Clemson CB helps Miami Dolphins make club draft history

The Dolphins’ defense was historically bad in 2016. They made a different kind of history late Friday.

By selecting Clemson cornerback Cordrea Tankersley with the 97th overall selection, Miami used its first three draft picks on a defensive player for the first time in the franchise’s 52-year history.

Tankersley, whose nickname is Tootie, was a first-team all-ACC selection on Clemson’s national championship season. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound corner presumably will compete with Xavien Howard and former Clemson teammate Byron Maxwell for time.

Tankersley said he modeled his game after Maxwell, and the duo has a “close relationship.”

This story was originally published April 29, 2017 at 6:59 AM with the headline "Clemson CB helps Miami Dolphins make club draft history."