Joe Cribbs was immediately impactful upon entering the NFL. He ran for 1,185 yards and caught 52 passes for 415 yards as a 22-year-old rookie in 1980 which earned him a second place finish for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons, including his rookie year.
Cribbs was a true three-down running back, amassing over 1,500 scrimmage yards in three of his first four years before missing 1984 due to a contract dispute. His career was never the same after sitting out that season, but Buffalo still got excellent return on an early second round pick.