Miami Dolphins: 5 Best and Worst 1st-Round Picks in Team History

Just hours away from the 2015 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins prepare for their 14th overall selection. With the signing of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and the emergence of young quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins are on the cusp of a playoff run.

Despite their positive momentum, a failure to strike gold in the first round of the upcoming draft would send Miami back to 8-8 hell.

Let's take a look back at the best and worst first-round picks for the Dolphins. The players will be judged on their NFL career—not their production in Miami. Injury-plagued players such as Yatil Green will be ignored.

5th-Best: Troy Vincent

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In 1992, the Miami Dolphins selected Wisconsin cornerback Troy Vincent with the seventh overall pick. Vincent went on to have a 15-year NFL career, playing for the Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins.

The ex-Badger is a five-time Pro-Bowler (1999-2003) and three-time All-Pro (2000-02). Vincent has 47 career interceptions, has been inducted into the Eagles' Hall of Fame and is a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Honorable mentions: A.J. Duhe, O.J. McDuffie, Tim Bowens, Ryan Tannehill.

5th-Worst: Sammie Smith

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In 1989, the Dolphins selected Florida State running back Sammie Smith with the ninth overall pick. Smith played three seasons for the Dolphins and one for the Denver Broncos.

The ex-Seminole amassed 1881 career rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns but is mostly remembered for his 17 fumbles as a Dolphin.

Honorable mentions: Jackie Shipp, Jason Allen, Ted Ginn, Jr.

4th-Best: Richmond Webb

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In 1990, the Dolphins selected Texas A&M offensive tackle Richmond Webb with the ninth overall pick. Webb is a seven-time Pro Bowler (1990-96) and four-time All Pro (1992-95).

Dan Marino's longtime left tackle is in the Dolphins' Ring of Honor and is a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

4th-Worst: Jamar Fletcher

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In 2001, the Dolphins selected Wisconsin cornerback Jamar Fletcher with 26th overall pick. In his eight-year career, the ex-Badger started 12 games and posted seven interceptions.

As salt in the wound, the New Orleans Saints selected quarterback Drew Brees six picks after Fletcher.

3rd-Best: Bob Griese

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With the fourth overall pick in 1967, the Dolphins selected Purdue quarterback Bob Griese. Griese passed for 25,092 yards and 192 touchdowns on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Boilermaker standout was a two-time AFL All-Star (1967-68), six-time Pro-Bowler (1970-71, 1973-74, 1977-78), two-time NFL MVP (1971, 1978) and two-time Super Bowl champion (VII, VIII). Griese and Earl Morrall led the 1972-73 Miami Dolphins to the NFL's only undefeated season.

3rd-Worst: John Avery

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Regarded as one of Jimmy Johnson's greatest mistakes while in Miami, the Dolphins selected Ole Miss running back John Avery with the 29th overall pick of 1998.

Avery played three seasons in the NFL with the Dolphins, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings. The diminutive (5'9", 190 lbs) former Rebel accumulated 639 career yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns.

2nd-Best: Larry Csonka

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In 1968, the Miami Dolphins selected Syracuse running back Larry Csonka with the eighth overall pick. Csonka bulled his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame by rushing for 8081 yards and 68 touchdowns. The Ohio native was a five-time Pro-Bowler (1970-74), three-time All-Pro (1971-73), two-time Super Bowl champion (VII, VIII) and the Super Bowl VIII Most Valuable Player.

Csonka was known for his toughness and a nose that was broken repeatedly throughout his football career.

2nd-Worst: Eric Kumerow

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In 1988, the Dolphins selected Ohio State defensive end Eric Kumerow with the 16th overall pick. In three seasons with Miami, Kumerow failed to start a game and only registered five career sacks.

Best: Dan Marino

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Miami's first-round selection of the 1983 draft was none other than Dan Marino at 27th overall. Marino is the best Dolphin of all time and arguably among the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

The first-ballot Hall of Famer passed for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns in his storied 17-season career. Marino still holds various NFL records.

Worst: Dion Jordan

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The third overall selection of the 2013 NFL draft has turned out to be former general manager Jeff Ireland's crown jewel. Ireland traded up to the third slot by giving up Miami's first- (No. 12) and second-round (No. 42) picks to the Oakland Raiders for the right to draft Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan.

After starting one game in two seasons and producing three sacks, Jordan has been suspended for the entire 2015 season. The ex-Duck violated the NFL's policy for performance-enhancing substances for a third time.