Miami Dolphins seven round mock 2019 NFL mock draft 1.0

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide on fourth down during the fourth quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Clelin Ferrell #99 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide on fourth down during the fourth quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The Miami Dolphins will pick 13th overall in April’s draft and while some speculate quarterback in round one it could be anyone.

New Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is a defensive guy so could the Miami Dolphins go defense with that first pick? It is possible. There are serious needs on the defensive line and at linebacker but defensive end could be the biggest hole on the roster.

Robert Quinn is due $12 million this year and unless he restructures, he will be gone. Cameron Wake is a free agent and while he wants to continue playing and playing in Miami if possible, the Dolphins may decide he isn’t worth the likely $8 million a year it will cost them. Andre Branch‘s contract also tends to lean toward a likely release.

Quarterback is the drama of this year and if the Dolphins don’t draft a signal caller in rounds one or two this year, expect them to be looking for a high draft pick in 2020. In other words, tanking through a rebuild.

Here is a mock of what this years draft based on Dolphins needs might look like.

Round One

Clelin Ferrell – Edge – Clemson

The Miami Dolphins do need to address the edge of their defensive front and Ferrell is one of the best in this years class. There is a better chance that Ferrell goes long before the Dolphins are on the clock as top edge rushers are hard to find. Ferrell comes from a big school and is fresh off a dominating season and a National Championship.

With Miami Ferrell will be a day one starter and will allow the Dolphins to implement the style of defense that Brian Flores used in New England.

Round Two

Isaiah Buggs – DT – Alabama

The Dolphins should be thrilled if the first two rounds played out like this. Buggs is a run stopping defensive lineman with the speed to get up field and collapse the pocket while shutting down the center/guard lanes for a QB escape. Buggs is well-disciplined having played under Nick Saban. Another big school product that would bolster the Dolphins defensive front immediately.

Round Three

Michael Dieter – G/C – Wisconsin

Dieter has started at both the interior line positions and on both sides of the ball. The Dolphins need to improve their guard play and it is unclear if Ja’Wuan James or Josh Sitton return for 2019. Daniel Kilgore is also a question mark which means that Dieter could become a day one starter for Miami at center or guard.

Round Four

Miles Boykin – WR – Notre Dame

You have to give your new OC something and Boykin has a lot of potential. A big receiver that looks like DeVante Parker but has a better motor and more ability to use his body against corners. The Dolphins may not address the WR position this year but it takes receivers a year or two to develop so taking one this year would give him time to develop before the QB arrives in 2020.

Round Five

Khalen Saunders – NT – Western Illinois

In 2018 the Miami Dolphins defense couldn’t stop anything on the ground and now may be switching to a more hybrid 3-4 defense that will require a nose tackle. At 320 pounds roughly, Saunders has the mobility to move around and take on multiple blockers allowing the linebackers to fill the gaps.

Round Six

David Long – LB – West Virginia 

Miami continues to rebuild their defense this year with the addition of a linebacker. Long will need to develop but will see time on special teams while he gets better in Flores’ and Patrick Graham’s system.

Round Seven

Justin Layne – CB – Michigan State

The Dolphins need special teams help and depth at corner. Layne has potential and upside but needs to develop and should get the time to do so in Miami.