Why do the Dolphins hate Jakeem Grant already? Rookie numbers assigned

Do the Miami Dolphins hate one of their 2016 Draft class members already? The team announced the jersey numbers for their eight draft picks and 12 undrafted free agents, and there are some notable assignments. Then there was Jakeem Grant. There is so much hype about Grant and what he could bring to the Dolphins as a returner and a matchup player on offense - but the Dolphins may already hate him.

Brandon Doughty, quarterback (7th round)
Jersey Number 6

The number six has not had an illustrious career with the Dolphins. Jim Arnold was the first player to wear the number, donning it in 1994. Joe Nedney wore the number in 1996, Brent Bartholomew in 1999, Ray Lucas from 2001 to 2002, Pat White in 2009, J.P. Losman in 2011, and McLeod Bethel-Thompson in 2014.

Lucas was probably the best player to wear the number for Miami, appearing in 17 games, with six starts, in his two season. He tallied 1,090 passing yards on a 57.7-percent completion rate with four touchdowns and six interceptions. He also carried the ball 44 times for 132 yards with three touchdowns.

Marshall Koehn, kicker (UDFA)
Jersey Number 7

The number seven is a little better than the number six, with Billy Lothridge being the first to wear the number during the 1972 Perfect Season. After Lothridge's single season in number seven, Guy Benjamin wore in in 1978 and 1979, then Fuad Reveiz wore in from 1985 to 1988. Charlie Baumann next wore in in 1991, then Joe Prokop in 1992, Dale Hatcher in 1993, Craig Erickson in 1996 to 1007, A.J. Feeley in 2004, Chad Henne from 2008 to 2011, and Pat Devlin in 2012 and 2013.

Henne was the top performer in the number, spending four seasons wearing it during 36 appearances with 31 career starts at quarterback, tallying a 13-18 record over that span. He threw for 7,114 yards on a 60.7-percent completion rate, with 31 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.

Jakeem Grant, wide receiver/returner (6th round)
Jersey Number 19

Grant gets stuck with the number 19 curse. The number was briefly assigned to wide receiver Tyler Murphy, who spent 2015 with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing as a futures contract with the Dolphins this year, but has changed to the jersey number 16 he wore with Pittsburgh. He got away from the curse, but now it falls on Miami's sixth-round pick. Number 19 was not worn in Miami until 1986, when Reyna Thompson had it for one year. Then Scott Mitchell work it from 1991 to 1993, Bernie Kosar from 1994 to 1996, Nate Jacquet in 1998, Ted Ginn from 2007 to 2009, Brandon Marshall from 2010 to 2011, Legedu Naanee in 2012, and Armon Binns from 2012 to 2013.

Marshall was the top performer for Miami in the number, and he only wore it for two years before the curse led to Miami trading him away. He caught 167 passes in 30 games started, tallying 2,228 yards with nine touchdowns. In comparison, Marshall totaled 1,502 yards on 109 receptions with 14 touchdowns with the New York Jets last year (where he wore number 15).

Ginn actually had a decent career in the number, though he is often the first name that comes up when the 19 curse is mentioned. Ginn had the unfortunate distinction of being selected with the ninth overall pick, way earlier than he was expected to be selected, and then to have head coach Cam Cameron announce that the Dolphins had not just drafted Ginn, but his whole family as well - to a booing room of Dolphins fans. In three seasons with the Dolphins, Ginn played in 48 games with 35 starts, catching 128 passes for 1,664 yards with 5 touchdowns. His best role, however, was as a returner, where he returned 36 punts with an 8.7-yard average and one touchdown, as well as 147 kicks with a 23.0-yard average and two touchdowns.

To add to the idea that the number is cursed, Naanee, who was supposed to be a solid addition to the Dolphins in 2012, spent four games in the number recording one catch. Binns, who came to the Dolphins during the 2012 season, upgraded the position over Naanee for three games, catching six passes for 67 yards in three games played that year. Then, in the next training camp, Binns tore his ACL and MCL and spent the 2013 season on injured reserve, and never played in the NFL again.

