Dolphins probably won’t get a game-changer with 25th pick

By Jeff Dickinson  |   Thursday, January 22, 2009  |  Comments( 8 )

Miami Dolphins
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Now that the dust has settled on the Miami Dolphins’ improbable 10-game improvement from 2007 to last season, the issues at hand remain the fate of Bill Parcells and April’s NFL draft.

The Dolphins tied the biggest turnaround in NFL history by improving from 1-15 in 2007 to 11-5 last year. And while Miami and first-year coach Tony Sparano have much to be proud of, the NFL is a league where teams can’t rest on their laurels.

That’s why Miami has to turn its focus to the draft. Unless it makes a trade between now and April, Miami has the 25th pick. While choosing that late in the first round may not evoke the kind of excitement as the top pick and Jake Long did last year, it still brings with it plenty of importance.

But can an NFL team get the type of impact player who can make significant contributions with the 25th selection?

Based on past draft history, the 25th pick isn’t going to be a team-changer. While several of the players selected at No. 25 over the past seven years have made significant contributions in the league, most of them have been less than spectacular.

Here is a look at how the 25th choices have fared since 2002:

2008 – Mike Jenkins, CB, Dallas Cowboys – In his rookie season, Jenkins had a total of 19 tackles and one interception.

2007 – Jon Beason, LB, Carolina Panthers – In two seasons with Carolina, Beason has established himself as a solid defender. He has made 216 tackles and has tallied four interceptions for the Panthers.

2006 – Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – While Holmes didn’t do a lot his rookie season, he has gone on to catch 156 passes for 15 touchdowns. He will be starting next week for the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

2005 – Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins – Campbell is the starter in Washington, but he has had very average numbers over his four-year career. Campbell has thrown 35 touchdowns with 23 interceptions for the Redskins.

2004 – Ahmad Carroll, CB, Green Bay Packers – In three seasons with the Packers, Carroll had a total of three interceptions and two sacks. He is now playing for the New York Jets.

2003 – William Joseph, DT, New York Giants – Joseph recorded seven sacks in five seasons with the Giants. He now plays for the Oakland Raiders.

2002 – Charles Grant, DE, New Orleans Saints – Grant has had a solid seven-year career for the Saints, recording 41 sacks.
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About Jeff Dickinson

I have been writing and editing professionally for 18 years. I spent the first three years of my career as a sportswriter for a daily newspaper in Alabama and got to cover sports and get paid for it! It was great until I got married and then it wasn't too much fun being away from my wife every ...
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