Randy McMichael is a tight end from Griffin, Georgia who played for the University of Georgia in college. Although his first year was technically 1997, he only played one game due to a thumb injury, and missed the entire 1998 season with a bad knee. In 1999 he earned First team Freshman All-America honors, and made first team All-SEC in 2001. The Dolphins selected him with their fourth round pick of the 2002 NFL Entry Draft, 114th overall. He would wear number 81 for Miami.
McMichael would start all 16 games in his rookie 2002 season, leading the team with four touchdown receptions. He caught a total of 39 passes for 485 yards, both totals third best on the team. In a week three home victory over the New York Jets, he would catch a season high five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. Although the Dolphins finished strong with a week 17 overtime victory over the New England Patriots to finish 9-7, they would miss the playoffs.
In 2003, McMichael started all 16 games, finishing third on the team with 49 catches and second with 598 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He enjoyed his career best game in a week six home loss to the New England Patriots, catching eight passes for 102 yards, his first 100+ yard game. The team finished 10-6, but it was a strong year in the AFC, and the good win loss record was only tied for sixth best in the conference with the Denver Broncos. Denver claimed the wild card spot via tiebreaker.
2004 would see McMichael again start all 16 games, his performance during the season was good enough that he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate. He led Miami with 73 receptions, and finished second on the squad with 791 yards and four touchdowns. In a week nine home victory over the Cleveland Browns, he set a new career high by catching nine passes (for 59 yards). The Dolphins finished up the year a disappointing 4-12.
Miami would return to their winning ways in 2005, posting a 9-7 record but again missing the playoffs. McMichael finished with a team second best 60 catches for a team third best 582 yards and a career high five touchdowns, including one each for the first four games of the season.
The Dolphins finished 6-10 in 2006, as McMichael started all 16 games for the fifth consecutive time to open his career. He was second on the team to Wes Welker with 62 catches. He scored three touchdowns and gained 640 yards.
McMichael was released in the 2007 offseason so Miami could avoid paying him a $3 million bonus. He has since spent three seasons with the St. Louis Rams and the last two as a San Diego Charger.
McMichael stands as the Dolphins career tight end leader with 283 catches and 3,096 yards. He also caught 18 touchdown passes for the franchise.