MIAMI GARDENS — Not that anybody needs reminding, but this 24-year drought since the Miami Dolphins won a playoff game was personified this week with the announcement that defensive tackle Tim Bowens will be the first player to enter the Ring of Honor at Hard Rock Stadium after a nine-year drought.

Not since 2014, when another defensive tackle, Manny Fernandez, was honored has any Dolphin watched his name go up in the stadium. (Without outstanding players, it’s tough to have a good team.) Since 2014, losing seasons (four) have outnumbered playoff seasons (three) for this storied franchise … but there is good news.

First, coach Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa & Co. have produced two consecutive trips to the playoffs, which Dolphins fans hadn’t been able to enjoy since the Dave Wannstedt era in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Second, the Dolphins are relevant again. Not just to South Florida, but nationally. They’re not only entertaining to watch on the field, they aren’t afraid to show personality off it.

Third? The purposes of this discussion. Namely, who’s next? Who else in Dolphins past, or even Dolphins present, deserves to see his name in the Ring of Honor (formerly called the Dolphins Honor Roll)?

Here’s my list:

More: Ex-Miami Dolphins DT Tim Bowens to enter Ring of Honor

Retired members of the Miami Dolphins

1. DE Cameron Wake

An easy choice. In fact, I’ll go a step further and say that with 100.5 career sacks, all but 2.5 coming in Dolphins colors, Wake at least deserves to have his name thrown in the hat for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If 100.5 doesn’t sway you, maybe a sack total of around 115 would. Because had the NFL not underestimated Wake by leaving him undrafted, he never would have spent two seasons in Canada proving his worth. Wake had 39 sacks in two seasons in the CFL, so given two additional NFL seasons … you do the math however you wish. Wake made five Pro Bowls in 10 seasons with the Dolphins. Sneaky-good stat that shouldn’t be overlooked: 22 forced fumbles.

Chance of making Ring of Honor: a lock

2. C Mike Pouncey

Spent seven of his nine NFL seasons in Miami, making three Pro Bowls. Had injury issues, but for the 93 games in which he suited up, he never let down the organization’s lineage at the position established by Jim Langer and Dwight Stephenson.

Chances: very strong

3. CB Xavien Howard

Spent entire eight-year career in Miami, making the Pro Bowl in half of them, including 2020 season that ranks among the organization’s best at any position (10 INTs, 20 passes defensed to lead NFL in both).

Chances: strong

4. S Reshad Jones

Ten NFL seasons, all in Miami. Made 776 tackles and had 21 INTs. Made the Pro Bowl only twice, although he deserved at least one more trip.

Chances: good

5. WR Jarvis Landry

The Dolphins knew they could count on him for 100-plus receptions and 1,000-plus yards, many of them tough yards. Problem is, he played only four seasons here (making Pro Bowl three times).

Chances: very good (on quality of play), very poor (on longevity). Overall: not great

Current players

Disclaimer: I decided to divide this between past and present players because of the obvious variables that make it a crapshoot with the current crop. Will they continue playing at a high level? Will it be in Miami? Will they stay healthy? It’s easy to wish the answer to all three is yes, but we know that in the NFL, it’s never a given.

1. WR Tyreek Hill and CB Jalen Ramsey

OK, so I copped out by listing them as co-No. 1s. Sue me. I see both guys making the Hall of Fame, so to have them spend at least a representative chunk of their careers in Miami, especially if it leads to making playoff noise, would mean this organization will jump at the chance to honor them both.

Chances: very strong

3. QB Tua Tagovailoa

He has improved every year as a Dolphin. Even if he continues playing at about his 2023 level and can lead the Dolphins to playoff success, that should do the trick.

Chances: quite strong

4. WR Jaylen Waddle

He already has done something no one else in Dolphins colors has accomplished with three straight 1,000-yard seasons. No reason to think he won’t be waddling around end zones a lot with his new contract.

Chances: Temptation to enshrine Waddle at the same time as Tagovailoa may someday be too great to resist for the organization. Why not?

5. Too early to call

There are several other key players on this team whose career arcs could go in a multitude of directions. Surely, no one would be stunned if safety Jevon Holland or linebacker Jaelan Phillips have careers worthy of recognition. But in Miami? Or will business get in the way? What about linebacker Bradley Chubb and left tackle Terron Armstead? Will their Dolphins careers have the longevity to match their quality?

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

Here are those already enshrined in the Dolphins' Ring of Honor

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor candidates: Cameron Wake? Tyreek Hill? Tua Tagovailoa?