The NL Draft is just a little over a week away - What are your picks?

My opinion is to give up no more than four draft picks max, probably 2 of our firsts this year and one of our seconds, and either a first or second next year, to move up with Cinci if possible and get Burrow. The use the third first-round pick to grab a good O lineman and our remaining second round pick on a WR.

 

This was the 4 round mock I posted in the draft forum. I'd be happy with this or something similar. Obviously some guys may not be there when we pick, but I dont find any of this too crazy except maybe #18 which I also see as possible but unlikely, in that case substitute Thomas or something at OT.

#5 - Justin Herbert - QB: The QB position gets taken care of right away. Herbert has all the tools I look for in a QB so I went with him over Tua.

#18 - Jedrick Wills - OT: With the #18 pick we continue to build the foundation of our offensive line. I was shocked he was here at 18, but I can see it happening if there is a run at other positions. There is a lot of talent this year.

#26 - Antoine Winfield Jr. - S: We have our two lockdown corners, here we add a ball hawk and well rounded safety prospect to an already strong secondary.

#39 - Cesar Ruiz - C: Again we turn to creating competion along the line. Ruiz could be a dominant center long term for us, and he could compete with Karras right away.

TRADE:

Dolphins Receive: #64 & #133
Seattle Receives: #56

#64 - Laviska Shenault Jr - WR: A strong route runner with solid hands and good physical skills. He could share reps from the slot immediately. Has durability concerns or he may have been taken higher.

#70 - Raekwon Davis - DT: A big body who can solidify the inside on run downs. We would be counting on Flores to light a fire in him but the talent is absolutely there. Substitute a DT you like here if not Raekwon.

TRADE: (I dont like this trade but I wanted to secure Dillon. The cost in reality may be less to move up, it's all the CPU would accept)

Dolphins Receive: #105
Vikings (I think it was) Receive: #133, #153, #154

#105 - AJ Dillon - HB: Incredible size/speed combo is too good to pass up. He could make the offense very dangerous if he pans out.

#141 - Justin Strnad - ILB: Havent watched a ton of tape, but he could be a decent ST player and potentially develop into a starter at some point. Decent athlete that provides versatility on defense but has parts of his game to work on.

 

This would be a very good draft:

#5 OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
#18 OT Mekhi Becton , Louisville
#26 RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
#39 QB Jacob Eason, Washington
#56 DL Marlon Davidson, Auburn
#70 C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
#141 DL James Lynch, Baylor
#153 RB AJ Dillon, Boston College
#154 EDGE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
#173 WR Quez Watkins, So Miss
#185 LB Joe Bachie, Michigan State
#227 WR Isaiah Wright, Temple
#246 EDGE James Smith Williams, NC State
#251 S Tanner Muse, Clemson

 

I wouldnt mind 90% this draft personally.

I'm a little unsure about taking two OT so early though and I'd probably pass on taking two backs and just stick with Dillon.

So my amendment to make it fit me, without changing your QB choice and ruining the whole mock would be:

#5 Brown or Simmons (if available) only because I like Becton more than Thomas by a bit.

#26 - Soneone on defense like Winfield Jr or McKinney

Then if we took Brown at #5 I'd probably take an OT at #56 as to not double up at DT.

You picked really solid players though I like most if them individually, we only differ on doubling up.

Also you picked the C I'd take if not Ruiz so thumbs up.

 

I'll go through pick #70. That's about my limit in terms of sounding like I actually know what I'm talking about

#5) Justin Herbert, QB - Oregon
#18) Mekhi Becton, OT - Louisville
#26) Yetur Gross-Matos, DE - Penn St or A.J. Epenesa, DE - Iowa
#39) Jeremy Chinn, S - S. Illinois
#56) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB - LSU
#70) Matt Hennessy, G/C - Temple

 

I'd be happy with the first 3 picks and will be honest that I dont know enough about the others to have a strong opinion on them as individuals but I definitely like the positions you went after.

 

I think it is very unlikely almost to the point of zero that we will have those picks.

I have been actively engaged in the draft process for longer than I can remember, and I can tell you general rules of the draft. One of the biggest rules is concerning smokescreens. If you wanna figure out what is real and what is not, go back to the beginning before the whole process began. Typically, that is the truth. That being said, I think Tua is our guy, and I think that we will move up to get him.

