The Miami Dolphins only have four picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. That means that there is an increased importance in drafting what you need, not what you want.
The Miami Dolphins have capable running backs on their roster already. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Myles Gaskin are all coming back. There is no need to waste a pick on a position that is not a need. Especially when the Dolphins have needs at other positions.
Everyone knows about the Dolphins need at the linebacker position. Sadly, this is not a draft filled with top tier linebackers. There might be some available in the second or third round though that can make a difference for this Dolphins defense next year.
The offensive line is always something that could use improvement. A team can never have too many offensive linemen, and this is the draft to add offensive line depth.
Tight end is another position that needs improvement. Mike Gesiki was not resigned. They need to at a minimum add depth to the position, but I would love to see the Dolphins add a pass catching tight end.
If the Dolphins had more than four pick in the draft, then I would be all for them adding another running back, but they only have four. They have greater needs than adding a fifth running back to the roster, plus the running back position is the most replaceable position in the league.
The offensive line needs to be improved. This is a draft with offensive line talent that runs into the second round.
Three offensive linemen I would love to see the Dolphins grab here are: center Joe Tippmann out of Wisconsin, tackle Matthew Bergeron out of Syracuse, guard Steve Avila out of TCU, or tackle Cody Mauch out of North Dakota State.
I know offensive linemen are not sexy picks, but you know what is sexy? Keeping Tua’s aqua jersey clean.
Tight end is another position that there are plenty of in this year’s NFL Draft. Sam LaPorta from Iowa will probably be gone before pick 51, but if he is available, he would be a guy worth picking. Some other tight ends who should be available are Luke Musgrave from Oregon State and Darnell Washington from Georgia if the Dolphins want a tight end who can block at a high level.
There are not a lot of high-level linebackers available in this year’s draft, but there is a chance that Drew Sanders is available at 51. He has been regarded as the highest ranked linebacker in this draft by multiple people. If he falls to 51, he is a must grab for the Dolphins.
Pick 84 is a great spot for the Miami Dolphins to pick up another offensive tackle. Wanya Morris out of Oklahoma, Blake Freeland out of Yale, and Tyler Steen out of Alabama should all three be available for the Dolphins at this pick.
They could also take center, Juice Scuggs out of Penn State here if they so choose, but I want them to take Wanya Morris.
Morris was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. When he originally committed to the University of Tennessee he was projected as a player who would leave after three years and be a first-round pick.
He started 12 games as a freshman at Tennessee and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, which only supported the idea he was a first-round talent. Then he regressed his sophomore year to a point where he transferred to Oklahoma. He was a backup his junior year and only appeared in six games. Finally, in his senior year he started at right tackle and put together a good enough season to be a probable third-round pick.
This is a player with a high ceiling. I want the Dolphins to take him here, no doubt about it. If they take Morris here, they could have their tackle of the future.
In the later rounds I like it when teams take swings on skill players who test well or have a certain quality that really pops.
4.5 speed from a tight end is a quality that pops. Tight end Will Mallory out of the University of Miami is enticing. He is big and showed soft hands during his time at Miami, the speed is top notch. This is a player who has high upside. His route running and quickness will have to develop, but his size and speed are hard attributes to pass on this late in the draft. I would love to see the Dolphins draft him in the sixth round.
For the Dolphins final pick, I want them to take Ricky Stromberg out of the University of Arkansas. He was a three-year starter at an SEC school at the center position. He can be a big physical presence at the center position. He is probably not a starter, but he can provide much needed depth in the offensive line room.
These picks fill needs and add depth. Would an extra running back be nice? Sure, but it is not a need. In a draft with only four picks, you cannot waste or miss on any of them. Focusing on the offensive line, drafting Drew Sanders, and adding a tight end would all be good investments for this next year. If three of them can come in and make an impact the Dolphins could make a Super Bowl run.