As we head into the homestretch to the 2024 NFL draft, it’s a great time to review the Miami Dolphins draft history at every position.
In this draft series, we break down each position with variety of choices given that the start of the “typical draft” in 1967, first-round choices, hits and misses out on, and any patterns that may use.
We continue with the protective line (as constantly, hits and misses out on are figured out by evaluating production versus draft position):
Variety of choices: 100
Variety of first-round choices: 12 (DE Bill Stanfill, 1969; DT Mike Kadish, 1972; DE Donald Reese, 1974; DE A.J. Duhe, 1977; DE John Bosa, 1987; DE Eric Kumerow, 1988; DT Tim Bowens, 1994; DT Daryl Gardener, 1996; DT Jared Odrick, 2010; DE Dion Jordan, 2013; DE Charles Harris, 2017; DT Christian Wilkins, 2019)
Last 5 choices: Jason Strowbridge, Round 5, 2020; Raekwon Davis, Round 2, 2020; Christian Wilkins, Round 1, 2019; Davon Godchaux, Round 5, 2017, Terrence Fede, Round 7, 2014;
Hits: DE Bill Stanfill (Round 1, 1969); DE Vern Den Herder (Round 9, 1971); DT Bob Baumhower (Round 2, 1977), DE Doug Betters (Round 6, 1978); DE Jeff Cross (Round 9, 1988); DT Tim Bowens (Round 1, 1994); DE Jason Taylor (Round 3, 1997); DT Paul Soliai (Round 4, 2007), DE Olivier Vernon (Round 3, 2012); DT Davon Godchaux (Round 5, 2017), DT Christian Wilkins
Misses out on: DE Donald Reese (Round 1, 1974), DE John Bosa (Round 1, 1987), DE Eric Kumerow (Round 1, 1988), DT Eddie Blake * (Round 2, 1992), DE Dion Jordan (Round 1, 2013), DT Jordan Phillips (Round 2, 2015), DE Charles Harris (Round 1, 2017)
Patterns: The Dolphins have not attended to the protective line in the draft considering that they took Wilkins in Round 1, not counting Jaelan Phillips, who was a protective end at the University of Miami however was prepared to play outdoors linebacker. The Dolphins have not been shy about investing early tease interior protective linemen over the previous lots years.
The Dolphins have actually had some severe outcomes at this position in the draft, however it’s difficult to be extremely vital when they landed a Hall of Famer (Taylor) in the 3rd round, another NFL Defensive Player of the Year (Betters) in the 6th round, and 2 great beginners (Den Herder, Cross) in the ninth round.
The last significant draft financial investment on the protective line likewise turned out well, with Wilkins providing the Dolphins 5 excellent to excellent seasons before he left after getting a beast handle the Las Vegas Raiders.
The misses out on undoubtedly have actually been bad, none even worse that Jordan since he was the 3rd general choice because 2013 draft. As a description, Blake was a DT at Auburn however the Dolphins chose to utilize him at guard and he tumbled.
In in between the hits and misses out on, the Dolphins have actually had a great variety of strong badger the protective line.