Your probably thinking, what is even the purpose of doing a mock draft when one, they only have four picks and two, the Dolphins first pick is in the third round? At the end of the day, every pick matters. And if the Dolphins hit on any of these picks, it would make a huge difference to this Dolphins roster.
Dolphins draft goal: Fill the remaining holes on the roster (Draft for needs, not value).
Mock draft tool used: PFF
3:102 - Luke Fortner - IOL - Kentucky
The center position is one of the bigger needs for the Dolphins, especially on the offensive line. One of Chris Grier’s biggest goals this off-season was to get their current center, Michael Deiter some competition. Luke Fortner is a perfect fit for that. Fortner is one who is very versatile (can play all over within the IOL), very strong (can easily push back lineman in the run game), plays through the whistle and is reportedly a “great leader”. Fortner was also responsible for calling protections at Kentucky.
The only concern with Fortner is that he isn’t great in zone blocking schemes or on pulls and screens, which is what Miami’s new HC Mike McDaniel runs. Fornter’s playstyle is definitely one that can drastically improve ones run game.
He reminds me of Jesse Davis a bit (relax Dolphin fans, not last years version of him), a very great leader, one who is very well respected in the locker room, can play multiple positions throughout the line and one who will always be a pretty solid piece to a unit (never will be a superstar but a good piece, especially as a depth piece if he cannot start right away). Who he is as a person alone makes him a great fit for the Dolphins.
*Western Kentucky’s EDGE, Deangelo Malone was the other big option for the Dolphins at 102, but we expect the Dolphins to sign Chiefs EDGE, Melvin Ingram after the draft.
TRADE!
The Miami Dolphins send the 125th pick, the 247th pick and a 2024 5th rounder to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the 110th pick.
*Whatever Chris Grier wants is what he’ll get.
4:110 - Brandon Smith - LB - Penn State
Chris Grier and the Dolphins trade up to select LB, Brandon Smith out of Penn State. Smith is arguably one of the most athletic LB’s in this class and maybe even one of the most overall athletic prospects. Smith is great in coverage, very fast, has a great build for the position, can go from sideline to sideline in a second and is only 21 years old! I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dolphins started to move him around from Inside to out, as Smith is a very good speed rusher and is great at covering tight ends and running backs. The Dolphins in this case draft him to play inside though.
My only concerns for Smith is that he does need a lot of work, he can take too long at times to recognize plays/reacts late and he needs some work on his tackling fundamentals (lead to a high missed tackle rate). Smith does have a lot of potential but again, he does need some work.
I am in love with Brandon Smith’s athletic ability and quickness and he is no doubt one of my favorite prospects in this class because of it. His athleticism will very likely allow him to be used in multiple positions by the Dolphins (In the middle, outside, EDGE, the slot, etc). Smith is definitely a type of player who would fit perfectly into this Dolphins defense.
7:224 - DaRon Bland - CB - Fresno State
The Dolphins have been looking for another cornerback to fill Justin Coleman’s role (nickel-corner), who left for the Seattle Seahawks. Who knows if DaRon Bland can do that, but Miami in the 7th round certainly takes a guys who has interested them for some time now (was invited to a top-30 visit by the Dolphins).
What makes Bland a great late-round prospect is his physicality. Bland isn’t afriad of making contact, whether that’s by breaking down blockers or hitting the ball carrier. Bland also has great control/movement of his hips and does a great job of using the sideline when playing man coverage.
The struggles for Bland is that he isn’t a great man to man corner, which is what Miami uses a lot on defense in the secondary. Bland in man coverage tends to get grabby at times. Bland also tends to get flat footed against vertical routes, which cannot happen when playing man coverage.
Bland’s chances of making the team are pretty low, as Miami is loaded in the secondary and have a cornerback room that currently contains Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, Nik Needham, Noah Igbinoghene, Trill Williams, etc. Bland is more of a camp body than anything else.
*Miami decides to invest more into the defense than the offense through the draft, which is why they pass on LSU’s RB, Tyrion Davis-Price for DaRon Bland.
