Neil Smith was drafted No. 2 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1988 NFL Draft out of Nebraska. 191 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 96 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #2
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1988
- NFL games
- 191
- Years as starter
- 11
- Career AV
- 963rd at Nebraska
- Pro Bowls
- 6
- All-Pro
- 1
The pick
How Neil Smith came off the board in 1988.
- Position
- Defensive end DE
- College
-
Nebraska
Big Ten at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
191 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 96 career approximate value
- Games played
- 191
- Seasons as a starter
- 11
- Career approximate value
- 963rd among Nebraska picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 7881% of career value
- Final season
- 200012 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× All-Pro · 6× Pro Bowl
Around pick 2
Who came off the board on either side of Neil Smith.
Auburn
Miami · 1× Pro Bowl
Wisconsin
Nebraska in the 1988 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other DE picks from Nebraska
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Neil Smith in the 1988 NFL Draft
Neil Smith is a Defensive end out of Nebraska selected No. 2 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1988 NFL Draft. 191 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 96 career approximate value Nebraska has produced 203 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 Neil Smith drafted?
Neil Smith was selected No. 2 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1988 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1988/neil-smith.
What college did Neil Smith play for?
Neil Smith played college football at Nebraska in the Big Ten. See every Nebraska draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/nebraska-cornhuskers.
How did Neil Smith's NFL career turn out?
191 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 96 career approximate value Accolades: 1× All-Pro · 6× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1988/neil-smith.