Grading the Miami Dolphins' 2022 draft after two years. How did they do?
(Fourth in a series)
The 2022 NFL draft was unlike others for the Dolphins. A massive amount of their heavy lifting was done before the draft, most notably, of course, the blockbuster trade with Kansas City to obtain Tyreek Hill.
Then, GM Chris Grier swung more trades to position the Dolphins where he wanted in upcoming drafts.
So grading the 2022 draft is a matter of perspective. Peruse the list of players drafted by Miami and you won't find much in the way of contributions beyond special teams. If you're factoring the addition of Hill into the mix -- after all, the Dolphins included their 2022 first-round pick for him -- the outlook changes.
Grading the 2022 draft class (with grades on a curve to factor in where each player was selected):
Dolphins' 2022 NFL draft grades
3b. Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia (102 overall)
Tindall is fortunate to be a linebacker who plays on special teams. If he were under the spotlight to produce right away, he would have faced serious heat by now.
Grade: D.
4b. Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech (125th)
Looked promising in training camp, but has played only three games in two seasons.
Grade: D-plus.
7a. Cameron Goode, OLB, California (224th)
Primary contribution has been via special teams.
Grade: C.
7d. Skylar Thompson, QB, Kansas State (247th)
When Miami's top two QBs, Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, went down, Thompson stepped in as a rookie and performed better than most seventh-rounders would. He even started the playoff game in Buffalo.
Grade: B.
Here is the entire draft
1a TO PHILADELPHIA in 2021 pick-swap trade (15)
1b TO KANSAS CITY in Tyreek Hill trade (29)
(from San Francisco in pick-swap trade)
2 TO KANSAS CITY in Tyreek Hill trade (50)
3a TO N.Y. GIANTS in 2021 draft trade-up (81)
3b Channing Tindall (102) LB Georgia
(from San Francisco in 2021 pick-swap trade)
4a TO KANSAS CITY in Tyreek Hill trade (121)
4b Erik Ezukanma (125) WR Texas Tech
(from Pittsburgh in 2021 draft trade)
5 TO NEW ENGLAND in DeVante Parker trade (158)
6 TO BALTIMORE in Greg Mancz trade (196)
7a Cameron Goode OLB California
(from Baltimore in Greg Mancz trade)
7b TO L.A. RAMS in Aqib Talib trade (238)
7c TO CAROLINA in Greg Little trade (242)
7d Skylar Thompson QB Kansas State
(from Tennessee in Isaiah Wilson trade)
The real first pick
The only fair way to judge this draft is to consider Tyreek Hill the Dolphins’ top selection. He’s the most dangerous receiver the team has ever had, the team MVP and a candidate for league MVP. On the field, you couldn’t ask for more. Off the field, he’d help himself with better decisions.
Draft class grade: C+
One player doesn’t make an entire draft. Not even Hill. If you take him away, the Dolphins would be looking at an F for this year.
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Regrading the Dolphins' 2022 draft two years later. How did they fare?
