Prioritizing Miami Dolphins NFL draft needs by position

The Miami Dolphins are not in a position to draft the best player available. They need to draft for needs but there is good news regarding those needs.

When the Miami Dolphins are on the clock later this month, whether in round one or round seven, the team must focus on filling their needs and not simply drafting the best player available. The good news is that the Dolphins have needs at almost every position and because of that, BPA might just fit.

The question is how will the Dolphins prioritize their needs? Quarterback, running back, wide-receiver, offensive tackle, guard, defensive tackle, linebacker, defensive end, and corner are all big needs on the teams roster.

Fans may view each position differently as it relates to the overall needs of the team and with the Dolphins having only seven draft picks in 2019 there is also a need for more picks. Obviously the Dolphins can’t fill all of their needs in this draft. Miami will need to look at the undrafted and free agent pool after the draft is complete.

If we are to prioritize the teams needs, they should look similar to this.

1: Defensive tackle

The Dolphins need to stop the bleeding on defense. The Dolphins continue to struggle against the run even against teams without a solid running game. Defensive tackle is a big issue for the Dolphins and it needs to be fixed.

2: Defensive end

There is a glaring weakness at defensive end and frankly it can be interchanged with the first on on this list. Cameron Wake, Andre Branch, William Hayes, and Robert Quinn are all gone. Charles Harris, Jonathan Woodard, and Tank Carradine are your top three with an AAF cast-off in the mix as well.

3: Offensive tackle

For now the starting right tackle is Jesse Davis but there are questions regarding him as a full-time RT. The Dolphins need to bookend the offensive line but they also have other issues on the line as well. Combine them together and the Oline is a big problem.

For the sake of space we can combine the need for guard and center here as well. The Dolphins are likely going to focus on the RT spot earlier than any other on the Oline but that could change depending on availability.

4: Quarterback

Yes, this writer is in the wait for 2020 camp for a quarterback but it is still a big need on the team. Just not as big as the other positions ahead of it. This year. The draft has a lot of top end talent on defense so QB isn’t quite the need it will be in 2020.

5: Linebacker

Kiko Alonso will play 2019 and maybe 2020 with the Dolphins but beyond that it is questionable. Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker are the Dolphins future at the position but Miami really needs to get a fast pass rushing outside linebacker that can move up to the line and get around OT’s.

6: Corner

The Dolphins are set with Xavien Howard but they have nothing on the opposite side and with Minkah Fitzpatrick reportedly moving to the safety position full-time, they have one less player to plug. Brian Flores loved to use the corners in various ways on the Patriots defense so it should come as little surprise that the Dolphins will need to upgrade one side of the unit.

7: Wide-receiver

DeVante Parker is back on what is essentially a one year deal. Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson are returning from injury and Kenny Stills may finally have a quarterback who will risk everything to throw down-field. They still need to find a receiver that they can develop into an outside threat. Parker, barring a big turnaround in his career, and Stills are not likely going to be around two years from now.

8: Running back

While the position is a need given that only two viable options are on the roster, Kalen Ballage and Kenyan Drake, Miami should not have a problem finding a runner outside of the draft. It is still a need that should be addressed.