Dexter Manley was drafted No. 119 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 1981 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. 143 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 66 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #119
- Round
- 5
- Draft class
- 1981
- NFL games
- 143
- Years as starter
- 9
- Career AV
- 666th at Oklahoma State
- Pro Bowls
- 1
- All-Pro
- 1
The pick
How Dexter Manley came off the board in 1981.
- Position
- Defensive end DE
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
143 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 66 career approximate value
- Games played
- 143
- Seasons as a starter
- 9
- Career approximate value
- 666th among Oklahoma State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 6497% of career value
- Final season
- 199110 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× All-Pro · 1× Pro Bowl
Around pick 119
Who came off the board on either side of Dexter Manley.
Alabama
Southern
Pittsburgh
Oklahoma State in the 1981 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other DE picks from Oklahoma State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Oklahoma State · 6× Pro Bowl
#135
Antonio Smith
DE · ARI · 2004
Oklahoma State · 1× Pro Bowl
#32
Emmanuel Ogbah
DE · CLE · 2016
Oklahoma State
#73
John Washington
DE · NYG · 1986
Oklahoma State
#108
Jevon Langford
DE · CIN · 1996
Oklahoma State
#130
Tyler Lacy
DE · JAX · 2023
Oklahoma State
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Dexter Manley in the 1981 NFL Draft
Dexter Manley is a Defensive end out of Oklahoma State selected No. 119 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 1981 NFL Draft. 143 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 66 career approximate value Oklahoma State has produced 84 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Dexter Manley drafted?
Dexter Manley was selected No. 119 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 1981 NFL Draft (Rd 5). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1981/dexter-manley.
What college did Dexter Manley play for?
Dexter Manley played college football at Oklahoma State in the Big 12. See every Oklahoma State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/oklahoma-state-cowboys.
How did Dexter Manley's NFL career turn out?
143 regular-season games · 9 seasons as a starter · 66 career approximate value Accolades: 1× All-Pro · 1× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1981/dexter-manley.