Miami Dolphins recommended day two prospects to target
The Miami Dolphins 2019 draft got off to a good start last night with the selection of DT Christian Wilkins. Can they keep that momentum going into day two of the NFL Draft?
With one need satisfied, the Dolphins still have several remaining holes to fill heading into rounds two and three of the NFL Draft. Here are a list of the best fits available to fill those needs.
(1) With only LT Laremy Tunsil assured of a starting spot on the offensive line, the Dolphins could use additional help along the entire offensive line.
OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Taylor was projected to be a first round pick but got pushed down the board due to the quality and quantity of defensive players available in the draft. It also didn’t help his value that most teams view him as a right tackle-only prospect; although he did start some games at left tackle while at Florida. The Dolphins were enamored with a Gators offensive lineman in 2011 (Mike Pouncey). If they believe Taylor can offer the same value, he would be a good pick in the second round.
OT Greg Little, Ole Miss
While he wasn’t as highly rated entering the 2019 draft as Taylor, Little would offer more value/flexibility to the team. Little has proven he can left tackle; having started 29 games there in college. At 6’5″ and 310 pounds there should be no reason why Little couldn’t move over to right tackle in the NFL.
C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
Some draft pundits thought McCoy could slip into round one but, like Taylor, he got caught up in the depth on the defensive line. McCoy should be a serious consideration in round two because he would help combat the new wave of disruptive defensive tackles that the Jets and Bills drafted in round one.
C Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
At one time, Jenkins might have been considered the best center in this class but didn’t test well at the Combine. Like McCoy, he would offer good value in round two because he also has shown the ability to handle big-school defensive tackles.
OT Bobby Evans, Oklahoma
Evans is projected to go somewhere between rounds 3 and 4 due to a lack of ideal traits. Personally, I believe he can come in and man the right tackle position if the Dolphins addressed other needs in round two.
Other players worthy of day two consideration include G Cody Ford, Oklahoma; OL Connor Mcgovern, Penn State; G Nate Davis, NC-Charlotte
(2) Miami has no proven edge defenders entering today. The team needs to add some versatile outside rushers to the team if they hope to even field a team this season. Luckily there are still some high quality players left entering round two.
DE Jaylon Ferguson, LA Tech
Despite lacking the ‘physical gifts’ of a player like Rashan Gary, I liked Ferguson more coming into the draft. In a league that normally values production, it’s hard to understand why Ferguson is not more highly regarded. He is, after all, the FBS all-time leader in sacks with 45. If Ferguson is there at pick #48, it would be hard to pass up this player as he so clearly fills a need.
DE Chase Winovich, Michigan
Winovich was overshadowed during his time at Michigan as Gary was the more highly recruited player out of high school. Like his teammate, this player didn’t put up gaudy sack numbers (18.5 over the last three years) during his college career. Winovich, however, possesses a relentless motor and the type of scheme versatility/traits that would appeal to head coach Brian Flores. Should be a definite consideration in round 2 or 3.
Other edge players available include D’andre Walker, Georgia and Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion.
(3) Miami got pretty good production out of their linebackers in 2018 but Kiko Alonso is a “human 15-yard penalty machine” who has been vulnerable in coverage while Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan are far from sure things. With that said, there are really only two linebackers left in the 2019 draft that would be probable upgrades over those three players.
LB Mack Wilson, Alabama
Say what you want about his tenure as Dolphins head coach, Alabama head coach Nick Saban knows how to turn out smart, productive NFL middle linebackers. Wilson is a two year college starter that can play in the box and, as his 6 INTs show, can drop effectively into coverage. If Ferguson is gone, Wilson should be high on the Dolphins list of available targets.
LB Germaine Pratt, NC State
Pratt is relatively inexperienced at the linebacker position; having spent the first two seasons at safety for the Wolfpack. Despite that, Pratt looked pretty comfortable at linebacker this season. This player is the quintessential Brian Flores player; able to play linebacker in a 3-4 defense while moving to the secondary if Flores wants to run his hybrid/six-DB defense.
(4) Finally, the Dolphins could definitely use help at the cornerback position. Even if Miami resigns Xavien Howard (who is entering the final year of his contract) the options on the opposite side are ‘slim pickings’. Luckily, there are still several starting-caliber CBs left on the board.
CB Byron Murphy, Washington
Maybe the entire league sees the depth at the position and there will be a run to begin round two. Maybe there is a medical/character concern that I’m not aware of. Those are the only two ways it would be understandable that Murphy made it out of round one. He’s a two year starter in the pass-happy Pac-12 and amassed 6 INTs in that time. Murphy is the prototype “lock-down corner”. If Miami has a chance to acquire him, it may be worth bypassing a pass rusher to do so.
CB Julian Love, Notre Dame
Like Murphy, although not as highly touted during the draft process, Love is a cover corner that bears serious consideration in round two.
CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Ya-Sin showed real promise as a cover corner last year and many believed he had a chance to go in round one. He’s probably not as high on the Dolphins list because Rock is a one-year starter and might have been artificially pushed up draft boards. If those two things scared Grier about Haskins, it’s hard to fathom he would overlook them here. Still, Ya-Sin should definitely be a consideration in a round two trade-down scenario or in round three.
CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
With two years of production, Williams will be highly regarded heading into day two of the draft. However, he might have to contend with the poor track record that comes with being a corner over 6’3″.