Every NFL team’s best draft pick of all-time
By Brad Rowland
Miami Dolphins – Dan Marino (No. 27 pick, 1983)
Ken O’Brien. Tony Eason. Todd Blackledge.
What do the three names above have in common? Well, they are all drafted ahead of Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL Draft.
That tells the story of the type of steal that the Dolphins got with Marino, and the Hall of Fame quarterback delivered for Miami in a big way over a 17-year career with the franchise. Marino still ranks among the top five quarterbacks in NFL history in completions (4,967), attempts (8,358), passing yards (61,361) and passing touchdowns (420) and given that the league was not nearly as pass-happy in the 1980’s as it is today, those are jarring numbers of the highest order.
Of course, the knock on Marino comes in that he never delivered a Super Bowl for the Dolphins, but this was a league MVP and a long-time standout at the most important position on the field. Miami does have ultra-value draft picks with players like Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, but best of luck in arguing against Dan Marino in any Dolphins discussion.
It was not as if Marino was a slam dunk pick at the time (number 27!) and the Dolphins did very, very well for themselves.
Next: Minnesota Vikings