Miami Dolphins: Ranking the 20 Biggest Draft Steals in Team History
Although the Miami Dolphins' recent draft history is marred by a long list of whiffs and gaffes, the team actually has a rich past of steals and gems. Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson, two of the greatest talent evaluators in NFL history, brought players out of the darkest corners of the football world into stardom in Miami.
Fans can only hope that Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland can learn from these two coaches' evaluation techniques to find the next great draft steal in 2011.
No. 20: Chris Clemons, 5th Round, 2009
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Although Chris Clemons has only a year as a starter under his belt, he still qualifies as a great draft steal. The Trifecta drafted the former Clemson Tiger in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. Clemons figured to provide some special teams help and back up Gibril Wilson.
However, Wilson went down in flames, and Clemons' progress impressed the Dolphins brass enough to earn a starting role for 2010. Though he was hardly spectacular, Clemons performed admirably in his first season as a starter, racking up 49 tackles and one interception, and likely earning another season to showcase his skills.
No. 19: J.B. Brown, 12th Round, 1989
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If a 12th-round pick makes a roster, it is a success story. And if a 12th-round pick becomes a starter over a five-year span, he becomes a tremendous draft steal.
The Dolphins drafted Maryland defensive back J.B. Brown with their final selection of the 1989 draft. Brown became a starter from 1990-95, intercepting a combine 15 passes over that span. He might not have been a star, but Brown is still one of the biggest draft steals in team history.
No. 18: Jeff Cross, 9th Round, 1988
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Jeff Cross never became a household name during his days with Miami, but he was a symbol of reliability and consistency during his tenure with the Dolphins.
Don Shula drafted the Missouri defensive end in the ninth round of the 1988 NFL draft. He was a regular starter and contributor for Shula's defenses. Cross finished his career with 59.5 sacks and a single Pro Bowl bid in 1990.
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No. 17: Jim Jensen, 11th Round, 1981
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In the 1981 NFL draft, the Dolphins spent their 11th round draft pick on a since-deceased breed of football player: a Boston University Terrier. Miami selected former BU football star Jim Jensen in the 11th round.
Jensen served as a backup quarterback for the first three years of his career, but once Dan Marino established himself as the uncontested starter, the team began finding ways to utilize his skillset elsewhere.
He became an Antwan Randle El-esque player. Jensen was a regular special teams ace, but also appeared regularly at running back, wide receiver and occasionally at quarterback.
No. 16: Paul Soliai, 4th Round, 2007
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Just one short year ago, Paul Soliai would have qualified for a "biggest disappointments" list. Soliai, picked in the fourth round of the 2007 draft, had been heralded as a nose tackle loaded with potential for years.
However, he continually failed to piece everything together and produce a successful year. Until 2010, that is. Soliai finally broke out, proving his hype was warranted. He was a disruptive force up the middle for the 'Fins, and assuming he is not a one-year wonder, Soliai could soon rank amongst the NFL's elite nose tackles.
No. 15: Dan Marino, 1st Round, 1983
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Maybe it is a little bit far-fetched to call a first-round pick a draft steal, but considering the Dolphins drafted the best player in team history with the 28th pick, it sounds reasonable. Consider that 27 teams passed on arguably the best quarterback in NFL history. Miami stole him.
Marino's accolades are infinite, and until the Dolphins can successfully replace him, so is his shadow.
No. 14: Yeremiah Bell, 6th Round, 2003
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Dave Wannstedt made plenty of questionable draft-day decisions during his time with the Dolphins. He often spent early picks on positions already filled with elite talent. However, Wanny did have his share of draft successes, and Yeremiah Bell headlines that group.
Miami spent a sixth round pick on Bell in the 2003 draft. Bell hovered around the roster before breaking out in 2008. He racked up 100 tackles, solidifying himself as a stud safety. He has since earned two Pro Bowl selections and continues to thrive as a staple in the Dolphins secondary.
No. 13: David Woodley, 8th Round, 1980
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While the Dolphins continue their excruciating search for a quarterback, they might want to take a page out of the team's history book. David Woodley, arguably the third-best quarterback in franchise history, was an eighth-round pick in 1980.
Productive quarterbacks can be had in the later rounds. Perhaps Miami should expand its search for a cure into the latter rounds of the 2011 draft rather than surrender valuable picks for a washed-up veteran.
No. 12: Doug Betters, 6th Round, 1978
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In the ninth round of the 1979 draft, Don Shula selected a future member of the "Killer B's" defense for the second straight year. After drafting Bob Baumhower in 1978, Shula struck gold again with Nevada-Reno defensive end Doug Betters.
It took Betters the better part of six seasons to hit his stride with the 'Fins, but he eventually became a dominant force. In 1983, Betters earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors, and proceeded to finish his career with 43.5 sacks.
