The Team The Miami Dolphins Could Have Drafted

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Dolphins had no 1st round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, so with their 2nd round selection, Miami chose Eddie Moore (LB). Moore was a bad pick because he was with the Dolphins for only three years. A better draft choice here would have been Lance Briggs (LB), Osi Umenyiora (DE), Anquan Boldin (WR) or Jason Witten (TE).

In the 3rd round, Miami had two picks. One was used on Wade Smith (OT) and again was not a good selection. Smith was a starter his rookie year, but only played in six games the following three years combined. The Dolphins chose Taylor Whitley (OG) with their other 3rd round pick and he was only with the team for two years. Instead of these wasted draft picks, Miami should have taken Terrence McGee (CB), Asante Samuel (CB), Robert Mathis (DE) or Justin Fargas (RB).

The Dolphins had no 4th round selections, but did have two 5th round draft picks, which were used on Donald Lee (TE) and J. R. Tolver (WR). Lee played only two seasons with the Dolphins and Tolver never played a game for Miami. Better draft picks here would have been Dan Koppen (C) and David Diehl (OT).

In the 6th round, Miami had three draft selections. They drafted Corey Jenkins (LB), Tim Provost (OT) and Yeremiah Bell (S). Neither of these three guys were worth drafting. Bell is a solid player, but better players were still available on the draft board. The Dolphins should have taken Cato June (LB), Kevin Walter (WR) and Tony Romo (QB). Romo was actually an undrafted free agent. Miami should have spent a draft pick on him (or signed him as a free agent). Other undrafted stars like Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE) were also passed on by the Dolphins.

In the 2003 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins' drafting was terrible!


Summary Of Players The Miami Dolphins Should Have Acquired In 2003

Lance Briggs
Asante Samuel
Robert Mathis
Dan Koppen
David Diehl
Cato June
Kevin Walter
Tony Romo
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates

The Dolphins had the 19th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, which was used on Vernon Carey (OT). Carey has been a starter for most of his career with Miami, so this is a strong pick. However, bigger impact players like Vince Wilfork (DT), Bob Sanders (SS), Darnell Dockett (DT), Chris Cooley (TE) and Nick Hardwick (C) were still on the draft board.

Miami had no 2nd or 3rd round draft selections. In round 4, Will Poole (CB) was selected by the Dolphins. Poole was only a starter for one game during his three-year career with Miami. The team should have picked future Pro Bowlers Nathan Vasher (CB) or Jared Allen (DE).

The Miami Dolphins drafted Tony Bua (S) in the 5th round. Bua was hurt most of his rookie season and was waived the next year. A better option here would have been Derrick Ward (RB) or Patrick Crayton (WR).


Summary Of Players The Miami Dolphins Should Have Acquired In 2004

Nick Hardwick
Nathan Vasher
Derrick Ward

Ronnie Brown (RB) was selected with the 2nd overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Brown's career has been slowed by a serious knee injury, but Ronnie needs to prove he is an elite NFL running back and can stay healthy. He has shown flashes of brilliance. Let's consider this a rare good draft pick by the Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins drafted Matt Roth (DE) in the 2nd round. Roth is not a big enough play maker to be a 2nd round pick. The Dolphins should have taken Justin Tuck (DE), Frank Gore (RB) or Vincent Jackson (WR). In round 3, Channing Crowder (LB) was taken by Miami. Crowder has had solid production for the Dolphins, so this is a good draft selection.

Miami drafted Travis Daniels (CB) in round 4 and didn't start many games after his rookie season. A better option here would have been Trent Cole (DE), Marion Barber III (RB) or Brandon Jacobs (RB). Anthony Alabi (OT) was taken by the Dolphins in the 5th round. Alabi was never a starter during his three years with Miami. Matt Cassel (QB) was still on the draft board.

Miami had the opportunity to sign some key undrafted free agent players like Ryan Grant (RB), Atari Bigby (SS) and Josh Cribbs (KR), but the Dolphins did not offer contracts to these future NFL stars.


Summary Of Players The Miami Dolphins Should Have Acquired In 2005

Justin Tuck
Trent Cole
Matt Cassel
Ryan Grant
Atari Bigby
Josh Cribbs

1. Ronnie Brown
2. Chad Pennington
3. Ricky Williams
4. Anthony Fasano
5. Miami Dolphins defense

Miami had the 16th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. They selected Jason Allen (S), but he has been a disappointing pick as he's normally not even a starter and a 1st round pick should definitely be a starter. A better pick here for the Dolphins would have been Antonio Cromartie (CB), Devin Hester (KR), Marcus McNeill (OT), Greg Jennings (WR), or DeMeco Ryans (LB).

The Dolphins drafted Derek Hagan (WR) in round 3 (they had no 2nd round pick). Hagan is also not a full-time player (he started only 1 game in his first two seasons). Instead of the Hagan wasted draft pick, Miami should have taken Owen Daniels (TE). The Miami Dolphins selected Joe Toledo (OT) in round 4 and never played a game for the team. The Dolphins should have picked Brandon Marshall (WR), Omar Gaither (LB), Antoine Bethea (FS) or Leon Washington (RB).

The Dolphins had no draft picks in rounds 5 or 6. Fred Evans (DT) was taken in the 7th round, but he only played in one game for Miami. The Dolphins should have selected Marques Colston (WR). The team really lacked draft picks that could have helped the Miami franchise in the 2006 NFL Draft.


Summary Of Players The Miami Dolphins Should Have Acquired In 2006

Antonio Cromartie
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Marques Colston

The Dolphins were quite horrible at drafting between 2003 and 2006. With just a couple of draft pick changes, the Dolphins could have been a more successful team than it has been in recent years.

Of course, the more changes that could have been made to all those terrible draft selections, the more likely Miami makes more playoff appearances. The team below is the actual club the Dolphins could have drafted based on franchise needs and draft locations.

Tony Romo (QB)
Matt Cassel (QB)

Ronnie Brown (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)

Marques Colston (WR)
Kevin Walter (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
David Diehl (OT)
Marcus McNeill (OT)

Trent Cole (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
Cato June (LB)
Channing Crowder (LB)

Nathan Vasher (CB)
Terrence McGee (CB)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Antoine Bethea (FS)
Atari Bigby (SS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)