Best players of each Miami Dolphins draft class
By Brian Miller
With a lockout looming across the NFL landscape the Dolphins opted to play it safe in the first round. Center Mike Pouncey was head and shoulders above the rest of the draft class that included 2nd round bust Daniel Thomas.
The Dolphins traded back into round two to draft the K. State running back but Thomas couldn’t deliver on his college pedigree. He hung around until his rookie deal was completed. Clyde Gates a 4th round receiver was gone in one season while 7th round pick Frank Kearse a DT didn’t make the roster.
Jimmy Wilson, also drafted in round 7 hung on for four seasons before leaving via free agency.
The only competition to Mike Pouncey came in round six when Miami drafted TE Charles Clay. After three average seasons Clay turned in a solid final season with Miami. He left in free agency following the 2014 season.
Who was the best?
Mike Pouncey
A new head coach arrived in the form of former Packer OC Joe Philbin but the duties of selecting the draft picks remained with Jeff Ireland.
With the 8th overall pick the Dolphins selected QB Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill was the first quarterback drafted by the Dolphins in round one since Dan Marino. He played at Texas A&M under new Dolphins OC Mike Sherman.
Ireland didn’t hit a home run with this draft but he still did well. Jonathan Martin started at RT before he blew the whistle on the bully scandal. Olivier Vernon developed into a very solid DE while Lamar Miller handled the running duties almost exclusively. Vernon and Miller both signed bigger deals in free agency after their contracts were up but neither with Miami.
Who was the best?
Ryan Tannehill