Miami Dolphins have more needs than just QB, so let’s talk defensive line
By Shawn Digity
The Miami Dolphins still have other needs that are as important as quarterback, like the defensive line. This year’s draft should address that.
The Miami Dolphins are hurting all across the roster. Both trench units need major upgrades, but let’s start with the defensive side. The d-line needs a total makeover, many of the starters from the 2018 season will not be on the roster for 2019, so the Fins will almost be at square one when free agency begins.
The draft will make a lot of sense to address either defensive tackle or defensive end, and it’s a good class to look for them. This is a strong draft class for defensive-line hungry teams and is the perfect place to add some physicality to the team.
At 13, the Miami Dolphins should not have an issue finding a plug-and-play prospect, if that’s the direction they decide to go. The class is top-heavy with Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams and Ed Oliver headlining the highly-touted group. While any of those three options would be incredible for the Dolphins, they’re all likely going to go in the top 10, with Bosa and Williams probably going in the top five picks.
The contributors from With the First Pick recently did a mock draft that had the Dolphins selecting Deandre Baker, the corner from Georgia, but the interesting thing to note here is that Ed Oliver was available at pick 13 and went to the Redskins at 14. So maybe Oliver is losing a little steam and could be there for the Dolphins.
Assuming Ed Oliver is already gone, what other options remain in the teens for the Dolphins to improve their defensive line? For starters, there’s the entire Clemson starting d-line. Austin Bryant, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell all project to be there, so the Fins could take their pick of the litter. Ferrell is my prediction to be the first off the board, and Lawrence and Wilkins will go sometime in the mid-to-late first round.
Brian Burns from Florida State and Montez Sweat and Jeffrey Simmons from Mississippi State could all be there, as well. Simmons has some off-the-field concerns, so he’ll be off some team’s boards, maybe even in the Dolphins’ case.
Burns and Sweat could both be great fits for the revamped d-line as well. As a player, Simmons is my favorite and the best of those three, but the problems off the field will give any GM pause and will ultimately eliminate him from some big boards, so he might not be a target for the Dolphins.
Jachai Polite is another EDGE that will likely be available for the Miami Dolphins at 13. The former Florida Gator is my favorite EDGE player after Nick Bosa and I think he’ be one of the best options if he’s available.
Another player I like is Oshane Ximines from Old Dominion. He’s got more of a second-round grade, but he could be a good fit for the edge.
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In the second or third round, the Dolphins could address the defensive line need by taking the small-school standout Khalen Saunders from Western Illinois. I originally heard of him from his breakout Senior Bowl week and also because of that crazy backflip he did.
Speaking of Senior Bowl standouts, Daniel Wise from Kansas, Daylon Mack from Texas A&M and Charles Omenihu from Texas could all be potential selections on Day 2, as well.
Rashan Gary from Michigan and Dre’Mont Jones from Ohio State are solid picks. I’m higher on Jones than Gary, but I don’t doubt either being able to boost the Fins’ line. Isaiah Buggs from Alabama, Gerald Willis from Miami, Renell Wren from Arizona State, Jerry Tillery from Notre Dame, Greg Gaines from Washington, Zach Allen from Boston College or Jonathan Ledbetter from Georgia are all on the table too.
For a better look at some of the smaller name defensive-line prospects with their rankings based on position or gap technique, then Draft Tek is a great tool.
The defensive line is one of the strengths of the 2019 draft class, so it makes sense for the Miami Dolphins to address it when the draft rolls around.
I didn’t mention most of the prospects, either. There are plenty to choose from that I didn’t talk about and some will see their stock start to rise once the Combine and Pro Days are over. The Miami Dolphins should take advantage of all the defensive talent in this year’s draft.