That being said, Covid-19 certainly could throw a monkey wrench into the process. I have mused about the irresponsibility of taking a guy with incomplete medicals that high on this board. Maybe they do elect to go Herbert. But does that mean that we will stand pat?

I have long said that everyone has a boss. Chris Grier has a boss, and I would imagine that he either has met or will meet with Stephen Ross fairly soon. After the blowing up the franchise, trading away our best players, not spending money in free agency last year, is Chris Grier gonna meet with Ross and say, "After thoroughly examining the quarterback class, I am ambivalent toward these guys?" He has had more time than anyone, he has brought in experts in the front office, and has been provided with ample resources. It feels like he HAS to have an answer with CONVICTION.

I don't think that anyone on this board would disagree that he has a list. But could the plan really be, "Let's hope our guy falls to us?" The tea leaves are telling us that a move is being made.

For as much as Grier has done well in the offseason, he has really made it clear that we will be drafting at least one if not two tackles early in the draft. I have been working pretty hard over the last week or so analyzing not only our draft pick but the rest of the league's picks as well. I have come to the conclusion that it is nearly a certainty that the none of the top 4 linemen will be there when we draft at 18, and it is doubtful that Josh Jones will be there. I feel like we could be moving up from 18 too.

 

1-5-Tua Tagovailoa
1-18-Jedrick Willis jr
1-26-Grant Delpit
2-39-d'Andre Swift
2-56-Austin Jackson

 

I do agree it is likely we dont have every pick listed and move around some. That said, we could also use some capital from next year if we wanted to in order to retain as many as possible.

As of now, in my humble opinion, this class is much stronger than next year except obviously Lawrence being a potential superstar.

So if possible I'd prefer us to try and hold on to as much as we can this year.

 

#5 - Wirfs, OT
#18 - McKinney, S
#26 - Swift, RB
#39 - Josh Jones/Zack Baun/Austin Jackson, whoever is available of those 3
#56 - Jalen Hurts

There’s my dream start to the draft.

 

I will be shocked if we move up to get Tua. Just don't see it happening.

 

5) Tua
18) Andrew Thomas - note that I think this pick will be used to move up to select Thomas, he (and the other "big 4") will not make it to 18.
26) Jeremy Chinn (sleeper pick, Isaiah Simmons Lite).
39) Isaiah Wilson
56) Whichever RB is left of Swift, Taylor, Dobbins, CEH and Akers
70) G/C

Overall, unlikely we stand pat on these 6 picks. We could trade up if someone like Wills drops to, say, pick 13. We could trade down if no RB's are off the board at 39 to pick up a later 2 and add something in that void we have in the 4-5th rounds. And, of course, there's the whole QB trade up drama.

Overall, I say we make between 10-12 picks in this draft.

 

#5 - Tua
#18 - Josh Jones
#26 - Trade down or BPA
#39 - Antone Winfield
#56 - Best Runningback avaliable

 

#5) Simmons (LB/Big Nickel)
#18) Love (Developmental QB)
#26) Austin Jackson (LT)
#39) Jonathan Taylor (RB)
#56) Lloyd Cushenberry (C)

 

I went all in this year and traded both 1st Rd picks from next year to get back into the first twice. Plus moved up from 18 to 9th. Lastly traded back from late 2nd and picked up additional 3 Rd and 4th round picks.

5. Tua/Herbert- QB
9. Wirfs- OT/G
19. Josh Jones-OT
25. X. McKinney-S
26. Swift-RB
R3 P28. Baidazs-C
R3 P43. Lynn Bowden-WR/RB
R4 P23. Kenny Willekes-DE
R4 P28 Antoine Brooks-S

 

Yikes! I am hoping we are able to make a trade and get an additional high-round pick for next year.

 

Lol just having a little fun.

 

Taylor and Dillon both in the backfield would be a dynamic duo. Dillon is big enough at 250lbs that you could also use him as a Fullback.
Both of them along with Howard would provide us great depth in the back field which is always good to have.

I doubled up at OT because we actually need two quality offensive tackles in this draft it is one of our biggest needs. We need more depth on the Dline as well Davidson and Lynch provide that.

