Dolphins Sign Draft Pick Avery

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

July 17, 1998 / 7:31 PM EDT / CBS Sportsline

Mississippi's John Avery, the 29th overall pick and the fourth running back chosen in the 1998 NFL draft, signed a five-year contract Friday with the Miami Dolphins.

Avery rushed for 1,650 yards and 12 touchdowns over two seasons at Mississippi, including a career-best

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862 yards and seven scores on 166 carries last year. He also caught 19 passes for 113 yards and returned 13 kickoffs for 315 yards and one TD to earn second team All-Southeastern Conference honors.

The 5-9, 190-pound Avery, who is compared to Dave Meggett, played his first two years at Northwest Mississippi Junior College, totaling 2,236 yards and 25 touchdowns on 404 carries.

"I'm happy that we were able to get John signed prior to the start of training camp," said general manager/head coach Jimmy Johnson. "I've always stressed the importance of all our players being in camp from the start, particularly rookies."

"The fact that John will be in camp on time, in addition to the work that he's gotten in our offseason program since June, will help him in the transition from college to the NFL."

The Dolphins also signed Michigan State guard Scott Shaw, their fifth-round pick, to a three-year contract. Shaw started the final 23 games of his career at left guard and was a three-year letterman.