Dolphins draft history with corner backs has been a problem
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins might not seem like they are starving for cornerback help but they definitely need to address the position in the draft.
Historically Miami has had some great corners. Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain immediately come to mind but so does Jamar Fletcher and Jamar Taylor. Maybe Miami shouldn’t draft corners named Jamar.
Last year the Dolphins believed they could make Byron Maxwell the Maxwell he was while with the Seahawks. He finished the season looking more like that player but started the season looking horrible and was eventually benched. His return to the lineup came at the expense of 2nd round pick Xavien Howard who was injured.
Howard was drafted last year in round two and was never truly healthy all season. Miami is hoping that the glimpses of what they saw from him last year will show on the field this year. Despite drafting Howard the Dolphins still have a need at the position.
Over the course of the last decade the Dolphins have committed to drafting corners but none have seemed to stick.
In 2015 the Dolphins drafted Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett. Lippett a converted wide-receiver is showing signs of developing into a solid nickel corner while McCain is still finding his footing. In 2014 the Dolphins drafted Walt Aikens who now primarily plays safety as a back-up and could be a bubble player to make the roster this year.
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With the First Pick
The 2013 draft was horrible from top to bottom. Dion Jordan was a bust and Jamar Taylor was never given a true chance to develop in Miami. He is playing better in Cleveland after he was traded. Miami also drafted Will Davis who has sent to Washington. Davis was a 3rd round pick. In round 7 of that draft the team took Don Jones. Three DB’s were drafted in 2013 and none of them are on the roster today.
The rest of the last decade:
2011 – Jimmy Wilson – 7th round
2010 – Nolan Carroll – 5th round: Has had a pretty good career after leaving the Dolphins
2009 – Vontae Davis – 1st round: Traded to Colts
Sean Smith – 2nd round: Allowed to leave via FA to KC
Chris Clemons – 5th round
2006 – Jason Allen – 1st round: did not come close to expectations
2005 – Travis Daniels – 4th round
2004 – Will Poole – 4th round
2002 – Omare Lowe – 5th round
2001 – Jamar Fletcher – 1st round (should have been Drew Brees)
The Dolphins have struggled to find consistent players at corner back for the better part of a decade. Through the draft that is. Miami has sent talent packing because they couldn’t coach players properly. Specifically Nolan Carroll. And let others walk rather than overpay them as they hit free agency. Sean Smith.
Overall the last 17 drafts have not produced quality players at corner through the draft and it’s a trend that the team is hoping to reverse this year if the right corner falls into place.