The Class of Quarterbacks

1983’s headline was the unprecedented quarterback group: six QBs went in the first round (Elway #1, Todd Blackledge #7, Kelly #14, Tony Eason #15, Ken O’Brien #24, Marino #27). Three of those six are in the Hall.

Marino’s slide to pick 27 — past five quarterback-needy teams — became the iconic story. The Dolphins took him over Eason and Blackledge for both, and he immediately set rookie passing records. Elway famously refused to play for the Baltimore Colts and forced a trade to Denver before he ever suited up.

Dickerson, Green, and the rest

Pick #2 was Eric Dickerson to the Los Angeles Rams. He led the NFL in rushing as a rookie and broke the single-season rushing record (2,105 yards) in 1984 — a mark that still stands. Bruce Matthews (Houston Oilers, #9) played 19 seasons and was named to 14 Pro Bowls. Darrell Green (Washington, #28) played a then-record 20 seasons with one franchise.

Beyond the six Hall of Famers, the draft produced All-Pros like Roger Craig (#49, 49ers), Mike Munchak (#8, Oilers — also HOF), and Henry Ellard (#32, Rams). The third round alone yielded Henry Ellard, Albert Bentley, and Curtis Dickey — all multi-year starters.

Why it stands above 1996 and 2004

The strongest counterclaims come from the 1996 NFL Draft (Ray Lewis, Marvin Harrison, Eddie George, Brian Dawkins, Zach Thomas, Terrell Owens) and 2004 (Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Larry Fitzgerald, Sean Taylor). 1996 has five Hall of Famers, 2004 will likely settle at four.

1983 wins on volume and weight: six Hall of Famers, three of them quarterbacks who reshaped how the position was played, plus the all-time single-season rushing record holder. NFL Network ranks it #1; Pro-Football-Reference’s Hall-of-Fame-weighted draft value also has 1983 ahead of any other class.

Background facts cross-referenced with the Wikipedia article on 1983 NFL Draft and Pro-Football-Reference / Basketball-Reference public records. Lead image via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).