For the record, I was calling for the "retirement" of the 19 jersey in 2012. Maybe one day, the Dolphins will realize it is not in their best interest to give the number to anyone. Or, hopefully, Grant can break the curse.

Jordan Lucas, defensive back (6th round)
Jersey Number 21

The Dolphins clearly want to move past the madness that was the end of the Brent Grimes (/Miko Grimes) era in Miami, already assigning his number to Lucas. The number has been worn a lot in Miami, starting with Gene Mingo in the team's first two seasons. Following Mingo, Jim Kiick owned the number from 1968 to 1974, then Rick Volk in 1977 and 1978, Tate Randle in 1987, Mark Higgs from 1990 to 1994, Lawrence Phillips in 1997, Rayna Stewart in 1998, Autry Denson in 1999 and 2000, Terry Cousin in 2001, Jamar Fletcher in 2002 and 2003, Antuan Edwards in 2004, Travis Daniels in 2005 and 2006, Andre' Goodman in 2007 and 2008, Vontae Davis from 2009 to 2011, De'Andre Presley in 2012, and Grimes form 2013 to 2015.

Grimes would be the best player to wear the number if not for Kiick's seven years early in the number's history. A fifth-round pick for the Dolphins in 1968, Kiick paired with Larry Csonka , then was part of the Csonka-Kiick-Mercury Morris trio, and helped carry the team to two straight Super Bowl championships in 1972 and 1973, including the Perfect Season in 1972. He was a two-time Pro Bowl player, carrying the ball 997 times for 3,644 yards with 28 touchdowns in 97 games played with 66 starts. He also recorded 221 receptions for 2,210 yards with three touchdowns.

In three seasons with Miami, Grimes was selected to the Pro Bowl all three years, starting 47 games. He recorded 13 interceptions (the same number of picks he had in six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons), with two touchdown returns, and 43 passes defensed. He also recorded 167 tackles.

Higgs played five years in the number for Miami, appearing in 63 games with 34 starts, running the ball 702 times for 2,648 yards with 14 touchdowns. Davis was the first-round pick in 2009 for Miami, recording nine interceptions with one touchdown return, with 31 passes defensed, one sack, and 153 tackles in three seasons, playing in 44 games with 36 starts.

Xavien Howard, cornerback (2nd round)
Jersey Number 25

The number 25 was first worn by Dick Westmoreland from 1966 to 1969, then was taken over by Tim Foley from 1970 to 1980. After a break, the number was next worn by Mike Smith in 1987 before Louis Oliver wore in from 1989 to 1993 and 1995 to 1996, with Corey Harris taking in 1997. Greg Jeffries wore it in 1999 and 2000, followed by Jimmy Wyrick in 2003, then Reggie Howard in 2004 and 2005, and Will Allen from 2006 to 2011. Jimmy Wilson wore it in 2011, then R.J. Stanford in 2012 and 2013, then Louis Delmas in 2014 and 2015.

Foley, a 1970 third-round pick, played cornerback and safety in his 11 seasons with the Dolphins, appearing in 134 games with 110 starts, and recorded 22 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries, as well as an 1979 Pro Bowl appearance. Oliver was a first-round selection for the Dolphins in 1989, playing seven seasons for the Dolphins primarily as a free safety (with a one-year break in 1994 when he played with the Cincinnati Bengals). As a member of the Dolphins, he recorded 24 interceptions with two touchdowns, three forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, one sack, and 481 tackles.

Allen played cornerback for the Dolphins from 2006 to 2011 after a five year start to his career with the New York Giants. In 68 games played, with 59 starts, Allen recorded seven interceptions with one touchdown, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four sacks, and 232 tackles.

