5 guards the Dolphins should consider in the draft
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have needs at linebacker, defensive end and tackle, corner, safety and yes for another year, guard. Recent misses continue to haunt the Dolphins drafts.
Over the past five years the Dolphins have reached for guards in the mid-rounds with the hopes of developing those players into starting quality players. Players like Jamil Douglas, Billy Turner, and Dallas Thomas. All of whom are no longer with the team.
Others like John Jerry were moved from tackle to guard and played well enough but were not re-signed when their rookie deals were completed. The best guard that Miami has had in a decade came through free agency. Richie Incognito. He is still playing at a solid level for the Bills but his off-field locker room antics made it almost impossible for the Dolphins to keep him.
Miami has had a revolving door at guard for almost a decade. And not just at one guard position but both. The Dolphins have done well enough to fill the spots with serviceable veterans. Some like Jermon Bushrod and the aforementioned Incognito have worked out well enough while others like John Fox have not.
The Dolphins have not put the same kind of emphasis in the draft on guards as they have on other positions so to think Miami would spend a day one or two pick on a guard is not likely but should they be looking in that direction here are some names that could pop up as the draft nears.
We used Ian Wharton’s draft guide to help with the player profiles. You can buy that guide here.
Forrest Lamp – Western Kentucky
The question with Lamp is where will he be drafted? Some believe that Lamp, considered one of if not the top guard in this years draft, will go somewhere between 18 and possibly not until the top of round two.
It’s highly unlikely that the Dolphins would use their number 22 overall pick on Lamp despite his predicted slotting. The Dolphins know they could use a guard but they also know that they need defensive help more.
Miami’s issue is they only have 7 draft picks total. This is a deep defensive draft so Miami needs more picks. Those could come in the form of a trade down in round one. If Miami were to strike a deal that could add an additional day two pick or more, Lamp could be in play depending on where they land in round one or two. Otherwise, Lamp is a name, for now, that is being floated around by a lot of people but it’s becoming unlikely at 22. Which really discredits my own recent mock draft.