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Active Roster
2010
Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
Best Pick: Reshad Jones
A starting safety in the fifth round? You don't see that every year. But the Dolphins found a diamond in the rough in Reshad Jones, the Georgia defensive back who has taken over the starting spot at safety in the Dolphins defense. His versatility between free safety and strong safety has given the Dolphins options on how to build their secondary going forward.
More importantly, his playmaking ability has given them a reliable security blanket on the back end.
Worst Pick: John Jerry
At the time, the Dolphins were building an offensive line in the mold of a power-blocking scheme, which looks for "bigger, stronger" offensive linemen to bully (no pun intended) the man in front of them. At 6'5" and 340 pounds, John Jerry looked like the perfect fit. Unfortunately, he couldn't stay in shape, and two years later, he was looking at a brand new coaching staff that was searching for smaller, more athletic linemen to execute a zone-blocking scheme.
Should Have Had That Guy: Emmanuel Sanders
Ten picks after the Dolphins selected Jerry, the Pittsburgh Steelerspicked wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The Dolphins have spent the past four years trying to reshape their wide receiving corps, with success at times and failure at other times, but the selection of Jerry did not prevent them from having questions on the offensive line.
Overall Grade: B+
Koa Misi is going to be a starting linebacker for the Dolphins this season. Reshad Jones continues to hold down one starting spot at safety. With three successful picks, the Dolphins were batting .375 in this draft—and just because Jared Odrick is gone, it doesn't mean he was an unsuccessful pick.
2011
J Pat Carter/Associated Press
Best Pick: Mike Pouncey
Interior offensive linemen are among the least "sexy" picks a team can make in the draft, but when you get a player like Mike Pouncey, the value is too hard to pass up. The Dolphins were wise to pounce (pun intended) for a player who has proved to be a perfect fit for their offense—even though the coaching staff changed the scheme dramatically the year after he was selected.
Pouncey's versatility to play both center and guard has already come in handy as well, with the Dolphins shaking things up on the offensive line last year. The Dolphins understand his value, which is why it was no surprise when they signed him to a five-year, $45 million extension.
Worst Pick: Daniel Thomas
One number describes this pick: 3.62. That is Daniel Thomas' career average yards per rush attempt, and it ranks as the sixth-worst of any running back with at least 200 carries since 2011 (72nd out of 77). The Dolphins were hoping he could be a between-the-tackles force for them, with his size, strength, burst and vision acting as his weapons in getting yards in small spaces.
Unfortunately, he just never got in rhythm and was the victim of a changing scheme that wanted more of a one-cut back.
Should Have Had That Guy: DeMarco Murray
Thomas had the sixth-lowest yards per carry in that above list, and DeMarco Murray had the seventh-highest. Yes, surroundings are everything, especially for a running back who needs his offensive line to open holes. If the Dolphins had selected Murray, though, they wouldn't be facing some of their current issues and question marks in the backfield. Murray was taken in the third round; Thomas was a second-round pick.
Overall Grade: B-
The Dolphins found three players with starting-caliber talent in this draft, but four years later, only one remains on the roster. Jimmy Wilson and Charles Clay left the fold, but both are starting for their new teams and would probably still be starting for the Dolphins if they were around.
2012
Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
Best Pick: Ryan Tannehill
The jury is still out on whether Ryan Tannehill will become an elite quarterback; he has taken steps forward in each of his years in the NFL but is not showing the ability to consistently take over games. Olivier Vernon might be the Dolphins' best value pick of the draft, but given Tannehill's potential to be the quarterback of the future, he's the better pick.
In fact, given the recent shortcomings of Washington Redskinsquarterback Robert Griffin III, history may remember Tannehill as one of the two best quarterbacks in this class.
Worst Pick: Jonathan Martin
This has nothing to do with Jonathan Martin's involvement/victimization in the bullying scandal with Richie Incognito. Martin was taking a turn for the worse well before there were any reports of wrongdoing in the locker room. Who knows whether those events were part of what led him to lose his confidence, but he never showed much promise of living up to the billing as a second-round pick.
Should Have Had That Guy: Bobby Wagner
Once upon a time, Kevin Burnett and Karlos Dansby were the Dolphins starting linebackers. It seems like forever ago, but that was only 2012.
Following that season, the Dolphins cut bait with both Burnett and Dansby to sign Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe. Two years later, they've cut bait with both Wheeler and Ellerbe and are beginning a youth movement at linebacker—a youth movement that could have started in 2012 if they had only drafted Bobby Wagner, who has been a starting linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks' elite defense.
