1983 NFL draft
The 1983 National Football League Draft was the annual procedure by which NFL teams selected amateur college football players to join their rosters, officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting.[1] Held over two days, April 26–27, 1983, at the New York Sheraton Hotel in New York City, the draft consisted of 12 rounds and resulted in 335 total selections across 28 teams.[1][2] The Baltimore Colts chose Stanford quarterback John Elway as the first overall pick, but he was traded on draft day to the Denver Broncos in exchange for offensive tackle Chris Hinton (the No. 4 overall pick), quarterback Mark Herrmann, and the Broncos' 1984 first-round pick.[3][4][5] This draft class is widely regarded as one of the most talented in NFL history, particularly for its extraordinary depth at quarterback, with a record six signal-callers selected in the first round alone.[6] The quarterbacks included Elway (No. 1, Baltimore Colts/Denver Broncos), Todd Blackledge (No. 7, Kansas City Chiefs), Jim Kelly (No. 14, Buffalo Bills), Tony Eason (No. 15, New England Patriots), Ken O'Brien (No. 24, New York Jets), and Dan Marino (No. 27, Miami Dolphins).[6][3] Of these, Elway, Kelly, and Marino were later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, collectively earning nine Super Bowl appearances and revolutionizing the position with their passing prowess.[6] Beyond quarterbacks, the draft produced a wealth of elite talent across positions, including eight eventual Hall of Famers in total—seven of whom came from the first round alone, representing a quarter of that round's selections, as noted by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the draft's 40th anniversary.[2][7] Running back Eric Dickerson was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Rams and went on to set the NFL single-season rushing record (1,808 yards) as a rookie in 1983, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors before his 1999 Hall of Fame induction.[3] Other first-round standouts included running back Curt Warner (No. 3, Seattle Seahawks), offensive tackle Chris Hinton (No. 4, Baltimore Colts via Denver Broncos' pick), and cornerback Darrell Green (No. 28, Washington Redskins), the latter of whom played 20 seasons and intercepted 54 passes en route to his 2008 Hall of Fame enshrinement.[3] Later-round gems featured offensive lineman Bruce Matthews (No. 9 overall, Houston Oilers; Hall of Fame 2001), tackle Jim Covert (No. 6, Chicago Bears; Hall of Fame 2024), and defensive end Richard Dent (No. 203, eighth round, Chicago Bears; Hall of Fame 2011), who anchored the Bears' Super Bowl XX-winning defense.[2] The class's impact extended to multiple franchises' success, with 15 of the 28 first-round picks earning at least one Pro Bowl selection and contributing to 10 Super Bowl victories collectively.[6] Notably, the draft's "Mr. Irrelevant" title—the last pick, No. 335, running back John Tuggle by the New York Giants—highlighted the event's breadth, as Tuggle even played in four games for the Giants despite his symbolic status; his story is the subject of the upcoming Skydance film 'Mr. Irrelevant' (2026), starring David Corenswet as Tuggle and directed by Jonathan Levine.[8][9] Overall, the 1983 draft's blend of immediate stars and long-term legends solidified its legacy as a benchmark for NFL talent evaluation.[10]Background
Eligibility and Preparations
The eligibility criteria for the 1983 NFL Draft required players to be at least three years removed from their high school graduation and to have exhausted their college eligibility, which typically limited participation to seniors who had completed four years of college football.[11] Underclassmen could become eligible only through special circumstances, such as graduating early to fulfill the exhaustion requirement, resulting in a small number of such declarations for the draft.[12][13] Preparations for the draft involved extensive scouting of approximately 1,200 college players across the nation, with NFL teams relying on professional scouting services like National Football Scouting and BLESTO to evaluate prospects through game film, campus visits, and workouts.[14] Key events included the second annual NFL Scouting Combine held in Tampa, Florida, in February 1983, where invited top prospects underwent medical evaluations, interviews, and physical testing in front of team representatives.[14] Additionally, all-star games such as the Senior Bowl on January 22, 1983, in Mobile, Alabama, and the East-West Shrine Game on January 15, 1983, in Palo Alto, California, featured prominent senior prospects performing in competitive settings for NFL scouts, helping to refine draft boards.