Honestly, if you look at the stat sheets today, it feels impossible. How does a guy who threw for 5,000 yards in a single season when the league was still a "ground and pound" world fall to the bottom of the first round? It's the kind of thing that makes you scratch your head. But to answer the big question right away: Dan Marino was drafted in 1983.
He wasn't the first pick. He wasn't even the second or third quarterback taken. In a year that literally changed how we think about the position, Dan Marino was the 27th overall pick. The Miami Dolphins, led by the legendary Don Shula, basically sat there and watched a future Hall of Famer fall right into their laps.
The Famed Quarterback Class of 1983
You've probably heard the 1983 NFL Draft called the "Year of the Quarterback." It’s not just hype. Six quarterbacks went in the first round that year. That's a record that stood alone for decades until the 2024 draft finally tied it.
The names ahead of him are a mix of legends and "who?" moments. John Elway went number one overall to the Baltimore Colts (though he famously refused to play for them). Then you had Todd Blackledge at number seven, Jim Kelly at 14, and Tony Eason at 15. The real gut punch for Marino happened at pick 24. The New York Jets took Ken O'Brien from Cal-Davis.
Marino was visibly shaken. He was sitting there in the green room, or at home with his family, watching names go by that he probably felt he was better than. Bill Hillgrove, who was with the Marino family that day, later said Marino looked almost ill when the Jets passed on him. He famously asked his agent, "Who is Ken O'Brien?"
Why Did He Slide So Far?
If you're wondering what year was dan marino drafted, you also have to ask why he was still available at pick 27. It wasn't because of a lack of talent. At the University of Pittsburgh, he was a monster. In 1981, he led the nation with 34 touchdown passes.
But his senior year in 1982 was... weird. The team struggled a bit, and his stats dipped. He threw 17 touchdowns but also 23 interceptions. People started overthinking it. Then came the rumors.
There were whispers about "lifestyle" issues and recreational drug use. In the early '80s, that kind of talk was poison for a draft stock. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers—his hometown team—actually took him off their boards. Chuck Noll, the Steelers' coach, supposedly thought Marino reminded him too much of players who had struggled with substance issues in the past.
There’s also a theory from his college coach, Foge Fazio, that the gambling community fueled the rumors. Because Pitt didn't cover the point spread in several games where they were heavy favorites, people got "vicious." It’s a wild angle, but it shows how much noise was surrounding him.
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The Dolphins' Best Day Ever
Don Shula hadn't even talked to Marino before the draft. The Dolphins didn't think he’d be anywhere near them at 27. When he kept falling, Shula didn't overthink it. He saw a kid with the quickest release in the history of the game and a cannon for an arm.
The investment paid off almost instantly. Marino didn't start the season, but by Week 6, he was the guy. He ended his rookie year with a 96.0 passer rating, which was unheard of for a rookie in 1983. He led the AFC in passing and went to the Pro Bowl.
The Numbers That Still Look Fake
While the 1983 draft was his entry point, 1984 was his masterpiece. Marino became the first player ever to throw for over 5,000 yards. He threw 48 touchdowns. To put that in perspective, the previous record was 36. He didn't just break the record; he nuked it from orbit.
Think about the context of that era. Defenses were allowed to be much more physical with receivers. Defensive linemen could basically club quarterbacks. In that environment, Marino was playing a different sport. He retired in 1999 with 61,361 passing yards and 420 touchdowns.
What We Can Learn From the 1983 Draft
The "Marino Slide" is a permanent lesson for NFL front offices. It’s about not letting rumors or one "off" season distract you from elite, generational talent. Five teams took quarterbacks before him, and while Elway and Kelly are legends, the others didn't exactly set the world on fire.
If you are looking at draft history or just settled a bet about what year was dan marino drafted, remember that the "where" and "why" are just as important as the date. He was the 27th pick in 1983, and he spent the next 17 years making 26 other teams regret their life choices.
Next Steps for Fans and Researchers:
- Compare the 1983 QB class stats against the 2024 class to see how "pro-ready" modern rookies are compared to the legends.
- Look up the "Oral History of the 1983 NFL Draft" to hear direct quotes from the scouts who passed on Marino.
- Check out highlights of Marino’s 1984 season; the speed of his release is still faster than almost anyone playing today.