Miami Dolphins 2017 NFL Draft retrospective

The Miami Dolphins were trying to build on a postseason berth heading into 2017. Unfortunately, a middling draft class didn’t help causes.

Entering the 2017 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins had several needs across the board. With holes along the offensive line, receiver, quarterback, and almost every position on defense, the Dolphins could have done anything.

Miami was entering the second year of the Adam Gase era and there were concerns about Ryan Tannehill’s knee injury that kept him out of the playoffs the year before. His knee was re-injured in the first week of training camp and the wheels for the team fell off immediately.

Unfortunately for the Dolphins, the seven draft picks made little or no immediate impact but five players remain on the team.

Original Grade

FanSided: A

"The Dolphins continued to think defense and their front seven with Raekwon McMillan. The Dolphins went out and signed Lawrence Timmons from the Steelers, and while that is a good fit, Timmons is older. He is now 30, and when a team like the Steelers lets a long time player like that slip away, you have to look at it with the side eye."

Draft Class

Round 1 (No. 22)

CURRENT TEAM: Miami Dolphins

Harris was supposed to be the next great Dolphins defensive end. However, after three seasons in Miami and ample opportunity to take on a starting role, Harris has remained a backup and will not likely be a member of the Dolphins to start the 2020 season.

Round 2 (No. 54)

CURRENT TEAM: Miami Dolphins

McMillan’s career in Miami started on fire with a strong training camp that ended with a season-ending injury on the first play of the first preseason game. He came back in 2018 but clearly was not playing with the same speed and confidence. As a result, his season was lackluster and many wondered if he would make Brian Flores’ roster. Luckily, McMillian turned his game around, becoming one of the most consistent and productive linebackers on the Dolphins defense.

Round 3 (No. 97)

CURRENT TEAM: Miami Dolphins

Tankersley’s days in Miami may be numbered. He spent the 2019 season on the PUP list and has not shown the qualities that coaches look for in cornerbacks. His first season was promising but his second season was really bad.

Round 5  (No.164)

CURRENT TEAM: Retired

The only offensive lineman drafted by the Dolphins in 2017, Asiata was billed as a mean and physical offensive lineman but in his three years with the Dolphins he appeared in only two games. Unable to beat out street free agents when injuries began to pile up, the Dolphins eventually released him in 2019. After a short stint with the Bills, Asiata announced his retirement from the NFL in 2019.

Round 5 (No. 178)

CURRENT TEAM: Miami Dolphins

Davon Godchaux has turned out to be a steal for the Dolphins in this draft. He has been a consistent starter and rotation defensive lineman since his arrival and is emerging as one of the team’s defensive leaders. He has been a very big surprise and this year was the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.

Round 6 (No. 194)

CURRENT TEAM: Buffalo Bills

After a solid rookie season with Taylor showing signs of his potential, he started to slide with his ability to get on the field and be productive. Taylor got caught in the numbers game and Miami wanted more production at the position. He spent two years with the Dolphins before being released.

Round 7 (No. 237)

CURRENT TEAM: Miami Dolphins

Ford looked good for the Dolphins but an injury ended his rookie season in training camp. He couldn’t get past the practice squad in 2018 and started 2019 bouncing between being released by Miami and being re-signed to the practice squad. Injuries to the receivers forced the Dolphins to re-sign and activate him. Down the stretch, Ford looked good when given the chance. While his future with Miami is uncertain, he should get a real shot to compete.

Bottom Line

The wasted pick on Harris is not wiped clean by the play of McMillan and Godchaux, or the potential of Ford. The Dolphins really only hit on two players and while McMillan looked good in 2019, there are still questions about how long he will be a part of the Dolphins rebuilding plans. The 2017 draft was far from the team’s worse but it was still not one of the better ones either.

by Brian Miller

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