Miami Dolphins should go this route with the NFL Draft

Everyone has an opinion on what the Miami Dolphins should do in this weeks NFL Draft.

We are no different.

The Miami Dolphins will pick 11th but how they spend the rest of their draft picks is far more important than what they do in round one. Round one is by far the more exciting round but in rounds two through four teams should be adding not just talent to develop but players who can contribute immediately.

Over the past few drafts the Dolphins have found some solid prospects in the mid-rounds, especially at running back where they have drafted Lamar Miller, Jay Ajayi, and Kenyan Drake. They have not found similar success with other positions.

Miami often reaches for players in the mid-rounds outside of running back. They have only hit on receiver Jarvis Landry and while Jakeem Grant has shown promise he hasn’t taken the next step yet. That could change in 2018.

Miami can’t afford to get pigeonholed into drafting for need only. If they do they will pass on players that can make an impact on their roster and frankly there is not many areas that couldn’t use an impact player.

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If I were drafting for the Dolphins my draft might look something like this.

First round: Best pure talent regardless of position.

Vita Vea is a hot topic right now as is quarterback. If a QB is available at pick 11 I’m drafting him but depending on who that player is I may pass to draft one of the two linebackers, Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds instead. Vea would not be my first option and frankly he wouldn’t be my fifth either.

In round one at pick 11 there is a lot of talent that will be on the board. If you take out the top four quarterbacks, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold then you have seven players that will be available at 11. Take out Saquon Barkley and Bradley Chubb and you have five. Those five will consist of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Derwin James, Quentin Nelson, Roquan Smith, and Tremain Edmunds. If you remove Nelson as not a need for Miami you can add Denzel Ward or RB Derrius Guice.

Ward and Guice are not major needs but you can make a big argument that they will help Miami more than Vea.

Round 2:

Hard to assume what the Dolphins will do in round one but many believe that round two will be a tight-end. Chances are only one top tight-end will be on the board when the Dolphins pick as several are starting to climb their way into the back-end of round one.

At this pick I am drafting again best player available if that player is a defensive lineman, defensive edge rusher, offensive lineman, linebacker, or corner/safety. I might even take a running back and definitely a tight-end if one is there.

Tight-end and linebacker are my first two priorities but I won’t reach for one to fill a hole.

Round 3:

I now pass on the BPA and pick the BPA at a position not addressed. This is where a QB could come into play if I like what is on the board at the position or don’t like what is left. TE is also a potential pick if I didn’t address it in round two. Wide-receiver should not be ruled out here either but I might stay away from edge rushers as at this point most of the top rushers are gone and I still need a player who can impact my roster or serve as the future at QB to develop.

Round 4 and 5:

Last year the Dolphins nailed it with Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor and this year they should have enough tape to make another smart decision on who they are going after. Linebacker and offensive line would be more priority in these rounds.

Round 6 and 7: 

Traditionally teams look to add players that have a lot of potential, can make the roster on special teams and so on. I tend to think that finding a player who is ready to play is more important. There are always players that drop due to injury concerns or athletic concerns but they shouldn’t be. I’m looking for players that may have to wait a year to fully recover or a player who stands out as more than developmental. My guess however is that Miami will take a kicker in one of those two rounds and honestly, I’m not opposed.