[15] Pro days at individual colleges further allowed teams to assess players in familiar environments, focusing on position-specific drills and interviews. NFL teams intensified their preparations in early 1983 through internal mock drafts to simulate selection scenarios and anticipate opponent moves, while trade rumors circulated widely among general managers seeking to maneuver for high-value picks.[16] These strategies were particularly influenced by the hype surrounding the "Quarterback Class of 1983," which prompted teams to prioritize signal-callers in their evaluations and contingency planning.[6]Pre-Draft Hype and Expectations
The 1983 NFL Draft generated significant anticipation due to an exceptionally deep pool of quarterback prospects, leading to the emergence of the "QB Class of 1983" narrative that dominated pre-draft discussions. Analysts highlighted six standout quarterbacks—John Elway from Stanford, Todd Blackledge from Penn State, Jim Kelly from Miami, Tony Eason from Illinois, Ken O'Brien from UC Davis, and Dan Marino from Pittsburgh—as potential first-round talents, with expectations that multiple teams would prioritize signal-callers to address positional needs across the league.[17][6] This buzz was fueled by media coverage emphasizing the class's potential to reshape franchises, with Elway widely regarded as the consensus top overall prospect due to his elite arm strength, mobility, and baseball pedigree.[17][18] Pre-draft rankings from outlets like ESPN and NFL Films underscored Elway's dominance at No. 1, while sparking debates about the others, particularly Marino, whose stock faced scrutiny amid unsubstantiated rumors of drug use and a down senior season at Pittsburgh.[19][20] Experts speculated on Marino's potential slide beyond the top 10, contrasting his strong junior-year performance with concerns over turnovers and off-field whispers, though many still projected him as a high first-rounder.[21][22] The Baltimore Colts, holding the No. 1 pick, amplified the hype through their desperate search for a franchise quarterback, exacerbated by years of poor performance and ownership turmoil under Robert Irsay, whose erratic decisions had destabilized the franchise.[23][24] Adding to the intrigue was the influence of the upstart United States Football League (USFL), which heightened expectations by pursuing top prospects before the NFL Draft even began. Rumors swirled that Elway might bypass the NFL for the USFL's Oakland Invaders, who held territorial rights to him after the league's pre-draft player allocation, prompting teams to factor in such alternatives amid the competitive bidding war for elite talent.[25][26] This external pressure underscored the draft's high stakes, as the USFL's aggressive recruitment tactics threatened to siphon away the prized quarterback class.[17]Draft Proceedings
Venue, Date, and Format
The 1983 NFL Draft, formally the 48th annual National Football League player selection meeting, took place over two days, April 26 and 27, at the Sheraton New York Hotel in New York City.[18][17] The event began at 8:03 a.m. on the first day and extended nearly 18 hours across both days to complete all selections.[18] The draft followed the league's standard format of 12 rounds, with teams selecting players in reverse order of their previous season's final standings to promote competitive balance.[3] NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle presided over the proceedings, announcing each pick from the podium as team representatives submitted their cards.[17] The 28 NFL teams made a total of 335 selections, with no compensatory picks awarded that year under the league's rules, which at the time provided extra choices only in limited cases such as territorial indemnification rather than the modern free agency formula.[27][28] Coverage of the draft was broadcast nationally by ESPN, which had been airing the event since 1980, marking an ongoing shift toward broader media exposure, while NFL Films captured footage for highlights and archival purposes.[29] This setup created an atmosphere charged with anticipation, particularly around the quarterback prospects highlighted in pre-draft discussions.[17]Major Trades and Controversies