Overall Grade: B+
Lamar Miller has taken steps forward in recent years and has the look of a back who could be a bell cow for the Dolphins offense. Vernon is proving to be a perfect bookend for Cameron Wake. If Tannehill turns out to be a top-10 quarterback, this grade could still go up. Three starting-caliber players in one draft is a good haul, if you ask me.
2013
J Pat Carter/Associated Press
Best Pick: Jelani Jenkins
The Dolphins may not have realized they were going to strike gold and find a future starter in the fourth round, but when they picked Jelani Jenkins, that's exactly what happened. The former Florida linebacker became a wildly important piece to the defense last year when Dannell Ellerbe was lost for the season; Jenkins played 912 defensive snaps and started 15 of 16 games, according to Pro Football Focus.
Now, with the linebacker group moving in a new direction without Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, the Dolphins will be counting on Jenkins even more than they were previously.
Worst Pick: Dion Jordan
Make no mistake: This distinction is no fault of Dion Jordan's. It's not his fault that the previous regime traded up to grab him and that the coaching staff has since failed to find any way to use him in the defense on a consistent basis. Jordan was considered to be a projection coming out of Oregon; it was unclear whether he'd be at his best as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end or as a stand-up linebacker. That being said, we're no closer to our answer now than we were when the Dolphins drafted him.
Should Have Had That Guy: Sheldon Richardson
The Dolphins haven't needed a defensive tackle lately. In 2013, they had Jared Odrick, Randy Starks and Paul Soliai on the roster. In 2014, Odrick and Starks were still around. Now, though, they've moved on from all three and just forked over a ton of cash to Ndamukong Suh. Drafting Richardson might have allowed the Dolphins to save their money and still have one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
Overall Grade: D+
At this point, only one player from this draft has panned out. There's still time for Jamar Taylor, Dallas Thomas, Will Davis and Dion Sims to turn into good players, but Jenkins is the only one who is worth his draft selection so far. Caleb Sturgis has been a disappointment as the kicker. Thomas is supposed to earn a starting spot this year, but that could change if 2014 draft pick Billy Turner usurps him.
2014
Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press
Best Pick: Jarvis Landry
Wide receivers Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Jordan Matthews and Kelvin Benjamin were all drafted before Jarvis Landry, but none had as many receptions as the LSU product. Landry caught 84 passes as a rookie, second-most among the 2014 draft class behind only New York Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. The Dolphins gutted their wide receiving depth chart this offseason, and they had the confidence to move in a new direction thanks to the presence of Landry.
Worst Pick: Arthur Lynch
For a fifth-round pick to be among the worst in a team's draft class is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, fifth-round picks are never really expected to make much of their NFL careers. That being said, Arthur Lynch's season-ending back injury puts him in a prove-it situation entering his second year. The Dolphins still have Dion Sims on the roster, so Lynch has some competition for the No. 2 snaps at tight end.
Should Have Had That Guy: N/A
After only one year, it's a little too early to peg a particular player as one the Dolphins should have taken over anyone else they selected.
Overall Grade: Incomplete
For right now, we haven't seen enough from these players to know exactly how this draft grades out, but if I had a gun to my head, I'd give this class a B-plus.
Even if Ja'Wuan James and Jarvis Landry end up being the only two good players to come from this draft, that's still a nice haul. There's still a chance, also, that players like Billy Turner and Walt Aikens could thrive given the opportunity. Turner could compete for a starting job at guard this year, and Aikens could be in the mix for a lot of playing time at cornerback. This year could be a big step in the evolution of the Dolphins' 2014 draft class.
Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
| Round | Pick | Player | Position |
| 1 | 28 | Jared Odrick | DE |
| 2 | 40 | Koa Misi | LB |
| 3 | 73 | John Jerry | OL |
| 4 | 119 | A.J. Edds | LB |
| 5 | 145 | Nolan Carroll | DB |
| 5 | 163 | Reshad Jones | DB |
| 7 | 212 | Chris McCoy | DE |
| 7 | 252 | Austin Spitler | LB |
A starting safety in the fifth round? You don't see that every year. But the Dolphins found a diamond in the rough in Reshad Jones, the Georgia defensive back who has taken over the starting spot at safety in the Dolphins defense. His versatility between free safety and strong safety has given the Dolphins options on how to build their secondary going forward.
More importantly, his playmaking ability has given them a reliable security blanket on the back end.
Worst Pick: John Jerry
At the time, the Dolphins were building an offensive line in the mold of a power-blocking scheme, which looks for "bigger, stronger" offensive linemen to bully (no pun intended) the man in front of them. At 6'5" and 340 pounds, John Jerry looked like the perfect fit. Unfortunately, he couldn't stay in shape, and two years later, he was looking at a brand new coaching staff that was searching for smaller, more athletic linemen to execute a zone-blocking scheme.
