Another linebacker lands in Miami in today’s mock draft
In Monday’s edition of our daily mock draft, the Dolphins hit gold again with a top linebacker falling in their laps.
We’re just three days away from the start of the 2018 NFL Draft. No one can predict how this thing is going to play out, but madness is expected with so many teams eyeing a quarterback. The Miami Dolphins, obviously, are one of those teams hoping to snag one on Thursday night. To secure a quarterback, however, it’s likely they’ll have to move up to get one. What remains certain, however, is if they stand pat at 11, that a really good player will be there for the taking, even if it’s not a quarterback.
There are a bunch of non-quarterbacks that the Dolphins have their eyes on as well. The most notable probably being the two top-rated linebackers on the board because it is such a glaring need for Miami. In all likelihood, both players will be off the board by the time the Dolphins select their pick. Nothing is for certain though, and there is the chance that one of them may fall.
In today’s mock draft, one does fall to Miami. Now, our mock drafts do not take into account trades at any point of the draft so they have to be taken lightly. Trades are expected to happen within the top 10, but if they don’t, who knows what will happen. For today’s mock draft, using the Fanspeak simulator, I used the recently updated Draftplex big board as well as Draftplex team needs on difficult level. Let’s take a look at the results.
Round 1 – Tremaine Edmunds – LB
As I mentioned, it’s likely that both Edmunds and Roquan Smith will be off the board within the top 10, but if one does happen to fall to Miami, they’ll be very happy. If there’s a quarterback still remaining as well then they will have a tough decision to make, but the Dolphins would be extremely grateful to land Edmunds.
Round 2 – Justin Reid – S
There are more pressing needs than safety here, but the thought of adding Reid is too good to pass up. Behind Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick, Reid is, arguably, the next best safety in this draft. Reid has the potential to become a Pro Bowler, and the Dolphins could plug him into the free safety position in Week 1. Expected to be a first round pick, Miami would be very lucky if Reid lands to them at 42.
Round 3 – Mark Andrews – TE
After taking Reid in the second, Miami watches Dallas Goedert and Hayden Hurst come off the board. Knowing that they need to take a tight end here, they’re happy to see Andrews still on the board. Like many of the tight ends in this class, Andrews must improve on his blocking, but he’s a terrific pass-catcher, and easily a top 5 tight end in the draft.
Round 4 – Royce Freeman – RB
Yesterday, I mocked Freeman to Miami in the fourth, and I do it again today as the best running back left on the board. As a good mix between Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore, Freeman does a great job at breaking tackles. He would probably be rated higher if it hadn’t been for a knee injury and a poor Oregon Ducks season as a senior.
Round 4 – Kendrick Norton – DT
No surprise here if you’ve seen my other mock drafts. Norton is one of the best run-stuffing tackles in this class, and my personal favorite as a mid-round selection.
Round 6 – Riley Ferguson – QB
I know the Dolphins really want one of the top quarterbacks, but if they miss out, I think Ferguson has the best potential of the late round options. He has the size, and quietly had a very good collegiate career. I think that had he played out his career in Tennessee as originally planned, he might be considered a Day 1 or early Day 2 selection. Quarterbacks drafted this late rarely ever work out, but Ferguson has the best shot in my opinion.
Round 7 – Matt Pryor – OT
In the seventh round, it’s time for Miami to start adding some help to their offensive line. Pryor is the best player available, who can play anywhere on the right side. If he plays well enough, he could even become Miami’s starting right tackle in 2019 should the Dolphins decide not to bring back Ja’Wuan James.
Round 7 – Will Clapp – C
Clapp is another player that can play multiple positions across the line. He played every game at center in 2017, but he played guard on both sides as a sophomore at LSU. Both Clapp and Pryor are projected as high as the fifth round, so if Miami can land them with their final two picks it’s a solid win.