Miami Dolphins need to find a playmaking franchise player in draft

The Miami Dolphins are scheduled to draft 13th overall in April’s NFL Draft. They need to draft a play-making franchise player.

File that statement about the Miami Dolphins under the “well duh” column but in reality if you think about it, when was the last time the Dolphins drafted a player that they could build around? A player that would be in a long-term plan that would reshape the offense or the defense for a long time. When?

The answer is Ryan Tannehill and that was a failure on many levels. That was 2008 and since the Dolphins have not really added that one player that you can build around and rely on. That player who will elevate the players around him and take over the leadership role without question.

In 2020 if things go correctly the Miami Dolphins will draft a quarterback that will be the face of the franchise for the next decade or more. If they hit the right one. In 2019, the Dolphins need to find that one player on defense they can do the same with.

Minkah Fitzpatrick has all the tools and athleticism to be great but when the Dolphins drafted him they didn’t as a cornerstone piece. He is a plug and play corner, linebacker, nickel, safety who is a master of none. He needs a home that he can develop at and until he does he will remain a big piece of the puzzle. An edge piece for certain but not a corner.

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Xavien Howard is a fantastic corner but there are real concerns about his health. He missed time in 2016 and again in 2018 with knee issues. Nothing considered serious but a third season missing games make it a problem. Building around Howard is not likely because there is no guarantee that he will be around in another three years. Again, a great side piece to the puzzle but not a corner.

On defense the Dolphins don’t have any corner pieces to that puzzle. They have plenty of edge pieces. Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker, Davon Godchaux, Fitzpatrick, and Howard. Something needs to tie all of them together. Someone needs to build that puzzle into a circle where there are not corners but one central piece that binds it all.

This years draft is important for the Dolphins to find that playmaker. They don’t need another piece to the puzzle. They need a bona-fide leader. A Von Miller or J.J. Watt. He could be a linebacker or defensive tackle. Maybe a defensive end or even another corner.

Successful teams have those players on both sides of the ball that take over games. In Los Angeles Jared Goff is that offensive guy while Aaron Donalds is that guy on defense. Chances are Miami won’t find their offensive guy this year so nailing the one on defense is important.

It’s time to find that franchise player on that side of the ball. It solves so many problems defensively and Miami has a lot to solve on defense.