Playing Miami Dolphins GM: Approach to each draft round
By Brian Miller
A few select individuals know what the Miami Dolphins are going to do next week in the NFL Draft but arm-chair GM’s are going to tell you what they should do.
Guess what? I’m going to tell you what I think the Miami Dolphins should do in this years draft and while it makes some sense, the approach won’t be something that thrills everyone. There is a focus and a laid out plan it only depends on who falls.
My approach to this years draft isn’t really a secret and I am hoping that Chris Grier follows a similar plan. The speculation and rumors have been consistent that when the Dolphins draft becomes live, a focus on the trenches will be the “A” plan.
Round 1
My first objective is to find a trade partner and move down. Honestly I don’t care how far and would take a slew of picks to move out of round one if it was presented. Stocking up on the 2020 draft makes sense especially if a QB is my objective. It is, for 2020.
There is only one player in this draft class that keeps me at 13 and that is Ed Oliver. There are two reasons. One he fills a big need on my defensive line and two this guy could be a perennial Pro Bowl player and a leader on my defense. Everyone else is expendable.
Of course it is easy to say that I will trade down but it takes two teams to make that happen. So if I have to stay at 13 my plan is to take the best defensive tackle, end, or offensive lineman. There is no other position that I need more this year and no other players on the board that fill the holes as easily. At 13 there should be plenty to choose from and all of them have qualities that could lead them to become elite.
Round 2
This one is easy. Whatever I didn’t do in round one, I’m doing in round two. There will be good prospects on both sides of the ball. Many believe that the round two talent in the trenches is not that far from the mid-round to late first round talent. If I can move down and get another 2nd or 3rd in 2019, I am doing a good job.
Regardless of whether I have one or two picks in round two I’m drafting interior lineman. If I have a DT I’m looking at edge rushers and tackle/guard prospects with high upside. If what I want isn’t there, I’m looking to move down.
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Round 3
Doubling up on offensive lineman this year is smart so in round three I’m looking for another offensive lineman and there should be some solid prospects available. Miami has needs at center, guard, and tackle so there is no reason not to go with the beef in this years draft. Two offensive lineman in three rounds makes a lot of sense.
Round 4
Time to get defensive again. In round four I’m looking at linebacker and corner help. Players that can fit into the Brian Flores system who can cover, and play physical all the time. I need coachable players that have shown flexibility with their play at the college level and consistency. I should be able to find a 2019 starter or a guy that can develop into a starter by 2020.
Round 5
Switching sides back the offense I’m looking for a wide-receiver or a running back but in both cases I’m not 100% committed to either should a player fall that I was debating in round four. The best player available makes sense in the mid to late rounds so I’m not going to hinder my draft by skipping players that I am high on simply to follow a plan. That being said, this is where I would like to find some depth for those positions.
Round 6 and 7
At this point it becomes best player available for me. There is no positional need but I will put a focus on defensive line, edge, and offensive line regardless of how many at those positions I have already taken. I am also looking for a quarterback to develop.
I’m not high on this years class at the top but it is a disservice not to draft a quarterback at some point in this draft and groom them under Ryan Fitzpatrick to be a good back-up down the road. If you hit on a gem, even better.