The 1983 NFL Draft was marked by significant in-draft transactions that reshaped team rosters and selection orders, with at least 15 trades executed overall, many involving future picks and players to facilitate key acquisitions. The most prominent occurred immediately after the Baltimore Colts selected Stanford quarterback John Elway with the first overall pick; Elway had publicly stated his refusal to play for the Colts due to concerns over owner Robert Irsay's volatile reputation and the team's instability, even threatening to pursue a baseball career with the New York Yankees.[30] This standoff forced the Colts to trade Elway's rights to the Denver Broncos on May 2, 1983, for offensive tackle Chris Hinton, quarterback Mark Herrmann, and the Broncos' 1984 first-round draft pick, a deal that dramatically altered the Broncos' trajectory while providing the Colts with immediate lineup help.[31][32] Other notable trades highlighted the draft's fluid nature amid the "quarterback class of 1983." The New England Patriots, holding the 15th pick, selected Illinois quarterback Tony Eason without a mid-round swap but as part of the frenzy that saw six signal-callers taken in the first round, underscoring how teams maneuvered picks to target top prospects.[33] Similarly, the Buffalo Bills chose Miami quarterback Jim Kelly 14th overall, only for him to sign with the USFL's Houston Gamblers shortly after, retaining his NFL rights with Buffalo until the league folded in 1986; this move exemplified the disruptive influence of the upstart USFL, which had held its own draft in January and aggressively pursued college talent.[34][35] Controversies extended beyond trades to the broader tension with the USFL, including allegations of tampering as the new league signed NFL-drafted players like Kelly before they reported to their teams, prompting complaints to NFL officials about unfair competition and contract interference. Pre-draft rumors about Elway's aversion to certain franchises, including the Colts, had already heightened scrutiny, amplifying the event's drama as teams navigated dual-league bidding wars that complicated selection strategies.[36][37] These elements collectively disrupted the traditional draft flow, with trades often serving as resolutions to player holdouts and league rivalries.[38]Selections
First-Round Picks
The first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, held on April 26-27 at the New York Sheraton Hotel, featured 28 selections amid heightened anticipation for a talented quarterback class and competition from the upstart USFL. Teams prioritized offensive skill positions early, with running backs taken in the top three picks, reflecting a league-wide emphasis on establishing ground games to complement passing attacks. Defensive reinforcements, particularly in the secondary, emerged later, as clubs sought to counter evolving aerial offenses. The round's most notable immediate aftermath involved the Baltimore Colts trading the No. 1 overall pick just minutes after selecting John Elway, a move driven by the quarterback's reluctance to play in Baltimore and his dual-sport aspirations in baseball.[3] The selections are detailed below:
Six quarterbacks were selected in the first round—a record that underscored teams' urgency to secure franchise signal-callers amid a perceived weak recent crop at the position and the USFL's poaching of talent like Steve Young. The early focus on running backs, with three of the top five picks at the position, highlighted strategies to rebuild backfields; for instance, the Rams chose Dickerson to inject speed and power into an aging unit led by Wendell Tyler, while the Seahawks viewed Warner as a versatile complement to their zone-blocking scheme. The Bears, under new coach Mike Ditka, targeted offensive line stability with Covert at No. 6 to protect Jim McMahon and later added Gault's track-star speed at wide receiver to stretch defenses, moves that drew praise for addressing immediate roster gaps.[22][3][22]
Later selections shifted toward defensive personnel, with seven defensive backs and four linemen taken from picks 10-28, as teams like the Giants (Kinard) and Vikings (Browner) aimed to fortify secondaries against passing threats. Minor controversies arose around positional value, such as the Lions' choice of Jones at No. 13 over other running backs, sparking debate on whether they overlooked defensive needs, and the Chargers' multiple picks (5, 20, 22) fueling perceptions of overreach in bolstering their front seven and receiving corps. Overall, the round exemplified a draft influenced by immediate team needs rather than long-term projection, with post-pick media reactions emphasizing the QB-heavy theme as a potential league-shifting event.[3][3]
Overview of Later Rounds
