The Miami Dolphins are amid a full-blown rebuild as they enter the 2020 NFL Draft. That doesn't mean that they haven't had success in the previous years of their existence though.
Before the New England Patriots reigned supreme in the AFC East, the Dolphins were able to win two Super Bowls in the 1970s. At the same time, Miami has had some success in drafting talented players throughout their history.
Given that the 2020 NFL Draft is right around the corner, now is a perfect time to pinpoint Miami's best draft picks. Without further ado, here are the best draft picks in Dolphins history.
5. Richmond Webb
An offensive lineman in the NFL is far from the flashiest position, but they are key to a team's success. Early in the 1990s, the Dolphins selected Richmond Webb with the No. 9 pick in the 1990 NFL Draft,
During his career in Miami, Webb would go on to start at left tackle for 11 seasons. The Texas A&M product would make seven Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro in the NFL.
Despite playing a physically-taxing position, Webb would start in more than 10 games for 10 of his 11 seasons with the Dolphins. His reliability and production in Miami make him one of the franchise's best draft picks of all-time.
4. Bob Griese
Over their 55 seasons, the Dolphins have had a couple of notable quarterbacks lead their offense. Back in the 1970s, Bob Griese was one of the best quarterbacks at the time.
Griese was drafted by the Dolphins with the No. 4 pick in the 1967 NFL Draft. Altogether, Griese would finish his career with 25,092 passing yards, 192 passing touchdowns, and 172 interceptions Above all, he helped Miami win the only two Super Bowls that they have.
To this day, Griese is Miami's second-all time leading passer in yards and touchdowns. After an impressive 14-year career with the Dolphins, Griese was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
3. Zach Thomas
Going back to the late 1990s, early 2000s, the Dolphins deployed a few players that were perennial Hall of Famers. While he isn't in the Hall of Fame yet, Zach Thomas figures to be inducted into Canton sometime soon.
Coming out of Texas Tech, Thomas was the No. 154 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. Even though he was a fifth-round pick, he immediately became a leader in Miami's defense, tallying 100 or more tackles in 10 of his 12 seasons with the Dolphins.
As a matter of fact, injuries were the only thing that prevented Thomas from getting more than the 1,640 combined tackles he had in Miami. Besides being the Dolphins all-time tackles leader, Thomas was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro.
2. Jason Taylor
Just a year after drafting Thomas, the Dolphins found another mid-round gem in Jason Taylor. With the No. 73 pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, Taylor was Miami's choice out of Akron.
Similar to Thomas, Taylor was an immediate difference-maker for the Dolphins once he stepped foot on the field. The Pittsburgh native would produce 131 sacks with Miami, helping him six Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro nods.
In addition, Taylor was the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, recording 13.5 sacks and a jaw-dropping nine forced fumbles. Following a successful career with the Dolphins and two other teams, Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
1. Dan Marino
There's one player that is considered to be the best player to ever play for the Dolphins and that is Dan Marino. Marino would be the No. 27 pick in the 1983 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh, drawing plenty of expectations as a rookie.
It's safe to say Marino exceeded the expectations that were given to him at the beginning of his career. In a league where running the ball was popular, Marino was ahead of his time, throwing for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns.
Despite not winning a Super Bowl, Marino still managed to accumulate nine Pro Bowl appearances, three All-Pro selections, and was the NFL's MVP once. As Miami's all-time passing leader, Marino made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.