Miami Dolphins Roster Heading Into The Draft

Free agency has dwindled and the draft is the next agenda for the NFL. The Miami Dolphins have holes to fill and while we have looked at those holes here, you can’t really get a view of the roster as it stands today and who will play where. So let’s do exactly that.

Quarterback:

Ryan Tannehill is the starter and Matt Moore has re-signed to be his back-up for another season. McCloud Bethel-Thompson is the 3rd quarterback and it’s likely at some point they add another for camp.

Needs: None

Running back:

Lamar Miller will line as the number 1 with Damien Williams, Mike Gillislee, and LaMichael James battling for the supplemental role

Need: None of the back-ups have proven to be ready to take on more of a role with the team so the Dolphins should be looking at the draft for an option. Many believe the Dolphins might consider Melvin Gordon if other needs are not available in the draft at 14.

Wide-receiver:

Kenny Stills will line up on the outside and Rishard Matthews on the other side. Jarvis Landry will return to one slot with Matt Hazel or a tight end in the other.

Need: The Dolphins must address this position. Matthews has not shown the consistency needed for a full time role.

Tight End:

Jordan Cameron will replace Charles Clay and Dion Sims will remain as the 2nd tight end. Arthur Lynch is also coming back from injury.

Need: None unless the team wants to get a back-up plan in place should they lose Cameron to another concussion.

Offensive line:

Center: Mike Pouncey will start with J.D. Walton and Sam Brenner as the back-ups

Need: None

Tackles: Ja’wuan James on the right side, Branden Albert on the left. Jason Fox is the back-up.

Need: The Dolphins need another tackle and maybe two. There is no guarantee that Albert will be ready to start the season.

Guard: Billy Turner might be o.k. but Dallas Thomas? Not likely. Miami has a glaring issue at guard and failure to fix it could sink the season early and Ryan Tannehill often.

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Defense:

Front: Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, Earl Mitchell, and Olivier Vernon are going to be tough. This could be the best from four Miami has employed ever. Back-up’s Derrick Shelby, A.J. Francis, Kamal and Anthony Johnson are not bad substitutions.

Need: late round projects maybe.

Linebacker:

Jelani Jenkins and Chris McCain on the outside with Koa Misi in the middle? Misi looked o.k. at best last season in the middle and it’s unknown if they will move him back outside. McCain is an up and coming player but I could see him getting 2nd team reps for another season. Jenkins was explosive last season. Jordan Tripp will be in the mix for playing time as well.

Need: Definite day one or two need at linebacker. Miami must find the right combination behind their front line.

Cornerback:

Brent Grimes is locked into one side but Jamar Taylor, Will Davis, and Brice McCain will compete for the other.

Need: The trio competing opposite Grimes is why there is speculation that Trae Waynes could be the pick in round one. The Dolphins also need to start thinking about replacing Grimes in other two or three years.

Safety:

Reshad Jones and Louis Delmas? Reshad Jones and Michael Thomas? Thomas could be my breakout player of 2015 but that is only my personal speculation.

Need: The Dolphins can’t rely on Delmas to play the entire season and Thomas while full of potential can’t be relied upon just yet. The Dolphins should look for an early day 3 safety.

DRAFT DAY

Round 1: I would go wide receiver here. If all the WR’s are gone I would go linebacker, cornerback, running back (Gordon), in that order.

Round 2: Receiver if one wasn’t drafted in round one. Phillip Dorsett perhaps. Also keep an eye on Dorial Green-Beckham. After round one he becomes a steal with a lot of baggage and risk, but a steal nonetheless. Regardless of need, Green-Beckham becomes the top player on the board after round one.  If WR is not the option, guard, linebacker, cornerback is the route I go.

Round 3: Pick traded

Round 4: Cornerback and Safety

Round 5: Whichever I haven’t drafted yet, CB, S, LB I get here. The Dolphins have two picks in round five.

Round 6: Guard/tackle, defensive lineman

Round 7: Miami has no pick in round 7.