My 7-round Dolphins mock draft (Two scenarios)

5th Round

In Scenario 1, the Dolphins have three selections in the fifth round and use all those picks on defensive players.  S Tedric Thompson (Colorado), LB Ben Gideon (Michigan), and DT Steve Tu’Ikolavtu (USC).

Thompson lasts to the 5th round due to concussion concerns and a lack of physicality but Miami overlooks those concerns and focuses on his play-making ability (13 career INTs) and views him as a potential starting free safety.

Ben Gideon is a physical middle linebacker who will have to make the roster based on his special teams play but will eventually battle Mike Hull and Neville Hewitt for the backup MIKE linebacker position.

“Stevie T” as many have nicknamed him is a massive human being at 6’1″ 331lbs.  He offers very little in the way of pass rushing ability for a defensive tackle but you aren’t moving him out of the middle in the running game.  He will instantly join the DT rotation with Suh and Phillips.

In Scenario 2, I go a slightly different direction but still focus on the defense with the picks of S Jadar Johnson (Clemson), CB Corn Elder (Miami, FL) and DE Keonta Davis (Tennessee-Chatanooga).

Johnson lasts until round five mainly because he is a liability in run support and only started one year at Clemson.  However, like Tedric Thompson, Johnson shows great aptitude for playing the role of “centerfield safety” as evidenced by his 5 INTs in 2016.

Davis, a “tweener” and faced lower level competition in the All Southern Conference, will finally be selected in round five because of his high motor and knack for getting to the quarterback (24 career sacks).

Elder’s size (5’10” 183 lbs) will cause him to slide but he provides immediate competition at nickel corner for the Dolphins.