Fansided

Miami Dolphins: 5 best draft picks of all-time

By Jason Parker

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Miami Dolphins helmet before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Miami Dolphins helmet before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Zach Thomas #54 of the Miami Dolphins lines up against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Miami Dolphin Stadium September 24, 2006 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
MIAMI – SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Zach Thomas #54 of the Miami Dolphins lines up against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Miami Dolphin Stadium September 24, 2006 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images) /

4. player. 59. . Linebacker. Texas Tech. Zach Thomas

In college, Thomas was a firecracker for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, earning All-American status and plenty of praise for his work on the field. Even with that, there wasn’t much thought he would do a lot in the NFL when Jimmy Johnson picked him with his first draft class at No. 154 in 1996.

12 seasons later, Thomas would revolutionize the linebacker position not just for the Dolphins but also for the entire NFL. Thomas played taller than his 5’11” frame and finished his time with the Dolphins with 983 tackles to go along with 18.5 sacks and 17 interceptions. Even more important than that was the force he was in the middle of the Miami defense for a dozen years.

Thomas was maybe one of the toughest players to ever wear the aqua and orange for the Dolphins, playing through pain and injury with a desire to give everything he could on the football field. After a season each in Kansas City and Dallas, Thomas retired as a Dolphin and was inducted into the team’s Honor Roll during the 2012 season…an honor well deserved for one of Miami’s best.

Next: No. 3 - Larry Csonka

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