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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 30
Next
SAN DIEGO, CA: Dan Fouts of the San Diego Chargers circa 1987 dropd back to pass against the Miami Dolphins at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA: Dan Fouts of the San Diego Chargers circa 1987 dropd back to pass against the Miami Dolphins at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /

25. Dan Fouts

The first quarterback on the list, and one of the more underrated quarterbacks of all time, Dan Fouts was electric. As the co-pilot of the Air Coryell offense for the Chargers, Fouts put together a career that featured several Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections.

He kicked off the decade fresh off his first All-Pro appearance and put in a great season in 1980. The former third round pick out of Oregon led the NFL in completions, attempts, and yards. He threw for 4,715 yards on the season to go along with 30 touchdowns before being selected to his third straight Pro Bowl. He once again led the NFL in all three categories, and he also led the NFL with 33 touchdown passes, in 1981.

Fouts would go on to earn three more Pro Bowl appearances and one more All-Pro selection in 1982. He also won Offensive Player of the Year in that season.

While Fouts didn’t have the hardware of Montana, or get the attention of a Marino, he threw as good a deep ball as anyone of his era. He retired as a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Home/NFL