How the Miami Dolphins could trade down for the 2017 draft
The draft is still a ways off but that doesn’t stop any discussions or speculations covering it. One of those is trading down, here is a blueprint for the Miami Dolphins to do so.
The key here is to target a player that should be on the board in the second round allowing giving up the late 22nd first round pick for one in the second round and also one pick as well deeper in the draft.
This target should also fit the main need which is linebacker. The problem here is that all of the best linebackers should be gone by the second round according to reports. So if you wanted one of the best ones trading up would actually serve better interests.
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But this scenario is for trading down which will also limit the choice to the main target of J.J. Watt’s younger brother T.J. Watt who the Miami Dolphins took a look at during the Senior Bowl. And will also be looking at when the Combine comes up.
Some factors that need to happen are finding a trade partner wanting in on the 22nd first round pick most likely from a run on linebackers. This team will also need to have a pick to give in the second round better than pick 22 that the Miami Dolphins hold. What is it with 22nd pick? Every pick in every round is the 22nd pick! Anyway the reason for wanting a pick better than 22nd is to better ensure landing T.J. Watt.
The extra original pick could be used to target an edge rusher or if none are there look to trade for Sheldon Richardson. He could be had for the third round compensatory pick that is coming which usually happens near the Combine. Getting out ahead to head off this likelihood would also allow a wider margin of need players to pick from when the LBers and edge rushers are gone such as a lineman.
Having the later 22nd pick every round makes it tougher to get the right players on top of the already need (LBers) from other teams that has been reported. The Miami Dolphins won’t be the only team to focus primarily on defense this coming draft. This also puts an onus on hitting it out of the park during free agency having only five slated draft picks originally, two or three more from compensatory picks and one more even deeper in the rounds from those as a result of this trade down scenario.
It should be pointed out that this won’t be settling to get T.J. Watt he is just the engine that drives this trade down. And is most likely undervalued as the Miami Dolphins probably attest themselves by showing an interest. This value could self adjust during the Combine throwing this whole plan out of kilter.
Also trading among teams in the same conference is no easy task either.