Phin Phanatic
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2020 Miami Dolphins draft: What could have been done different

By Matthew Stevens

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on prior to the snap during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on prior to the snap during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Round 2

In round two, Grier went offensive line again by drafting Robert Hunt out of Louisana-Lafayette.  Hunt will bring a physical presence to the line and could start day one for the Dolphins; the question is where?  If Grier got a starting right tackle, then this pick was a ‘home run’.  If Jesse Davis remains the Dolphins right guard then this pick loses a lot of its luster.

The fact that I would have chosen J.K. Dobbins isn’t meant as a slight to Hunt but that Dobbins was considered by many as one of the top 3 running backs in the draft and would provide a dynamic threat to the Dolphins running game and also offer value as a pass-catcher.

Chris Grier and I were in sync with the Dolphins’ second pick of the round by selecting Raekwon Davis.  Overall, Davis is a hard player to evaluate.  He had a great season in 2017, racking up 10 tackles-for-loss (TFL) and 8.5 sacks, and then disappeared for much of the 2018 and 2019 seasons.  Was it because teams began ‘keying on him’ or does he have an inconsistent motor?  Either way, Davis was too good a physical talent to pass up at pick 56 and should help the Dolphins set the edge in the run game this season.

Round 3

Opinions are split on Grier’s 3rd round pick S Brandon Jones; in that most people like the pick and I did not.  Jones has the athletic tools to play free safety but seemed much more comfortable around the line-of-scrimmage.  I hope I am wrong on this pick but I am not sure he even beats out free agent signee Clayton Fejedelem for the backup free safety role behind Bobby McCain.

Since I drafted McKinney in round one, there was no need to address the safety position here and I bolstered the Dolphins interior offensive line with C Lloyd Cushenberry.  I identified two potential upgrades at center in this draft and thankfully Cushenberry fell to me in round three.  He fits in nicely with the power scheme that Flores seems to be building this season in Miami.  With Ted Karras only signed for one season, it would be possible for Cushenberry to sit for his rookie season and become the Dolphins starting center in 2021.

Round 4

In round 4, both of us continued to address the Dolphins need along the offensive line.  Chris Grier traded both 4th round picks to select the massive guard out of Georgia Solomon Kindley, I went with T Ben Bartch.

Kindley is currently the better player but if Robert Hunt ends up at right guard then Grier spent a 2nd and two 4th round picks on players that play the same position.  Having played left tackle in college, Bartch offers more athleticism and upside protecting Tua’s blindside than Hunt but also needs more coaching/experience than Hunt.

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