The later rounds of the 1983 NFL Draft, encompassing rounds 2 through 12, consisted of 307 selections as teams addressed depth needs following a first round dominated by quarterbacks. Defensive players comprised a significant portion, exceeding 40% of the total with linebackers (around 35 selections) and defensive backs (over 30) leading the way, reflecting teams' priorities in strengthening pass defenses amid the league's evolving passing game. Offensive linemen experienced a surge in the mid-rounds, with more than 70 selections from rounds 3 to 7 alone, as franchises invested in trench players to support run-heavy offenses; for instance, the Chicago Bears selected tackle Jim Covert in the first round but continued building the line with picks like guard Tom Thayer in round 4. This pattern highlighted a strategic shift toward balanced lines capable of protecting emerging quarterback talent from earlier selections. Surprises in these rounds included running back Roger Craig slipping to the San Francisco 49ers at the 49th overall pick in round 2, where pre-draft evaluations had projected him as a late first-round talent before concerns over his speed tempered expectations. Another notable mid-round gem was defensive end Richard Dent, taken by the Chicago Bears at 203rd overall in round 8, who later became a key part of their Super Bowl-winning defense. Team strategies varied, with the 49ers emphasizing offensive depth by selecting guard Guy McIntyre in round 3 (72nd overall) to complement their run game, while the Philadelphia Eagles targeted defensive reinforcements, picking safety Andre Waters in round 4 (101st overall) to enhance backfield support. The New England Patriots, meanwhile, focused on line depth with multiple offensive linemen in rounds 4 and 5, aiming to protect their quarterback investments. Of the approximately 307 later-round draftees, around 60% secured spots on initial NFL rosters, often as rotational players or special teamers, with post-draft undrafted free agent signings providing further options amid competition from the rival USFL.[6]Notable Players
Hall of Fame Inductees
The 1983 NFL Draft produced eight players who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a remarkable total that underscores the class's depth and talent across positions and rounds. These inductees include legendary quarterbacks, running backs, offensive linemen, a cornerback, and a defensive end, many of whom became franchise cornerstones and earned multiple Pro Bowl selections during their careers. As of 2025, no supplemental draftees from this class have achieved Hall of Fame status.[3][28]| Player | Position | Draft Position (Round) | Original Drafting Team | Induction Year | Notable Draft Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Elway | QB | 1 (1st) | Baltimore Colts | 2004 | Selected first overall but traded to the Denver Broncos on draft day in a blockbuster deal involving multiple picks and players, launching a Hall of Fame career with two Super Bowl wins. |
| Eric Dickerson | RB | 2 (1st) | Los Angeles Rams | 1999 | Taken second overall and later traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 1987, where he set the single-season rushing record of 1,808 yards in his rookie year. |
| Jimbo Covert | OT | 6 (1st) | Chicago Bears | 2020 | Drafted to anchor the left side of the Bears' offensive line, contributing to their Super Bowl XX victory and earning All-Pro honors in his first three seasons.[39][40] |
| Bruce Matthews | G/T/C | 9 (1st) | Houston Oilers | 2001 | Versatile lineman selected ninth overall, who started 296 games over 19 seasons, earning 14 Pro Bowl nods and playing multiple positions effectively. |
| Jim Kelly | QB | 14 (1st) | Buffalo Bills | 2002 | Part of the draft's famed "QB Class of 1983," Kelly was chosen amid a run on quarterbacks but initially signed with the USFL's Houston Gamblers before joining the Bills and leading them to four consecutive Super Bowls. |
| Dan Marino | QB | 27 (1st) | Miami Dolphins | 2005 | A surprising late-first-round slide due to the abundance of quarterback prospects earlier in the draft; Marino exploded as a rookie with 3,992 passing yards and became the Dolphins' all-time leader in numerous categories. |
| Darrell Green | CB | 28 (1st) | Washington Redskins | 2008 | Picked at the end of the first round, Green formed one of the NFL's most dynamic cornerback duos and helped the Redskins win three Super Bowls while intercepting 54 passes over 20 seasons. |
| Richard Dent | DE | 203 (8th) | Chicago Bears | 2011 | Selected in the eighth round, Dent emerged as a pass-rushing force, earning Super Bowl XX MVP honors with three sacks and anchoring the Bears' dominant 1985 defense.[41] |