10 defensive players the Miami Dolphins could target in round 2

The Miami Dolphins hold the No.22 and No.54 overall picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The first round pick should be used on the best player available.

I have made clear my stance on the Dolphins selecting a guard on twitter as I believe every draft class contains a Pro-Bowl caliber Guard in Day 3. Great teams are built from Round 2 on wards and are able to identify talent that everyone other team either undervalues or misinterprets. Below are ten defensive players I believe the Miami Dolphins should target at No.54 (note – Defense only as this is where the Dolphins should be looking in Round 2).

Front Seven

The Miami Dolphins need to get younger, more athletic, and stouter against the run. The Dolphins were routinely shredded in coverage at linebacker last year, as no-one outside of Kiko Alonso was able to hang with TEs or RBs. The Dolphins were also bullied off the ball last year and have been porous against the run for a number of years now. Finally, the Dolphins need to find the long-term replacement for Cameron Wake who is 35 years-old. I have identified 1 DE and 2 LBs who the Dolphins may target, and could be available at pick 54.

Jordan Willis, Kansas State

Willis a player who few had heard of before the Combine. The small-school stand out lit up Indianapolis posting a 4.53 40-time, 39” vertical jump, 4.28 20-yard shuttle, 6.85 on the 3-cone drill and bench pressed 24 times. At 6’4”, 255lbs – Willis is ideal size and has the explosiveness to be a dynamic pass rusher as a weakside 4-3 DE. The Dolphins need two things at DE – to get younger and stouter against the run – Willis ticks both of these boxes. He is excellent setting the edge but also has the explosiveness and strong hands required to fight off blockers and get into the backfield quickly.

Jarrad Davis, Florida

Miami needs help at linebacker and if Jarrad Davis makes it to 54 then the Dolphins should not hesitate to snap him up. Davis was a four-year starter at Florida. He is great in space, however, I worry about where Miami would play him. The Dolphins would most likely put Lawrence Timmons at SAM and Davis as Mike, but Davis brings athleticism and three-down ability which Miami is craving on Defense.

Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State

A player who made himself a lot of money at Indianapolis. The Linebacker showed off his athleticism and proved he can be a three-down LB in the NFL. He looked loose and performed well in coverage and agility skills at the Combine, which compliments the tackling machine that appears on tape. McMillan would play SAM for Miami, however, he is not a true sideline-to-sideline LB which could be worrying if paired next to Lawrence Timmons.