Should Have Had That Guy: Emmanuel Sanders
Ten picks after the Dolphins selected Jerry, the Pittsburgh Steelerspicked wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The Dolphins have spent the past four years trying to reshape their wide receiving corps, with success at times and failure at other times, but the selection of Jerry did not prevent them from having questions on the offensive line.
Overall Grade: B+
Koa Misi is going to be a starting linebacker for the Dolphins this season. Reshad Jones continues to hold down one starting spot at safety. With three successful picks, the Dolphins were batting .375 in this draft—and just because Jared Odrick is gone, it doesn't mean he was an unsuccessful pick.
2011
J Pat Carter/Associated Press
| Round | Pick | Player | Position |
| 1 | 15 | Mike Pouncey | OL |
| 2 | 62 | Daniel Thomas | RB |
| 4 | 111 | Clyde Gates | WR |
| 6 | 174 | Charles Clay | TE |
| 7 | 231 | Frank Kearse | DT |
| 7 | 235 | Jimmy Wilson | DB |
Interior offensive linemen are among the least "sexy" picks a team can make in the draft, but when you get a player like Mike Pouncey, the value is too hard to pass up. The Dolphins were wise to pounce (pun intended) for a player who has proved to be a perfect fit for their offense—even though the coaching staff changed the scheme dramatically the year after he was selected.
Pouncey's versatility to play both center and guard has already come in handy as well, with the Dolphins shaking things up on the offensive line last year. The Dolphins understand his value, which is why it was no surprise when they signed him to a five-year, $45 million extension.
Worst Pick: Daniel Thomas
One number describes this pick: 3.62. That is Daniel Thomas' career average yards per rush attempt, and it ranks as the sixth-worst of any running back with at least 200 carries since 2011 (72nd out of 77). The Dolphins were hoping he could be a between-the-tackles force for them, with his size, strength, burst and vision acting as his weapons in getting yards in small spaces.
Unfortunately, he just never got in rhythm and was the victim of a changing scheme that wanted more of a one-cut back.
Should Have Had That Guy: DeMarco Murray
Thomas had the sixth-lowest yards per carry in that above list, and DeMarco Murray had the seventh-highest. Yes, surroundings are everything, especially for a running back who needs his offensive line to open holes. If the Dolphins had selected Murray, though, they wouldn't be facing some of their current issues and question marks in the backfield. Murray was taken in the third round; Thomas was a second-round pick.
Overall Grade: B-
The Dolphins found three players with starting-caliber talent in this draft, but four years later, only one remains on the roster. Jimmy Wilson and Charles Clay left the fold, but both are starting for their new teams and would probably still be starting for the Dolphins if they were around.
2012
Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
| Round | Pick | Player | Position |
| 1 | 8 | Ryan Tannehill | QB |
| 2 | 42 | Jonathan Martin | OT |
| 3 | 72 | Olivier Vernon | DE |
| 3 | 78 | Michael Egnew | TE |
| 4 | 97 | Lamar Miller | RB |
| 5 | 155 | Josh Kaddu | LB |
| 6 | 183 | B.J. Cunningham | WR |
| 7 | 215 | Kheeston Randall | DT |
| 7 | 227 | Rishard Matthews | WR |
The jury is still out on whether Ryan Tannehill will become an elite quarterback; he has taken steps forward in each of his years in the NFL but is not showing the ability to consistently take over games. Olivier Vernon might be the Dolphins' best value pick of the draft, but given Tannehill's potential to be the quarterback of the future, he's the better pick.
In fact, given the recent shortcomings of Washington Redskinsquarterback Robert Griffin III, history may remember Tannehill as one of the two best quarterbacks in this class.
Worst Pick: Jonathan Martin
This has nothing to do with Jonathan Martin's involvement/victimization in the bullying scandal with Richie Incognito. Martin was taking a turn for the worse well before there were any reports of wrongdoing in the locker room. Who knows whether those events were part of what led him to lose his confidence, but he never showed much promise of living up to the billing as a second-round pick.
Should Have Had That Guy: Bobby Wagner
Once upon a time, Kevin Burnett and Karlos Dansby were the Dolphins starting linebackers. It seems like forever ago, but that was only 2012.
Following that season, the Dolphins cut bait with both Burnett and Dansby to sign Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe. Two years later, they've cut bait with both Wheeler and Ellerbe and are beginning a youth movement at linebacker—a youth movement that could have started in 2012 if they had only drafted Bobby Wagner, who has been a starting linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks' elite defense.
