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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HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 13: Larry Csonka #39 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium January 13, 1974 in Houston, Texas. The Dolphins won the Super Bowl 24-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 13: Larry Csonka #39 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium January 13, 1974 in Houston, Texas. The Dolphins won the Super Bowl 24-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

3. player. 59. . Fullback. Syracuse. Larry Csonka

During the early 1970’s, the Dolphins had a problem that other teams would have killed for having three talented, NFL starting caliber running backs they had to make happy by splitting carries with. One of those was maybe the best of the group based on what he had done before.

Csonka had spent his college career breaking the record books wide open for the Syracuse Orange, shattering marks held by some of the best running backs to play at any level, including Jim Brown and Ernie Davis. After spending his first two years in Miami (after being picked eighth overall in 1968) dealing with injuries, Csonka flourished in 1970 and helped lead the Dolphins to three straight AFC championships and two Super Bowl titles.

After seven years with the Dolphins, Csonka moved on to the WFL and later the New York Giants before returning to South Florida in 1979 and rushing for 13 touchdowns before calling it a career. He was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is one of just three Dolphins players to have their number retired, joining his former quarterback Bob Griese and fellow signal calling legend Dan Marino.

Next: No. 2 - Jason Taylor

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