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NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Dan Marino
Dan Marino (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Miami Dolphins, QB Dan Marino

Pick: 1983 NFL Draft, 1st round number 27 overall

Stats: 

  • 61,361 passing yards
  • 420 touchdowns
  • 59.4 completion percentage

Awards: 

  • Former NFL MVP
  • 9 time Pro Bowler

The University of Pittsburgh has never been known as a place that pumps out elite-level talent. Yet, in the case of quarterback Dan Marino, that’s exactly what happened.

As the gunslinger dominated the collegiate ranks in the early 80s, his stock in the 1983 NFL Draft continued to plummet. Whether it was due to the lack of competition or just gross negligence of numerous general managers, the Miami Dolphins sat back and watched as Marino continued to fall. Not one to complain, they immediately snagged him with the 27th overall pick and threw him into the fire from opening day.

The results were outstanding as Marino lofted the ball perfectly over the heads of defenders going deep or zipped the rock through a tight window. At the end of each year, the results were always the same, Marino would throw for over 4,000 yards and roughly 30 touchdowns. His ability to take care of the ball was also amongst the best as his interception percentage never soared above four percent.

While Marino never pushed those Dolphins teams over the championship hump, he kept them in the conversation for nearly two decades. With countless quarterbacks failing to walk in the big shoes left by Marino, it’s safe to say that his position as the best player in franchise history is cemented.

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