Offensive line could be the top target in round one for Miami Dolphins
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins could be looking to draft an offensive lineman in round one and that may not be a bad thing.
With a hole at right tackle and right guard and left guard and maybe even center, the Miami Dolphins offensive line is Swiss style cheese held together by Laremy Tunsil and possibly Jesse Davis. They lack meat.
This years draft is very good in the mid-rounds for offensive lineman and while I have never been a proponent of draft offensive lineman in round one, this year has changed my mind. From right tackles to guard and even center, the Dolphins could fix their offensive trench with a single draft card turned in at pick 13, or maybe even later if they trade down.
There are at least four bona fide options on the offensive line that could be draft day targets for the Dolphins and not much separates them in terms of talent. Some do however view one or two higher than the others.
For many, Jawaan Taylor of Florida has been the top ranking tackle prospect of this draft season. A well-rounded blocker from a big school, Taylor is an impressive tackle and many believe he will be the first offensive lineman taken in the draft.
Jonah Williams however may have something to say about that. The Alabama prospect has been steady in terms of his draft stock and there is a large group that believe Williams is the better all around tackle in this class. Unlike Taylor, Williams’ combine interviews were reported to be very good.
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While Taylor and Williams are considered the top of the class, there are those who are starting to believe that Andre Dillard of Washington State will be the better NFL lineman. Dillard is quick off the ball and has good recovery speed burst when beat but he holds up well against speed rushing defensive ends.
Cody Ford is another offensive tackle that has a lot of people talking. He may be the best of all three given the fact he can play right tackle, left tackle, right guard, and left guard, and do so almost equally as well. Ford is a rare draft prospect that has the tools and the intelligence to be very good at the next level. The Dolphins could do far worse than trading down a few picks and landing Ford. This would allow Davis to work at right tackle and Ford could take over if that fails.
Garrett Bradbury was once considered a 2nd to 3rd round guy but he has really climbed the draft charts and now is expected to go mid to late in the first round. He could be a target for the Dolphins if they drop further down in the round. Bradbury is a top center prospect and while the Dolphins don’t have an immediate need with Daniel Kilgore returning, they will need to upgrade the position eventually.