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) /

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GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 23: James Lofton #80 of the Green Bay Packers runs a pass rout defended by John Turner #27 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game October 23, 1983 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Lofton played for the Packers from 1978-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

27. James Lofton

James Lofton is quietly one of the best receivers of all time, and also one of the best deep threats in NFL history. Before the decade even began, he was a Pro Bowler as a rookie in 1978. He earned his second trip to Honolulu in 1980, catching 71 passes for over 1,200 yards and four touchdowns.

From 1980-85, Lofton was a Pro Bowler every year, and was named First-Team All-Pro in 1981. He led the NFL in yards per reception in both 1983 and 1984, netting absurd totals in each season. He averaged 22.4 and 22 yards per reception, respectively, in those two seasons and had over 1,300 yards in both, as well.

Lofton had stints with the Raiders and Bills before the decade concluded, though he never reached that same lure he had while in Green Bay. He retired as an eight-time Pro Bowler and was selected to one All-Pro team, as well. Lofton is a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves in large part because he played on some bad Packers teams, but he was by all accounts one of the best receivers of the decade.

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