Phin Phanatic
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Nick Belotto’s latest mock fills the obvious holes on the Miami Dolphins roster

By Nick Belotto

Sep 21, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau (15) celebrates by wearing the turnover chain after recovering a fumble in the first quarter of a football game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau (15) celebrates by wearing the turnover chain after recovering a fumble in the first quarter of a football game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alijah Vera-Tucker
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Jermayne Lole #90 of the Arizona State Sun Devils pushes off Alijah Vera-Tucker #75 of the USC Trojans during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Coliseum on November 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Round 2 Pick 50: Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC

I followed a similar trend in this mock to my first one taking an interior lineman with my second pick in the second round. This may not be the “sexy” pick, but having a good, quality offensive line is crucial to long term success in the NFL.

Vera-Tucker has the strength and athleticism to play guard in the NFL. Now, Miami did invest a significant amount of draft capital in offensive linemen in the 2020 draft, so this move is bolstering a unit that already has some young talent. There are still question marks, however, about some of the now second-year offensive linemen and Vera-Tucker could easily play his way to a starting role next season.

While the offensive line was not terrible in 2020, the lack of a running attack wasn’t just on the guy’s running the ball. Throughout some games, Miami’s offensive line failed to generate any type of push allowing for their backs to get to the second level of the defense. Vera-Tucker could help in that regard. But, if the Dolphins take him here, that means they may have to move on from one of the younger linemen that they took in last year’s draft or one of the more established veterans (Ereck Flowers, Ted Karras or Jesse Davis).

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