Grade A draft buoys Dolphins’ as team on rise

Almost 50 years after the Super Bowl wins and nearly 40 years since Dan Marino’s arrival shot electricity across Miami, the Dolphins are luxuriating in something not seen or felt around here in a long time.

The right kind of national attention.

Universal praise.

The sense this is a franchise to be reckoned with, headed right, ready to matter again in the NFL.

Miami won 10 games last season with its best points differential since 2002, its most points scored since 1986 and a defense that tied for fifth in fewest points allowed. Despite an uneven rookie season, the arrival of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa brought excitement and promise in a way not felt since Dan Marino.

Now, a draft nothing short of acclaimed.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN gave an A grade to only two of 32 teams for their NFL Draft bounty: the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Dolphins.

Said Kiper of Miami’s

AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com Former Miami Hurricane Jaelan Phillips, taken by the Dolphins at No. 18 in the first round, has skill and athleticism to be a double-digit sacks guy in the NFL.