No. 11: Bryan Cox, 5th Round, 1991
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Miami drafted Bryan Cox in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL draft, placing him in the starting lineup immediately. He had a lackluster rookie campaign, but he burst onto the national scene in 1992 with 14 sacks and 127 tackles, good enough for a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro bid.
Cox's tenure with the Dolphins was short-lived, but he was an absolute stud during that span.
No. 10: Glenn Blackwood, 8th Round, 1979
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Like so many of his fellow "Killer B's," Glenn Blackwood was overlooked by every team in the NFL before landing with the Dolphins in the latter rounds of the draft. Blackwood was an eighth-round selection in 1979, and he rode the pine his rookie year until becoming Miami's starting strong safety in 1980.
Blackwood made an immediate impact and hit his peak in the 1984 and '85 seasons, intercepting a combined 12 passes.
No. 9: Dwight Stephenson, 2nd Round, 1980
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Out of the four Hall of Fame players the Miami Dolphins actually drafted, all but one were first-round picks. Don Shula scooped up Alabama center Dwight Stephenson with the 48th overall pick in the 1980 NFL draft.
Stephenson was the best at his trade for almost a decade, earning countless accolades along the way. He stands as the greatest lineman in team history, and easily one of the best centers in NFL history.
No. 8: Lloyd Mumphord, 16th Round, 1969
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Consider the success rate of today's seventh-round picks. Perhaps a handful of those selected become discrete role players on their respective rosters. Maybe one will become a real contributor.
Now, imagine if today's draft went 16 rounds deep. And imagine a 16th-round pick not just making a roster, but earning a starting role. Lloyd Mumphord did just that for the Dolphins in 1969. He intercepted a combined 10 passes during his first two seasons, and later racked up four during the perfect 1972 season.
No. 7: Vern Den Herder, 9th Round, 1971
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Back when the NFL draft carried on for 17 rounds, players from the most obscure of schools were drafted. In 1971, Don Shula selected prospects from the likes of Alcorn State, Texas Southern, Kenyon, Mayville State and Central College.
Not surprisingly, none of those players even saw action except for one: Central College's Vern Den Herder. Den Herder became a starter for Miami's '72 and '73 championship teams, and the ninth-round pick was a regular starter for the 'Fins over the next decade.
No. 6: Jason Taylor, 3rd Round, 1997
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Although Don Shula's decades of wild draft success have granted him status as a legendary talent evaluator, Jimmy Johnson might be on his level. After building a dynasty from scratch in Dallas, Johnson took his talents to South Beach where he replicated his scouting success.
In the third round of the 1997 draft, Johnson selected Akron defensive end Jason Taylor. Over 130 sacks and countless Pro Bowls later, Taylor is well on his way to Canton.
No. 5: Ed Newman, 6th Round, 1973
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So much talk of players drafted in the 12th and 16th rounds almost makes the sixth round sound like an early pick. But in reality, finding a quality player in the sixth round was equally impressive back in the '70s and '80s as it is today.
In 1973, Miami drafted Duke guard Ed Newman. After nearly eight years of subtle success, Newman hit his stride in 1981 and earned four straight Pro Bowl bids.
No. 4: Jim Kiick, 5th Round, 1968
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Before Ted Ginn Jr. and Pat White become the poster boys for Miami's draft gaffes, Jim Grabowski may have held the title as biggest draft bust in team history. The Dolphins used the first draft pick in team history on the Illinois running back, but he never panned out, leaving a hole in the backfield that had to be filled.
Just two years later, Miami selected Larry Csonka with the eighth overall pick. Five rounds later, they took a flier on Wyoming running back Jim Kiick, a player who figured to play a reserve role. But Kiick did more than, as he became a Dolphins legend.
No. 3: Zach Thomas, 5th Round, 1996
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Selected in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL draft, Zach Thomas was the ultimate diamond in the rough. He wasted no time in establishing his dominance in the pro ranks, racking up a career-high 120 tackles in his first NFL season.
Thomas was everything a franchise desires from a player. He was the consummate Miami Dolphin and will always be remembered as such. His team record 1,041 career tackles will remain intact for a very, very long time.
No. 2: Jake Scott, 7th Round, 1970
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In the 1970 NFL draft, Don Shula showed just how incredibly his scouting prowess was. Four of the team's first five selections started on Miami's 1972 and 1973 Super Bowl Championship squads.
After selecting Tim Foley and Curtis Johnson, Shula polished off his future secondary with the biggest prize of them all, Jake Scott. The seventh-round pick is arguably the greatest defensive back in team history. He has a Super Bowl MVP and countless All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods to his name.
No. 1: Mark Clayton, 8th Round, 1983
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Little did the Dolphins know that the player they selected seven rounds after their future Hall of Fame quarterback would become a five-time Pro Bowler.
In the 1983 draft, Miami looked to add some depth at wide receiver. One year after selecting Mark Duper in the second round, the 'Fins selected Mark Clayton in the eighth, completing a duo that would eventually become known as the "Marks Brothers."
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