For a team like the Miami Dolphins, this is the kind of draft that can get them over the hump. Like the Oakland Raiders, the Dolphins saw their chance at a real playoff run dashed with a late-season injury to quarterback Ryan Tannehill. There’s really no solution to something like that other than better luck, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty of room for improvement on a young and talented Miami team.
The Dolphins spent much of the free agency period just keeping their own players on the roster. The guys they added were skill position guys at safety, tight end and inside linebacker. None of those signings should affect the way Miami approaches this draft picking in the bottom third of the first round.
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Round 1, Pick 22: Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt
2016: 125 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, three passes defended, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles
The only thing keeping Cunningham from being the best defensive player in this draft is Reuben Foster, who just so happens to play the same position. The Dolphins just re-signed Kiko Alonso to a three-year extension and brought in Lawrence Timmons from the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent. The obvious plan there is for Timmons to play outside linebacker in Miami’s 4-3 and with the addition of Cunningham at this spot, they can think about moving Alonso outside or put Cunningham on the strong side. At 6-4 and 230 pounds, he’s got the frame of out an outside linebacker anyway.
Round 2, Pick 54: Dion Dawkins, OG, Temple
With center Mike Pouncey still on the mend after a second hip surgery, the Dolphins may find themselves in need of an interior offensive lineman sooner rather than later. Drafting Dawkins brings a starter into the fold at right guard since they’re moving Laremy Tunsil to left tackle this season.
Round 3, Pick 97: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
2016: 23 tackles, two for a loss, one interception, four passes defended, six punt returns, 32 yards
Sutton probably cost himself money returning to Tennessee for his senior year. While it might say a lot about his character and his love of college football, he’d probably been a second round pick if he’d turned pro last season. Sutton spent the last portion of 2016 injured and that’s costing him a round of draft position. It won’t matter once Sutton gets on the field. He’s a day one NFL starter and steal here at 97.
Round 5, Pick 166: DeAngelo Brown, DT, Louisville
2016: 40 tackles, 13 for a loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble
The Dolphins are set at starting defensive tackle with Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips, but behind those guys is a canyon-sized drop off. Only second-year man Julius Warmsley has even taken a snap in the NFL. Brown solves the depth issue immediately and brings a different look to the line at 6-1 and 310 pounds. He’s quick off the ball and can move around, playing defensive end if needed.
Round 5, Pick 178: Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
2016: 48 catches, 691 yards, seven touchdowns, nine rushes, 42 yards
Miami has brought in Anthony Fasano as a free agent in an attempt to get more offensive production out of the position and he should help. Drafting Hodges here in the fifth round should solve that problem for years. Hodges is an elite athlete and a monster target at 6-7, 245 pounds. He has soft hands too and never caught fewer than 40 passes in a season with the Hokies.
Round 5, Pick 184: Sam Tevi, OT, Utah
A converted defensive lineman, the 6-5, 311-pound Tevi is a two year starter at offensive tackle He played on the left side as a junior and the right as a senior, which is where he should naturally end up as a pro.
Round 6, Pick 206: Lorenzo Jerome, Safety, Saint Francis
2016: 59 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, six interceptions, five passes defended, one fumble recovery
At 6-0 and 195 pounds, Jerome has all the size needed to line up at safety in the NFL. He dominated at the FCS level not only as a ballhawking center fielder, but a guy that can charge the line and make plays in the backfield.
UPDATE – Round 7, Pick 223: James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
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