The best Miami Dolphins draft picks from these Big 10 programs

Only seven players have been drafted from the University of Michigan. This is a tad surprising since it is Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’ alma mater. Not that he would force the hand of his executives to draft from his school.

In 1970 the Dolphins made perhaps their best pick from the school. They selected long-time Miami Dolphins players and personality, Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich who played in the NFL for 9 seasons, 8 of them with the Dolphins. Mandich was a 2nd round pick and served as one of the radio game broadcasters until his death from cancer.

In 1979 the Dolphins drafted Jon Giesler in round one. Giesler is not often remembered by fans as one of the best tackles in Dolphins history but he was. He started 105 of 126 games in his 10-year career that were spent entirely with the Dolphins.

In 2008, Bill Parcells drafted Chad Henne in round two. Henne’s career in Miami wouldn’t be grand and he would be gone four years later but Henne is still in the NFL and won a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs in 2020 and helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LVI this past February as a back-up.

Another Michigan Bill Parcells product, Jake Long was taken first overall in the 2008 draft. It was a double-dip Michigan draft. Long was everything Miami wanted in a left tackle but couldn’t stay healthy. He finished his career with the Rams.

In 1983, the Dolphins selected WR Anthony Carter in round 12. Carter opted to play in the USFL instead of the NFL. In 1985 he signed with the Dolphins but was immediately traded to the Vikings. He went on to have an 11-year career in the NFL.