Miami is down to just 4 picks in this year’s draft due to fines & trades. Miami traded or lost around 5 picks, they once had two first and two third round picks this year and then traded one first for Bradley Chubb and one third round pick for Jalen Ramsey and of course the other first round pick was taken by the NFL for the tampering charges against our Owner.
Miami has 4 picks in this upcoming draft (Round 2, Pick 51, Round 3, Pick 84, Round 6, Pick 197, Round 7, Pick 238)
Miami Dolphins Team Needs TE, OT, DT, RB, IDL, CB, S, WR,
Miami will enter the 2023 NFL draft with few needs to address, O-line, TE, DT, RB & CB’s (because you can never have enough of them). Dolphins GM Chris Grier loves to draft BPA regardless of needs, so they try to address their needs before the Draft in free agency.
I have narrowed things down from my last mock draft and here are the players I feel we might target in the upcoming draft. I used my big board to select players where they are projected to land in the draft. I also leave a little comment on why Miami might select the players I have on the board.
Round 2 Pick # 51
- Darnell Washington, Tight End, Georgia
He will most likely be gone by the time Miami picks but if he is on the board, I can’t see Miami passing him up here at pick #51. He is a big target that can be a good redzone target or check down player at 6′-7″ 264 pounds he can provide matchup problems with LB’s, he can also block better than the departed Mike Gesicki but still needs to improve in that area.
He is a position of need player but as I always say Miami’s GM Chris Grier does not draft by need, he is strictly a BPA drafter. He also will take what his coaches want into consideration and if Mike McDaniels wants Washington, he will be a Dolphin player. (IMHO)
Partial Scouting Report (Click Here for full scouting report)
Strengths
- Massive frame and shredded physique.
- Mismatches linebackers at the point of attack.
- Pure power to torque and displace defender.
- Creates considerable advantage near goal line.
- Size requires careful coverage consideration.
- Able to adjust to off-target throws and catch in congestion.
Weaknesses
- Footwork into block fits needs work.
- Gets into blocks with wide hands.
- Waist-bender and head-ducker at point of attack.
- Angles to second level lack accuracy.
- Stiff-kneed, limiting speed to attack seam.
- Unable to sink and break off routes underneath.
Sources Tell Us
“He creates so many advantages in the run game because of his size and strength, but I think the same is true in the passing game when they utilize him.” — Area scout for NFC team
Other options:
Cody Mauch OT North Dakota State, John Michael Schmitz OC Minnesota, Zach Evans RB Ole Miss, Felix Anudike-Uzomah EDGE Kansas State, Gervon Dexter DT Florida.
Round 3 Pick # 84
- Byron Young DT Alabama
I envision this draft to be split between Mike McDaniel’s wish list and DC Vick Vangio getting to alternate picks and add two players to both sides of the team.
Young can be a replacement for the loss of John Jenkins who we lost in free agency and our DL rotation could use some young talent in the mix. Also, Raekwon Davis has been a solid player but not as dominant as one would think, and he too might be lost to free agency or traded in the future.
Partial Scouting Report
Strengths:
- High-motor player who can move the pocket with bull rush when he stays low; if he can’t get to QB will consistently get hands up
- If he doesn’t win early in rep, can find ways to disengage quickly, get in position to make tackle in run game
- Stout in 1-vs-1 vs. interior OL in passpro; won’t necessarily win with athleticism or twitch but strong, low center of gravity, and uses hands well
- Shows ability to disengage quickly vs. run
- Surprising quickness plus bend plus hand usage when rushing as 5-technique
- Consistently quicker than he looks off the snap — and that quickness seems to surprise interior OL
- Heavy hands allows him to control OT at snap in passpro; some of best hands in class
Weaknesses:
- Can lose leverage when he gets to upright and allows OT to get under pads; can be moved off spot
- Can struggle to stand up to double teams
Other options:
Jordan Battle S Alabama, Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida, Julius Brents CB Kansas State, Tucker Kraft TE South Dakota State, Kendre Miller RB TCU, Sam LaPortaTE Iowa, Israel Abanikanda RB Pittsburgh
Round 6 Pick # 197
- Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
Here is another player that might be off the board a few picks earlier but if he is on the board, I find good value to take Miller, I had considered Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs a round earlier, but I have problems with his 5′ 9″ frame and feel Miller has more of the body style for the NFL. not to say 5′-9″ RBs can’t succeed I just prefer my RBs bigger.
Even though Miami has 4 RBs on the roster only two were given two-year contracts Mostert and Wilson Jr. so Miller could find himself on Miami’s roster splitting time with either Gaskins or Ahmad while one will be gone.
Partial Scouting Report
Strengths:
- Gets up to speed quickly
- Not afraid to take on contact
- Good vision, does a good job working through traffic
- Good top-end speed
Weaknesses:
- Cuts are less crisp as a result of a little forward lean
- Runs high at times
- Averages one fumble every 90.25 carries
- Converted just 56.3% of third downs into first downs in 2022
Other options: Juice Scruggs OC Penn State, Anthony Bradford OG LSU, Anthony Johnson Jr. S Iowa State, Braeden Daniels OG Utah, DeMarcco Hellams S Alabama, Ali Gaye EDGE LSU, Xavier Henderson S Michigan State, Brandon Kipper OG Oregon State, Elijah Higgins WR Stanford
Round 7 Pick # 238
- Mark Evans II, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
You can never have enough O-Linemen competing for a job and even though I do not have the anxiety that many of my fellow Dolphin’s fans have about Austan Jackson or Liam Eichenberg (I honestly trust Miami’s coaches on that matter) still injuries can derail our O-line. I also feel that we can address a lineman after the draft as teams might cut a veteran player after they draft a young lineman early in the draft.
Partial Scouting Report
Strengths
- Consistently takes the fight to defender through the whistle.
- Fits into blocks with a forceful thud.
- Strong desire to move defenders with effort and leg drive.
- Big hands lock into opponent’s pads.
- Keeps feet sliding with rusher around the arc.
- Able to get into space and help in the screen game.
Weaknesses
- Below average NFL size and mass.
- Must learn to play lower and with better leverage.
- Hand usage and placement are sloppy in the run game.
- Lacking desired body control and reactive agility.
- Gets knocked back and out of position against power rushers.
- Will need to play with more consistent inside hands.
Other options:
Karl Brooks DT Bowling Green, Evan Hull RB Northwestern, Camren McDonald TE Florida State, Will Mallory TE Miami (FL), Robert Beal Jr. EDGE Georgia, Jalen Redmond DT Oklahoma, Nick Herbig EDGE Wisconsin, Josh Whyle TE Cincinnati, Charlie Thomas LB Georgia Tech, Bumper Pool LB Arkansas (could not resist the name)
The Dolphin Seer 