The Miami Dolphins made the shocking transfer of going cornerback with their first 2023 draft choose, taking South Carolina’s Cam Smith within the second spherical, choose No. 51, Friday night time.
Smith (6-foot-1, 180 kilos) had six interceptions in his four-year profession with the Gamecocks, leaving for the draft as a redshirt junior.
Smith ran a 4.43-second 40-yard sprint on the NFL scouting mix. He’s touted for his size as a boundary cornerback, however scouts are involved together with his fluidity in protection.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will get a cornerback that would match the zone-heavy coverages he’s trying to incorporate on the again finish of Miami’s protection.
Selecting a cornerback was shocking given the Dolphins’ wants at tight finish and on the offensive line, however Miami basic supervisor Chris Grier stayed true to his common best-player-available method to the draft.
Miami’s largest personnel transfer within the offseason was buying and selling for ex-Los Angeles Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, pairing him with the Dolphins’ personal four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard. Miami has Nik Needham coming back from a torn Achilles to doubtlessly compete with standout 2022 undrafted participant Kader Kohou. The Dolphins even have veterans Keion Crossen, Justin Bethel and Elijah Campbell on the roster, together with 2020 first-round choose Noah Igbinoghene.
Mammoth 6-foot-7 Georgia tight finish Darnell Washington, a fan favourite, was out there at Miami’s choice, however the Dolphins bypassed him. Florida standout guard O’Cyrus Torrence, who went eight picks later to the division-rival Buffalo Bills, was additionally there for the taking. Washington reportedly fell because of issues over a knee damage.
Before Miami picked, the group watched potential draft targets in tight ends Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions), Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders) and Luke Musgrave (Green Bay Packers), offensive tackles Matthew Bergeron (Atlanta Falcons) and Cody Mauch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and inside offensive linemen in Steve Avila (Los Angeles Rams) and Joe Tippmann (New York Jets) go off the board.
The Dolphins largely made out nicely in watching the 31 first-round draft picks Thursday. Explosive Alabama operating again Jahmyr Gibbs, who had been linked to Miami, proved nicely out of attain when the Lions took him at No. 12.
The Dolphins made their first draft choice in the course of the second spherical Friday as a result of they didn’t have a first-round choose. Their prime choice was stripped from them because of tampering violations in previous pursuit of quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. They additionally had a 49ers first-rounder from a earlier commerce that was dealt to the Broncos finally season’s commerce deadline.
Miami has a third-round choose, No. 84 general, remaining Friday. On Saturday, when Rounds 4 by 7 of the draft happen, they’ve sixth- and seventh-round decisions.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com