30 greatest NFL QBs of all time: Where does Patrick Mahomes rank now?

Tom Brady, Chiefs (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tom Brady, Chiefs (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins Mount Rushmore
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images) /

7. 59. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Dan Marino. QB. 1983-1999. player

Dan Marino is the biggest “what if” on this list. He might be the most talented player to ever stand behind an offensive line. Marino was blowing everyone out of the water in terms of stats and impressive plays. Many say his lack of playoff success hurts his legacy, and it probably does. He has all the stats, all the accolades, and he was regarded as one of the best during his career. Unfortunately, playoff success matters, even if the team around him did him no favors.

Marino broke almost every passing record during his career with the Miami Dolphins. He became the first player to ever throw for 5,000 yards in a season, doing it in 1984 when such a number wasn’t even fathomable. It wouldn’t fall until 2011 when Tom Brady and Drew Brees set the mark. While 5,000 yards doesn’t seem as impressive now, it seemed like an impossible record to break back in the 80s.

Marino set six league records in 1984, including most touchdowns (destroying the record with 48 scoring passes). He would go on to what he thought would be his first of many Super Bowl performances, losing to the 49ers.

Unfortunately for Marino, that was his lone championship opportunity. He kept playing out of his mind, leading the league in passing four more times. Miami never again built him the proper team to compete for an actual title.