Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier knows that there’s no such thing as a risk-free NFL Draft pick. But historically, players taken near the top of the draft are far more likely to succeed.
The hard part is finding big-time players outside of Round 1. And while Grier has had his share of misses, he has put some W’s on the board too.
Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier’s Proudest NFL Draft Picks
Now in his 25th year with the team, Grier is among the team’s longest-tenured football employees in the franchise’s history. So in this milestone season, it’s a perfect time to have him look back at his proudest picks.
He named three: Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard (the 38th pick of the 2016 draft), outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (151st pick of the 2019 draft), and running back De’Von Achane (84th pick of the 2023 draft).
Here were Grier’s comments on each at his pre-draft news conference earlier this week:
“Achane was a guy that we were very high on and spent a lot of time getting to know him.”
“Andrew Van Ginkel was one because he transferred into Wisconsin and had a little bit of production and just watched him grow as a person and play over the last few years. Very happy for him. Sad to see him go, but very happy for him.”
“Xavien was always a guy that was talented, and he would tell you, we interviewed him at the Combine, and it was a terrible interview. He would tell you that, and then we brought him in on a 30 visit, and he was lights out.
“Knew all the players, everything, talking history of Dolphins stuff. So it was cool and then watching the evolution of him where his rookie year he played and got criticized a little bit for some of his play as a rookie and then becoming an All-Pro.”
It’s a sad irony that two of those three players — Van Ginkel and Howard — departed the franchise this offseason due to financial considerations.
But that’s life in the NFL. Grier next week will have six chances to find tomorrow’s stars.
“You’re always trying to see how you can help your roster going into a season where every year there’s always change,” Grier added.
“I enjoy this part of the year. I enjoy working with the coaches, the scouts, and just sitting talking ball, because it’s the purest part of just talking football and players and people.”
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