The Miami Dolphins did something this past weekend that they’ve only done three times before and we can only hope for similar success this time around

The Miami Dolphins did something in the 2026 NFL Draft that they’ve only done three times before — and we’re hoping for similar successes this time around.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The 2026 Miami Dolphins draft class is one of the biggest in franchise history. Just once has Miami selected more than 13 players in the league’s 7-round format (1997). And what’s more is when the Dolphins made their picks. Six selections in the top-100 of this year’s draft ties the team’s most in that range during the “common era”.

Miami also grabbed six top-100 selections in 2020, 1997, and 1968. Hopefully Miami can find some more of the magic of those top-100 collections this time around, too.

The Miami Dolphins made six top-100 selections this past weekend for just the fourth time in their history with the NFL Draft

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) on the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Both the 1968 and 1997 groups served up a Hall of Fame inductee for the Miami Dolphins. In 1968, Miami drafted FB Larry Csonka with the 8th overall selection. He would go on to become one of the faces of Miami’s dynasty years in the early and mid-1970s. Then, in 1997, the Dolphins drafted a young, wiry pass rusher named Jason Taylor in the top-100. He would go on to become a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee after being one of the most productive pass rushers in league history.

Canton ceremonies don’t feel imminent from anyone from the 2020 class; but Miami did collect a hoard of long-term starters from that 2020 group of top-100 picks. Here are the players from each class who were long-term starters, either in Miami or elsewhere after the Dolphins drafted them in the top-100:

1968

  • FB Larry Csonka (8th overall) – HOF
  • OT Doug Crusan (27th overall)
  • LB Jimmy Keyes (35th overall)
  • TE Jim Cox (54th overall)
  • DT Jim Urbanek (62nd overall)
  • SAF Dick Anderson (73rd overall)
    *Long-term starters in bold

1997

  • WR Yatil Green (15th overall)
  • CB Sam Madison (44th overall)
  • DE Jason Taylor (73rd overall) – HOF
  • LB Derrick Rodgers (92nd overall)
  • LB Ronnie Ward (93rd overall)
  • OG Brent Smith (96th overall)
    *Long-term starters in bold

2020

  • QB Tua Tagovailoa (5th overall)
  • OT Austin Jackson (18th overall)
  • CB Noah Igbinoghene (30th overall)
  • OG Robert Hunt (39th overall)
  • DT Raekwon Davis (56th overall)
  • SAF Brandon Jones (70th overall)
    *Long-term starters in bold

In total, Miami has generally gotten at least half of their prior six player top-100 groups to serve as long-term starters. Some of the better players from the most recent group in 2020 have seen their careers continue elsewhere, as Robert Hunt and Brandon Jones signed big free agent deals elsewhere.

But the 1997 and 1968 groups boast two Pro Football Hall of Famers and an additional Miami Dolphins Honor Roll member (Anderson). Here’s to the 2026 group adding to the lore of Miami’s six player draft classes in the top-100.

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