Today in Patriots History
Day One of the 1982 Draft
April 27, 1982:
The 47th Annual Player Selection Meeting, better known as the 1982 NFL Draft
New York Sheraton Hotel, New York City
Day One, Rounds 1-3
Despite Kenneth "Game Day" Sims never living up to the status of a number one overall pick, that was fortunately offset by the selection of Hall of Famer Andre Tippett. The forgotten man in all of this was Clayton Weishuhn, an absolute force on the field who had hall of fame potential himself, had it not been for bad knee injuries (and 1980's sports medicine/surgeries not being nearly as advanced as they are now).
1st round, 1st overall -- DE Kenneth Sims, Texas
eight seasons, 74 games (64 starts); 17 sacks
Pats trade rights of retired TE Russ Francis to San Francisco for a 1st (#27) and 4th (#111) round draft pick
1st round, 27th overall -- NT Lester Williams, Miami
four seasons, 40 games (13 starts); 5½ sacks, two fumble recoveries
Pats trade S Tim Fox to San Diego for a 1982 2nd (#40) and 1983 3rd (#80)
2nd round, 40th overall -- RB Robert Weathers, Arizona State
five seasons, 44 games (six starts); 1,001 yards from scrimmage, four touchdowns
Pats trade down, sending their 2nd round pick (#29) to the 49ers for two seconds (#41, #55)
2nd round, 41st overall -- LB Andre Tippett, Iowa
11 season, 151 games (139 starts); franchise career record 100 sacks; top three team single-season records for sacks (18½ in '84)
2x All Pro, 5x Pro Bowl; NFL All-1980s Team; 1985 Defensive Player of the Year; Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2008
Pats All 1980s Team, All 1990s Team, 35th and 50th Anniversary Teams; Pats Hall of Fame, 1999
University of iowa Hall of Fame, 2007; Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, 2009; Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, 2012
2nd round, 55th overall -- TT Darryl Haley, Utah
four seasons, 57 games (24 starts)
3rd round, 56th overall -- WR Cedric Jones, Duke
nine seasons, 120 games (38 starts); 191 receptions for 2,703 yards (14.2 ypc); 16 touchdowns
(Patriots had received a third round pick from Seattle in exchange for RB Horace Ivory on Sept 25, 1981)
3rd round, 60th overall -- LB Clayton Weishuhn, Angelo State
four seasons, 30 games (26 starts)
single-season franchise record 229 tackles (1983)
On Day Two the Patriots added
Fred Marion and three backups in rounds 4-12. Marion and Hall of Famer Andre Tippett were the only players that kept this draft from being a complete disaster - made worse when taking into consideration the trades of Francis, Fox and Ivory added
four early picks. Sims may have lasted for eight years, but he has to be considered a bust. He certainly didn't live up to his draft status; nor did Williams, Weathers or Haley. Weishuhn was on the verge of becoming a major impact player - he still holds the franchise record for most tackles in a single season - but back-to-back preseasons with a blown out knee prematurely ended his very promising career.
