Miami Dolphins Still Have Needs In Draft Day 3

The Miami Dolphins added a playmaking wide-receiver on day one of the 2015 NFL Draft. On day two they added a project defensive lineman, by-passing an offensive guard/tackle. Now with day three only hours away from wrapping up, the Dolphins enter day three with needs along that offensive line and could use linebacker help as well.

The problem? There are no true starters available anymore. Whomever is drafted on day three will likely be competition and projects. In other words, the Dolphins didn’t do a very good job at solving a glaring issue on the offensive line.

The Dolphins can say all they want about believing in Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas to man the guard positions this season but we all have seen what Dallas Thomas can do, or rather can’t and Turner who spent last season hurt is an unknown.

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Miami still has five picks left on day three. A 4th round pick and four 5th round picks. They traded their 6th and 7th round picks in various trades. The Dolphins will need to make a splash on day three and hope that they can find some top players to come in and make an impact right away. It’s not a dire situation but it’s close.

The top player still on the board is LSU guard La’el Colllins but Collins has slid off most teams draft boards due to the murder investigation of his former girlfriend. The police do not consider him a suspect but that has not been enough to persuade teams to draft him. On Friday night his agent said that if Collins wasn’t drafted on day two that he would not sign a deal with a team and would stay out of football in 2015 and reenter the draft in 2016.

Collins however is the only player left on the board with start from day one talent.

Notable offensive line talent still available include T.J. Clemmings but Clemmings is dealing with a fractured foot and is considered a far better center than a guard or tackle. Tre’ Jackson is an offensive guard but isn’t considered a day one starter but more of a project. Georgia Tech guard Shaq Mason is also available.

At linebacker, another need for the Dolphins, most of the top talent are off the board as one would expect. Taiwan Jones from Michigan State is on the board. A middle linebacker would add depth to a crowded group of linebacker prospects already on the Dolphins roster. OLB Jake Ryan of Michigan is also still on the board.

Safety has been a question mark and the Dolphins haven’t really addressed the spot. Only four safeties have come off the board in the first three rounds which shows a lack of depth in this years draft.

Another option and perhaps the best option Miami has left is a trade with Philadelphia for disgruntled guard Evan Mathis. Mathis is skipping voluntary workouts because he wants a new deal. He is on his final year of his contract. The Eagles have seemed at times interested in trading the guard but a deal has yet to be worked out. The Dolphins could make a move for him on day three and fill the gaping hole at guard on the left side.  Whether they do or not is another story.

One way or the other Day three has traditionally been about finding players that fit your system that you can coach up and develop, the Dolphins however need to find players that can develop quickly because they may need them in 2015.