GOAT Rank · 40

Greatest American Football Players who debuted in the 1970s

This ranking is led by Mel Blount, Franco Harris and Jack Lambert. GOAT Rank currently ranks 40 eligible American Football players who debuted in the 1970s using verified career records across dominance, peak, longevity, honours and statistics.

Quick answer

According to GOAT Rank's current model, Mel Blount ranks #1 on this list with a GOAT Score of 91.5.

How the GOAT Score is calculated →

#AthleteGOAT Score

Mel Blount

91.5

Sport: American Football
Career: 1970–1983
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 90.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 94.0
Longevity: 88.0

Athlete: Mel Blount

Franco Harris

90.0

Sport: American Football
Career: 1972–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 94.0
Honours: 94.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: Franco Harris

Jack Lambert

89.5

Sport: American Football
Career: 1974–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 88.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 94.0
Longevity: 82.0

Athlete: Jack Lambert

John Hannah

89.4

Sport: American Football
Career: 1973–1985
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 90.0
Statistics: 86.0
Honours: 88.0
Longevity: 88.0

Athlete: John Hannah

Randy White

89.3

Sport: American Football
Career: 1975–1988
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 88.0
Longevity: 88.0

Athlete: Randy White

Steve Largent

89.1

Sport: American Football
Career: 1976–1989
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 96.0
Honours: 84.0
Longevity: 90.0

Athlete: Steve Largent

Tony Dorsett

88.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1977–1988
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 94.0
Honours: 88.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: Tony Dorsett

Joe Montana

88.7

Sport: American Football
Career: 1979–1994
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 93.0
Dominance: 89.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 91.0
Longevity: 82.0

Athlete: Joe Montana

Jack Ham

87.9

Sport: American Football
Career: 1971–1982
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 92.0
Longevity: 82.0

Athlete: Jack Ham

Jim Langer

87.9

Sport: American Football
Career: 1970–1981
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 90.0
Longevity: 82.0

Athlete: Jim Langer

Ray Guy

87.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1973–1986
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 84.0
Longevity: 88.0

Athlete: Ray Guy

Mike Haynes

87.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1976–1989
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: Mike Haynes

103

Jack Youngblood

87.7

Sport: American Football
Career: 1971–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 84.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 84.0
Longevity: 90.0

Athlete: Jack Youngblood

106

Walter Payton

87.6

Sport: American Football
Career: 1975–1987
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 87.0
Statistics: 91.0
Honours: 85.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: Walter Payton

119

James Lofton

87.4

Sport: American Football
Career: 1978–1993
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 94.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 92.0

Athlete: James Lofton

130

John Riggins

87.1

Sport: American Football
Career: 1971–1985
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: John Riggins

132

John Stallworth

87.0

Sport: American Football
Career: 1974–1987
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 88.0

Athlete: John Stallworth

143

Dan Fouts

86.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1973–1987
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 84.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: Dan Fouts

148

Warren Moon

86.7

Sport: American Football
Career: 1978–2000
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 90.0

Athlete: Warren Moon

149

Terry Bradshaw

86.7

Sport: American Football
Career: 1970–1983
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 84.0
Statistics: 86.0
Honours: 92.0
Longevity: 78.0

Athlete: Terry Bradshaw

170

Harry Carson

86.4

Sport: American Football
Career: 1976–1988
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: Harry Carson

172

Ed "Too Tall" Jones

86.3

Sport: American Football
Career: 1974–1989
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 92.0

Athlete: Ed "Too Tall" Jones

173

Earl Campbell

86.3

Sport: American Football
Career: 1978–1985
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 96.0
Dominance: 90.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 88.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Earl Campbell

174

Ozzie Newsome

86.3

Sport: American Football
Career: 1978–1990
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 80.0
Longevity: 90.0

Athlete: Ozzie Newsome

196

Mike Webster

85.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1974–1990
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 84.0
Honours: 88.0
Longevity: 88.0

Athlete: Mike Webster

198

Harold Carmichael

85.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1971–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 92.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 88.0

Athlete: Harold Carmichael

199

Joe DeLamielleure

85.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1973–1985
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 84.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 84.0
Longevity: 84.0

Athlete: Joe DeLamielleure

200

Dan Hampton

85.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1979–1990
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 84.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 80.0

Athlete: Dan Hampton

206

Cliff Branch

85.6

Sport: American Football
Career: 1972–1985
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 84.0
Longevity: 86.0

