Miami Dolphins Draft History: Hits and Misses

Annually, the spring has no shortage of important events, and the NFL Draft is one of the headliners.

As expectations for the franchise grow, the Miami Dolphins will be facing more scrutiny but also participating more confidently.

Let's take a look at the five best and five worst picks in Miami Dolphins history since they were established as an AFL franchise (they joined the NFL in the '60s).

No. 1 Best Pick: Dan Marino

The greatest selection ever made by the Miami Dolphins has to be that of Dan Marino.

Marino was the first draft choice by the United States Football League's Los Angeles Express and was also rumored to be a candidate for a job on the Pittsburgh Steelers (the Steelers ended up selecting Gabriel Rivera).

So the Dolphins selected Dan with the 27th pick of the 1983 NFL Draft. At the time, many people did not think much of the selection, but it was actually the beginning of a golden era for the Dolphins.

Of course, while Marino was the MVP multiple times, he was unable to win a Super Bowl.

Dan Marino was more than just a football player; he was also a class act and a leader of the team.

No. 2 Best Pick: Larry Csonka

Larry Csonka was the No. 1 selection by the Miami Dolphins during the '68 Draft. At that time, the Miami Dolphins belonged to the American Football League, and the merger had yet to occur.

Csonka was one of the principal players that helped the Miami Dolphins win the Super Bowl during their perfect season. He was named the MVP for Super Bowl VIII after establishing a record of 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries.

He eventually retired on a high note after being named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1979.

No. 3 Best Pick: Jake Long

Simply put, Jake Long was one of the best players a team could have taken to redeem themselves after a one-win season (which the Dolphins had in '07). He was the first overall selection and was named Rookie of the Week during the 10th week of the 2008-09 NFL season.

No. 4 Best Pick: Chad Henne

Chad Henne was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. According to ESPN Reporter Chris Mortenson, he may become the starting quarterback for the 2010 season.

If this is true, then Henne may have the potential to inherit the mantle left by Dan Marino and Chad Pennington.

No. 5 Best Pick: Ronnie Brown

Ronnie Brown has 916 yards on 214 carries after being drafted by the 'Fins. Hopefully, the best is yet to come from him.

Now we will deal with the busts. Wouldn't it be great if we could go back in time and fix just one of these?

No. 1 Bust: Yatil Green

Jimmy Johnson, who was coach of the Miami Dolphins at the time of this pick, made a mistake with Yatil Green.

Green was selected by the team as a first-round pick in the 1997 Draft. He did not live up to expectations when he tore his quadricep, anterior cruciate ligament, and right knee cartilage.

Green was later released after 10 surgeries on his knees. The New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders later signed him, but he was dropped from those rosters due to injuries as well.

No. 2 Bust: John Avery

John Avery was selected in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. It was hoped that the team had learned their lesson from the Green debacle, but it was not so.

Avery reminds me of the one-hit wonders of the music industry, as he produced for only a very brief period. He was later traded to the Denver Broncos, who decided during training camp that he was no longer needed.

While I respect Jimmy Johnson as a coach and broadcaster, this was another first-round mistake in his coaching career.

No. 3 Bust: Reagan Mauia

Reagan Mauia was drafted just before the 2007 Miami Dolphins season and is famous for having done nothing to help the team. He eventually lost the competition for starting fullback to Boomer Grigsby in the preseason competition.

No. 4 Bust: Samson Satele

Samson Satele was taken before the '07 campaign. He ended on the same note as Reagan Mauia.

No. 5 Bust: Lorenzo Booker

Lorenzo Booker was yet another 2007 Draft disappointment. His first action was at the end of his rookie season, when the Dolphins lost to the Jets. He was eventually traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Reference: “Dolphins Disaster: Miami Cam Cameron Doomed by Draft History” Newman, John. Bleacher Report; January 5, 2008;