The Miami Dolphins made a disappointingly early exit in the playoffs. Now, they must add pieces that will take them further.
In 2023, the NFL world became infatuated with the Miami Dolphins. As a matter of fact, pockets of the media touted the Sons of Shula as possible Super Bowl contender. When the Dolphins dropped seventy points on the Chicago Bears, all eyes and attention trained solely on Dade County. People began to buy into the Miami Dolphins. However, when the calendar moved towards winter, the Dolphins significantly cooled down, losing three of five games, failing to tally twenty points in their last three.
21st Overall (Graham Barton, OL, Duke)
Despite averaging 29.2 points per game, the Dolphins saw a few lapses in blocking. Moreover, teams would bully Miami at the line of scrimmage. Barton is the most versatile lineman in this draft. He started at multiple positions at Duke. Most importantly, he excelled at all times, Tua Tagovailoa needs an anchor, a heady player on the line to call out protections and provide excellent interior blocking. Barton possesses light fight, excellent strength and Day One starting instincts and technique.
55th Overall (Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami)
When Christian Wilkins left for Vegas, Miami will probably feel that loss early in the season. Taylor presents a rush palette with adding moves and nuance to his game. Within the construct of a 3-4 defense, the five-technique needs to not only keep the edge free of double teams but provide enough of a rush threat to push the pocket. Taylor, a local player that management is familiar with, can readily slide into the rotation with the opportunity to steal the job.
158th Overall (Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice)
In no world will the younger McCaffrey supplant the All-Pro wideouts in Hill and Waddle. Yet, like Barton and Taylor, McCaffrey can impact the offense in a multitude of ways. First, he looks comfortable out of the backfield as a runner and receiver. Next, and most importantly, McCaffrey will fit in the slot, working underneath, winning one-versus-ones against subpackage defensive backs. Will the ball, the former Rice wideout can get on top of corners vertically, which makes him a good fit.
184th Overall (Julian Pearl, OT, Illinois)
At the back of the draft the Dolphins need to bolster the back end of their offensive rotation. Pearl, with long arms to keep defenders at bay, loves the physical aspects of the game. At Illinois, he thrived in locking on and driving down on defenses, opening holes in the run game. Granted, Pearl’s feet aren’t quick and look to slog instead of flow.
198th Overall (Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland)
With Xavien Howard’s departure, corner depth becomes another headache. Still looks to fill the third/fourth corner spot but looks to gain subpackage safety snaps as well. Still, for a corner, hits well. 124 of his 166 tackles are solo. As a result, as the theme continues, a jack-of-all-trades player should help Miami play better in close games.
241st Overall (Nook Bradford, S, TCU)
Bradford should honestly be ranked higher, because of his ability to stay around the ball, yet, the film shows his weakness: missed tackles. Granted, Bradford will detonate any ballcarrier in his vicinity when he contacts the opponent. In the passing game, the former TCU product will give the Dolphins another playmaker that will ply his trade on special before settling into specials.
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