Ranking the 16 greatest Dolphins players ever, from Cameron Wake to Dan Marino

The Miami Dolphins are one of the NFL's most iconic and successful franchises. Since entering the league in 1966, they have developed a proud tradition and a beloved fan base. Through the years, they have been coached by the legendary Don Shula and posted the only perfect season in the Super Bowl era.

The Sporting News ranks the 16 best players in Dolphins history, from feared pass rusher Cameron Wake to prolific passer Dan Marino.

Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player's strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

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16. Jim Langer (1970-1979)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Jim Langer was a key Hall of Fame center and guard, a superstar blocker for Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and the running game that powered the Super Bowl wins under Don Shula in the 1970s. He was a dominant line leader and consistent in all his assignments.

Place in Dolphins history: Langer isn't one of the biggest names from that heyday with Shula, including the undefeated season early in his career in 1972. But the undrafted gem from South Dakota State was just a great, steady fit with the rest of the early legends near South Beach.

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15. Cameron Wake (2009-2018)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN's list: Cameron Wake produced 98 sacks in his decade with the team after coming over from the Canadian Football League, starring for the BC Lions as an undrafted edge rusher from Penn State. That total is second only to Hall of Famer Jason Taylor while with Miami. Wake was very productive and disruptive getting to the quarterback, either from 4-3 end or 3-4 outside linebacker.

Place in Dolphins history: Wake was 27 when he came to the Dolphins and made his presence felt as a leading force right away. He ended up with five double-digit sack seasons, making him worthy to be mentioned with Taylor and the franchise's other defensive legends.

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14. Dick Anderson (1968-1977)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL interceptions co-leader, 1-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Dick Anderson was a big part of the "No Name Defense" that allowed the Dolphins to win back-to-back Super Bowls under Don Shula. The safety was a natural ballhawk, with 34 interceptions, second in team history. He also has the record for most INTs in a game, with four.

Place in Dolphins history: Anderson isn't a Hall of Famer despite having those impressive credentials, but in Miami, there are plenty of fond memories of all the big winning plays he made to clean up behind a fine front.

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13. Mark Duper (1982-1992)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls

Why he made SN's list: Mark Duper, often nicknamed "Super" in front of his surname, was the ultimate field-stretching threat for Dan Marino with ability to get vertical. He averaged 17.4 yards per catch and was a precursor to Tyreek Hill — elusive and speedy at only 5-foot-9, 185 pounds.

Place in Dolphins history: Duper holds the record for franchise receiving yards with 8,869, just ahead of fellow "Marks Brother" Mark Clayton. 

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12. Mark Clayton (1983-1992)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 2-time NFL receiving TDs leader

Why he made SN's list: Mark Clayton was the other of Dan Marino's clutch elite wide receivers along with Mark Duper. Clayton was a big playmaker who averaged 15.7 yards per catch during his Dolphins career and also spiked with seasons of 18 and 14 TDs. He was consistent getting downfield for the big arm of his QB.

Place in Dolphins history: Clayton and Duper, the "Marks Brothers", are attached to Marino as one of the best QB and wide receiver duo combinations the NFL has ever seen. Clayton's few extra accolades give him the edge for second-best franchise wideout.

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11. Jake Scott (1970-1975)

Accolades: 6 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN's list: Jake Scott and Dick Anderson both have raised the bar for future franchise safeties with their big playmaking. Scott is the all-time Dolphins leader in interceptions with 35 despite his short tenure and also saved his best impact for the biggest games.

Place in Dolphins history: Before Dan Marino would wear his iconic No. 13, that number belonged to Scott. He will be remembered most for putting the finishing touches of the undefeated 1972-73 season with two game-changing interceptions in Super Bowl 8.

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10. Nick Buoniconti (1969-1974, 1976)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Nick Buoniconti also made the Patriots' list as one of the top AFL stars, but he also starred for the AFC East rival Dolphins. He was one of the "No Name Defense" leaders, stuffing the stat sheet with his coverage and tackling.

Place in Dolphins history: At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, Buoniconti played much bigger than his size as a Hall of Fame linebacker, setting up the legacy for future Dolphins defenders including the similar small in stature but big on heart Zach Thomas.

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9. Dwight Stephenson (1980-1988)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL Man of the Year

Why he made SN's list: The Hall of Fame center was the bridge between the passing eras of Bob Griese and Dan Marino with his elite blocking and snapping. Dwight Stephenson was a smooth, athletic blocker in protection and also a consistent asset in the outside running game.

Place in Dolphins history: Between Jim Langer, Larry Little and Richmond Webb, Miami has had plenty of top-level trend-setting linemen. Stephenson fits right into the heart of that group with his work on and off the field.

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8. Richmond Webb (1990-2000)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN's list: Richmond Webb was a sturdy left tackle, protecting Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino for the final decade of the latter's career and also boosting the running game for a variety of backs. At 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, he used a great combination of strength and athleticism to overpower defensive assignments.

