New England Patriots: 30 greatest players in franchise history

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• Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1997)
• New England Patriots No. 40 jersey retired
• NFL 75th Anniversary Team
• NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
• 6x Pro Bowl w/Patriots (1976-80, 1982)
• 6x Second-Team All-Pro (1976-80, 1982)
• NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1976)
• New England Patriots Hall of Fame

Mike Haynes is one of the greatest players in two AFC franchise’s histories: the Patriots and the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Given that his Pro Football Hall of Fame career was evenly split over 14 seasons with both organizations, that might be a reason Haynes never seems to get his due as one of the best cornerbacks to ever grace an NFL gridiron.

Haynes starred in college for the Arizona State Sun Devils. The lowly Patriots used their No. 5 overall pick on the defensive back in the 1976 NFL Draft. That proved to be one of the best first-round picks ever made in the history of the Patriots because Haynes was absolutely incredible for them.

In his seven years with the Patriots, Haynes made six trips to the Pro Bowl and earned a spot on six Second-Team All-Pro squads. As a rookie in 1976, Haynes was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had eight interceptions for 90 yards, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries for the playoff-bound 1976 Patriots.

Haynes would be arguably the best defensive back in the AFC during his first five years in the league. He made the Pro Bowl each season, as well as the Second-Team All-Pro each year. New England might have been competitive during Haynes’ time with the club, but wouldn’t start going to Super Bowls until well after he left.

Yes, Haynes would leave the Patriots after his sixth Pro Bowl season in 1982. He landed with the Raiders in 1983, winning Super Bowl XVIII over the Washington Redskins during his first season with Los Angeles. Haynes got back to being an elite defensive back with the Raiders in 1984, as he had his best season as a professional.

He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1984, made the All-Pro First-Team and grabbed another Pro Bowl nod. Haynes was First-Team All-Pro again in 1985 with the Raiders. He made two more Pro Bowls with the Raiders in 1985 and 1986. After the 1989 NFL season, Haynes retired from the NFL at the age of 36.

In his seven years with the Patriots, Haynes amassed 28 interceptions for 393 yards and one trip to pay dirt in 90 career games. He forced 11 fumbles and recovered another 11 in New England as a player who loved to get his nose on the ball.

In his post-playing career, the accolades would start to mount up for Haynes. He is a member of both the NFL 75th Anniversary Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. In 1994, Haynes would be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, as well as having his No. 40 jersey retired. Three years later in 1997, Haynes would achieve football’s highest honor by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Haynes remains the greatest Patriots defensive back of all-time by a long shot.