Mock Draft
R1P1 Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
R1P2 Redskins – Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
R1P3 Lions – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
R1P4 Giants – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
R1P5 Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
R1P6 Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
R1P7 Panthers – Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
R1P8 Cardinals – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
R1P9 Jaguars – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
R1P10 Browns – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
R1P11 Jets – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
R1P12 Raiders – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
R1P13 49ers – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
R1P14 Buccanneers – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
R1P15 Broncos – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
R1P16 Falcons – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
R1P17 Cowboys – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
R1P18 Dolphins – J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
R1P19 Raiders – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
R1P20 Jaguars – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
R1P21 Eagles – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
R1P22 Vikings – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
R1P23 Patriots – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
R1P24 Saints – Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU
R1P25 Vikings – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
R1P26 Dolphins – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
R1P27 Seahawks – Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
R1P28 Ravens – Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
R1P29 Titans – A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
R1P30 Packers – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
R1P31 49ers – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
R1P32 Chiefs – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Analysis of Dolphins’ Picks
The NFL draft is only days away, and the elephant in the draft war room for the Miami Dolphins looms larger everyday as draft day gets near. What is the elephant in the room? It’s what everyone knows to be the Dolphins’ greatest need, the search for the franchise quarterback of the future, or at least the quarterback who can bring some excitement back to Miami. The team has the enviable position of having three first-round picks. The team’s fan base is looking for improvements by leaps and bounds over last year’s 5-11 season under new head coach Brian Flores. That said, here is my take on the Dolphins’ first round selections for this year’s draft:
- Round 1 – 5th Pick: Tua Tagovailoa QB Alabama
There are four quarterbacks in this draft that are featured in most draft scenarios. Nearly all of them have Joe Burrow as the first pick. Then, the scenarios diverse with regards to the draft order for the other three: Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jordan Love. The Dolphins have had their sights on Tua since early in the 2019 season. And, despite the hip injury he suffered during this past season, he has demonstrated the injury has healed well and he’s ready to show his competitive play at the NFL level and bring the winning ways he experienced in Alabama to the team that takes him in the first round. That is the reason that the Dolphins will look to move up in the draft order via trade to make sure that they get Tua.
- Round 1 – 18th Pick: J. K. Dobbins RB Ohio State
The Dolphins are a team that historically have not drafted running backs in the first round. In the 54 years of the franchise, there have been only six running backs selected by the team in the first round. So, what makes this draft different? Well, for one (unless they trade some of their picks away to land a franchise quarterback), this is uncharted territory for the Dolphins having three selections to make in the first round. Moreover, another glaring need for the team besides quarterback is at running back. So why Dobbins? He has that elusiveness combined with the explosiveness that is sorely needed in the Dolphins offense to balance the offensive attack. In addition, his pass catching abilities stand out among the running backs coming out for this year’s draft. Dobbins has the potential to make an impact as a starter and to help shore up a much-needed running attack for a team that has lacked consistency in the running game for quite some time.
- Round 1 – 26th Pick: Isaiah Wilson OT Georgia
Last season the Dolphins traded former first round pick, Jeremy Tunsil, to the Houston Texans. Now, the Dolphins get to select a first-round player to begin molding the offensive line according to the vision of head coach Brian Flores. The biggest issue here for the Dolphins will come down to which of the talented offensive line players is still available at this stage in the first round. This year’s draft is loaded with talent at the Offensive Tackle position, and there are a good number of teams looking to build up their offensive lines such as both New York teams, the Arizona Cardinals as well as the Cleveland Browns just to name a few. Wilson is listed on most draft boards as one of the top ten prospects at his position. His Georgia teammate, Andrew Thomas, is expected to be taken ahead of him. But Wilson has the size and skills at the position to be an impact player as a starter this season.