The Dolphins’ whiff on Dion Jordan with the 3rd overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft looms large these days — whether the team chose to draft right tackle Lane Johnson, center Travis Frederick, cornerback Xavier Rhodes or defensive end Ziggy Ansah, each would have provided the Dolphins with a productive starter and cornerstone asset to build around.
But instead, the Dolphins reached on the all-world upside of Dion Jordan and doomed themselves to a hollow selection that would provide nothing of substance for Miami — thanks in part to their own lack of creativity on how to use him, but more so because of Jordan’s own destructive habits.
The Draft Network underwent the task of re-drafting the 2013 NFL Draft this morning with the gift of hindsight. Their selection for the Dolphins at #3 overall? Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Hopkins is a two-time All-Pro receiver and has illustrated incredible production when you factor in the quarterbacks he’s had throwing to him during his six years in the league. With 528 receptions for 7,437 yards and 47 touchdowns, Hopkins has been an absolute star in the NFL. Which is something the Dolphins have lacked for the better part of a decade (and then some). Hopkins’ best year to date is 2015, in which he logged 111 receptions for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns with starts at quarterback from Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and T.J. Yates.
So even with the quarterback struggles in Miami, you know Hopkins has the goods to deliver. Oh, what could have been.
