As we approach the final stretch leading up to the 2024 NFL draft, it’s an opportune moment to review the Miami Dolphins’ draft record for each position. This series delves into the team’s drafting history, analyzing the number of selections made since the inception of the “common draft” in 1967, highlighting first-round picks, successes, failures, and discernible patterns.
Focusing on linebackers in this installment, we examine the Dolphins’ draft choices, evaluating their performance relative to their draft positions:
DOLPHINS’ LINEBACKER DRAFT RECORD
Total selections: 86
First-round picks: 5 (Larry Gordon, 1976; Kim Bokamper, 1976; Jackie Shipp, 1984; Marco Coleman, 1992; Jaelan Phillips, 2021)
Recent selections: Cameron Goode, 2022, Round 7; Channing Tindall, 2022, Round 3; Jaelan Phillips; Curtis Weaver, 2020, Round 5; Andrew Van Ginkel, 2019, Round 5)
Successes: Mike Kolen (Round 12, 1970), Steve Towle (Round 6, 1975), Mark Brown (Round 9, 1983), John Offerdahl (Round 2, 1986), Bryan Cox (Round 5, 1991), Zach Thomas (Round 5, 1996), Channing Crowder (Round 3, 2005), Jerome Baker (Round 3, 2018), Andrew Van Ginkel (Round 5, 2019)
Less successful picks: Jackie Shipp (Round 1, 1984), Jay Brophy (Round 2, 1984), Rick Graf (Round 2, 1987), Aubrey Beavers (Round 2, 1994), Brad Jackson (Round 3, 1997), Ronnie Ward (Round 3, 1997), Eddie Moore (Round 2, 2003)
Trends: Notably, the Dolphins seldom invest early-round picks in traditional linebackers. The last linebacker chosen before the third round was Raekwon McMillan in 2017, preceded by Koa Misi in 2010. Moreover, of the five first-round linebacker selections, three—Bokamper, Coleman, and Phillips—were primarily edge defenders or outside linebackers rather than traditional inside linebackers.
EVALUATING DOLPHINS’ LINEBACKER DRAFT SUCCESS
Similar to other teams across various positions, the Dolphins have experienced both significant successes and glaring failures in their linebacker draft history. Particularly noteworthy are the hidden gems discovered in the middle to late rounds.
A standout instance is the acquisition of Zach Thomas, a Hall of Fame finalist, in Round 5 of the 1996 draft under Jimmy Johnson’s tenure. Preceding this, Don Shula secured Bryan Cox, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, in the same round four years earlier, alongside the unearthing of Mike Kolen, a key figure in the famed “No-Name Defense,” as late as Round 12.
However, not all draft choices have yielded fruitful results. The Dolphins faced challenges in the late 1980s, highlighted by the disappointments of the 1984 draft with the selections of Jackie Shipp and Jay Brophy in the first two rounds. The 2003 pick of Eddie Moore was particularly painful, compounded by the missed opportunity to draft Anquan Boldin, a wide receiver sorely needed at the time.
While recent selections like Jerome Baker and Andrew Van Ginkel have shown promise, others like Raekwon McMillan have fallen short, partly due to injuries. The trajectory of Channing Tindall, selected in 2022, remains uncertain, especially considering his limited role as a special teams contributor in his initial seasons.
