Is 1983 NFL Draft class ft. Dan Marino, John Elway the best in American football history? Possible reasons explored

The 1983 NFL Draft class has aged like fine wine. Time is the ultimate determinant of whether or not a draft class is good and some modern classes could be, but they haven’t had the time that their predecessors have. Looking back at 1983, though, it becomes hard to see a draft class possibly outdoing it.

It’s naturally headlined by Dan Marino and John Elway, two of the best quarterbacks to ever do it. Despite not winning a Super Bowl, many believe Marino to be the most talented quarterback of all time. Was his draft class that good, or was it just top-heavy?

Analyzing the stellar 1983 NFL Draft class: Was it the best ever?

The first round is often a signifier of how good a draft class is. Obviously, rounds two through seven always hold good players and even Hall of Famers. Tom Brady was a sixth-round pick. However, the top-end talent of a good draft class often shows itself.

Here’s how the first round went:

1. John Elway
2. Eric Dickerson
3. Curt Warner
4. Chris Hinton
5. Billy Ray Smith
6. Jimbo Covert
7. Todd Blackledge
8. Michael Haddix
9. Bruce Matthews
10. Terry Kinard
11. Tim Lewis
12. Tony Hunter
13. James Jones
14. Jim Kelly
15. Tony Eason
16. Mike Pitts
17. Leonard Smith
18. Willie Gault
19. Joey Browner
20. Gary Anderson
21. Gabe Rivera
22. Gill Byrd
23. Jim Jeffcoat
24. Ken O’Brien
25. Dave Rimongton
26. Don Mosebar
27. Dan Marino
28. Darrell Green

There was nary a bust and Elway, Dickerson, Covert, Matthews, Kelly, Marino and Green were all inducted into the Hall of Fame. Warner led the AFC in rushing twice.

The class included:

• Henry Ellard, the 1988 leader in receiving yards
• Mark Clayton, 1984 leader in receiving touchdowns
• Roger Craig, 1988 leader in scrimmage yards combined

While there aren’t many Hall of Famers from other rounds, there was still a lot of talent. Richard Dent, an eighth-round selection, made the Hall of Fame. Roger Craig was on the bubble for the Hall.

The 1983 NFL Draft class included seven starters on the Chicago Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl team, widely considered the best team ever. Three of the five starters on their offensive line and Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent came from this class.

Out of the 28 players drafted in the first round, 15 made at least one Pro Bowl:

• John Elway
• Eric Dickerson
• Curt Warner
• Chris Hinton
• Jimbo Covert
• Terry Kinard
• Bruce Matthews
• Jim Kelly
• Joey Browner
• Gary Anderson
• Gill Byrd
• Ken O’Brien
• Don Mosebar
• Dan Marino
• Darrell Green

There are arguments to be made for other draft classes, such as the 1957 one that included Jim Brown. Modern classes might age just as well, but for now, it’s hard to debate against the 1983 NFL Draft Class as being the best ever.