It’s no secret when the NFL draft comes to Green Bay the Miami Dolphins—led by GM Chris Grier—are under the gun to address their OL, DL and secondary. With years of experience evaluating prospects how has Grier done so far? Let’s take a look.
A Good Start with Laremy Tunsil and Xavien Howard
Grier got off to a great start in his early years as GM. His first two picks in 2016 were OL Laremy Tunsil and CB Xavien Howard , both of whom became Pro Bowl players. Tunsil became a Pro Bowl player with the Houston Texans after leaving Miami but his talent was evident from Day 1. Howard is still a cornerstone of the Dolphins defense.
Not all of Grier’s picks have worked out. Here’s a breakdown of his OL, DL and DB picks over the years.
Offensive Line Draft Grades
Miami’s offensive line has been a mixed bag under Grier’s watch. Here’s how his picks stack up:
- 2016: Laremy Tunsil – Round 1
Grade: A
A franchise tackle who delivered when healthy but ultimately shone brighter elsewhere. - 2017: Isaac Asiata – Round 5
Grade: F
Never made an impact and washed out quickly. - 2018: Michael Deiter – Round 3
Grade: D
Struggled mightily before finding a role as a backup center. - 2020: Austin Jackson – Round 1
Grade: B-plus
Showed flashes of promise but battled inconsistency. - 2020: Robert Hunt – Round 2
Grade: A-minus
One of Grier’s best recent finds; solidified the right guard spot. - 2020: Solomon Kindley – Round 4
Grade: D
Failed to live up to expectations and was cut prematurely. - 2021: Liam Eichenberg – Round 2
Grade: C-minus
Decent depth piece but lacked high-end upside. - 2024: Patrick Paul – Round 2
Grade: C-plus / Incomplete
Too early to judge fully, but he shows promise.
Average Grade: C
When focusing only on Rounds 1-3, the grade improves slightly to B-minus, thanks to standouts like Tunsil and Hunt.
Defensive Line Draft Grades
Miami’s defensive line has seen its share of hits and misses. Here’s the breakdown:
- In 2017: Charles Harris – Round 1
Grade: D
Failed to develop into a consistent pass-rusher. - In 2017: Davon Godchaux – Round 5
Grade: B-plus
Overachieved for a late-round pick and provided steady play. - In 2019: Christian Wilkins – Round 1
Grade: A
A culture-setter and dominant force along the interior. - 2020: Raekwon Davis – Round 2
Grade: D-plus
Flashes brilliance but hasn’t consistently lived up to his draft slot. - In 2020: Jason Strowbridge – Round 5
Grade: D-minus
Barely registered on the field. - In 2020: Curtis Weaver – Round 5
Grade: F
Never cracked the lineup and fizzled out.
Average Grade: C-minus
Limiting the scope to Rounds 1-3 boosts the average to C, largely due to Wilkins anchoring the unit.
Defensive Backs Draft Grades
Miami’s secondary has shown flashes of brilliance, thanks in part to some savvy picks. Here’s the rundown:
- 2016: Xavien Howard – Round 2
Grade: A
Arguably one of the league’s top shutdown corners today. - 2017: Cordrea Tankersley – Round 3
Grade: D
Couldn’t stay healthy or produce consistently. - 2018: Minkah Fitzpatrick – Round 1
Grade: A
Dominated early but was traded to Pittsburgh, where he became a superstar. - 2020: Noah Igbinoghene – Round 1
Grade: D
A bust who struggled immensely in coverage. - 2020: Brandon Jones – Round 3
Grade: B
Reliable contributor in the back end. - 2021: Javon Holland – Round 2
Grade: B
Versatile safety who impacts the game in multiple ways. - 2023: Cam Smith – Round 2
Grade: D
Disappointing rookie campaign dampened hopes.
Average Grade: C-plus
Focusing solely on Rounds 1-3 keeps the average at C-plus , driven by stars like Howard and Fitzpatrick.
The Bottom Line: What Do the Grades Mean?
Averaging all three groups together Grier gets a C for OL , C- for DL , and C+ for DB . But when we isolate the first three rounds (which are more important) the grades go up:
- Offensive Line: C (B-minus if limited to Rounds 1-3)
- Defensive Line: C-minus (C if limited to Rounds 1-3)
- Defensive Backs: C-plus
Grier hasn’t hit a home run consistently but he has found gems like Tunsil, Howard, Wilkins and Fitzpatrick. But there’s room for improvement especially in avoiding late round reaches and getting high picks to deliver value.