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Dolphins Draft Rewind: 2014

By Matthew Stevens

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the draft one week away, PhinPhanatic.com will look back at the past seven Miami Dolphins draft classes.  Each article will examine who the Dolphins selected in the draft and, when noteworthy, players they passed on.  Today we look back at 2014.

Round 1

With their first round selection (19th overall), Miami drafted T JuWuan James from Tennessee.  With four offensive lineman drafted before their pick, and a major need at right tackle, some believe that Miami reached for James.

Aug 4, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (70) during practice drills at Baptist Health Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (70) during practice drills at Baptist Health Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Four years later, James has turned in three solid years as right tackle and is currently penciled in as the RT for the 2017 season.

WR Brandon Cooks (20th) and S Ha Ha Clinton Dix (21st) turned out to be Pro Bowl caliber players.  It’s also become widely known that former head coach Joe Philbin pushed for Miami to draft QB Derek Carr (36th overall) but ultimately didn’t get his way.  Pick Grade:  B

Round 2

The Dolphins traded twice in round 2 (from pick #50 to 57 and thean again to 63).  With that 63rd pick, Miami selected WR Jarvis Landry, LSU.  

Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) runs after a catch and breaks a tackle by Buffalo Bills nose tackle Marcell Dareus (99) during the second half at New Era Field. The Dolphins beat the Bills 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) runs after a catch and breaks a tackle by Buffalo Bills nose tackle Marcell Dareus (99) during the second half at New Era Field. The Dolphins beat the Bills 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Landry has become one of the leaders of the team and has caught more balls than any WR in his first three seasons.  The trades cost Miami the chance to select players like DE Kony Ealy (60), WR Allen Robinson (61) and, however slim, to draft QB Jimmy Garropolo (62).  That being said, I don’t think the team/fans regret this pick.  Pick Grade:  Landry A

Round 3

Miami used the 67th selection on T/G Billy Turner out of North Dakota State.  Tuner started 14 games in his 2 1/2 year tenure in Miami but will be remembered more for this mistakes than his successes.

As for players still available?  At the time, I was screaming for Miami to select MLB Chris Borland (77th pick) but given his sudden retirement after one year, that pick is looking dubious.  WR Donte Moncrief (pick 90) and RBs Terrence West (94) and Devonta Freeman (103) are the only other names that stand out.  Draft Grade C-

Round 4

Pick #125 brought the Dolphins S Walt Aikens, Liberty University.  While filling in on occasion at safety, Aikens was mainly a special teams contributor.  Draft Grade:  C

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Round 5

TE Arthur Lynch was selected 155th overall by the Dolphins.  Lynch was injured in the preseason his rookie year and has been on the practice squad of Denver and Atlanta the last two years.

Pick #171 brought LB Jordan Tripp, Montana to Miami.  He played sparingly, mostly on special teams, for the Dolphins in 2014 before being cut in the offseason.

There weren’t really any noteworthy players Miami missed out on the 5th round.  QB A.J. McCarron (pick #164) is probably the biggest name.  It’s also interesting that QB David Fales was drafted 183 overall and made his way to Miami this offseason.  Pick Grade:  Lynch F/Tripp F

Round 6

Matt Hazel, WR from Coastal Carolina continued the Dolphins trend of wasted picks when he was selected at pick #190.  However, since no other players pick in this round have made a major impact, it’s hard to second guess the pick.  Draft Grade:  D

Round 7

After three lackluster rounds in the 2014 Draft, Miami struck upon the best player selected in the round when they pick DE Terrence Fede, Marist College with the 234th pick in the draft.

Although Fede has zero starts in his three years with Miami, he has been a part of the Dolphins defensive line rotation over that span.  As 7th round picks go, Fede was well worth the selection.  Pick Grade:  B-

The Dolphins overall draft was salvaged by the steady play of James and the outstanding start by Landry.  However, two good selections out of eight cannot be considered a good draft and that is reflected in the grade.  Overall Draft Grade:  C 

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