Overall Grade: B+
Lamar Miller has taken steps forward in recent years and has the look of a back who could be a bell cow for the Dolphins offense. Vernon is proving to be a perfect bookend for Cameron Wake. If Tannehill turns out to be a top-10 quarterback, this grade could still go up. Three starting-caliber players in one draft is a good haul, if you ask me.
2013
J Pat Carter/Associated Press
| Round | Pick | Player | Position |
| 1 | 3 | Dion Jordan | DE |
| 2 | 54 | Jamar Taylor | DB |
| 3 | 77 | Dallas Thomas | OL |
| 3 | 93 | Will Davis | DB |
| 4 | 104 | Jelani Jenkins | LB |
| 4 | 106 | Dion Sims | TE |
| 5 | 164 | Mike Gillislee | RB |
| 5 | 166 | Caleb Sturgis | K |
| 7 | 250 | Don Jones | DB |
The Dolphins may not have realized they were going to strike gold and find a future starter in the fourth round, but when they picked Jelani Jenkins, that's exactly what happened. The former Florida linebacker became a wildly important piece to the defense last year when Dannell Ellerbe was lost for the season; Jenkins played 912 defensive snaps and started 15 of 16 games, according to Pro Football Focus.
Now, with the linebacker group moving in a new direction without Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, the Dolphins will be counting on Jenkins even more than they were previously.
Worst Pick: Dion Jordan
Make no mistake: This distinction is no fault of Dion Jordan's. It's not his fault that the previous regime traded up to grab him and that the coaching staff has since failed to find any way to use him in the defense on a consistent basis. Jordan was considered to be a projection coming out of Oregon; it was unclear whether he'd be at his best as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end or as a stand-up linebacker. That being said, we're no closer to our answer now than we were when the Dolphins drafted him.
Should Have Had That Guy: Sheldon Richardson
The Dolphins haven't needed a defensive tackle lately. In 2013, they had Jared Odrick, Randy Starks and Paul Soliai on the roster. In 2014, Odrick and Starks were still around. Now, though, they've moved on from all three and just forked over a ton of cash to Ndamukong Suh. Drafting Richardson might have allowed the Dolphins to save their money and still have one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
Overall Grade: D+
At this point, only one player from this draft has panned out. There's still time for Jamar Taylor, Dallas Thomas, Will Davis and Dion Sims to turn into good players, but Jenkins is the only one who is worth his draft selection so far. Caleb Sturgis has been a disappointment as the kicker. Thomas is supposed to earn a starting spot this year, but that could change if 2014 draft pick Billy Turner usurps him.
2014
Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press
| Round | Pick | Player | Position |
| 1 | 19 | Ja'Wuan James | OL |
| 2 | 63 | Jarvis Landry | WR |
| 3 | 67 | Billy Turner | OL |
| 4 | 125 | Walt Aikens | CB |
| 5 | 155 | Arthur Lynch | TE |
| 5 | 171 | Jordan Tripp | LB |
| 6 | 190 | Matt Hazel | WR |
| 7 | 234 | Terrence Fede | DE |
Wide receivers Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Jordan Matthews and Kelvin Benjamin were all drafted before Jarvis Landry, but none had as many receptions as the LSU product. Landry caught 84 passes as a rookie, second-most among the 2014 draft class behind only New York Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. The Dolphins gutted their wide receiving depth chart this offseason, and they had the confidence to move in a new direction thanks to the presence of Landry.
Worst Pick: Arthur Lynch
For a fifth-round pick to be among the worst in a team's draft class is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, fifth-round picks are never really expected to make much of their NFL careers. That being said, Arthur Lynch's season-ending back injury puts him in a prove-it situation entering his second year. The Dolphins still have Dion Sims on the roster, so Lynch has some competition for the No. 2 snaps at tight end.
Should Have Had That Guy: N/A
After only one year, it's a little too early to peg a particular player as one the Dolphins should have taken over anyone else they selected.
Overall Grade: Incomplete
For right now, we haven't seen enough from these players to know exactly how this draft grades out, but if I had a gun to my head, I'd give this class a B-plus.
Even if Ja'Wuan James and Jarvis Landry end up being the only two good players to come from this draft, that's still a nice haul. There's still a chance, also, that players like Billy Turner and Walt Aikens could thrive given the opportunity. Turner could compete for a starting job at guard this year, and Aikens could be in the mix for a lot of playing time at cornerback. This year could be a big step in the evolution of the Dolphins' 2014 draft class.
