Miami Dolphins 2015 Draft: Who Knows?

The Miami Dolphins have normally played it pretty close to the hip when they are heading into the draft. There are of course exceptions to that. In previous years fans and media alike had a pretty decent idea of what the Dolphins might want to do come draft day.

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There was no question that the Dolphins were going to take Ryan Tannehill in the first round of the 2012 draft. There was a lot of speculation that Mike Pouncey would be the guy at 16 in 2011 and while few would have predicted Jared Odrick everyone knew they needed to target a defensive lineman.

Last season it wasn’t a shock that Ja’wuan James was the teams first pick. Most of the draft didn’t fall a favorable way for the Dolphins prior to their pick so an offensive lineman made a lot of sense. For those few players that many saw as possibilities there are just as many day surprises.

In 2013 many believed the Dolphins had moved up to the 3rd overall pick to take a tackle. Instead, Jeff Ireland drafted the best incoming pass rusher to pair with Cameron Wake. That didn’t work out too well. In 2007 the Dolphins fan base was shocked by the Ted Ginn, Jr. pick and the same can be said two years later by the Pat White selection in round two.

This year it’s back to secrecy.

Media members can’t quite figure out what the Dolphins are going to do and part of that reason is they don’t have glaring needs that must be addressed. While they have “needs” at guard, wide-receiver, and linebacker, they are not as clearly defined as must have selections in the early rounds. This is adding to the confusion of what direction the team is going to take but at the same time is a good sign that Miami can do just about whatever they want.

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If DeVante Parker should fall to 14 the Dolphins may very well take him but they could also select CB Trae Waynes. They might take a flyer on a different receiver such as Breshad Perriman. Offensive line isn’t a rule out where La’el Collins or Brandon Scherff could be their choice. Take all of them off the board and you start wondering about DT Danny Shelton or running back Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon.

Getting a clearer picture? Me neither. Mocking the Dolphins has been tough this year. Of four mock drafts I have done, either on my own or part of a mock draft group for other sites, I have selected Danny Shelton, La’el Collins, DeVante Parker, and Trae Waynes. It should be noted that in all four cases none of the other players were available. It makes for a compelling situation.

Draft lead-ups often include quick risers as teams to try inflate the value of one player in the hopes someone might bite and free up the player they want. In many cases the fast risers prior to the draft often slip back into a more realistic slot when the actual draft arrives. Oddly enough, there are always two or even three players taken that simply surprise everyone. This year will be no different.

The Dolphins have a lot of options in this draft and are no longer saddled by a “must fill” pick. Recent signings of Greg Jennings and several offensive lineman give the Dolphins veteran players and solid depth with good competition. They still  have to fill holes but not necessarily in a particular order. Best player available could mean a lot of different things.

Of course Miami could also trade back. The Dolphins would love to get the 3rd round pick back they shipped off to New Orleans for Kenny Stills and trading back in round one could help them do that. The talent in round one and two is pretty deep so Miami wouldn’t lose much if they did in fact drop down a few slots. Conversely Mike Tannenbaum has an aggressive history with the draft so moving up to get a franchise wide-receiver is also a possibility.

In other words? Who knows exactly what the Dolphins are planning on doing come this Thursday and Friday.