I'm in a bit of a researching mood since I just finished my last term paper of the semester.
I don't necessarily agree with the notion that starters equals a good draft. A lot of our drafted starters are merely average, below average or bad players. It's not realistic to expect greatness from everyone, but there is much to be desired when you look at some who are starting.
Let's recap our choices from 2011 to 2014 (current starters or major contributors in
bold:
1)
Mike Pouncey - one of the best centers in the NFL, "safe pick" at time
2) Daniel Thomas - lol
3) Clyde Gates - lol
5) Charles Clay - good player, value pick, but no longer with team anymore
7) Frank Kearse - never saw regular NFL action
7) Jimmy Wilson - good special teamer and average to below-average spot starter at corner and safety, but no longer with team anymore
1)
Ryan Tannehill - average to above-average, held back by coaching and offensive line, still up in the air as future QB despite receiving $100M contract
2) Jonathan Martin - snake
3) Olivier Vernon - above-average yet one-dimensional pass rusher who just got paid way too much money by the Giants
3) Michael Egnew - lol
4) Lamar Miller - very good player, underutilized by clueless coaching staff, no longer with team anymore
5) Josh Kaddu - never saw regular NFL action
6) BJ Cunningham - never saw regular NFL action
7) Kheeston Rhandal - never saw regular NFL action
7) Rishard Matthews - took four years for clueless coaching staff to play him, flashed good stuff when he did, no longer with team anymore
1) Dion Jordan - too busy smoking weed and getting fat to play football, the anti-Ricky Williams
2)
Jamar Taylor - terrible
3)
Dallas Thomas - terrible beyond all planes of existence, transcending terribleness
3) Will Davis - terrible when he was here and not injured, no longer with team anymore (and injured)
4)
Jelani Jenkins - average starter that is not a difference maker, can easily be replaced depending on future draft choices
4)
Dion Sims - decent blocker and receiver, massively overrated by FinHeaven
5) Mike Gillislee - injured with the Dolphins, no longer with team anymore
5) Caleb Sturgis - lol
7) Don Jones - good special teamer (Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie in 2013), cut by clueless coaching staff, no longer with team anymore
1)
Ja'Wuan James - above-average starter when he's not injured, but he's been injured a lot lately
2)
Jarvis Landry - All-Pro, heart and soul of offense, although used way too much by clueless coaching staff
3)
Billy Turner - to be determined
4)
Walt Aikens - hasn't been very good at safety, still to be determined but it hasn't been good so far
5) Arthur Lynch - never saw regular NFL action
5) Jordie Tripp - never saw action with the Dolphins, not longer with team anymore
6) Matt Hazel - to be determined, has flashed past two preseasons and has chance to make 53 in 2016
7)
Terrence Fede - above-average rotational player, excellent value pick
So out of 32 players drafted between 2011 and 2014, only 11 of them are regular contributors on the team, with most of them coming from the 2014 draft. :idk:
