1980 NFL draft

The 1980 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 29–30, 1980, at the New York Sheraton Hotel in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season. With the first overall pick of the draft, the Detroit Lions selected running back Billy Sims.

This draft is notable as the first that the nascent ESPN network (which had first gone on the air seven months earlier) aired in its entirety, and the first to be televised.

Hall of Famers

 * Anthony Muñoz, offensive tackle from Southern California, taken 1st round 3rd overall by Cincinnati Bengals
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1998.


 * Dwight Stephenson, center from Alabama, taken 2nd round 48th overall by Miami Dolphins
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 1998.


 * Art Monk, wide receiver from Syracuse, taken 1st round 18th overall by Washington Redskins
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame class of 2008.


 * Steve McMichael, defensive tackle from Texas, taken 3rd round 73rd overall by the New England Patriots.
 * Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.