Dolphins gamble, pick Laremy Tunsil in NFL Draft

Tunsil's stock drops after Twitter video post

The Miami Dolphins chose Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil with the 13th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

DAVIE, Fla. ā€“ The Miami Dolphins selected Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil with the 13th overall pick Thursday in the NFL Draft.Ā 

Tunsil's draft status started to fall before the draft.

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A bizarre video that was posted on Tunsil's Twitter account minutes before the start of the NFL Draft showed a person smoking from a mask equipped with a bong. The video was posted to Tunsil's verified Twitter account before quickly being deleted.

The entire account was deactivated about 30 minutes later, but the video added to the perception that Tunsil has off-the-field problems.

Tunsil said his Twitter and Instagram accounts were hacked, but he didn't deny that it was him in the video.

"That video was (taken) years ago," he said. "It was years ago. Like I said, people (are) hacking my account."

Tunsil said he didn't know why anyone would want to sabotage his draft status.

"Hey, I'm just as clueless as you all," Tunsil told reporters.

Tunsil's agent, Jimmy Sexton, couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said the video wasn't a concern for the team.

"We had heard rumors, but we had done work," Grier said. "We had known about it. The video is two years old. So, from all the information we had, we were comfortable with it."

Tunsil, who was considered a potential No. 1 pick before the Tennessee Titans traded the pick to the Los Angeles Rams, was a three-year starter at Mississippi.

"He was No. 2 ranked on our board," Grier said. "We did not expect him to be there (at No. 13)."

Tunsil sat out the season's first seven games after the NCAA ruled he received improper benefits, including the use of three loaner cars over a six-month period.

"Don't question my character," he said. "You can't judge a book by its cover. I'm a good person."

Tunsil is the first offensive tackle drafted by the Dolphins since Miami took Michigan's Jake Long with the No. 1 overall pick in 2008.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.