1980 Draft

By Patrick Mondout

Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims of Oklahoma was the first pick overall by the Detroit Lions and started out like a future Hall of Famer with 3,812 total yards and 31 touchdowns in his first two seasons for a below-average team. Sadly, multiple injuries curtailed this electrifying runner and he played only three more abbreviated years before retiring.

One of the all-time draft busts, Johnny 'Lam' Jones had won Olympic gold in the 4x100 relay for USA at the Montreal games of 1976 and had world class speed but hands of stone. To make matters worse, the Jets traded up to number two to get him and passed on one of the greatest offensive lineman in the history of the sport. USC's Anthony Munoz was selected by the Bengals number three overall and elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The only other Hall member of this draft class was Dolphins center Dwight Stevenson, who was selected in the second round (#48 overall).

This was one of the worst years to be in need of a franchise quarterback. Two below-average signal callers were taken in round one with BYU's Marc Wilson teasing Al Davis with occasional flashes and mediocre seasons and Arizona State's Mark Malone contributing 60 TDs and 81 INTs during his 10 year stint with three teams.

Other QBs drafted include: Marc Wilson, Gene Bradley, Eric Hipple, Rusty Lisch, Ed Luther, Gary Hogeboom, Turk Schonert, and Scott Brunner. David Woodley was taken in the eighth round and did "lead" his defensive-minded Dolphins to Super Bowl XVII, but was replaced the next season by a rookie named Marino and finished his career with 48 touchdowns and 63 interceptions.

Below is the first round of the 1980 NFL draft. We also have the entire 12 round draft.