Top Picks Dolphins Should Look At In Round 2
By Brian Miller
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell begins the draft and puts the Houston Texans on the clock at the start of the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The first round is in the books. Congratulations to Ja’Wuan James on becoming the newest member of the Miami Dolphins. The work for Dennis Hickey is just getting started…really. Day two will have two rounds, two and three. The final rounds will be tomorrow mid-afternoon. Hickey has his offensive right tackle but he still has a lot of work to do.
A lot of players are still available obviously and for the Dolphins a few of those talents were first round projections. Here is a quick list (I’m getting ready to run to real job life) at who the Dolphins could get in round two.
Xavier Sua’ Filo – I can’t imagine this guy being there when Miami picks 18 slots into round two but what an absolute steal if he was. Sua’ Filo would start immediately at guard and has the athleticism to play all five of the line positions. I like this kid a lot and honestly wouldn’t be upset if Dennis Hickey packaged something small to go up and get him. I wouldn’t trade a third, fourth, or fifth but maybe they have a player they could package with a 6th or 7th to move up a few if he falls.
Jace Amaro is a top TE prospect and many believe that he rates better and will transition better to the NFL than Austin Seferian-Jenkins. The Dolphins need a legit red-zone threat and Amaro would be that guy. Many believed he would have gone to New England in round one.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a solid option at TE for the Dolphins if Amaro is gone and the Dolphins might even prefer him. There are at least two or three teams looking to add a TE on day two including the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets so he may not be available.
Cyrus Koudijio would be a bit of stretch here unless the Dolphins believe that either he or James can play RG. Reality is if he fell that far it might be worth a look or the consideration to see if either can drop inside.
Joel Bitonio has a real shot of falling a bit given the talent level still in this draft and is the top rated true guard in the draft. The Dolphins should take no time drafting this kid if he were on the board.
Marqise Lee fell out of round one in part to a poor senior year. The speedy WR could play the slot for the Dolphins and immediately upgrade the passing game.
Timmy Jernigan. The Dolphins have a solid and formidable front defensive line but adding a round one DT prospect will allow the team to rotate and keep players fresh. The Dolphins also will be looking at a decision on Jared O’drick’s future and Jernigan or one of the other DT’s could help in that regard.
Louis Nix, while a NT see Timmy Jernigan above.
Carlos Hyde, the Ohio State running back has slid into round two and it’s unlikely he makes it to the 18th pick in round two. He would be a very good selection if he did. The Dolphins have talked about taking a RB sometime in this draft and only Hyde and Tre Mason seem to be real options early. Mason however might be had in round three or even four.
DT Kony Ealy is not a need for the Dolphins but he is a very solid talent that many believed would go in round one. The Dolphins don’t truly need a DE but they should start looking to a future without Cameron Wake and Jared O’Drick. At some point they will need to find and groom their replacements.
Ra’Shede Hageman…see above.
Davonte Adams is another 2nd round WR who could help the Dolphins.
OLB Kyle Van Noy is probably the best linebacker on the board right now and could be a very solid fit on a Dolphins LB unit that has been struggling. The Dolphins need an interior LB but they shouldn’t ignore a playmaking OLB either.
Tra Turner is another offensive guard option for the Dolphins.
Gabe Jackson, guard…see above.
With several QB’s still on the board including Derek Carr the Dolphins should see one of the above players fall to them in round two.