Miami Dolphins Round One Position Options

Finally, my mind is starting to get into gear and move forward towards the draft. This year the Dolphins will have selections in round one, two, four, two in round five, and finally will finish the draft in round six barring a trade of any kind. By the time the first day of the draft if over, the Dolphins could move down and recoup the 3rd rounder they sent to New Orleans for Kenny Stills. In other words, a lot can happen before the draft is over.

With free agency now winding down the Dolphins are full throttle on this years draft. Which is good because they have plenty of holes that they need to fill. The Dolphins need to find starters and contributors in the first four rounds and quality depth players in rounds five and six. Where they go with each round will be dependent on what they do the previous rounds. Here is a quick look at some of the players that may fall to number 14 in round one. We will examine round two later.

Wide-Receiver:

Nothing seems as blatantly clear as the need for a wide-receiver but that does not mean the Dolphins will go this route come the end of April. In fact there are plenty of teams ahead of Miami that could use receiver help and three very good wide-receivers will go in the top half of the draft.

Kevin White – West Virginia. No one increased their stock more at the position during the NFL Combine than White. He was outstanding and because of his performance he is now considered by many to be the top wide-receiver in the class. In fact there is little to no chance of White dropping to 14 and it’s very unlikely the Dolphins will move up to take him. Teams like Chicago, New York Jets, and Oakland are all teams that could draft White in the top ten. Any team may take White regardless of their need.

Amari Cooper – Alabama. Cooper is as close to a sure bet in the NFL as any player has been in a long time. He has the right combination of size and speed and is a game changing threat on the outside. While White blew away the Combine, Cooper didn’t make a great show but that won’t keep teams from drafting him and it’s entirely possible that Cooper goes before White. It’s also entirely possible, but highly unlikely, that he falls to 14.

Devante Parker – Louisville. Parker is an all around good wide-receiver. He knows how to use his body, has the size, and ran an impressive 40 time at the Combine. He isn’t in the same league as Cooper or White but at the NFL level things change quickly so Parker could become the best of the bunch or just another top wide-receiver who quietly does his job. Parker can be explosive and is very good after the catch, something the Dolphins need. In 2014 Parker only played in six games but scored five times and put up over 850 yards on 43 catches. That’s impressive.

Jalen Strong – Arizona State. Not a lot is being made about Strong but that has more to do with the fact he isn’t viewed as a top 15 prospect but instead a late one or round two prospect. If the Dolphins opt to trade down in round one, Strong comes into play. Strong has good but not elite speed and is a go-to red-zone target something the Dolphins sorely lack. He is powerful and plays faster than he looks. Strong could be a very good number one option for the Dolphins if they move down or if he lasts until they pick in round two which isn’t likely.

Running Back:

Todd Gurley – Georgia. Had Gurley not tore his ACL in 2014 he would be a top five draft candidate. Instead he will fall and someone will get a great gift handed to them. Gurley is a game changing, playmaking runner with great speed (former track star) and size. He is capable of easily carrying the ball 20 to 30 times a game. Gurley is as close to names like Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson as anyone in the last few drafts and he has the skill set to make himself fit into that group. The question is will his knee injury be a concern to a lot of teams? Gurley is expected to be drafted anywhere from 10 to 30.

Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin. Versatile is what many people say about Gordon. While he ran slower than many expected at the NFL Combine last month, there is no question that he has the speed to carry the ball in the NFL. Gordon as great vision and an ability to cut and make people miss. He is viewed as an every down back. The Dolphins still have not addressed the running back position in terms of adding help for Lamar Miller. Gordon is an every down back and should be available at 14 should the Dolphins choose that option.

Offensive Line:

Brandon Scherff – Iowa. IF Scherff is available at 14 he will be very hard for the Dolphins to pass up. Perhaps one of the top all around guards in the last few drafts, Scherff is considered NFL starting ready and would be almost a 100% lock to start day one at one of the guard positions. Dominant in run blocking Scherff has one downside and that is pro-scouts question whether he can handle the edge rushers in the NFL. It wouldn’t matter as much to Miami if they view him as a guard but considering he can also play right tackle, his stock remains high. He is also the only guard that Miami should consider at 14.

Cornerback:

Trae Waynes – Michigan State. The best cornerback in the draft could very easily fall to 14. Waynes has very good speed and is able to keep up with faster receivers and uses his body well to keep receivers from getting over the top on him. Some believe he isn’t a day one starter come training camp but those who don’t view him as an immediate starter see him not to far off. In Miami Waynes would likely start immediately. The Dolphins need a corner to start opposite Brent Grimes and Waynes could easily be that guy. He may not be the top need the Dolphins have but he isn’t far off.

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