The Miami Dolphins as soon as held two first-round picks within the 2023 NFL draft.
Now, they’ve none. First, as a result of they had been stripped of their very own first-round choice in August as a result of tampering violations. Then, the franchise determined to get out of the primary spherical totally on the commerce deadline, sending their different first-rounder, from the San Francisco 49ers, to the Denver Broncos for edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
But with a choose within the second spherical and two within the third spherical among the many Dolphins’ slate of choices for the late April draft, there are nonetheless loads of prospects they’ll discover to fill positions of want after some are addressed in free company in March.
That course of, which has already begun throughout the group, kicks into excessive gear this week with Senior Bowl practices at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama from Tuesday by way of Thursday forward of the exhibition recreation kicking off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“It’s the same process we’ve always had,” stated normal supervisor Chris Grier in his season-closing feedback after Miami’s wild-card playoff spherical loss to the Buffalo Bills. “It doesn’t matter how many picks we have or what. You have to go through it because you have to be ready for every scenario.”
The Dolphins will probably be scouting completely to find out which prospects they like within the draft at their present positions, whether or not they discover somebody who’s price buying and selling again up into the primary spherical to get or for the hidden gems of the rookie class. Someone who may even be the following undrafted rookie to play a key function the best way cornerback Kader Kohou did this previous season.
Miami has quite a few positions it could wish to concentrate on in quest of potential upgrades or high quality rookie finds: Linebackers, cornerbacks, operating backs, tight ends, offensive linemen.
Had the Dolphins not been docked their 2023 first-round choose as a result of tampering violations from their pursuit of quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton, they’d’ve had the No. 21 choice. The choose from the 49ers that was shipped to Denver ended up slotted at 29 (thirtieth if Miami’s different choice wasn’t forfeited).
In that mid-to-late vary of the primary spherical, the Dolphins might’ve been in play for the likes of cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (Oregon), Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State), Kelee Ringo (Georgia) or Cam Smith (South Carolina), tight ends Michael Mayer (Notre Dame) or Darnell Washington (Georgia), linebacker sort out Broderick Jones (Georgia), guard O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida) and even prime operating again Bijan Robinson (Texas).
Any of these prospects might simply fall into the center of the second spherical, the place the Dolphins are set to make their first draft choose, at No. 51 general — or at one other earlier level the place Miami feels a transfer up is warranted for the worth. Of these, Torrence is taking part within the Senior Bowl this week.
If the Dolphins are eyeing a linebacker prospect in Mobile, they’ll maintain an in depth eye on Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown, Washington State’s Daiyan Henley and Tulane’s Dorian Williams. Alabama’s Henry To’oTo’o reportedly withdrew from the Senior Bowl.
Should Miami be concerned with a cornerback, both as a result of feeling the group wants to maneuver on from Byron Jones, Xavien Howard is on the decline or Nik Needham is probably not the identical coming off his Achilles harm: There’s Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly, the Miami Hurricanes’ Tyrique Stevenson, Kentucky’s Keidron Smith and Iowa’s Riley Moss.
The Dolphins could need a spark within the backfield with free-agent selections to make on each Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. If they’ll’t draft Robinson or Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh, a South Florida product from University School, will flash his potential on the Senior Bowl. There’s additionally Illinois’ Chase Brown and Oklahoma’s Eric Gray amongst others to look at.
The Dolphins made strides on the offensive line final offseason by signing left sort out Terron Armstead and middle Connor Williams, however questions stay at proper sort out and left guard. Along with Torrence, Miami can take a look at blockers resembling Ohio State’s Dawand Jones, Tennessee’s Darnell Wright, BYU’s Blake Freeland and Alabama’s Emil Ekiyor, to call a couple of.
Assuming the group doesn’t see Mike Gesicki as a match at tight finish and appears for a substitute within the draft, Miami’s Will Mallory, Alabama’s Cameron Latu and Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave are amongst choices that would pique the Dolphins’ curiosity on the Senior Bowl.
There are a number of prospects with native ties taking part within the Senior Bowl: Stevenson (UM, Miami Southridge High), Mallory (UM), defensive sort out Nesta Jade Silvera (UM earlier than transferring to Arizona State, Plantation American Heritage High), McIntosh (University School), sort out Tyler Steen (St. Thomas Aquinas High) and cornerback Keidron Smith (Oxbridge Academy).
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Source: www.bostonherald.com