2016 Dolphins Post-draft “mock draft”
While many would consider this article a “second guess” draft, I am writing about the players I would have picked for Miami AT THE TIME they were on the clock. (Not to mention trades that were available at the time.)
Round 1
Shaq Lawson – While the Dolphins selection of Laremy Tunsil is beginning to grow on me, anyone who followed the ‘draft chat’ on this site knows I was not happy with the selection of Tunsil.
As recent history has taught us (i.e. Josh Gordon, Randy Gregory, Dion Jordan) players that recreationally use marijuana do not suddenly stop after they have money and more time on their hands. My hope is that Tunsil will stay clean and become a HOF left tackle for Miami, it wasn’t worth the risk in the first round.
As for Lawson, the Dolphins have two aging & expensive pass rushers and could use the infusion of youth that Lawson would have brought. He defends the run almost as well as he rushes the passer.
Even if Cameron Wake and Mario Williams return to form, putting all three on the field on 3rd down would have been a nightmare for AFC QBs.
Round 2
Mackensie Alexander (Miami doesn’t trade up with Baltimore)
In the second round, Miami gets a player I would have considered in the first with a trade-back scenario and keeps their 4th round pick. Alexander is a great candidate for Vance Joseph’s “press man/zone” coverage and his tape is more consistent than Xavien Howard’s. While he had no INTs in college, he rarely gave up completions either.
Round 3
Kyler Fackrell
Anybody who read my mock draft knows I was high on the LB from Utah St. Miami could use a versatile linebacker and Fackrell is equally adept at playing the run, covering RBs/TEs. He is capable of playing both ILB as well as SLB.
Round 4 (Miami still possesses this pick due to no trade in 2nd)
Kenyan Drake
Not sure Drake would have lasted till round 4 but considering that only ONE back was taken between Miami’s 3rd and 4th round selections, there is a good chance he would still be there. Kenyan possesses return/ST ability and lacks the ball security issues of many of the other top backs.
Round 5
Harlan Miller
Miami needs more competition at cornerback and Miller provides the size, energy and passion that the Dolphins front office seems to covet. He put up disappointing combine numbers but all Miller does is make plays.
Round 6
Scooby Wright
Kiko Alonso may be the answer at MLB but his knee (and return to form) continue to be a concern. Like Miller before him, Wright didn’t turn heads at the combine but makes plays all over the field.
Round 7
Pick #1 Landon Turner
The fact that Turner went undrafted makes me think NFL evaluators might know something I don’t. Miami needs some beef/muscle up on the OL and Turner excels as a run blocker. He immediately competes with Dallas Thomas, Jerod Bushrod and others for the LG position.
Pick #2 Bryce Williams
Miami decided to address the TE position by drafting Thomas Duarte but Williams is the more complete tight end. Williams is taller, making him the better red zone target, and is a much better blocker than Duarte.
In this scenario, Miami picks up 2 CBs competing for playing time (three when you include the non-trade of Jamar Taylor), 2 potential upgrades at LB, the running back they wanted after Elliott, a more complete TE and a run-blocking beast at guard.
When you factor in that Miami retains their 3rd and 4th round selections in 2017 I believe this is a much better outcome for the Miami Dolphins for this year and beyond.