Kenyan Drake, running back (3rd round)
Jersey Number 32

The number 32 was worn by Joe Auer in the first two seasons for Miami, from 1966 to 1967. Hubert Ginn then wore in from 1970 to 1973, followed by Benny Malone from 1974 to 1978, Tommy Vigorito from 1981 to 1985, Donald Brown in 1986, Pete Roth in 1987, Garrett Limbrick in 1990, Bruce Alexander in 1992 and 1993, Cleveland Gary and Aaron Carver in 1994, Jerris McPhail from 1996 to 1997, J.J. Johnson from 1999 to 2001, Charlie Rogers in 2003, and Jamar Martin in 2004. Then Jason Allen next wore the number from 2006 to 2009 with Nate Ness wearing it in 2010 and 2011.

In 2011, after Ness, Jonathan Wade, Anderson Russell, Nate Jones, and Marcus Brown all wore the number 32, with 2012 seeing Dimitri Patterson, Brandon McDonald, and Michael Coe all wear it. Orleans Darkwa wore the number in 2014, as did Jalil Brown, and Jordan Kovacs wore it in 2015.

Malone was the top player to wear the jersey, after being a second-round pick for the team in 1974. In five seasons with the Dolphins, Malone, a running back, carried the ball 503 times for 2,129 yards and 16 touchdowns, along with 17 receptions for 234 yards.

A.J. Hendy, defensive back (UDFA)
Jersey Number 37

The number 37 has not been worn often for Miami, with the first person to don the number not doing it until 1979. Mike Kozlowski first wore it for just that one year, then Andra Franklin work it from 1981 to 1984, then J.B. Brown from 1989 to 1996, Zebbie Lethridge in 2001, Yeremiah Bell from 2004 to 2011, Kelcie McCray from 2012 to 2013, D.J. Campbell and Jalil Brown in 2013, and Sammy Seamster in 2014.

Bell tops the number after being a sixth-round pick for the Dolphins in 2003. He primarily played strong safety for Miami, though he did also play free safety at times. He appeared in 110 games, with 75 starts, recording six interceptions, 44 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, 11 sacks, and 560 tackles. He was selected to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Brown had a good career in the number as well, playing cornerback for Miami after being a 12th round selection in 1989 for the team. He appeared in 122 games over eight years, with 88 starts, recording 16 interceptions with one touchdown, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one sack, and 377 tackles.

Lafayette Pitts, defensive back (UDFA)
Jersey Number 40

Number 40 was first worn in the team's inaugural season in 1966, with Bo Roberson donning it. Then in 1968 Dick Anderson took the number, wearing it through 1977, followed by Mike Kozlowski wearing it from 1981 to 1986, John Swain wearing it in 1987, and Irving Spikes from 1994 to 1996. Ray Green next wore it in 2001 and 2002, then Sean McDermott in 2003, Donovin Darius in 2007, Jonathon Amaya in 2010, K.J. Gerard and Gerald Alexander in 2011, Anderson Russell in 2011 and 2012, Tyler Clutts in 2013, and Lowell Rose in 2014.

Anderson clearly was the dominant player to wear the number, earning three Pro Bowl berths and being a two time First-Team All-Pro selection in his nine season. He was a third-round pick in 1968, playing in 121 career games with 101 starts, playing both free and strong safety. He recorded 34 interceptions with three touchdown, and 16 fumble recoveries with another touchdown.

James Burgess, linebacker (UDFA)
Jersey Number 43

The 43 jersey was worn by Bob Neff from 1966 to 1968, then was worn by Mike Howell in 1972, Mike Holmes in 1976, Jeff Allen in 1980, Ricky Ray in 1981, Larry Cowan in 1982, Bud Brown from 1984 to 1988, Terry Kirby from 1993 to 1994, Scott McGarrahan in 2002, Brock Forsey in 2004, Jack Hunt in 2006, and Jose Perez in 2011.

Kirby played three seasons for Miami after being selected in the third round of the 1993 Draft, but he only wore the number 43 for the first two of those, before moving to number 42 in 1995. As number 43, he appeared in 20 games, with 12 starts at running back. He carried the ball 179 times for 623 yards with five touchdowns, as well as catching 89 passes for 1,028 yards with three touchdowns.

