Miami Dolphins draft 2016: Grade the class

Typically, you cannot come up with a true grade for any team’s selections from the NFL Draft until three to four years after the selection process. But, that does not stop us all from doing exactly that - from the minute the Draft is completed through those firs three to four years. Today, let us do that with the 2016 Miami Dolphins’ draft class.

Miami used eight selections during the Draft, adding players primarily on offense. With the first pick, after trading the eighth selection to the Philadelphia Eagles for cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso, Miami used the 13th overall selection to add Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. The Dolphins then traded up in the second round, sending their second- and fourth-round picks to the Baltimore Ravens, to select Baylor cornerback Xavien Howard. The third round saw Miami pick Alabama running back Kenyan Drake with the 73rd overall pick, then they traded a sixth-round pick in 2016, along with their 2017 third- and fourth-round picks to move up to select Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo with the 86th pick.

Miami traded their fifth-round selection to the New England Patriots for two sixth-round picks (and a seventh-rounder), which they used on Texas Tech wide receiver Jakeem Grant (186 overall) and Penn State safety Jordan Lucas (204th). In the seventh round, Miami selected Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty (223rd) and UCLA tight end Thomas Duarte (231st).

Now, we will ask you to vote on the draft class. Below you will find their 2016 stats, then a poll to allow you to provide your grade for the group.

• Laremy Tunsil - 14 games played, 14 starts. Played left guard and left tackle, allowing just one sack during the season.
• Xavien Howard - 7 games played, 6 starts. 6 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 40 tackles. Howard dealt with injuries throughout the year. (1 start, 1 INT, 2 passes defensed, 5 tackles in the Playoffs)
• Kenyan Drake - 16 games played, 1 start. 33 rushing attempts, 179 yards, 5.4 yards per carry average, 2 touchdowns, 9 receptions, 56 yards, 13 kickoff returns, 30.5 yards per return average, 1 touchdown. (3 KO returns, 33.7 yards per return average in Playoffs)
• Leonte Carroo - 14 games played, 2 starts. 3 receptions, 29 yards, 9.7 yards per catch average, 1 touchdown.
• Jakeem Grant - 16 games played. 1 rush, 1 yard, 20 punt returns, 8.3 yards per return average, 1 touchdown, 19 kickoff returns, 23.1 yards per return average. (1 KO return, 18 yards in Playoffs). Worked throughout year to improve on punt fielding issues after having not played the position in college. Limited offensive use during the season.
• Jordan Lucas - 8 games played. Worked primarily on special teams.
• Brandon Doughty - Spent the season on Miami’s practice squad. Signed a Reserve/Futures contract with the team after the season.
• Thomas Duarte - 1 game played. Duarte spent the first half of the season on the practice squad, then was promoted to the active roster when injuries at the tight end position dictated the need for more depth.