Miami Dolphins mock draft with Micah Parson at the top shift the focus

The Miami Dolphins need more help along the front 7.

The Dolphins improved in 2020 as a run defense versus 2019 but still allowed itself to get ‘bullied’ too much on the ground.  The stats don’t show it but fans that watched the team know that opponents were able to grind out victories in the fourth quarter with the running game.  Enter Alim McNeill.

At 6’2″ and 320 pounds, I believe that McNeill could become for the Dolphins what Vince Wilfork was for the Patriots.  McNeill and last year’s second-round pick Raekwon Davis would make running between the tackles next to impossible (allow me a little hyperbole).  His presence at nose tackle would free up the Dolphins revamped linebacking corp to pursue the ballcarrier outside the tackles.

With teams like Indianapolis, Baltimore, Tennessee on the schedule in 2021 the Dolphins need to beef up the middle of their defensive line.

The Dolphins will potentially need two starter safeties if Bobby McCain and/or Eric Rowe are released.  Brandon Jones was drafted last year and looked pretty good in spot duty as the starting free safety.  This year the Dolphins draft a potential replacement at strong safety.  Hufanga is considered a ‘thumper’ who plays his position with a physicality that is needed in helping stop the run.  That said, his four interceptions this past season point to versatility to operate as a split safety’ in the Dolphins defense.

WR Dazz Newsome is another player I considered at this pick.

Ehlinger is probably long gone by round seven but the simulation I did had him still available with this pick.  Tua is far from a ‘sure thing’ and it never hurts to have a developmental quarterback in the pipeline.  Ehlinger carried a mediocre offensive team at Texas for three seasons and could potentially do it at the NFL level as well…eventually.