Athlete: Cliff Branch

225

Fred Dean

85.4

Sport: American Football
Career: 1975–1985
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 84.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Fred Dean

233

Dave Casper

85.2

Sport: American Football
Career: 1974–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 80.0

Athlete: Dave Casper

237

Lee Roy Selmon

85.1

Sport: American Football
Career: 1976–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 86.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 84.0
Longevity: 74.0

Athlete: Lee Roy Selmon

246

Dan Dierdorf

84.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1971–1983
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 84.0

Athlete: Dan Dierdorf

247

Joe Klecko

84.8

Sport: American Football
Career: 1977–1988
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 80.0

Athlete: Joe Klecko

263

Robert Brazile

84.3

Sport: American Football
Career: 1975–1984
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 84.0
Statistics: 86.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 78.0

Athlete: Robert Brazile

282

Cliff Harris

83.7

Sport: American Football
Career: 1970–1979
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 84.0
Longevity: 74.0

Athlete: Cliff Harris

288

Randy Gradishar

83.5

Sport: American Football
Career: 1974–1983
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 90.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 76.0

Athlete: Randy Gradishar

293

Lynn Swann

83.2

Sport: American Football
Career: 1974–1982
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 94.0
Dominance: 80.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 86.0
Longevity: 70.0

Athlete: Lynn Swann

295

Drew Pearson

83.1

Sport: American Football
Career: 1973–1983
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 90.0
Dominance: 78.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 80.0

Athlete: Drew Pearson

322

Kellen Winslow

81.7

Sport: American Football
Career: 1979–1987
Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Peak: 92.0
Dominance: 82.0
Statistics: 88.0
Honours: 82.0
Longevity: 66.0

Athlete: Kellen Winslow

#	Athlete	Sport	Country	Career	GOAT Score
9	Mel Blount	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1970–1983	91.5
21	Franco Harris	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1972–1984	90.0
30	Jack Lambert	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1974–1984	89.5
32	John Hannah	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1973–1985	89.4
34	Randy White	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1975–1988	89.3
39	Steve Largent	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1976–1989	89.1
50	Tony Dorsett	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1977–1988	88.8
53	Joe Montana	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1979–1994	88.7
89	Jack Ham	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1971–1982	87.9
92	Jim Langer	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1970–1981	87.9
96	Ray Guy	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1973–1986	87.8
99	Mike Haynes	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1976–1989	87.8
103	Jack Youngblood	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1971–1984	87.7
106	Walter Payton	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1975–1987	87.6
119	James Lofton	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1978–1993	87.4
130	John Riggins	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1971–1985	87.1
132	John Stallworth	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1974–1987	87.0
143	Dan Fouts	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1973–1987	86.8
148	Warren Moon	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1978–2000	86.7
149	Terry Bradshaw	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1970–1983	86.7
170	Harry Carson	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1976–1988	86.4
172	Ed "Too Tall" Jones	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1974–1989	86.3
173	Earl Campbell	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1978–1985	86.3
174	Ozzie Newsome	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1978–1990	86.3
196	Mike Webster	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1974–1990	85.8
198	Harold Carmichael	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1971–1984	85.8
199	Joe DeLamielleure	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1973–1985	85.8
200	Dan Hampton	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1979–1990	85.8
206	Cliff Branch	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1972–1985	85.6
225	Fred Dean	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1975–1985	85.4
233	Dave Casper	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1974–1984	85.2
237	Lee Roy Selmon	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1976–1984	85.1
246	Dan Dierdorf	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1971–1983	84.8
247	Joe Klecko	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1977–1988	84.8
263	Robert Brazile	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1975–1984	84.3
282	Cliff Harris	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1970–1979	83.7
288	Randy Gradishar	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1974–1983	83.5
293	Lynn Swann	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1974–1982	83.2
295	Drew Pearson	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1973–1983	83.1
322	Kellen Winslow	American Football	🇺🇸 United States	1979–1987	81.7

Compare the leaders

Mel Blount vs Franco Harris

Read the full methodology

Sport lists use the raw In-Sport GOAT Score. Cross-sport lists use the official competition-depth adjustment. No scores are recalculated for this page.

Read the full methodology

Frequently asked questions

How is this ranking calculated?

Five verified components are weighted consistently: dominance, peak, longevity, honours and statistics.

Who is included?

According to GOAT Rank's current data model, only verified athletes with sufficient career history, metrics, honours and independent sources are eligible. Rank and score are read live.

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