Brown, an 11th round pick in 1984, appeared in 73 games, with 42 starts, for the Dolphins in his career, primarily playing free safety. He recorded five interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.

Akil Blount, linebacker (UDFA)
Jersey Number 44

The 44 jersey was worn by Pete Jaquess in 1966 and 1967, then by Dick Washington in 1968. Dean Brown wore it in 1970, followed by Barry Hill from 1975 to 1976, then Charles Conelius from 1977 to 1978, Doug Beaudoin in 1980, and Paul Lankford from 1982 to 1991. Then Bob Humphrey wore it in 1992, with Rob Konrad wearing it from 1999 to 2004, then Heath Evans in 2005. Cameron Worrell wore the number in 2007, then Mark Restelli in 2011, followed by Lamar Miller in 2012 and Jordan Kovacs in 2013 and 2014.

Konrad is the top player to wear the number, despite not having a huge statistical career. A second-round pick by Miami in 1999, Konrad appeared in 82 games, with 57 starts, over six years. Playing fullback and primarily serving as a lead blocker, Konrad ran the ball 38 times for 114 yards with one touchdown and caught 111 passes for 854 yards with six touchdowns in his career.

Lankford wore the number from his selection as a third-round pick in 1982 until the end of his career in 1991, playing cornerback for the team over 130 games, with 72 starts. He recorded 13 interceptions with three fumble recoveries, and three sacks in his career.

Tyler Gray, linebacker (UDFA)
Jersey Number 57

John Bramlett first wore number 57 for the Dolphins from 1967 to 1968. Then, Mike Kolen had the jersey form 1970 to 1975 and 1977, followed by Sean Clancy in 1978. Dwight Stephenson owned the number from 1980 to 1987, followed by Tom Thayer in 1993, Dion Foxx in 1994 and 1995, O.J. Brigance from 1997 to 1999, Corey Jenkins from 2003 to 2004, Lester Towns in 2005, Keith Adams in 2006, Andy Alleman in 2008, Mike Rivera in 2011, Josh Kaddu in 2013, Jordan Tripp in 2014, and Damontre Moore in 2015.

Obviously, Stephenson is the top player to wear the number in Dolphins history, spending eight years in the number after being a second-round pick in 1980. Serving as the team's starting center, Stephenson played in 114 career games, with 87 starts, and played his way into five Pro Bowl appearances and four First-Team All-Pro selections, all in the final five years of his career, a career that was cut short by a knee injury in his final season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

Kolen had a solid career in the number, playing seven years (1970-1975, 1977) for Miami, primarily as an outside linebacker. He played in 84 games with 78 starts in that span, recording five interceptions.

Ryan DiSalvo, long snapper (UDFA)
Jersey Number 59

The number 59 has seen several players make appearances in it, with a few standing out above the rest. The number was first worn by Jack Thornton in 1966, but then was not seen again until Doug Swift wore it from 1970 to 1975. Guy Roberts picked it back up in 1977, then Steve Shull wore it in 1980, followed by Bob Brudzinski wearing it from 1981 to 1989. John Grimsley wore it in 1992 and 1993, then DeWayne Dotson in 1994 and 1995, followed by Derrick Rodgers from 1997 to 2002. Billy Strother wore the number in 2004, Donnie Spragan from 2005 to 2007, Derek Smith in 2008, J.D. Folsom in 2009, Bobby Carpenter in 2010, Ikaika Alma-Francis in 2010 and 2011, Jonathan Freeny in 2012, and Dannell Ellerbe in 2013 and 2014.

