Miami Dolphins 2015 NFL Draft Solutions
By Oscar Bode
The Miami Dolphins have quite a few needs. Let us take a look at how they could solve all of these needs using the 2015 NFL Draft. As you can see in this article I list the dolphins as having 9 needs, being that there are only 7 rounds this will be difficult to really accomplish however there are two things that will be helping us out. The first is undrafted free agency, an area where the Dolphins are particularly good at coming across gems. The second is the fact that this article will be written under the assumption that the Dolphins do in fact land Ndamukung Suh as has been reported. I will be giving two or three options per round as there will be some flexibility here. With these thoughts in mind let’s get to drafting.
Round 1
Devante Parker (WR) – This Louisville prospect has everything the Dolphins are looking for in a true number 1 wide out. He has great hands, highpoints the ball, is tall, is fast, and breaks tackles. This guy is the total package and should hopefully fall to them at number 14. He would also solve all of the Miami Dolphins’ red zone issues.
Eric Kendricks (ILB) – The 2014 Butkus award winner from UCLA. This guy truly does epitomize production at his position, scoring touchdowns, sacking the QB, and forcing fumbles. He could be a day one starter and allow them to move Koa Misi back to his natural OLB spot.
La’el Collins (OG) – I know, I know Dolphins fans are tired of picking offensive lineman in the first round, but assuming all goes as planned this should be the last one in a while. Coming from LSU this is one of the top offensive lineman in the entire draft. He would instantly lock down one of the starting guard spots, leaving Billy Turner to hopefully lock down the other side.
Landon Collins (S)- This draft is an incredibly weak one when it comes to Safeties, so I would highly recommend that the Dolphins sign one in FA ( crossing my fingers on Da’norris Searcy who I suggested earlier). This is one of the few to pass the eye test and should form a nice tandem with Reshad Jones.
Round 2
Maxx Williams (TE) – Assuming he falls to the Dolphins here he could be an absolute steal. He is a tremendously gifted athlete that would automatically be a terror in the seam and in the red zone. Here’s to hoping he falls.
Phillip Dorsett (WR) – This guy is an absolute burner. He is super fast and really turned heads at the Senior Bowl with how precise his routes were and how quickly he gets in and out of his breaks. If the Dolphins do part ways with Mike Wallace this WR out of the U could replace him capably.
Denzell Perryman (ILB) – This young stud also played at the University of Miami. See a trend with me trying to keep players who played down here to stay down here? This guy is a monster against the run, blowing runners up with ease. He has some deficiencies against the pass but nothing that can’t be coached up.
P.J. Williams (CB) – This guys is a great cover corner. He is athletic enough to keep up in coverage and strong enough to stay active in the run game. I won’t hold anything against him for being a Seminole because plenty of them have been awfully productive in the NFL. All kidding aside this guy could be really good for the Dolphins for years to come.
Round 3
Stephone Anthony (ILB) – Rising up draft boards I am not entirely sure that the Miami Dolphins could actually get this guy here but one can dream. He is physically the complete package, had great closing speed and has solid instincts. Could be a sneaky great add for the Phins.
Clive Walford (TE) – Another UM player (you would think I went there pssh). Walford moves very much like Clay does so assuming we lose him to the bills as some are reporting he could be a capable replacement. He might even have more upside than Clay.
Laken Tomlinson (OG) – This mammoth of a man could hopefully slide into the guard spot and play as well as we need him to for years to come. He has done fairly well throughout his college career and his draft stock is on the upswing.
Round 4
Ali Marpet (OG) – Staying on track with the offensive line is this physical specimen. He is a small school prospect from Hobart but plays like a division one monster. He ran the 40 just slower than Jameis Winston, and is strong to boot. He turned some heads at the Senior Bowl and might have to be drafted in the third thanks to that. I would say he is worth the investment as he is quickly becoming my favorite interior lineman in the draft and comes at a great value as a possible day one starter.
Eric Rowe (CB/S) – Position versatility is a plus in the NFL and this young man could offer exactly that to the Miami Dolphins. With the ability to play CB or safety he could provide depth at CB and possibly be a starter at safety or vice versa. The Utes have been good to the Phins in the past so here is to hoping that trend continues.
Jeremy Langford (RB) – This RB out of Michigan State excels in many aspects of the game. He is an above average pass protector which could help him see the field earlier than most in his rookie year. Even if it is just as a third down back this guy could be good.
Round 5
Jesse James (TE) – This guy’s measurables are off the charts for a tight end. He is 6’7, weighs 272 pounds, and ran a 4.86 at the combine. The guy is a freak and at worst could be a beast in red zone packages.
Senquez Golson (CB) – Great hands are what drives this prospect up boards. He could be a great depth addition and could challenge for a starting spot at some point.
David Cobb (RB) – Cobb has been consistently impressing scouts throughout the offseason and has really helped himself in this process. A strong runner, if he keeps it up he will vault himself into the fourth if he hasn’t already.
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Round 6
Tre McBride (WR) – A favorite of mine this guy is making the most of his chances. He shined at the East West Shrine Game, and made scouts forget all about the fact he is from William and Mary. He has good jumping ability and also shows willingness to block in the run game, could really be a third day steal.
Shane Carden (QB) – QB is not listed as a need for me but with the Miami Dolphins probably not resigning Matt Moore, finding a backup for Ryan Tannehill could be critical. Carden would do just fine here and wouldn’t hinder us too much.
Round 7
In this round I would simply recommend pure BPA, really can’t hurt to simply take the very best player on their board.
Undrafted FA
In this stage I would focus on kicker, RB, and depth. The Miami Dolphins are again usually pretty good with this phase of the game so I have no doubt that they will make it work.
There you have it, this is how I would use the draft to solve every single one of our needs. By using some combination of this I believe the Miami Dolphins will do just fine. Stay tuned as I will be submitting my comprehensive Dolphins offseason plan very soon. Until then you can look at this and my last articles to get an idea of where I am going to be going with this plan. Make sure to comment at the bottom and let me know what you agree or disagree with.