Miami Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0
Miami Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0
Miami Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0
Your probably thinking, what is even the purpose of doing a mock draft when one, they only have four picks and two, the Dolphins first pick is in the third round? At the end of the day, every pick matters. And if the Dolphins hit on any of these picks, it would make a huge difference to this Dolphins roster.
Dolphins draft goal: Fill the remaining holes on the roster (Draft for needs, not value).
Mock draft tool used: PFF
3:102 - Luke Fortner - IOL - Kentucky
The center position is one of the bigger needs for the Dolphins, especially on the offensive line. One of Chris Grier’s biggest goals this off-season was to get their current center, Michael Deiter some competition. Luke Fortner is a perfect fit for that. Fortner is one who is very versatile (can play all over within the IOL), very strong (can easily push back lineman in the run game), plays through the whistle and is reportedly a “great leader”. Fortner was also responsible for calling protections at Kentucky.
The only concern with Fortner is that he isn’t great in zone blocking schemes or on pulls and screens, which is what Miami’s new HC Mike McDaniel runs. Fornter’s playstyle is definitely one that can drastically improve ones run game.
He reminds me of Jesse Davis a bit (relax Dolphin fans, not last years version of him), a very great leader, one who is very well respected in the locker room, can play multiple positions throughout the line and one who will always be a pretty solid piece to a unit (never will be a superstar but a good piece, especially as a depth piece if he cannot start right away). Who he is as a person alone makes him a great fit for the Dolphins.
*Western Kentucky’s EDGE, Deangelo Malone was the other big option for the Dolphins at 102, but we expect the Dolphins to sign Chiefs EDGE, Melvin Ingram after the draft.
TRADE!
The Miami Dolphins send the 125th pick, the 247th pick and a 2024 5th rounder to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the 110th pick.
*Whatever Chris Grier wants is what he’ll get.
4:110 - Brandon Smith - LB - Penn State
Chris Grier and the Dolphins trade up to select LB, Brandon Smith out of Penn State. Smith is arguably one of the most athletic LB’s in this class and maybe even one of the most overall athletic prospects. Smith is great in coverage, very fast, has a great build for the position, can go from sideline to sideline in a second and is only 21 years old! I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dolphins started to move him around from Inside to out, as Smith is a very good speed rusher and is great at covering tight ends and running backs. The Dolphins in this case draft him to play inside though.
My only concerns for Smith is that he does need a lot of work, he can take too long at times to recognize plays/reacts late and he needs some work on his tackling fundamentals (lead to a high missed tackle rate). Smith does have a lot of potential but again, he does need some work.
I am in love with Brandon Smith’s athletic ability and quickness and he is no doubt one of my favorite prospects in this class because of it. His athleticism will very likely allow him to be used in multiple positions by the Dolphins (In the middle, outside, EDGE, the slot, etc). Smith is definitely a type of player who would fit perfectly into this Dolphins defense.
7:224 - DaRon Bland - CB - Fresno State
The Dolphins have been looking for another cornerback to fill Justin Coleman’s role (nickel-corner), who left for the Seattle Seahawks. Who knows if DaRon Bland can do that, but Miami in the 7th round certainly takes a guys who has interested them for some time now (was invited to a top-30 visit by the Dolphins).
What makes Bland a great late-round prospect is his physicality. Bland isn’t afriad of making contact, whether that’s by breaking down blockers or hitting the ball carrier. Bland also has great control/movement of his hips and does a great job of using the sideline when playing man coverage.
The struggles for Bland is that he isn’t a great man to man corner, which is what Miami uses a lot on defense in the secondary. Bland in man coverage tends to get grabby at times. Bland also tends to get flat footed against vertical routes, which cannot happen when playing man coverage.
Bland’s chances of making the team are pretty low, as Miami is loaded in the secondary and have a cornerback room that currently contains Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, Nik Needham, Noah Igbinoghene, Trill Williams, etc. Bland is more of a camp body than anything else.
*Miami decides to invest more into the defense than the offense through the draft, which is why they pass on LSU’s RB, Tyrion Davis-Price for DaRon Bland.
Leave a comment
Share
Share Pigskin_Reports