All that and we can still get Eason in the 2nd round. This would be an absolutely great draft.

 

No worries, dude. I encourage it. Especially these days. Life is too short.

 

I don't have time to do a draft board this week, so I'll just go with the first pick- I don't think we sit at #5. We either end up with Burrow at #1 (slight chance) or we trade back for extra picks (great chance). This front office is all about value and I have a feeling we take two studs early and then end up with several names later on that aren't on people's radar.

 

Like I said I dont have a problem with it and like mostly all of it, but I think there are guys who will be above average quality starting RT at #56 if not later.

 

I can't wait for the draft. I am trying not to get my heart set on anyone, but I hope I am not too disappointed. As you said, we probably will take guys we haven't talked about much. I would be okay with BPA. We could use help almost everywhere, so if we take a DT, or a LB, or a DB, or a WR, or safety, it's not like we can't use the help. I am pretty sure we will take a QB and a LT. Other than that, I have no idea.

 

Dream Draft
(not how I think Miami will draft)

1: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
1: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
1: Lloyd Cushenberry III, OC, LSU
2: A.J. Epenesa, DL5T, Iowa
2: Jonathan Taylor, RBF, Wisconsin
3: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
4: Antonio Gandy-Golden, WRF, Liberty
5: Leki Fotu, DL1T, Utah
5: Jonah Jackson, OG, Ohio State
5: Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
6: Stanford Samuels III, CB, Florida State
7: Oluwole Betiku Jr., EDGE, Illinois
7: Shaquille Quarterman, ILB, Miami
7: Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia

 

I don‘t know if we have to go QB in this years draft, has everybody given up on Rosen? Because of that my first round would look something like that. If they do go QB then I hope they take one out of conviction and not because of need.

#5: bpa Simmons or one of the OT‘s, or maybe DT Brown
#18: OT if we took Simmons or no OT with the 5. Pick, S Delpit/McKinney or CB or QB if one is left and they like
#26: S if we didn‘t take one, OL/RB/WR/QB/CB

 

Yes. Yes, they have.
And yes, I think the owner won't let them get away with not getting a starting QB in this year's draft.

 

Why not draft him next year, built the line this year and maybe see what Rosen can do behind a decent/good OL?

 

Because it's doubtful we'll have this high of a pick next year.

 

There would still be the possibilty to trade up and grab one. If they really do like a QB in this draft, then they should get one if not built the team.

 

I think its going to be

Simmons
Becton
Jalen Hurts surprise late pick which will upset a lot of fans.

 

Nobody is giving up Trevor Lawrence. After that, will anyone else be better than what we have available this year?

 

Three thoughts.

1) Hurts is my favorite QB in this draft (outside of Burrow), but I don't think there's a chance we actually take him.
2) Even if we did take Hurts, I highly doubt we'd take him late 1st round.
3) Let fans be upset....they're always upset about something anyway. If we don't go 16-0, people are upset regardless.

 

I ABSOLUTELY have not given up on Rosen since that's our best path forward. As long as he's on the team, the coaches haven't given up on him.

 

It would upset the hell out of me. I watched him play against an NFL caliber defense in LSU in the playoffs and he sucked.

 

There is going to be other QB's and we still got Rosen who is what, 22? I'm okay with them taking a QB this year, as long as they really love the guy.

 

That is what I've been saying.

Things can change, but as of now there isnt anyone after Lawrence on the level of Tua/Herbert or perhaps even as good as some of the second tier like Hurts.

So if the plan is to grab a QB next year, as of now I think people would be disappointed.

 

5. Herbert
18. Willis/Jones
26. Taylor

 

I honestly wouldn't be shocked if we move up to get Herbert. I still think that Tua is the guy.

 

It's possible. Remember that stretch of like 4 years where the Patriots had multiple first round picks every year. I would love that to be the new reality of the Dolphins.

 

1. #5: QB Burrow/Herbert (a lot of people are starting to think Burrow wont be picked in the first 5) so may as well include.
2. #18: OT Andrew Thomas
3. #26 C Cesar Ruiz
4. #39 DT Justin Madubuike
5. #56 S Antoine Winfield Jr.