Miami Dolphins draft history shows late round picks make the team

Since Chris Grier has taken over full-time general manager duties for the Miami Dolphins, late-round draft picks continue to make the roster. This is a good sign for the two seventh-rounders that were drafted this year.

Miami drafted offensive lineman, Larnel Coleman and running back Gerrid Doaks in the 7th round of last weekend’s draft. The trend for the Dolphins under Grier and Flores is that draft picks make the team.

Grier and Flores have had three drafts now and have drafted 24 players in those years. Seven of those players were taken in round six or seven. The only players not on the roster are Chandler Cox and Isaiah Prince both taken in the 2019 draft. Curtis Weaver was drafted in 2020’s 5th round but was released during camp.

Myles Gaskin is the Dolphins starting running back and was a 7th round pick and Malcolm Perry is a versatile runner/receiver. This is good news for Coleman and Doaks, both of whom were taken in round seven.

The Dolphins do not have a lot of room on the offensive line unit so it will be interesting to see if Coleman can make the impact to earn a roster spot. The Dolphins guaranteed undrafted lineman Robert Jones’ contract to the tune of $130,000 which brings further intrigue to the unit.

Doaks, on the other hand, should find his path to the 53 a little easier considering the lack of depth at running back but he will not likely find himself competing for a starting role barring injury and the Dolphins could still go out and sign a street free agent.

Regardless, the Dolphins don’t seem to draft throwaway players in the 7th round and expect them to compete and make the team’s roster at least for a year or two. So for Coleman and Doaks, competing in camp isn’t going to be a waste of time and both have a good shot at the roster this year.