Miami Dolphins Needs (pick No. 22) 1. Linebacker: Spoiler Kiko Alonso wasn’t an All-Pro this year by any means, but it would be hard to question the trade Miami made for him. He’s a restricted free agent, so he should return in the middle. It’s at the OLB spots where Miami’s issues lie. The Dolphins did not have enough speed or athleticism there, for starters, and Jelani Jenkins, Donald Butler and Spencer Paysinger all are on expiring contracts. With as much havoc as the Dolphins can create up front when their D-line is clicking, they should be better equipped to cause problems from their second level. Possible targets at 22: Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State; Jarrad Davis, Florida; Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee 2. Tight end: Spoiler Dion Sims finished with 699 yards receiving ... over the entirety of his four-year rookie contract. If he leaves via free agency and Jordan Cameron (concussion) either does the same or retires, the Dolphins’ leading returning TE receiver would be MarQueis Gray (14 catches, 174 yards). There is no way coach Adam Gase can unlock the full potential of his offense without a mismatch-creating threat at this position. The Dolphins’ spot at No. 22 could be the first time we hear a tight end’s name called. Possible targets at 22: O.J. Howard, Alabama; Evan Engram, Mississippi; Jake Butt, Michigan 3. Cornerback: Spoiler The Dolphins have a decent stockpile of young, developing talent at this position: Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett, slot defender Bobby McCain. High-priced veteran Byron Maxwell also is under contract through 2020 (although with no dead money from ’18 on). So, maybe bringing in another rookie would not be as ideal as finding a couple cost-effective veterans. If the opportunity arises to steal a talent in the draft, though, what the Dolphins already have on their roster should not keep them from doing so. Possible targets at 22: Jalen Tabor, Florida; Sidney Jones, Washington; Desmond King, Iowa; Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson The interior of Miami’s offensive line could draw top billing in April—even if Laremy Tunsil sticks at guard and C Mike Pouncey can avoid his ever-present hip issues, the Dolphins aren’t deep enough up front. Aside from that, the goal at all three spots listed above is to become a faster, more aggressive team. Given that the Dolphins are chasing the Patriots (and their versatile offense) in the AFC East, having a well-stocked linebacking corps should be all the more a priority
New PFF mock 22. Charles Harris, Edge, Missouri Miami went on a nice playoff run in 2016, but there were some concerns up front beyond DT Ndamukong Suh and DE Cameron Wake. Harris adds a pass-rushing threat after finishing 12th among the nation’s edge rushers with an 88.2 pass-rush grade. Armed with the best spin move in college football, Harris has been one of the nation’s best pass-rushers the last two years, though there is some work to be done to improve his work in the run game.
Saw this yesterday FWIW Matthew Cannata @PhinsiderRadio Jan 16 Matthew Cannata Retweeted Jeff Hyde Ingram wants to play in Miami, he's friends with Jarvis Landry, and the Dolphins will likely target him Jeff Hyde @FilmDontLie I will reiterate -- LB Melvin Ingram would be a HUGE get for the Dolphins.
Analyzing Mel Kiper Jr.'s Dolphins mock draft 11:00 AM MT James WalkerESPN Staff Writer Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print comment The NFL playoffs are still ongoing for four teams. But the other 28 have turned the page and shifted their focus to the offseason. That means it's never too early to think about the NFL draft. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. provided his first mock of 2017 with some intriguing picks. Here are some thoughts on Kiper's selection for the Miami Dolphins, who hold the No. 22 overall pick: Kiper's pick: Florida LB Jarrad Davis Kiko Alonso to outside linebacker. That is something Miami isn't opposed to. The bad news is Davis remains raw in pass coverage, and we've seen a lot of that the past few years from Miami linebackers who have struggled to defend slot receivers and tight ends. Davis also comes with durability concerns, but at No. 22, no prospect is going to be completely clean. Davis isn't my top choice for the Dolphins, but this is a solid first projection by Kiper and a fit to match Miami's biggest need.
Off the top of my head I can't recall a time in his career where he got beat badly in coverage he was an animal his whole career you can skip the first 2 mins
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter 5m5 minutes ago Former Rams' LB coach Frank Bush accepted the Asst HC/LB job with the Miami Dolphins, per league source.
James Walker of ESPN considers veteran DE Mario Williams and LB Koa Misi to be cap casualties for the Dolphins this offseason. According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Williams and Misi would free up $12.7 of cap space for the Dolphins while creating $2.578 of dead money.
yup. Williams was a complete bust and Koa is never healthy. Only way koa should be back is on cheap 1 year deal
Don't see what Engram gives you over Duarte. Theres a reason we stashed him on the 53man roster so fast.
Completely forgot about Duarte, that was a guy I was excited for after watching his college highlights
Miami Dolphins Key unrestricted free agents: DE Andre Branch, WR Kenny Stills, OL Jermon Bushrod The Dolphins arrived a year or two earlier than expected, thanks to an 8-2 record in games decided by one touchdown or less. They have a talented, young core of weapons and a massively talented defensive line, but the Dolphins will need to be disciplined as they continue to retool their roster in free agency. Their move into that market last year produced defensive end Mario Williams, who will surely be a cap casualty and create $8 million in space. After releasing Williams, the Dolphins will head into the offseason with just over $50 million in cap room without needing to make any other notable releases. They could choose to decline Ryan Tannehill's option and save $10 million by sending their starting quarterback into free agency, but that's not likely to happen. More plausibly, the Dolphins will use their cap space to work on extensions for players like receiver Jarvis Landry.
I, along with LeonardWashington (Bama fans),have mentioned we don't want Howard, but that is more due to need. If we did pick him, I'd say there is a small chance he'd be a bust and he'd be our Walter Peyton Man of the Year guy almost every year- you'd never have to worry about him as he's a great guy. I don't think he has an incredibly high ceiling like many do, but since we miss on so many 1st rounders, he wouldn't be a horrible pick.
scouts are comparing him to the top pass catching TE's in the league really is mind blowing how much he was underused at Bama
I agree, but with targets like TJ Yeldon, Amari Cooper, Derrick Henry, Calvin Ridley, etc., someone is going to underused.
Ehh, I went to many games this year, and what you cant see on TV is Ridley absolutely abusing DBs and getting wide open almost at will. Too bad we had a QB who couldnt see him or get him the ball. Still, I (and Saban) agree howard was underutilized.
Howard is not better than Ridley. It wouldn't be an awful pick but think we have more pressing needs. After going almost all offensive last year i would prefer us to wait to draft a TE until later rounds in a deep TE draft but that's just me. Defense early and often hopefully
Need lb or cb in the first. I believe we would've gone to either position last year had Tunsil not been there.