Dolphins post-free agency 7 round mock draft

The Dolphins won’t select until the first pick of the compensatory round due to the trade up last year for WR Leonte Carroo. That trade cost the Dolphins a third and fourth round pick. Carroo of course thus far has been a bust.

Miami also has no selections in round four and the talent starts to drop considerably after round three. It’s a reason that I suggested Miami trade down in round one and potentially add another 2nd and 3rd or 4th round selection.

ROUND THREE: Eddie Vanderdoes, 3-4DE, UCLA

Vanderdoes is not a great pass rush defensive end but he is good at setting the edge and stopping the run. Miami has two DE’s in Wake and Branch who are good at pass rush but not at stopping the run so there is room for Vanderdoes on the Dolphins rotation and that is an option that the Dolphins need to consider.

ROUND FOUR – TRADED

ROUND FIVE Pick 166:  Alex Anzalone, OLB/ILB, Florida

Anzalone was having a very good college career before a broken arm sidelined him in 2016 and hurt his draft stock. There are also hiccups in his game. While he is fast he doesn’t have the kind of angular pursuit speed and is more of a straight runner. He needs coaching but so does everyone else taken in rounds 3, 4, and 5. He is also capable of playing inside so there is added value and depth.

ROUND FIVE PICK 178: Corn Elder, CB, Miami

Elder is not a day one starter but could push for playing time against Tony Lippett. A leader at Miami University, Elder isn’t very tall and projects more as a nickel corner but Miami runs a lot of those packages and Elder would line up well against the slot.
ROUND FIVE PICK 184:  Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota

The Dolphins have put a premium on upgrading their secondary and while rumors persisted that the Dolphins would make an off-season trade for a “top” corner, that didn’t happen. Myrick is a very fast corner. He ran a 4.28 40. Blazing fast. But can he cover? He has work to do and needs to be coached on better technique and needs some help with his turns but overall he is a good prospect that allows Miami to get faster on defense. A year or two from starting, Myrick could develop in the right system.

ROUND SIX: NONE

ROUND SEVEN: Kyle Kalis, Michigan, OG

The Dolphins could use another guard to develop and Kalis has a lot of upside and potential. He needs to add some bulk and is likely a practice squad candidate but Miami is very thin along the offensive line.

WRAP-UP

Miami needs to go defensive heavy in this draft. They lack the number of draft picks to really add some meat to their defense so it’s going to have to be a “best player available” or “best fit” throughout the draft. What is known is that Miami needs to find a linebacker, defensive end, defensive tackle, and a guard.

I think this is a reasonable mock draft that fills positions of need while not over drafting or under-valuing players that likely won’t drop. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.