Phinsider 2013 Miami Dolphins Preview Magazine: Free Agency and Draft Recap

The Miami Dolphins had one of the most active offseasons in memory in 2013, with free agency and the Draft rapidly reshaping the roster. The team signed nine free agents, re-signed six as they hit free agency, and drafted nine more.

Free agency began on March 12, with the Dolphins making a big splash immediately. The team came out of the gates firing, signing wide receiver Mike Wallace and linebackers Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe in the first few hours of the process. The team backed that up with other big names, including tight end Dustin Keller, wide receiver Brandon Gibson, and cornerback Brent Grimes.

The free agency class for Miami is:

Miami also managed to re-sign several of their own players, including the placement of the franchise tag on defensive tackle Randy Starks. Here are all the players the team re-signed following the 2012 season:

The Dolphins continued their assault on their own roster during the NFL Draft, starting with the first round. The team entered the selection process with eleven total picks, but they were not likely to end with all eleven. As the third day concluded, Miami had made nine total selections, jumping around the pick order whenever and whereverthey seemed to want to go.

In the first round, Miami jumped up from the twelfth overall pick to the Oakland Raiders' third pick, with everyone expecting the Dolphins to grab offensive tackle Land Johnson from Oklahoma. That pick would have seen the first three selection all used on tackles, with Johnson joining Michigan's Eric Fisher (Kansas City Chiefs) and Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel (Jacksonville Jaguars). However, the Dolphins had a different plan in mind. With the third overall pick, Miami selected Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan.

The second round would see the Dolphins make their scheduled pick, but that does not mean they were not busy in the round. During the round, Miami sent wide receiver Davone Bess to the Cleveland Browns, with several swapping between the two teams as well. Once the Dolphins got around to making the 54th overall pick, they snagged Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor.

Then, in the third round, Miami once again got busy. They first selected Tennessee offensive lineman Dallas Thomas with the 77th overall pick. They then sent their second pick of the round to the New Orleans Saints, adding two top-ten fourth round picks. However, they would not stay out of the third round very long. Eleven picks later, Miami jumped back up, trading with the Green Bay Packers for the 93rd pick to double up on cornerback with the selection of Utah State's Will Davis.

The third day of the draft, rounds four through seven, began, and the Dolphins were up make two quick selections early on the day. With the 104th pick, the Dolphins selected Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins. Two picks later, the Dolphins added tight end Dion Sims from Michigan State.

The fifth round again saw the Dolphins with two picks, and again saw Miami head north to the Florida Gators for their selections. Joining Jenkins on the move from Gainesville to Miami would be running back Mike Gillislee, selected with the 164th pick, and kicker Caleb Sturgis, the 166th overall pick.

Miami's front office got to take a break in the sixth round, having no selections, before coming back and picking Arkansas State defensive back Don Jones.

The full Dolphins' 2013 Draft Class is:

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