Top 30 NFL players of the 1980s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1980s

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) /

30 of 30

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 14: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants talks to defensive lineman Leonard Marshall #70 during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Giants Stadium on December 14, 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 27-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

1. Lawrence Taylor

It simply is not fair how incredible Lawrence Taylor was at football. He didn’t go through offensive tackles as much as he just swallowed them whole. The No. 2 overall pick in the 1981 Draft has a laundry list of career accolades to his name.

He won both the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in NFL history to do so. He repeated as Defensive Player of the Year in 1982.

From 1981-89, Taylor made nine consecutive Pro Bowls, and was named first-team an All-Pro eight times. In 1986, he accumulated 20.5 sacks and won his third Defensive Player of the Year award, as well as the NFL MVP award.

There wasn’t anyone like Lawrence Taylor before he came along, and there hasn’t been another like him since he retired. He is easily the most dominant defensive player of all time. He totaled double-digit sacks in seven seasons, finishing with 142 in his career. Taylor helped the Giants win two Super Bowls throughout the decade, and is a member of the 1980s All-Decade team. He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, as well as an eight-time All-Pro. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Home/NFL