http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-dolphins-0101-20131231,0,1541766.story
Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan, the No. 3 pick of the draft, finished the season with 26 tackles and two sacks. Those numbers aren't what anyone expected for someone the Dolphins traded up to get for his defensive services.
"This off-season I've got to get much better as a player in all aspects," Jordan said, later adding, "I've got to continue to develop as a player.
Jordan could have been speaking for the entire draft class.
It wasn't a good year for the Dolphins' draftees, to say the least. While five of the nine played regularly, only two – Jordan and tight end Dion Sims -- played regularly from scrimmage. The other three were special teams contributors.
Even the star pupil of the draft class, kicker Caleb Sturgis, the fifth-round pick from Florida, struggled down the stretch, missing eight of his final 24 field goal attempts.
This doesn't necessarily mean the Dolphins had a bad draft. It usually takes three years to determine whether a draft was productive. But the Dolphins' 2013 draft class is off to a bad start.
The 2012 draft class –quarterback Ryan Tannehill (first round), tackle Jonathan Martin (second), defensive end Olivier Vernon (third), tight end Michael Egnew (third), running back Lamar Miller (fourth), linebacker Josh Kaddu (fifth), wide receiver B.J. Cunningham (sixth), defensive tackle Kheeston Randall (seventh) and wide receiver Rishard Matthews (seventh) – made the Dolphins marginally better.
If the Dolphins are to make the playoffs next season, the 2013 draft class has to make a bigger contribution than its predecessor.
Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan, the No. 3 pick of the draft, finished the season with 26 tackles and two sacks. Those numbers aren't what anyone expected for someone the Dolphins traded up to get for his defensive services.
"This off-season I've got to get much better as a player in all aspects," Jordan said, later adding, "I've got to continue to develop as a player.
Jordan could have been speaking for the entire draft class.
It wasn't a good year for the Dolphins' draftees, to say the least. While five of the nine played regularly, only two – Jordan and tight end Dion Sims -- played regularly from scrimmage. The other three were special teams contributors.
Even the star pupil of the draft class, kicker Caleb Sturgis, the fifth-round pick from Florida, struggled down the stretch, missing eight of his final 24 field goal attempts.
This doesn't necessarily mean the Dolphins had a bad draft. It usually takes three years to determine whether a draft was productive. But the Dolphins' 2013 draft class is off to a bad start.
The 2012 draft class –quarterback Ryan Tannehill (first round), tackle Jonathan Martin (second), defensive end Olivier Vernon (third), tight end Michael Egnew (third), running back Lamar Miller (fourth), linebacker Josh Kaddu (fifth), wide receiver B.J. Cunningham (sixth), defensive tackle Kheeston Randall (seventh) and wide receiver Rishard Matthews (seventh) – made the Dolphins marginally better.
If the Dolphins are to make the playoffs next season, the 2013 draft class has to make a bigger contribution than its predecessor.
