Fansided

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1980s

By Jarrett Bailey

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game September 30, 1990 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played for the Giants from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game September 30, 1990 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played for the Giants from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 4: Mike Haynes #22 of the Los Angeles Raiders tackles Anthony Miller #83 of the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game September 4, 1988 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Haynes played for the Raiders from 1983-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 4: Mike Haynes #22 of the Los Angeles Raiders tackles Anthony Miller #83 of the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game September 4, 1988 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Haynes played for the Raiders from 1983-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

11. Mike Haynes

Mike Haynes is one of the most underrated cornerbacks of all time. Yes, he is in the Hall of Fame, but you rarely hear his name come up in the conversation of greatest cornerbacks of all time. Haynes was drafted fifth overall in the 1976 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season after intercepting eight passes.

From 1980-86, Haynes was one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He was a Pro Bowler in 1980, despite only intercepting one pass, which speaks to how much of a lockdown corner he was. In 1982, he had four interceptions and returned to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his career.

In 1984 and 1985, now in Oakland, Haynes made consecutive All-Pro teams, the first two of his career. He picked off six passes in 1984 and led the NFL in interception return yards. He followed that up with four more interceptions in 1985.

Haynes retired following the 1989 season with 46 career interceptions.He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. He helped the Raiders win a Super Bowl and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 1980s. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

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