Miami Dolphins memory lane: A 2000s mock draft

5. Aqua Green- Cameron Wake, DL

Is there any Dolphins player from the 2000s that is more of a fan favorite than Cameron Wake? When the Dolphins didn’t bring him back, it felt like Dwyane Wade leaving for the Chicago Bulls. In reality, Wake is one of the best defensive players in Dolphins history and gave offenses nightmares. He’s the second defender off the board behind Jason Taylor, one of his former teammates.

6. Orange – Ndamukong Suh, DL

Passing up on a quarterback again, it feels like we might just see Chad Henne take snaps for Sparano one again. Ndamukong Suh is the first name that pops up when you think of, “Dolphins have a lot of roster holes but let’s pay the top free agent instead.” Suh gave the Dolphins three solid seasons including a 2016 season where he was a Second-Team All-Pro and a Pro-Bowl selection.

7. White – Xavien Howard, DB

Some fans won’t like this pick as Xavien Howard as the first defensive back off the board, but the reality is I never experienced Patrick Surtain or Sam Madison, both of whom are now Dolphins coaches. Howard is nearing the Dolphins franchise record for interceptions two years removed from a double-digit interception performance. He now pairs with Jason Taylor to form the start of a great defense.

8. Navy Blue – Brandon Marshall, WR

This is a duo that stings for Dolphins fans. The year before the Dolphins selected Ryan Tannehill eighth overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, Brandon Marshall was the Dolphins’ best player. He was so good that he was a Pro-Bowl selection and was Pro-Bowl MVP catching a record 4-touchdowns in the game. His infamous quote, “That’s what I can do with a real quarterback,” still gives me nightmares.

Miami traded Marshall to the Chicago Bears at the start of free agency and never saw what a Marshall-Tannehill duo could have accomplished. The same mistake won’t be made twice.