Evaluating the Miami Dolphins' potential first round backup plans

Things often don't go the way they've been planned or expected in life, and that's particularly the case in the NFL Draft, where projecting moves is as much of an inexact science as anything (outside of Cam Ward to Tennessee). 

As such, while many "experts" and mock draft pundits see the Dolphins making the same few moves at pick #13 when the NFL Draft gets underway this Thursday in Green Bay, it's tough to say how things will play out and what options Chris Grier will have available when he's on the clock. 

A number of common picks have had the Dolphins taking Georgia's Malaki Starks, Michigan CB Will Johnson, Texas CB Jahdae Barron, or Missouri OL Armand Membou. But what if all are off the board if Miami stays put and is on the clock at 13?  

Options at 13 (beyond the normal projections): Kenneth Grant, Kelvin Banks, Jr., Tetairoa McMillan

If Miami stays put and doesn't trade back, Michigan DT Kenneth Grant and Texas OL Kelvin Banks seem like logical options.  Grant is an anchor in the middle and would immediately provide a stark upgrade next to Zach Sieler, where Miami has to get better.  

Banks has some positional flexibility that Membou and LSU's Will Campbell (likely long gone before 13) can provide, as he can play guard and give Miami another insurance policy at tackle if Patrick Paul struggles or if Austin Jackson continues to deal with injury issues. 

Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan - if he's still on the board - could be an interesting wild card, although it's a move I personally wouldn't make, so no need to pound on those keyboards in anger.  He doesn't fit the mold of quick and shifty WR that Mike McDaniel likes to employ in his offense, but he provides something they haven't had in years - a talented big body on the outside who can win one on one balls. They added Nick Westbrook-Ikhene this offseason, but McMillan is on a whole different level.  

With Tyreek Hill likely not long for Miami after this season (or perhaps before it), addressing the WR position at some point isn't silly, although it's not something I would recommend doing nearly this early with plenty of roster holes elsewhere. 

Trade back options: Maxwell Hairston, Shavon Revel, Jr., Grey Zabel, Darius Alexander, Nick Emmanwori

If Miami finds a trade partner towards the back half of the first round, some other options come more into play. 

Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston is someone who's gotten some first round buzz lately.  He missed 5 games with a shoulder injury last year but led the SEC with 5 interceptions in 2023 and crushed it at the Combine with a 4.28 40 yard dash and 39.5" vertical jump. East Carolina's Shavon Revel, Jr. is coming off an ACL injury in September that ended his season, but he has the size (6'2", 195 pounds), speed, and tape of a quality starter. 

North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel is a big and athletic player who started in 4 spots on the OL with the Bison over his college career.  That combination of ability and versatility should be very attractive to Miami. 

Toledo DT Darius Alexander had a big week at the Senior Bowl to push his stock further after a terrific 2024 season for the Rockets.  He totaled 83 pressures over the last two years. 

South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori perhaps helped himself as much as anyone at the Combine.  A 4.38 40, 43" vertical, 11'6" broad jump, and 20 bench press reps showed his athleticism and strength are elite for the position.  At 6'2", 225 pounds, he's got the ability to potentially play more in the box despite the athleticism to play safety, so he's an intriguing chess piece for a defense that needs a lot of help.