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While everyone is focused on what the Miami Dolphins will do in the 2013 NFL Draft this April, one of the other things to discuss during this part of the offseason is the success or failure from previous years' drafts. SB Nation recently took a look at all 32 teams' performance in the 2010 draft, ranking the teams from worst to best.
The standard rule to truly grade an NFL Draft is you have to wait three years. Well, for 2010, that's now. In the introduction to his article in SB Nation, Kenneth Arthur writes:
"I look back three years and check back in with the class of 2010. It was an interesting class of players, with some elite, and at least one player who "just wins!" Rather than give grades (Because what the hell would it matter if it's an A- or just a B?) I've tried ranking them from 1-32. One interesting thing you will find is that I've also listed what happened to the coaches of these teams. Because you'll notice: Screw up the draft, start looking for work. Well, more than half of these coaches are no longer with the teams they were with during the 2010 draft."
Arthur then ranks the New York Jets as the worst draft from 2010. In the first of the AFC East teams we will feature, Arthur explains:
Top Pick: CB Kyle Wilson (29th overall)
A trade for Braylon Edwards cost the Jets two picks in this draft, and moving up to grab Joe McKnight in the fourth round cost New York a sixth. That left them with only four players drafted in 2010 and Wilson was clearly the best. It's not good when Kyle Wilson is clearly your best pick in a draft. The Jets made the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row in 2010, but have struggled since. Rex Ryan has managed to hold onto his job for now.
The team with the best set of selections in the 2010 draft, according to Arthur, was also an AFC East team, the New England Patriots. Arthur writes:
Top Pick: DB Devin McCourty (27th overall)
McCourty has made one Pro Bowl but that's only the beginning. The Pats had twelve picks, including three in the second round. They found themselves a whole lot of talent and continue to be one of the best teams in the NFL: Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Spikes, Aaron Hernandez, and C Ted Larsen. Heck, they also drafted starting punter Zoltan Mesko. Having so many picks allows the Pats to miss here and there (LB/DE Jermaine Cunningham in the second round is only a depth player, WR Taylor Price in the third) while still coming away with two of the best tight ends in the NFL.
The Patriots might pick at the end of the first round every year, but they wind up No. 1 on this list.
As for the Miami Dolphins, Arthur ranks them as the 12th best draft from 2010.
Top Pick: DE Jared Odrick (28th overall)
There is not a lot of excitement in the Dolphins draft, but they did fill some key roles. Odrick in the first, LB Koa Misi in the second, tackle John Jerry in the third, safety Reshad Jonesin the fifth, corner Nolan Carroll in the fifth, and they traded their own second-round pick for Brandon Marshall. It was good that they traded down with the Chargers to get back a second-round pick. Still, Tony Sparano was eventually fired.
What do you think of the Dolphins' 2010 draft? How would you grade it? Vote in the poll below and feel free to comment as well.
Oh, and just to round out the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills were ranked 30th.