Swift and Brudzinski are probably tied for the top player to wear the number, with Rodgers not that far behind. Swift played for Miami over six seasons, with 78 appearances including 71 starts, all at linebacker. He recorded five interceptions and four fumble recoveries in his career. Brudzinki joined the Dolphins in 1981 after four years with the Los Angeles Rams. With the Dolphins, he played outside linebacker, making 125 appearances with 94 starts, recording five interceptions, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries with one touchdown, and 14.5 sacks.

Rodgers was a third-round pick for Miami in 1997, playing six years for the team at linebacker. He made 93 appearances, with 88 starts, recording three interceptions, seven passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, nine sacks, and 385 tackles.

Ruben Carter, center (UDFA)
Jersey Number 64

The number 64 did not appear for the Dolphins until the 1973 season, when Ed Newman wore it, and continued to wear it through 1984. No one touched it again until 1994, when Houston Hoover had it for one year, followed by Larry Chester from 2002 to 2004, Kendyl Jacox in 2006, Samon Satele from 2007 to 2008, Ray Willis in 2011, Josh Samuda in 2012, Satele again in 2014, and Shelley Smith in 2015.

Newman, a four-time Pro Bowl selection with one First-Team All-Pro selection, tops the list of players to don the number. A sixth-round pick in 1973, Newman made 167 appearances and 113 starts, primarily at right guard, though he played on both sides of the line, in 12 seasons for Miami. He was selected to the Pro Bowl from 1981 to 1984, and his All-Pro selection was in 1984.

Satele was a second-round pick by the Dolphins in 2007, playing two seasons as the Dolphins' starting center before the team traded him to the Oakland Raiders. In 2014, Satele came back to the Dolphins as the fill-in for an injured Mike Pouncey, but played well enough that when Pouncey was ready to resume playing, the team slid Pouncey, a Pro Bowl center, to guard and left Satele in the starting lineup. In three seasons with Miami, Satele started all 48 games.

Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle (1st round)
Jersey Number 67

Tunsil will become the eighth player to wear number 67, but it is really just one player who is recognized as number 67 in Miami - and Tunsil has some big shoes to fill. Bob Kuechenberg was the first player to wear the number, claiming it from 1970 to 1983, followed by Chris Conlin in 1987, Pat Swoopes in 1991, Jeff Novak in 1994, Bary Stokes in 1998, Joe Berger from 2009 to 2011, and Daryn Colledge in 2014.

Kuechenberg, a 14 year starter at (primarily) left guard for the Dolphins, is ridiculously not in the Hall of Fame. He played in 196 games, with 176 starts, earning six Pro Bowl berths and was a First-Team All-Pro in 1978. He was a finalist for the Hall of Fame eight times, and was never inducted. He could still make it as a Senior Committee nominee, and he rightfully should make it to Canton as soon as the committee can get him selected. Kuechenberg was considered the best lineman on the Miami offensive line during the 1972 Perfect Season, and Larry Little and Jim Langer are both in the Hall of Fame from that line - which brings up the question of whether Kuechenberg is getting punished so that there are not "too many" players from Miami's 1970s offensive line in the Hall of Fame. He played Super Bowl VIII, after the 1973 season and Miami's second straight Super Bowl win, with a metal rod inserted into his arm to fix a break - just so he could be on the field and dominate the Vikings (which he did). Someone needs to fix the fact that Kuechenberg is not in the Hall of Fame.

Brandon Shippen, wide receiver (UDFA)
Jersey Number 82

The number 82 is immediately recognized by current fans as Brian Hartline's number, and he was the second longest holder of the number, but there have been several players to also don 82. It started with Doug Moreau from 1966 to 1969, followed by Otto Stowe in 1971 and 1972, then Bo Rtaher in 1973, Melvin Baker in 1974, Cotton Spreyer in 1975, Morris Owens in 1975 and 1976, Ike Hill in 1976, before Duriel Harris had the number from 1977 to 1983. Then Fernanza Burgess had 82 in 1984, before Harris had it again for 1985. James Pruitt had the number in 1986, Todd Feldman in 1987, Pruitt again in 1988, Andre Brown from 1989 to 1990, Scott Miller from 1991 to 1992, Mark Ingram from 1993 to 1994, Frank Wainright from 1995 to 1998, Larry Shannong, Kevin McKenzie, and Roell Preston in 1999, Jed Weaver from 2000 to 2002, Kendall Newson in 2003, Bryan Gilmore from 2004 to 2005, DErek Hagan from 2006 to 2008, and Hartline from 2009 to 2014.

