I’ve been studying the 1979 NFL draft and I’ve seen a lot of defenders. Some great, some terrible. A few choices from the first round that made Hall of Fame and some of the top 10 choices that were full busts.
So when I was recently asked where Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence ranked among the highest-skilled defenders I’ve ever studied, I just said, “He’s up there.” However, I really wanted to go in and check his grade over the rest of my 40 years. The following are the top 10 quarterbacks on this list, based on mine pre-project note. It doesn’t reflect their performance in the NFL, but rather the place where I evaluated them the day before their respective projects.
You’ll notice that this list and order are slightly different from when I did something similar in 2011. That’s because I added Andrew Luck from the 2012 class, plus a defender who still plays at number 10. And when I came back through the notes and my research reports, I found that the 2011 list was not accurate enough because it used a few March research reports compared to my final April research reports. Don’t worry, though – I can’t hide how high I was on some legendary busts, as you’ll see below.
Let’s delve into my top-ranked defenders in 1979 and include excerpts from my final research reports, quick notes on how their careers ended up, and where Lawrence falls for the 2021 class:
Class project: 1983
Choose: Nr. 1 overall Denver Broncos
What I wrote then: “Perhaps the best assessment of his talents was given by Cardinals coach Paul Wiggin, who said:” He has the confidence and field instincts of John Brodie, the special human qualities of Archie Manning and the physical attributes of Terry Bradshaw. ”. In my final evaluation, Elway received the highest marks you can get in all categories. It has no visible weaknesses and is the QB prototype. Undoubtedly, Elway is an All-Pro NFL QB that cannot be missed, which has the ability to make a place for him in the Pro Fame Football Hall. “
Career notes: Elway started 231 games for the Broncos and won two Super Bowls to end his 16-year career in the NFL. His 300 career passes in his career rank 12th at all times. He entered the Fame Pro Football Hall in 2004.
Class project: 2012
Choose: Nr. 1 in general, the Indianapolis Colts
What I wrote then: “Luck has it all – size, incredible intelligence, accuracy and a great work ethic. I compare him a lot to Peyton Manning, but Luck is more sporty. Because of that, expectations for Luck will be through the roof. He has the overall makeup to do in the face of this kind of pressure and to continue to enjoy a career that rises to the heights of all. “
Career notes: Luck made four Pro Bowls in his seven-year career before abruptly retiring before the 2019 season. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2018, after missing the entire 2017 season with injuries. He finished his career with 171 touchdown passes and 83 interceptions.
Class project: 1998
Choose: Nr. 1 in general, the Indianapolis Colts
What I wrote then: “He will not offer the extra size of a Steve Young, but I can’t think of a player I would prefer to lead under the fighting football team. With a free agency, teams change their staff every year. for consistency and leadership at QB is more important than ever. Manning will win and will earn big at the professional level, provided, of course, that he obtains the necessary assistance from his colleagues and the organization. “
Career notes: Manning threw 28 interceptions as a novice, but then settled into an elite defender. He was named to the All-Pro First Team seven times, was named MVP in the regular season five times and won two Super Bowl titles, one with the Colts and one with the Broncos. He will enter the Hall of Fame in the 2021 class later this year.
Class project: 2021
Preliminary research report: “Lawrence is a clear top prospect in this class. He’s No. 1 in the Jaguars and will have a chance to lead the franchise change with coach Urban Meyer. He has everything the NFL teams want in a starting lineup, from size to size. “Arms the talent to the ability to process the readings and make the correct throw. Lawrence ended his career at Clemson with 108 total touchdowns (18 rushing) and just 17 interceptions in three seasons.”
Lawrence underwent surgery to repair injuries to his left shoulder labrum last month. He told ESPN’s Stephania Bell that his rehabilitation was going better than expected and that he should be ready for the training camp in July.
Class project: 1983
Choose: Nr. 14 Buffalo Bills in general
What I wrote then: “Kelly has accumulated impressive stats during her career and, like John Elway, has played against a very strong competition (six bowling teams in 1981). Apart from Elway, Kelly is the most talented of the QBs that has come out. from college classes this season.The transition to professional football should be a smooth one.He would have been one of the top five players enrolled if he hadn’t been injured, but he should still go in the middle of the first round, depending on the result “I have a feeling that in three years’ time, Kelly will qualify as one of the top QBs in the NFL.”
