Did Miami Dolphins Draft Immediate Help?

The Miami Dolphins were in an interesting situation heading into this years draft. They have questions at linebacker, guard, wide-receiver, safety, and cornerback. They also had only two picks in the first two days of the draft. Hitting on those picks was, is, paramount to the teams success.

Forget the fact that head coach Joe Philbin is entering a make or be fired season, the Dolphins may not have addressed the needs they, well, needed, to fill those holes. In fact the Dolphins didn’t really draft a starter.

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I know what you are thinking, I’m crazy. But hear me out for a second. I’m not saying the draft was bad just that it’s not perfect and is full of projects that need to develop.

While DeVante Parker is one of those franchise type receivers, he may not be the day one starter on the outside. Consider that an incoming rookie wideout has a learning curve and it may be hard to put him immediately ahead of Greg Jennings or Kenny Stills. Parker’s progress is hardly a concern and if he doesn’t “start” he will see significant playing time.

The same can not be said for any other Miami Dolphins draft pick.

2nd round pick Jordan Phillips has a HUGE upside but he also has a long way to go before he is ready to take on far better NFL offensive lineman. Again, Phillips is a project that needs to develop. He can be great or he can be a bust but one thing is almost a certainty. He will not likely start over Earl Mitchell. In other words, the Dolphins drafted a very high ceiling prospect with a ton of upside but not an immediate impact starter. Like they could have done by drafting a guard or tackle.

In round four the Dolphins again went with a good talented player but one that will need time to develop or at the very least will compete for a starting job. Jamil Douglas is a big offensive guard but he isn’t ready to start yet. He needs to improve his technique and he needs to improve on his footwork. He will have training camp to do that but he won’t enter camp as the starter and likely won’t the season either. At least there is a chance he won’t.

Moving on into the 5th round where four players were taken, running back Jay Ajayi has the best opportunity to see extended non-special teams play in 2015. As a back-up to Lamar Miller. Defensive backs Bobby McCain and Cedric Thompson have to develop into full time players at this level so don’t expect a ton of work for them to start the season. The Dolphins announced their final pick, wide-receiver Tony Lippett as a cornerback making his road to start a longer journey.

Leaving the draft the Dolphins failed to add a linebacker, failed to add a ready to start guard, and while they came out of round one with a very good wide-receiver they still have holes and some concerns. They did however draft some very high end prospects and they should pay off in another year. That is not a statement that necessarily knocks this draft.

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