Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Should the Miami Dolphins trade up or trade down in the 2017 NFL Draft?

By Ryan Davis

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates a defensive stop during the first quarter of the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates a defensive stop during the first quarter of the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Defensive line is one of the pressing needs for the Miami Dolphins and they will draft a defensive lineman in the 2017 NFL Draft. If Jonathan Allen starts to slide on draft day due to his arthritic shoulders and mediocre combine, do the Miami Dolphins trade up and get Allen somewhere between picks 12-15?

Jonathan Allen would be a perfect fit for the Miami Dolphins and play day one on the rotation of the defensive line. On first down, Allen could play defensive end, stopping the run and threatening the quarterback.

On a long second or third down, Allen can move inside to defensive tackle and rush the passer. He would not face double teams since the offensive line would be double teaming Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake.

On rushing downs, the defensive line of the Dolphins can be William Hayes, Jordan Phillips, Suh, and rookie Jonathan Allen. On passing downs, the defensive line can be Andre Branch, Allen, Suh, and Wake getting to the quarterback.

All four of those players have the capability to get to the quarterback. However, the Dolphins would have to trade their 22nd pick of the first round in 2017 and their second-round pick in 2018 to move up to acquire Allen.

Last year, the Dolphins selected perhaps the best offensive lineman in the draft with Laremy Tunsil and by selecting Allen this year the Miami Dolphins could have the best defensive lineman from the 2017 draft. That creates a strong foundation for the Adam Gase era.

Or do the Miami Dolphins trade down? Many teams may covet the Miami Dolphins 22nd pick to draft a quarterback before other teams right after the Dolphins could pick their quarterback of the future.

More from Dolphins Draft

The New York Giants pick 23, the Houston Texans pick 25, and the Kansas City Chiefs pick 27. The Cleveland Browns could get Myles Garrett with the 1st pick but might not believe any of the quarterbacks have a grade compatible with the 12th pick, so instead they could draft Leonard Fournette.

However, they may want to trade into the end of the 1st round to take a quarterback. The Cleveland Browns could trade the 1st pick of the second round and the 52nd pick to the Miami Dolphins and pick quarterback DeShone Kizer or Patrick Mahomes.

What a future the Cleveland Browns could have after day one by getting Myles Garrett, Leonard Fournette, and their quarterback of the future.

The Miami Dolphins would then have 3 picks in the second round. The Dolphins could have 3 potential starters such as Taco Charlton at DE, Jarrad Davis at LB, and Pat Elflein at C/G or comparable players. Both teams would win in this trade.

Would the Miami Dolphins rather trade up and have Jonathan Allen, Jarrad Davis (or similar player) from Round 2, and Player A from 1st round of 2018, or would they rather trade down and have Taco Charlton, Jarrad Davis, Pat Elflein, Player A from 1st round of 2018, and Player B from 2nd round of 2018.

Either way the Miami Dolphins could have a strong defensive core with this draft class, Ndamukong Suh, Kiko Alonso, Xavien Howard, and Reshad Jones.

Home/Dolphins Draft