Career notes: Kelly turned down bills for the USFL, playing two seasons for the Houston Gamblers. He joined Buffalo in 1986 and played 11 seasons for the Bills, leading them to four consecutive Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Class project: 1990
Choose: Nr. 7 in general, the Detroit Lions
What I wrote then: “A key factor in obtaining such a high rating is the leadership qualities he possesses, as well as his intelligence, balance and general presence. I could go on forever about his qualities as a player and a person, but I need space for other perspectives. Should be the first QB selected in any draft, he is so good! In fact, if he goes to the right team, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him lead his club to the Super Bowl at the beginning of his professional career. Even if he doesn’t, you can feel reasonably confident that he will enjoy a successful career, earning great honors throughout his stay in the NFL. “
Career notes: Ware made just six starts in four NFL seasons, throwing five touchdown passes and eight picks. Rodney Peete was the Lions’ favorite starter under coach Wayne Fontes.
Class project: 1993
Choose: Nr. 1 in general, the New England Patriots
What I wrote then: “I praise my skill level and gross potential since entering the WSU campus in 1990 and nothing has changed since then to dampen my enthusiasm. Like all young QBs with maturity, he needs to develop a little more. QB in college football, either this year or in the years to come, can touch Bledsoe in terms of raw physical potential, which is why he considers himself the first general player on my rating board and is clearly the most coveted potential in the sketch. “
Career notes: Bledsoe had a good career, but he is probably best known now as the guy who lost his job to Tom Brady – and Brady became the greatest defender in history. Bledsoe took the Patriots to the Super Bowl in 1996 and began playing for the Cowboys and Bills after leaving New England. He threw 251 career touchdown passes.
8. Ryan Leaf, Washington
Class project: 1998
Choose: Nr. 2 in general, the San Diego Chargers
What I wrote then: “Physically, he always had what it took to be one of the first players selected. However, his attention to detail last summer and his desire to put time on the training ground pushed him into “Leaf is the type who can put a team alone in the winning column, which at the professional level is the ultimate sign of greatness.”
Career notes: Leaf Vs. Manning was a massive debate in 1998, and the Colts made the right choice with the best choice. Leaf had a disgusting career, going 4-17 in his NFL career. He was released by the Chargers after three “turbulent” seasons. “With Ryan, there were too many off-the-field issues that I think I should have paid more attention to,” said former Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard years later. Leaf ended his career with 14 touchdown passes and 36 picks.
Class project: 1989
Choose: Nr. 1 in general, the Dallas Cowboys
What I wrote then: “Aikman has a remarkable physical / athletic talent, running under 4.7 at almost 220 kilograms. He throws everything from his ear, using quick release to avoid possible bags. His mobility is a real plus, allowing him to move his pocket, delivering the ball while rolling on both sides Qualifies as a blue super chipper capable of turning a cellar dweller into a competitor at the beginning of his professional career. of outstanding alumni like John Elway, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Vinny Testaverde, really only playing two full years at the collegiate level.
Career notes: Aikman finished 0-11 as a starter, but he and the Cowboys turned it upside down. He won three Super Bowl titles and made six Pro Bowl teams in 12 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Class project: 2018
Choose: Nr. 7 in general, Buffalo Bills
What I wrote then: “Allen has crushed the pre-draft process and is in the mix to be No. 1 overall pick. He has shown improvements in the Senior Bowl and the combine, and has a high ceiling. Allen is very raw, but maybe really the numbers. were not great in 2016 (28 touchdowns, 15 interceptions while completing 56% of his passes), and his numbers were not excellent in 2017 (16 touchdown passes, six interceptions in while completing 56.3% of his passes), but NFL teams will take into account the talent around him.Wyoming offense lost 47 touchdowns to the 2016 team along with his center. “Allen’s numbers will be much better in an NFL offense with NFL players. Shoot together in the winning Cowboys field, throwing three touchdown passes in the first half, even as you recover from a shoulder injury.”
Career notes: Allen burst into Buffalo in Year 3, completing 69.2% of his passes and throwing 37 touchdown passes with just 10 picks. He finished second in the MVP voting while leading the Bills to the AFC title game. Allen, who turns 25 this summer, has entered the top tier of NFL callers.
Next on the list
The notes are extremely similar here, but here’s who follows, in no particular order: