The Miami Dolphins‘ NFL Draft history at pick No. 21 is short. in the team’s 58-year history, they’ve picked in that slot just once, taking defensive back Don McNeal in 1980.
McNeal was a solid player for the Dolphins, starting 48 of 110 games and intercepting 18 passes. But in a sign of how hidden gems have been unearthed at that position, McNeal doesn’t even crack the top 10 of most successful 21st overall picks in NFL Draft history.
NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins’ Best-Case Scenarios at 21
WR Randy Moss | Minnesota Vikings
- Year Drafted: 1998
- NFL Seasons: 14
- Career Stats: 218 games (193 starts), 982 catches for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns
- Career Highlights: Pro Football Hall of Famer, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, four-time first-team All-Pro, five-time NFL touchdowns leader
WR Lynn Swann | Pittsburgh Steelers
- Year Drafted: 1974
- NFL Seasons: 9
- Career Stats: 116 games (96 starts), 336 catches for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns
- Career Highlights: Pro Football Hall of Famer, four-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl 10 MVP, 1981 NFL Man of the Year, NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
DT Vince Wilfork | New England Patriots
- Year Drafted: 2004
- NFL Seasons: 13
- Career Stats: 189 games (179 starts), 560 tackles (39 for loss), 12 fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, 16 sacks, three interceptions
- Career Highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler, first-team All-Pro in 2012, four-time second-team All-Pro, New England Patriots Hall of Fame
DE Chandler Jones | New England Patriots
- Year Drafted: 2012
- NFL Seasons: 12
- Career Stats: 154 games (151 starts), 112 sacks, 121 tackles for loss, 34 forced fumbles, 30 passes defensed, 13 recovered fumbles
- Career Highlights: Super Bowl MVP, NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, two-time first-team All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler
C Alex Mack | Cleveland Browns
- Year Drafted: 2009
- NFL Seasons: 13
- Career Stats: 196 games (196 starts), 18 holding penalties in 13 seasons
- Career Highlights: NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, three-time second-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler
DB Jerry Gray | Los Angeles Rams
- Year Drafted: 1985
- NFL Seasons: 9
- Career Stats: 134 games (103 started), 28 interceptions (three touchdowns), nine recovered fumbles
- Career Highlights: Two-time second-team All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler, 1990 Pro Bowl MVP
RB Robert Smith | Minnesota Vikings
- Year Drafted: 1993
- NFL Seasons: 8
- Career Stats: 98 games (72 starts), 1,411 carries for 6,818 yards and 32 touchdowns (38 total)
- Career Highlights: Second-team All-Pro in 2000, two-time Pro Bowler, 50 Greatest Vikings
CB Trent McDuffie | Kansas City Chiefs
- Year Drafted: 2022
- NFL Seasons: 2
- Career Stats: 27 games (27 starts), 14 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, four sacks
- Career Highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion, first-team All-Pro in 2023
WR Johnnie Morton | Detroit Lions
- Year Drafted: 1994
- NFL Seasons: 12
- Career Stats: 182 games (156 starts), 624 catches for 8,719 yards and 43 touchdowns
- Career Highlights: Four seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix | Green Bay Packers
- Year Drafted: 2014
- NFL Seasons: 7
- Career Stats: 98 games (90 starts), 16 interceptions, 33 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, five recovered fumbles
- Career Highlights: Second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2016
KEEP READING: 2024 Miami Dolphins Mock Draft