Harris, a third-round wide receiver for Miami in 1976, spent his rookie season in the number 26 before moving to 82 in 1977. Wearing the number, he played 1977 to 1983 and 1985 with Miami, while in 1984 he was with the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys. As number 82 for Miami, he caught 247 passes for 4,163 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Hartline, Miami's fourth-round pick in 2009, made 92 appearances with 69 starts at wide receiver for the club. He caught 298 passes for 4,243 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Dolphins.

Thomas Duarte, tight end (7th round)
Jersey Number 83

Number 83 has two equal stars for the Dolphins, along with the player who saved Miami from a winless season. Dave Kocourek wore the number in 1966, then Jim Cox had the number in 1968, Vern Den Herder wore the number from 1972 to 1982, then Mark Clayton took it from 1983 to 1992. After those two, Dameon Reilly had 83 for the 1987 season, followed by Scott Miller having it from 1993 to 1996. Then Brian Manning wore it in 1997, Henry Lusk in 1998, Hunter Goodwin from 1999 to 2001, Albert Johnson and Robert Baker in 2002, Sam Simmons in 2003, Wes Welker from 2004 to 2006, Greg Camarillo from 2007 to 2009, and Matt Hazel from 2014 to 2015. (Hazel changed to number 15 this season.)

Den Herder played 12 seasons for the Dolphins, primarily as a left defensive end. He appeared in 166 games, with 144 starts, recording one interception and 14 fumble recoveries.  He is fourth in Dolphins history with 64 (unofficial) sacks.

Clayton was one half of Miami's "Marks Brothers," paired with Mark Duper as the go to receivers for Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. A five time Pro Bowl selection, Clayton recorded 550 receptions for 8,643 yards with 81 touchdowns in 10 seasons with Miami. With three additional touchdown receptions from one season with the Green Bay Packers, Clayton is 18th all time for touchdown receptions, ahead of players like Calvin Johnson (83), Reggie Wayne (82), and Brandon Marshall (79 - still active).

Camarillo gets an honorable mention in this list of number 83 wearers, not because of his three years, with 113 receptions for 1,325 yards with four touchdowns in Miami. He gets it because one of those four touchdowns (and his first career touchdown) was in the 2007 season during the team's game against the Baltimore Ravens, winning the game in overtime - the only win Miami had that year and one that they had to wait until Week 15 to get.

Rashawn Scott, wide receiver (UDFA)
Jersey Number 87

Number 87 does not have a lot of great players who have worn it, but it does have a lot of players who have worn it. John Roderick had the number from 1966 to 1967, then Jim Metrens in 1969, Willie Richardson in 1970, Andre Tillman from 1975 to 1978, Dan Johnson from 1983 to 1987, Rich Siler and David Lewis also in 1987, James Pruitt in 1990, Charles Henry in 1991, Mike Williams from 1991 to 1995, Kirby Dar Dar in 1996, Yatil Green in 1999, Bert Emanuel in 2000, Dedric Ward from 2001 to 2002, Lorenzo Diamond in 2005, Justin Peelle in 2006 and 2007, Brooks Foster in 2011, Kyler Miller and Anthony Armstrong in 2012, and Ryan Spadola in 2013.

Johnson was a seventh-round pick in 1982 for Miami, starting at tight end his first two seasons, then serving as a reserve for three more years. He caught 94 passes for 1,012 yards with 16 touchdowns in his career.

