Grading the Miami Dolphins' 2019 draft after five years. How did they do?
Invariably as the NFL draft unfolds, there's a rush to grade each team's picks. Fans want an instant gauge on how their team performed, especially in comparison to its rivals, even though time is the best judge.
With that in mind, this is a good time to judge some of the Dolphins' past five drafts. Overall, they may have turned out better than you think. No, the Dolphins' reward from those drafts hasn't been a victory in the playoffs, but they have gotten to the playoffs the past two seasons. And they have a .530 winning percentage (44-39).
More: Listen Now! Hal Habib breaks down 2024 Miami Dolphins Draft, grades each pick
So they must be doing something right.
Dolphins' 2019 NFL draft grades
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Wilkins was everything the Dolphins could have asked for in the first round (outside of that minor detail of turning down a contract extension last year and eventually walking in free agency). Wilkins piled up tackles and game-changing plays. He was a team captain. And his celebrations were legendary.
Grade: A
Michael Deiter, OL, Wisconsin
A third-rounder, Dolphins tried him at guard (didn't work). Then center (didn't work).
Grade: D+
Andrew Van Ginkel, LB, Wisconsin
Besides Wilkins, the other pick that stands out was landing Van Ginkel in Round 5. Fine value pick.
Grade: A
Isaiah Prince, OT, Ohio State
Had a cup of coffee in the NFL. Had only a sip with the Dolphins.
Grade: D
Chandler Cox, RB, Auburn
Appeared in 21 NFL games, which probably is more than the average 233rd pick.
Grade: C-
Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
Gaskin was a dependable back who played with a chip because he was a seventh-rounder.
Grade: B
Here is the entire draft
1. Christian Wilkins (13) DT Clemson
2a TO NEW ORLEANS in draft trade-down (48)
2b TO ARIZONA in Josh Rosen trade (62)
(from New Orleans in draft trade-down)
3 Michael Deiter (78) OL Wisconsin
4 TO NEW ORLEANS in draft trade down (116)
5 Andrew Van Ginkel (151) LB Wisconsin
6a TO TENNESSEE in Ryan Tannehill trade (188)
6b Isaiah Prince (202) T Ohio State
(from New Orleans in draft trade-down)
7a TO DETROIT in Akeem Spence trade (229)
7b Chandler Cox (233) RB Auburn
(from Tennessee in Ryan Tannehill trade)
7c Myles Gaskin (234) RB Washington
(from Cleveland in the Jarvis Landry trade)(Players in bold made Dolphins roster)
More: Dolphins fans deserve a playoff win. Are these rookies ready to help in 2024? | SCHAD
Miami could have picked defensive end Maxx Crosby
The Dolphins went with Wilkins over Dexter Lawrence, his teammate at Clemson. Lawrence instead went to the Giants four picks later and has been to two Pro Bowls and came in at No. 28 on last year’s list of the NFL’s top 100 players. The Dolphins couldn’t have gone wrong either way. The Dolphins are one of 31 teams kicking themselves over one guy who proved to be the steal of the draft. The Raiders’ fourth-round pick, No. 106 overall? Defensive end Maxx Crosby. Ouch.
Draft class grade: B-
It would have been a tad higher if Miami hadn’t gifted the Cardinals that second-rounder for quarterback Josh Rosen, who never panned out. At that point, the Dolphins were desperate to solve their quarterback situation and figured Rosen was worth a flier. Players who would have been available to Miami at that spot, No. 62, include receivers DK Metcalf, Diontae Johnson and Terry McLaurin.
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Regrading the Dolphins' 2019 draft five years later. How did they fare?
