Best players of each Miami Dolphins draft class
By Brian Miller
1967 came in with a whimpering thud after the not surprising beat down Miami took in 1966 as a rookie football franchise. But things were going to change quickly. The ’67 draft boasted names like Larry Seiple taken in round seven. and 2nd round pick Jim Riley. But no one was more impressive than the teams number one draft pick.
Bob Griese. Griese was never the gunslinging quarterback that we see today or even in the mid-80’s as the game began to change. He was a cerebral quarterback who knew how to manage a game on the field. He parlayed that knowledge and ability into a Hall of Fame career.
Who was the best?
Bob Griese.
1968:
The Dolphins had a lot of options in 1968 but it was again the Dolphins first overall pick of the draft, 8th overall, that brought Miami a gold mine. Larry Csonka’s name is known to every Dolphins fan young and old and his name is on the Dolphins Ring of Honor and has a bust in the Hall of Fame.
Other notables: Dick Anderson and Jim Kiick.
Who was the best?
Larry Csonka.
1969:
Bill Stanfill was drafted with the first pick, 11th overall, and played great for Miami. But so die Mercury Morris and Lloyd Mumphord. Morris remains to this day a vocal leader of the 1972 undefeated squad and continues to make appearances for the Dolphins. Bill Stanfill passed away at the age of 69 in 2016.
But who was the best player for the Miami Dolphins of this draft class. While Morris’ addition is hard to overlook, Stanfill’s contributions to the team on defense, the No-Name Defense left him in the shadows instead of in the public eye. His unofficial 67 1/2 sacks over his career was incredible at that time despite the NFL not recording sacks until 1982.
Who was the best?
As hard as it is, Bill Stanfill.