Leonte Carroo, wide receiver (3rd round)
Jersey Number 88

Like 87, there were not a lot of great players in the number 88 - though there is a clear top player and fan favorite to have worn the number - but there are a lot of players to have worn it. LaVerne Torczon wore the number in 1996, followed by Jim Mandich claiming it from 1970 to 1977, Elmer Bailey from 1980 to 1981, Vince Heflin from 1982 to 1985, and Joel Williams in 1987. Brian Kinchen then wore the number from 1988 to 1990, followed by Arthur Cox in 1991, Keith Jackson from 1992 to 1994, Joe Planansky in 1995, Charles Jordan from 1996 to 1998, Nate Jacquet in 1999, Jeff Ogden from 2000 to 2001, Cris Carter in 2002, Derrius Thompson from 2003 to 2004, Cliff Russell from 2005 to 2006, David Martin from 2007 to 2008, Jeron Mastrud from 2011 to 2012, Arthur Lynch in 2014, and Brandon Williams in 2015.

Jim "Mad Dog" Mandich was the team's second-round pick in 1970, playing eight years for the club. He appeared in 109 games, with just 23 starts, catching 121 passes for 1,406 yards, with 23 touchdowns. He was a member of both of Miami's Super Bowl champion teams in 1972 and 1973 (and one the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1978 as well). After he retired, Mandich became a radio show host and the color-commentator for Dolphins radio broadcasts. He passed away in 2011 after fighting cancer.

Jackson joined the Dolphins in 1992 after forcing free agency into the NFL. He spent three years with Miami, and while he was not the same tight end as the three-time Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selection he was with the Philadelphia Eagles, Jackson made one Pro Bowl and caught 146 passes for 1,880 yards with 18 touchdowns.

Cris Carter spent his last season in the NFL with Miami, and while he did not really accomplish anything (five games played, one start, eight receptions, 66 yards, 1 touchdown), a Hall of Fame receiver deserves a quick mention.

Gabe Hughes, tight end (UDFA)
Jersey Number 89

Let the legend of Gabe Hughes begin (come on...the first player ever from my alma mater to sign an NFL contract and he does it with my favorite NFL team? Yep, I am playing it up all the time)! The number 89 began with Karl Noonan wearing it from 1966 to 1971. Nat Moore then wore if from 1974 to 1986, followed by Leland Douglas in 1987, Tony Martin from 1990 to 1993, Randal Hill from 1995 to 1996, Ed Perry from 1997 to 2004, Alex Holmes in 2005, Tim Massaquoi in 2006, Sean Ryan in 2008, Will Yeatman in 2011, and Gator Hoskins in 2014.

Moore was a third-round pick for the Dolphins in 1974, immediately becoming a big part of the passing game. He appeared in 183 games, with 124 starts, for Miami at wide receiver over 13 seasons. He caught 510 passes in that span, gaining 7,546 yards with 74 touchdowns. He led the league in touchdown receptions with 12 in 1977, being selected to the Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro selection that season as well.

Noonan played six years for Miami, appearing in 84 games with 38 starts in that time, working as a receiver for the team. He caught 136 passes for 1,798 yards with 17 touchdowns, leading the league with 11 scores in 1968. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl following that 1968 campaign.

Farrington Huguenin, defensive end (UDFA)
Jersey Number 96

No one wore the number 96 for the Dolphins until 1985, when Sanders Shiver had it for one year. David Marshall then had the number for 1987, followed by Alfred Odlesby from 1990 to 1992, Mike Golic in 1993, Danny Stubbs from 1996 to 1998, Rich Owens from 1999 to 2000, David Bowens from 2001 to 2006, Paul Soliai from 2007 to 2013, A.J. Francis from 2014 to 2015, and Robert Thomas in 2015.

Soliai was selected in the fourth-round of the 2007 Draft, and played seven years for Miami. He appeared in 99 games, with 62 starts, working as a defensive tackle and as a true nose tackle. A run stuffer who ate up blocks, Soliai recorded 12 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 4.5 sacks, and 160 tackles as a member of the team. He was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl.