
Derwin Jones
DE · SEA
Miami
#331
George Jr. Mira
LB · SF
Miami
Other DB picks from Miami
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Miami · Hall of Fame · 5× All-Pro · 9× Pro Bowl
#57
Devin Hester
DB · CHI · 2006
Miami · Hall of Fame · 3× All-Pro · 4× Pro Bowl
#8
Antrel Rolle
DB · ARI · 2005
Miami · 3× Pro Bowl
#24
Brandon Meriweather
DB · NE · 2007
Miami · 2× Pro Bowl
#5
Sean Taylor
DB · WAS · 2004
Miami · 2× Pro Bowl
#28
Darryl Williams
DB · CIN · 1992
Miami · 1× Pro Bowl
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Bennie Blades in the 1988 NFL Draft
Bennie Blades is a Defensive back out of Miami selected No. 3 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1988 NFL Draft. 136 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 46 career approximate value Miami has produced 265 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 Bennie Blades drafted?
Bennie Blades was selected No. 3 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1988 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1988/bennie-blades.
What college did Bennie Blades play for?
Bennie Blades played college football at Miami in the ACC. See every Miami draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/miami-hurricanes.
How did Bennie Blades's NFL career turn out?
136 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 46 career approximate value Accolades: 1× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1988/bennie-blades.