Place in Dolphins history: Webb is the all-time Dolphins leader with his streak of 118 consecutive starts, and he also made his Pro Bowls in succession from his rookie season. He still has a shot to get into the Hall of Fame.

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7. Paul Warfield (1970-1974)

Accolades: 5 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL receiving TDs leader, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Paul Warfield was the ultimate old-school wide receiver whose purpose was stretching the field with speed and route-running. He averaged 21.5 yards per catch during his time in Miami, coming over as an established future Hall of Famer in Cleveland. When the passing game and volume was much different, he was the game's most feared target.

Place in Dolphins history: Warfield was a key addition in his prime to spark Bob Griese and play off the running game well to usher in the perfect season and Super Bowl repeat. Warfield didn't drop off at all into his 30s, a superb Dolphin from wire to wire.

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6. Larry Little (1969-1980)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: The Dolphins had three exceptional interior offensive linemen anchoring the running game with fullback Larry Csonka leading the way: The Hall of Famer Larry Little has been the best, helped by Jim Langer (who just made this list) and Bob Kuechenberg (who just missed this list). 

Place in Dolphins history: Little stands out as the most talented offensive lineman the team has ever had, a real statement to his legendary greatness given the strength of the position in Miami through the years.

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5. Zach Thomas (1996-2007)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL Linebacker of the Year, 2-time NFL tackles leader

Why he made SN's list: Zach Thomas was an undersized fifth-round pick out of Texas Tech in 1996 who quickly proved to the Dolphins his speed, quickness and relentlessness as a tackler more than compensated for anything lacking in his 5-foot-11, 242-pound playing frame. His leadership and durability were just as impressive as his limitless rangy playmaking vs. run and pass.

Place in Dolphins history: Thomas is the Dolphins' second-best all-time defender, and he's worthy of a top-five spot for how much of his heart and soul he poured into the team. He's not too far behind Jason Taylor, his former Miami teammate turned brother-in-law.

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4. Larry Csonka (1968-1974, 1979)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, 2-time Super Bowl champion, 1-time Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN's list: Larry Csonka, as a power-running Hall of Fame fullback, is beloved for personality as much as his pounding production for the Dolphins' two best teams. He was an ideal thunder-like complement to Mercury Morris, forming a punishing 1-2 punch to help the defense and downfield passing of Brian Griese.

Place in Dolphins history: Csonka remains the Dolphins' all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, ahead of Ricky Williams in both categories.

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3. Jason Taylor (1997-2007, 2011)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, 1-time NFL sack leader, 1-time NFL forced fumbles leader

Why he made SN's list: The Dolphins landed Zach Thomas his star linebacker teammate and future brother-in-law, also born on Sept. 1, as a steal in the 1996 draft. Jason Taylor was the third-round gem out of Akron in 1997 to help Hall of Fame coach and decision-maker Jimmy Johnson add to more defensive Hall of Famers to his resume. At 6-foot-6, 244 pounds, Taylor was the pass-rushing linchpin with imposing intimidation for QBs off the edge, starring at both end and linebacker.

Place in Dolphins history: Taylor has 131 career sacks as a Dolphins, 33 more than second-place Cameron Wake. Like Dan Marino, he was from Western Pennsylvania but has stamped his football influence all over South Florida.

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2. Bob Griese (1967-1980)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 2-time AFL All-Star, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL passing TDs leader, 1-time NFL completion percentage leader, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Bob Griese was a terrific leader and downfield passing Hall of Fame quarterback, living up to all of his expectations as the No. 4 overall pick out of Purdue in the 1967 draft. He had a great arm, was a good athlete and had the smarts to execute the offense for Don Shula, knowing he often was backed by dominant defense.

Place in Dolphins history: Griese's legacy is tied to helping guide the Dolphins to two perfect seasons, and he also has been a franchise fixture since his post-playing days, getting national acclaim as a broadcaster before his son Brian also had a stint as Miami's QB. He's second overall as a Dolphin to only one, elite all-time passer Dan Marino.

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1. Dan Marino (1983-1999)

Accolades: 17 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL MVP, 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 1-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, 1-time NFL Man of the Year, 5-time NFL passing yards leader, 3-time NFL passing TDs leader, 1-time NFL passer rating leader

Why he made SN's list: Dan Marino is known for his big arm and prolific passing totals, including his legendary 1984 season in which he was the first QB to break the 40-TD barrier, with 48 to go the with first-ever 5,000-yard passing season in NFL history. He ushered in the days of monster numbers from high volume under Don Shula, paving the way for modern massive gunslingers such as Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. He stands out in the draft class with Hall of Famer John Elway and Jim Kelly, only without the same kind of conference championship success, falling short vs. Joe Montana in his lone Super Bowl shot.

Place in Dolphins history: Marino is No. 1 in passing yards (61,361) and passing TDs (420), both more than double that of Bob Griese's second-place totals. His long tenure was stuffed with stats and recognitions, to the point a Super Bowl ring would have been only the cherry on top to a heap of Sunday bests.

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