Yardbarker
x
NFL insider's final mock draft gives Miami Dolphins a dream gift that almost no one had predicted
JIM RASSOL/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dreams indeed do come true.  Well, at least they could come true on Thursday night for the Miami Dolphins if the projection of a very well-connected NFL insider comes to fruition.

ESPN's Peter Schrager put out a first round mock draft on Wednesday morning, and it has the Dolphins selecting someone that basically no one has projected them to take. 

Schrager has the Dolphins taking Michigan DT Mason Graham with the 13th pick of the draft. 

This is what Schrager had to say about the pick: 

Graham has been viewed as a likely top-five pick for the past few months, and he could still go there. If he falls to No. 13, this is a nice win for Miami, who would be getting a Day 1 culture-changer and a can't-miss prospect.

Also, keep in mind that this is what Schrager says he wouldn't do himself with the pick as general manager. Rather, this is what he's hearing from sources around the league about what could happen. 

Talk about the ultimate win for Miami. Defensive line, along with cornerback, are the biggest holes on this roster for the Fins ahead of the draft.  Miami's room beyond projected starters Zach Sieler and Benito Jones are extremely thin, with just Neil Farrell and Matt Dickerson on the roster. 

Graham has been mocked by many people to end up with the Jacksonville Jaguars at 5, but Schrager has the Jags pulling the trigger on RB Ashton Jeanty there.  The Raiders and 49ers are other teams to watch at defensive tackle, but they went with OL Armand Membou and DT Walter Nolan, respectively, in Schrager's mock. Either those two players would also be terrific options for Miami, by the way. 

But here, it ends up with the Dolphins taking arguably the best defensive lineman in the entire draft to pair with Sieler. Suddenly, an area of weakness is transformed into a pair of talents who could serve to shore up the inside of the line against the run and generate consistent pressure from up the middle. And that would help make the team's issues in the secondary - which they will surely address this week - a little bit less desperate. 

We'll find out soon enough if Miami indeed has such a terrific opportunity, as the draft will get underway tomorrow night in Green Bay. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!