A look back at the Miami Dolphins late draft successes. Part three, the ’80’s
By Michael Fink
Each season there’s so much focus trying to determine who the Dolphins will select in the first round, but my contention is the rest of the draft is probably more important to the future of the team.
In the third part of a decade by decade look through the Dolphins drafts, we’ll continue to mention players not drafted at the top of the draft that contributed to the team’s overall success.
In 1980, in the 8th round, Don Shula drafted QB David Woodley who’d go on to be the youngest QB to start a Super Bowl a few seasons later.
In the 3rd round that same year DE Bill Barnett was taken out of Nebraska. Bill played 77 games for the club mostly in a reserve role.
In 1981, the Dolphins had a bit more success in the later rounds, selecting the Jack of all trades, Jim Jensen in round 11. Jensen played 164 games.
CB William Judson was taken in the 8th round that same season. He amassed 24 interceptions in his 115 game career.
In the 6th round, Miami selected DB/KR Fulton Walker whose claim to fame was setting a Super Bowl record for kickoff return yardage in Super Bowl 17.
In the 5th round, they selected RB Tommy Vigorito who was a fan favorite for a short time. The speedy punt returner scored two TD’s on returns his during his first two seasons. He suffered a severe knee injury and was never the same after. His short career lasted 35 games.
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In 1982, in the 7th round, Miami selected TE Dan Johnson who lasted 66 games in a rotational role.
LB Charles Bowser was taken in the 4th round and was a rotational piece in the “Killer Bee” defense. Yet, he amassed 20 sacks in 42 career games before injuries cut his career short.
CB Paul Lankford was taken in the 3rd round in ’82. Lankford put together a solid career playing in 130 career games for Miami. He began as a reserve and worked his way into a starting role in 1985 which he held for 4 seasons.
1983 was the year of Marino, but Miami found a few other gems in that draft. Even one they didn’t keep.
In the 12th round, they selected the rights to USFL star WR Anthony Carter who went on to have a spectacular career with the Vikings. It lasted 140 games and 7733 yards. Miami eventually traded his rights a few years later to the Vikings in exchange for LB Robin Sendlein who never panned out.
In the 9th round, Miami took LB Mark Brown whose career lasted 107 games.
In the 8th round, the Dolphins took this small receiver out of Louisville, Mark Clayton who was everything you could ever hope for in a receiver. Clayton played 158 games in his career and scored 85 TD’s.
In the 6th round, Miami took punter Reggie Roby out of Iowa. Reggie played in 238 games, 145 of which were in a Dolphin uniform. He averaged 43.3 yards a punt over his career, the same average he had as a Dolphin. After he left Miami he played for Houston, Tennessee, Washington, San Francisco, and Tampa.
In 1985, in the 7th round, Miami selected K Fuad Reveiz who went on to kick for 147 games.
In the 4th round, they selected Scrappy Jeff Dellenbach who played in 211 career games.
In 1986, they selected DB Reyna Thompson in the 9th round, who played 3 seasons with Miami before finishing his career as a NY Giant. He played in 116 games.
In 1987, in the 8th round, Miami found OT Mark Dennis who played in 125 career games. In the 4th round, they took a chance on RB Troy Stradford who played in 66 games.
In 1988, Miami had a bit more success. In the 12th round, they selected TE Brian Kinchen who had a small role with the team in his 3 seasons in Miami, but he put together a fine career as a backup before retiring in 2003. He played in 238 career games, starting only 66.
In the 9th round, they took DE Jeff Cross who played 125 games for Miami registering 59.5 sacks.
In the 8th round, they selected OG Harry Galbreath. Galbreath played 141 games.
In the 3rd round, the Dolphins selected TE Ferrell Edmunds who played 89 career games.
In 1989 Miami selected CB J.B. Brown in the 12th round, Brown’s career lasted 166 games.
In the 11th round, Miami found guard Bert Weidner who played six seasons and appeared in 81 games.
In the 8th round, Miami drafted kicker Pete Stoyanovich who spent 7 seasons in Miami before heading to Kansas City where he played 4 seasons. He also played 3 games in St. Louis before his career ended. Stoyanovich played in 182 career games.
In the 5th round, Miami took center Jeff Uhlenhake. Jeff played in 119 games during his career.
Over the decade, Miami made some very meaningful decisions on draft day. Players such as Mark Clayton, Reggie Roby, Jim Jensen, and Jeff Cross were spectacular players. Overall, there were several players who will be remembered fondly. Of course, there were several names nobody remembers as well.