By Greg Fuchs
The NFL draft is almost here Dolfans! It starts on Thursday with Round 1 followed by Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday. The Dolphins have 5 picks in the 1st 3 rounds (#6, #18, #36, #50, #81). Here is who they may pick.
#6 – It all depends on who is available as Miami can’t control what happens at #4 and #5. Let’s hope Atlanta or a team they trade with selects a QB at #4, as that means at least one of TE Kyle Pitts and WR Ja’Marr Chase will be available for Miami. If Pitts is available, they will take him. If not, then Chase is option #2. If both are off the board, then Miami has a decision to make. They could select from Alabama wideouts Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith or one the 2 stud offensive tackles, Penei Sewel and Rashawn Slater. I would go with Waddle, as I love his ability to run once the ball is in his hands. He reminds me of Tyreek Hill. Or the Fins could trade down, but I wouldn’t go down too far as you still want to be able to get Smith or Waddle, so that QB Tua Tagovailoa has another offensive weapon.
#18 – Besides receiver, which they hopefully addressed at #6, the Fins have 2 other huge needs – edge rusher and running back. There are 3 elite RBs in this draft, Najee Harris, Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams. Is GM Chris Grier willing to gamble that 1 of the 3 will still be there when they pick at #36? That’s a big gamble and several teams (Steelers, Jaguars, Jets, Falcons) are rumored to be interested in a RB. If it was me, I draft Harris, as long as they are committed to him being a bell-cow back. If they envision a running back by committee approach with him sharing the touches will Miles Gaskin and Malcom Brown, then take an edge rusher instead. Jaelen Phillips would be my choice if he is available, as he can rush the passer and defend against the run. I also like Zavon Collins, the 6’4”, 260 lb. linebacker from Tulsa. He can play inside or also play outside allowing him to rush the quarterback. Some people like Kwity Paye, but he is more of a run stopping defensive end who only averaged 1 sack every 3 games in college. Gregory Rousseau is another option, but I think he will slide down the draft board.
#36 – It all depends on what happened at #18. If the Fins went RB, you take the best edge rusher left on the board. If they went edge rusher or linebacker at #18, then you take Etienne or Williams if they are available.
#50 – The Dolphins need a center, as veteran Matt Skura was only signed to a 1-year deal. If Creed Humphrey or Landon Dickerson are still available, you run to the podium to select them as they both could be a Pro Bowler for the next 10 years. If not, Quinn Meinerz from Wisconsin-Whitewater is a good option. It’s also a spot to go with best player available, as someone the Fins love may have fallen down the draft board.
#81 – There are many ways to go with this pick. If they were fortunate enough to get Pitts with the #6 pick, taking a WR here could make sense. If not, then go with the best player available approach with focus on the O-line, edge rusher or linebacker. Other options could be TE if Miami Hurricane Brevin Jordan is still available or quarterback, as current backup Jacoby Brissett is only signed to a 1-year deal. If Davis Mills, Kyle Trask or Kellen Mond are still on the board, it may make sense, as you need to have a dependable backup QB plus one of these guys may develop into a solid starter if Tua doesn’t develop as hoped for. What’s the best-case scenario for Miami? Chad Reuter from nfl.com put out a new mock draft the other day that had the Dolphins selecting Chase, Phillips, Etienne and Dickerson in the 1st 2 rounds. I would gladly take those 4, although I would prefer Pitts over Chase and Williams over Etienne if they were available.
