To preface this mock draft, I did not offer any trades. I would only accept a trade that was sent to me. This seemed more realistic, as I doubt the Dolphins will aggressively be looking to trade up in the draft, and usually, trade downs are instigated by teams looking to move up. With that said, let's get into it.
The trade offered to me was from Tampa, as they sent the 26th and 57th picks in the draft to Miami for pick 21 and 158. I don't think it's super realistic to expect a 2nd round pick in return for trading down, but desperation makes teams act irrationally, so we'll roll with it.
Round 1 - Pick 26: Graham Barton - G/C - Duke
If the Dolphins trade down, I'd love for them to be able to still grab one of Graham Barton or Jackson Powers Johnson. In fact, if they are both still on the board at 21, I'd love to trade down. This was the case in this mock draft. JPJ was taken before we selected at 26, so Barton is the pick
Barton is an elite prospect in my view and a perfect fit in Miami. He has terrific athleticism that sets him apart from everyone in the class in this range. He has played everywhere in college, but projects as a G/C in the league despite two elite seasons at LT for Duke. He is a great people mover in the run game. His pass protection was very good, and he should be a great pass-blocking guard at the next level. His ability to get to the second level quickly and violently makes him a perfect fit for the McDaniel wide zone offense. He had a semi-viral pro-day workout, so here's hoping he is still around when the Dolphins pick.
Next: Two Second Round Selections
Round 2 - Pick 55 - Ruke Orhorhoro - DT - Clemson
I took Ruke Orhorhoro in my previous AFC East Mock Draft, the truth is, through the draft process, Ruke hasn't grown on me as a player, but this is where need meets potential. He is not a finished product, but he has been playing football for less than 7 years. The fact that his raw talent alone has him in second-round consideration has me excited for what he can do with NFL coaching and facilities at his disposal.
Ruke is an explosive athlete and that is really all he is. He is hulking at 6'4" 294lbs and he moves like someone a fraction of his size. His RAS (raw athleticism score) is a 9.91. Simply put, he is an athletic freak who plays like his hair is on fire. He needs to continue to develop a consistent array of pass rush moves, but this is a guy you take and bless your coaches with the opportunity to mold this guy. Maason Smith is a similar type of prospect to me, but with health concerns in 2021 and 2022, he felt like a bit of a reach, Ruke does not.
Round 2 - Pick 57 (from TB) - Ben Sinnott - TE - Kansas State
Ben Sinnott: pic.twitter.com/coYVzBxIDL
— • Colton Edwards • (@cedwardsNFL) April 6, 2024
This is typically where I go on my Ja'Tavion Sanders tangents. I love Sanders in this class, but I have been hearing and seeing plenty of rumblings about Ben Sinnott, and I can see why. He certainly offers more in the run game than Sanders, who is a willing blocker, but not overly effective. Sinnott has a diverse route tree, and while not as good as Sanders with the ball in his hands, still is very athletic and plenty fast. He is also a more diverse and better route runner than Sanders. I don't feel TE is a major need with the addition of Jonnu Smith, but one of these two TEs in the 2nd round could play as more of a big slot, WR3 type than a traditional TE all the time. Fins could address O-line again, or go for a WR3 like Legette or Corley here, but I like the TEs more than those guys or any available O-lineman.
Next: Round 6 and 7: The Deep Cuts
Round 6 - Pick 184 - Justin Eboigbe - DT - Alabama
I think Eboigbe may go higher than this, but he fell in this mock, so I scooped him up. Eboigbe is a big, strong, prototype defensive tackle. He has long arms and uses his length to extend against offensive linemen and push-pull in pass-rush situations. He is not super athletic, and it shows on tape, but he is a strong run defender who rarely gets pushed around and requires double teams. At 6'4" and 290lbs, he is capable of playing anywhere from a 1 technique, to a big end, and wouldn't feel out of place. I like him as a project and someone with extensive experience playing a lot at a blue-blood university. Coming from a place like Alabama, he should be able to hit the ground running.
Round 6 - Pick 198 - Khristian Boyd - DT - Northern Iowa
I am aware this is trench-heavy late in the draft, but with off-season additions at DT, I still feel good throwing picks against the wall late to see if anyone sticks. Eboigbe and Boyd will be good moldable players with high upside that could rotate in at times if needed. Boyd is a big dude at 6'2" and 329lbs and clocked an impressive 38 reps on the bench press at his pro day. Dissimilar to Eboigbe, Boyd is quicker off the ball and more fluid as an athlete, but has short arms, and that hurts him at times. He needs to improve with his hands, and sometimes too easy to move when playing as a 1 tech. Watching the tape, I felt many of his deficiencies were coachable, which makes me think he has at least some potential late down the board. People are on him as one of the sleepers in the draft, so he may not be around in the 6th. I have seen his stock rise as high as a top 100 pick. But if he is here, why not take a shot in the 6th?
Round 7 - Pick 241 - Dominique Hampton - S - Washington
Round 7, typically, is shot in the dark territory. How about a big, long, fast safety? Sure! Why not? Hampton doesn't have elite production in terms of his numbers, but he is very athletic in the back end of the defense and has the potential to improve with NFL coaching. He has impressively long arms boasting a 6 foot 7 inch wingspan. He is a willing tackler but sometimes struggles with pursuit. With Brandon Jones' departure, bringing in another safety for depth is a good idea. I like Hampton here, but there are a handful of decent safeties that could make it to the 7th round.