Miami Dolphins Draft History: A Deep Dive into Tight Ends and Offense

MIAMI, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins‘ draft history reveals intriguing patterns and outcomes for tight ends and offensive linemen. This exploration focuses on the tight end position, a classification where the Dolphins have yet to make a first-round selection since the common draft’s inception in 1967.

The Dolphins have drafted 42 tight ends but none in the first round. Their recent picks include Elijah Higgins in 2023 and Hunter Long in 2021. The last five drafted tight ends are as follows: Elijah Higgins, 2023, Round 6; Hunter Long, 2021, Round 3; Durham Smythe, 2018, Round 4; Mike Gesicki, 2018, Round 2; Thomas Duarte, 2016, Round 7.

Highlighting successes, the franchise has seen several hits in the second round or beyond, with notable names like Jim Mandich (Round 2, 1970) and Randy McMichael (Round 4, 2002). Conversely, misses include Loaird McCreary (Round 2, 1976) and Michael Egnew (Round 3, 2012).

The Dolphins remain one of five teams that have not selected a tight end in the first round, a statistic that emphasizes a trend in their drafting strategy. The only tight end to reach the Pro Bowl from the Dolphins is Ferrell Edmunds, who was drafted in 1988.

During Dan Marino‘s illustrious career, Miami struggled to prioritize the tight end position, managing only one selection in the first three rounds. Recent performances by players like Durham Smythe illustrate some positive picks, yet the lack of a dominant tight end remains an ongoing concern for the franchise.

The offensive line has a more extensive drafting history, with 118 total picks and 12 in the first round, including names like Jake Long and Mike Pouncey. However, their first-round success is limited, with only five out of twelve picks making the Pro Bowl.

The Dolphins have seen promising talents such as Dwight Stephenson and Richmond Webb emerge from their draft selections. Still, the team’s most recent drafts show a trend of inconsistency, where the offensive line prospects have struggled to maintain high-level performance.

In examining the 2013 and 2017 drafts, the team faced criticism for missed opportunities and unfamiliarity with player potential. These drafts have become points of conversation among Dolphins fans as sources of frustration about the franchise’s playoff struggles.

Looking to the future, Miami may seek to change its fortunes in the draft by addressing the tight end and offensive line positions strategically. With a strong focus on drafting more successfully at these key areas, the Dolphins might finally uncover their next Pro Bowl-caliber player.