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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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10 Dec 2000: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers catches the ball as Alex Molden #25 of the New Orleans Saints tries to tackle him during the game at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Saints defeated the 49ers 31-27.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
10 Dec 2000: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers catches the ball as Alex Molden #25 of the New Orleans Saints tries to tackle him during the game at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Saints defeated the 49ers 31-27.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /

3. Jerry Rice

When you saw the title of this article, you probably said “Okay, well Jerry Rice will be in the top three.” Which, alright, fair enough. This one could be seen coming a mile away, but it simply can’t be put into words how great Jerry Rice was in his absolute prime.

While the Mississippi Valley State man only played five seasons in the decade, he made the absolute most of it. He made the Pro Bowl every year from 1986-89, as well as being a first-team All-Pro selection in each season, as well. Rice led the NFL in receiving yards in 1986 with 1,570. He also led the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns.

His 1987 season is one of the greatest individual seasons in NFL history. In a season that featured an NFL strike and replacement players, Rice only played in 12 games, but showed out in all of them. He finished the year with 65 catches, 1,078 yards, and a then-NFL record 22 touchdowns. More than one third of his catches went for touchdowns-that is insane.

Rice is undoubtedly the greatest receiver of all time. He is a member of the 1980s All-Decade team, and was the go-to target for Joe Montana in three Super Bowl victories throughout the decade.

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