Nobody in Miami wants to dwell on what happened last season, but the upcoming NFL draft could end up sending some unwanted reminders.

When the draft begins Thursday in Chicago, Miami is expected to have at least six players drafted for the first time in three years, and its first Round 1 draft choice since 2008.

The potential also exists for Miami to have multiple first-round selections for the first time since 2007.

Cue head-scratching over the Canes' 6-7 record.

Ereck Flowers may not be the only Hurricane selected in the first round of the draft Thursday night. Jim Owens/Icon Sportswire

Cue more outrage over Al Golden's tenure in Coral Gables.

Nobody can argue how much talent Miami had on its team. Our draft experts ranked six Miami players among the top 101 players available in the draft. Four are among the top five at their respective positions:

Several others could get drafted as well, including cornerback Ladarius Gunter, offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Shane McDermott, and defensive lineman Olsen Pierre.

Most mock drafts have Flowers going in the first round . Dorsett could also go in Round 1 . So could Perryman.

While Perryman has been an absolute force on the Miami defense over the last two years, consider Dorsett never had a 1,000-yard receiving season in Miami despite his incredible 4.25 speed in the 40. (ICYMI: His letter to NFL teams is endearing.)

Just about everybody inside the Miami program knows the Canes should not have been a 6-7 team given the talent on its roster. Scouts have said the same. But what happened last year proves talent is not enough to win games. Something was missing a season ago, an intangible that pulls winning teams together.

Rather than wring their hands about an opportunity missed, the reality is Golden will use the results of this draft on the recruiting trail. Miami has built its reputation on winning championships, yes, but it also has enhanced that rep with a long history of producing NFL talent. While there have not been nearly as many first-round picks in recent years, Miami still leads the ACC with 318 players drafted. The Canes could have the second-most ACC picks this year behind Florida State.

Of the six highest-rated Miami players going into the draft, Walford is the only player he did not sign. Chickillo, Dorsett and Perryman were all a part of his first class, in 2011.

There is no disputing the overall record last year is a direct reflection on Golden, and a big reason why this upcoming season is so important. But he truly believes the wins will come when every single piece is in place for the Canes to be successful. He will point to the talent he has not only recruited, but then turned into NFL players as proof that Miami is almost there.