Miami Dolphins 2024 NFL Draft Preview
The 2024 NFL Draft is only a week away. The draft is vitally important for every team but it is even more important for this year’s Dolphins team. The Dolphins are right at the salary cap line and with upcoming raises due to a lot of players including Tua, hitting on some cheaper young talent to replace expensive vets will determine the Dolphins super bowl and Playoff window.
Coming into the draft the Dolphins clear needs are: Offensive Line, Defensive Tackle, Pass Rusher, third Corner, and third Wide Receiver. Personally, I would like to see the Dolphins trade back in the first round to accumulate more picks but assuming they stay at 21, these are the 5 realistic draft prospects I would like to see the Dolphin’s target.
Jared Verse DE, Florida State University
This pick is a homer pick since I am also an FSU fan. With that being said you can never have enough pass rushers, especially when your top two, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are coming off season ending injuries. The Dolphins are also losing their star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. That’s 26.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles either gone or coming off major injury. Adding a pass rusher of Verse’s caliber would be a huge addition. Verse had 18 sacks the last two years in helping FSU to a 23-4 record over the last two years. The question for the Dolphins is will Verse be available and are you willing to take a chance on him? .
Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
Injuries specifically to the offensive line were one of the main reasons for the Dolphins late season collapse last year. In addition, the Dolphins lost their starting center in Connor Williams (since replaced) and their starting RG/RT in Robert Hunt. Starting LT Terron Armstead while still a Pro Bowl caliber player is older and constantly injured. Getting a player like Mims would help for the future in replacing Armstead down the line and for this season either bumping Mims or Austin Jackson inside to guard. Regardless Offensive line needs to be a high priority in this year's draft.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
Cornerback might not seem like the most drastic need for the Dolphins this year but replacing Xavien Howard is no easy task even if he hasn’t been the same player the last few years. Jalen Ramsey holding down one corner spot is huge and the Dolphins added Kendall Fuller in free agency and he’s an above average starter. However, in the pass-happy league that the NFL has become, having 3-4 above average corners is a must and outside of Ramsey and Fuller, I don’t have confidence in any corner on the Dolphins roster to be an above average starter. Missing on Corners the last few years doesn’t give me high hopes in drafting one but in McKinstry you’re getting a Nick Saban coached player who should hopefully be able to contribute from day 1.
Byron Murphy II, DT Texas
As I mentioned when discussing Verse the Dolphins lost a Pro Bowl DT in Christian Wilkins this offseason. Replacing a player like that is beyond difficult and basically impossible in free agency unless you’re willing to spend 100 million dollars. That leaves drafting a replacement and that’s where Byron Murphy comes in. Murphy had 5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss last year and pairing him with Zach Sieler could help keep the defensive line from dropping off too much. Will Murphy drop that far and how much do you value DT over the Dolphins other major needs, (Offensive Line, Linebacker, Defensive end, third Wide Receiver) will be the question.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU
I expect the Dolphins to draft a Wide Receiver with one of their first picks in this draft. Despite the fact that they have one of the best combos in the NFL in Hill and Waddle the drop off between that combo and our 3rd pass catcher is significant. On top of that both Waddle and Hill are a bit on the small size so adding the 6’3” Thomas would help. Waddle is also currently in the last year of his rookie contract with no extension currently signed and Hill could fall off at any point as he has reached the dreaded 30+ years old for a playmaker. Fall offs for smaller playmakers tends to happen fast after the age of 30 so the Dolphins would be smart for next year and the future to look for a playmaker at Wide Receiver early.
Things are looking positive for the Dolphins heading into the NFL draft on April 25th. Yes I will be getting drunk and watching. How about you? What are your thoughts on your team heading into the draft? Let me know in the comments below!