The Not So Far Away- Miami Dolphins Mock Draft

Less than a month way from the actual NFL draft, with all that has unfolded recently, here is how I see the Dolphins draft going down:

1^st round – 11^th overall – Derwin James – FS – Florida State

In my eyes, there will be run of 4 QBs in the top 5 picks, this actually benefits the Dolphins to obtain a legit Defensive player. Edmunds has been my pick since the beginning, but with all the QBs now gone, I doubt that he makes it past the 49ers (issues with Ruben Foster).  Whom ever losses out on  Edmunds – will get Smith (Bears or Oakland).

Here is the thing – during the GM meetings, Gase specifically called out his Safeties and their lack of game play. I’m not saying that is the main reason, but when the Dolphins lead the league in yards obtained from an opposing Tight End –they need to do something.  James is the next coming of Sean Taylor.  He plays with a fire that I haven’t seen in a while and would automatically increase the Dolphins presence on the back-end.

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2^nd round – 42^nd overall –  Mike Gesicki – TE – Penn State

• Previous selection – Billy Price – C – Ohio State
• The reason for this pick is two fold; One, we traded for a new center recently.  The Dolphins then  re-signed Sam Young and still have Larsen and Isaac Asiata – which means that Dolphins actually have solid depth on their oline – (what??? That even surprised me.  When was the last time the Dolphins had that?).  Two, the Dolphins don’t have a legit pass catching Tight End on their roster – enter Gesicki who basically is what the Dolphins have been looking for.  I like this kid more than Andrews after watching tape on him.  He honestly reminds me of Gronk.

3^rd round – 70^th overall – Kemoko Turary – OLB – Rutgers

• Previous pick – Mark Andrews – TE – Oklahoma
• The Dolphins still need a legit linebacker that can cover, they lost out on Edmunds, but they find another player that looks pretty much identical to him. Turary is a beast – he’s only 22 years old, 6’5 and 232LBs.  He will remind a lot of people of Dion Jordan – with respect to his shape nothing else – he can run with any TE and has excellent blitzing skills – which is exactly what the Dolphins need to pair with Raekwon.

4^th round – 104^th overall – Kendrick Norton – DT – Miami

• Previous Pick – Kyle Lauletta QB – Richmond
• This is a match made in heaven. The Dolphins will be going into the season with Jordan Philips and Davon Godchaux.  They have a nice rotation with Vincent Taylor and Hayes, but you can always use more.  Norton has a chip on his shoulder and knows how to work the trenches – now he gets to play in his backyard.

4^th round – 131^st overall – Troy Fumagalli – TE – Wisconsin

• Previous Pick – not provided
• The Dolphins are doubling down on tight ends. It makes sense.  The Dolphins need to add two legit Tight ends in this draft and suddenly have a nice rotation in two tight end sets and single high Tight end.

6^th round – 195^st overall – DJ Reed – CB – Kansas State

• Previous pick – Royce Freeman RB – Oregon
• I really like Reed’s style of play. His shadowing and foot works is great – not excellent – but great.  Thereby showing nice hip movements to the ball and against the line of scrimmage.  We have nice depth at cornerback, but Reed’s mark will strictly be to replace Michael Thomas on special teams and try to steal playing time from Bobby McCain.

7^th round – 199^th overall – Logan Woodside – QB – Toledo

• Previous pick – Braxton Berrios – WR – Miami
• It’s nothing against the Dolphins, it just the way the draft unfolded that they select a QB so late. Woodside is a definite project player, but he has a nice deep ball and he attacks the opposing team.  He needs development and the game hasn’t slowed down for him…yet.

7^th round – 203^rd overall – Ito Smith – RB – Southern Miss

• Previous pick – Joe Ostman LB – Central Michigan
• Ito could eventually be the most under-rated RB in this draft class and would be an ideal steal for the Dolphins in the 7^th. He would automatically come in and replace D. Williams presence on the field.