Players Dolphins should be targeting in NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins have their draft board pretty much set. While many concentrate on first round prospects, there are a few “under the radar” players that would fit what the Dolphins are trying to do.

More from Dolphins Draft

While hitting on a player in the first round is essential, so is finding players in subsequent rounds. Miami has struggled to hit on players in rounds 2-4 but that is where good teams usually find the additional two or three starters that make a strong draft class.

Below are five players that are “flying under the radar” that could get Miami trending in the right direction.

(1) La’Raven Clark, LT, Texas Tech

Clark could be Miami’s Left Tackle of the future. Experts agree he needs a year to acclimate to the NFL, however, most believe he is a future Pro-Bowl talent. The best case scenario has Clark play RT for a year and move JuWuan James to RG.

Would I take Clark in Round 1 or 2? No

Round 3? You bet.

(2) Matt Judon, DE, Grand Valley St

With Mario Williams and Cameron Wake reaching the ‘twilight’ of their careers, Miami is in need of a young pass rusher. Taking one in the 1st/2nd round is always a possibility but the Dolphins have bigger needs going into 2016. Judon is two years removed from an ACL tear, and didn’t play a high level of competition, but 20 sacks at ANY level is impossible to ignore.

Sitting/learning behind Wake & Williams for 1-2 years would be worth a 4th-5th round pick to me.

(3) Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah St

Fackrell hasn’t gotten the attention that Jordan Jenkins, Darren Lee or even Su’a Cravens has but he should be. This kid is a tremendous athlete.

This player is stout against the run and covers really well in space. The Dolphins would be much improved having a linebacker like Fackrell covering the likes of Ron Gronkowski and Matt Forte than what is currently on the roster.

The ACL tear from 2014 concerns me a little, and Fackrell can still just some work on his pass rushing but if he’s there at the end of round 2, I would even consider a trade up scenario to go get him.

(4) K.J. Dillon, Safety, West Virginia

A month ago, Dillon was very much an ‘under the radar’ prospect. Since then it seems like alot of people are catching on to this kid.

He plays with alot of energy and has been mentioned as “scheme diverse”. Vance Joseph likes having safeties that can play both SS & FS and Dillon can excel at doing both.

Isa Abdul-Quddus was signed this offseason but he’s never been a full-time starter while Rashad Jones is unhappy about his contract and skipping minicamps.

Dillon would, at worst, provide depth/insurance in case one of these situations goes wrong. At best, he becomes a starter and makes Quddus or Jones a trade possibility in 2017.

Using a 4th round pick on Dillon would provide the kind of value that Miami shouldn’t pass up.

(5) Adam Gotsis, DT, Georgia Tech

The Dolphins have been looking for help stopping the run since Paul Soliai left in 2014. They thought they had the solution by signing Ndamukong Suh and drafting Jordan Phillips. While Phillips showed promise and Suh flashed, at times, Miami’s run defense still ranked 28th in run defense for 2015.

Gotsis is a major force at defensive tackle. While he brings little to the table as a pass rusher, he is tall, long and VERY hard to move in the run game.

If his knee checked out at the Combine, Gotsis would make a great addition to Miami’s defensive line rotation. (Round 6-7)

Home/Dolphins Draft