2011 NFL Draft Grades: Report Card for the Miami Dolphins

A highly disappointing 7-9 season left the Miami Dolphins in a bit of a tailspin. After splurging on high-priced free agents to bolster a roster led by an emerging Chad Henne, the 'Fins fell flat on their face, actually digressing from their 2009 campaign despite the additions of Brandon Marshall and Karlos Dansby.

But Miami had a chance to recoup and revitalize their roster during the 2011 NFL draft, and, well—they did a pretty awesome job. This slideshow will provide a grade to each individual selection, but overall, I'm going to give the 2011 Dolphins draft class an A-.

They added such crucial depth and skill to the offensive line, grabbed a potential workhorse running back, stole a vertical threat and acquired a fullback-tight end hybrid. At least three, and possibly four, prospects from this draft class could contribute immediately, leaving Miami just a quarterback shy of re-obtaining buzz and Super Bowl aspirations.

1st Round: Mike Pouncey

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Mike Pouncey, #15 overall pick by the Miami Dolphins, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

So much for all of that Mark Ingram talk, huh?

After four grueling months of recycled and unfounded speculation, the Miami Dolphins put all rumors to rest by selecting Florida center Mike Pouncey with the 15th overall pick on Thursday night.

Pouncey, a 6'4", 310-pound interior lineman, will likely step in right away to aid a thin Dolphins line that relied far too heavily on castoff free agents in 2010. Replenishing the offensive front is the first—and most vital—step in re-establishing a power rushing attack.

Grade: A

Read the rest of my Mike Pouncey analysis here.

2nd Round (from WAS): Daniel Thomas

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LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball as Olaitan Oguntodu #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

In what initially appeared to be a trade intent on sending Ryan Mallett swimming with the Dolphins, Miami shocked Radio City Music Hall by grabbing Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas.

Thomas defines bruiser, weighing in at 6'0", 230 pounds. He absolutely dominated during his short collegiate career, rushing for a whopping 19 touchdowns in 2010.

Thomas was initially slated to play for the University of Florida, but insufficient grades forced him to resort to junior college. Although he produced only marginal numbers there, Thomas transferred to Kansas State where he made the most of his two seasons on campus.

The Wildcats often utilized Thomas as a receiving option as well. He caught 27 balls in 2010, and occasionally lined up at wide receiver. This should provide Miami with a welcome dynamic that they missed last season. He can immediately step in as the team's third-down back and provide Chad Henne (or whoever plays quarterback) with a solid safety blanket.

Grade: B+

Read the rest of my Daniel Thomas analysis here.

4th Round: Edmond Gates

Although there seems to be a kind of negative, ominous stigma surrounding the Miami Dolphins as of late, sometimes, the chips actually fall in the team's favor.

Edmond Gates, a player who I had falling to the 'Fins in a few mock drafts earlier this offseason, was a projected second-round selection. However, the Abilene Christian wide receiver who ran a 4.37 40 on a bad hamstring fell all the way to Miami in the fourth round.

Gates is blazing fast, and provides a much, much-needed complement to Brandon Marshall. He can stretch the field and draw attention away from Marshall, who was constantly double-teamed, and hence limited in 2010.

This pick is almost a dream come true for the 'Fins, and might be one of the biggest steals of the 2011 NFL draft.

Grade: A+

6th Round: Charles Clay

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ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 20: Fullback Charles Clay #9 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane rushes upfield against the University of Central Florida Knights at Bright House Stadium on October 20, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. UCF won 44 - 23. (Photo by Al Messerschmid

Miami's sixth-round selection is extremely intriguing, primarily because Jeff Ireland said that the team plans to utilize Tulsa fullback Charles Cay as a fullback in the NFL. But the 'Fins already employ one of the league's best: Lousaka Polite.

However, Polite's play slacked in 2010, and I don't totally buy the notion that Miami plans on employing Clay as a fullback. Clay has experience as a tight end, which is the most glaring need the team did not address during the draft. At the very least, Miami will utilize Clay as an H-back and potentially in the Wildcat (he was Tulsa's Wildcat QB).

Wherever they ultimately choose to play him, Clay should be a special-teams contributor, and if all goes well, he will motivate Polite to up his play from last season and then hopefully contribute as an H-back and tight end.

Grade: B+

7th Round: Frank Kearse

Seventh-round picks only carry so much value and so much potential, but this regime has scavenged a few late-round gems (Donald Thomas, Brian Hartline, Chris Clemons, etc.).

With their first of two seventh-round selections, Miami took a flier on Alabama A&M defensive tackle Frank Kearse. He weighs in at roughly 6'4", 315 pounds. Though he may have to pack on a few extra pounds to his frame, Kearse should be a nice developmental project. He played in a five technique at Alabama A&M, which bodes well for his chances of contributing with the team.

Paul Soliai is the only legitimate nose tackle on the roster and he has only one productive year under his belt. The Dolphins were wise to pick up a project at the position, just in case Soliai turns out to be a one-year wonder. Even if he doesn't, the team needs depth at the position.

Grade: B

7th Round: Jimmy Wilson

The Dolphins seem to have an infatuation with the University of Montana. This regime has taken multiple late-round fliers on former Grizzlies, namely Lex Hilliard and Dan Carpenter. But despite their NFL success, neither came out of college with the upside nor the background story of Montana's Jimmy Wilson.

Wilson was convicted on murder charges after he was charged with killing his aunt's boyfriend in 2007; however, he was acquitted during the summer of 2010 after spending two years in a California prison.

Had Wilson not endured such a rocky path to the NFL, there is no telling where exactly he could have been drafted. This is purely a potential pick, and while Wilson's chances of making an impact are quite minimal (should contribute on special teams), he might have the biggest upside of every Dolphins draft pick.

Grade: B+