Here’s the latest edition of our Miami Dolphin Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel contributors David Furones and Omar Kelly answer readers’ questions.
Question: With the 25th number of the 1st round… you choose who…? — Bob Whitmer on Twitter
A: First, let’s clarify that the Dolphins’ place in the first round has not yet been determined. Since the Dolphins own the San Francisco 49ers’ pick, Miami will pick 25th at best, but it’s more likely to be 26th or further behind.
If you go chalk in the divisional round when the 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals lose to their respective leaders the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans, it’s 26. If San Francisco loses and Cincinnati wins, it’s 25. If the 49ers go to the NFC Championship Game, it will go to final four selections of the first round.
Basically, we’re looking at what the Dolphins’ main opportunities will be at the end of the first round. Miami also now looks more likely to keep that pick, with the team essentially ruling out switching starting quarterbacks this offseason and sticking with Tua Tagovailoa heading into his third season in the NFL.
At the end of the first round, there are several offensive tackles that are predicted to be in this range. I would like the Dolphins to add at least two offensive linemen who could serve as an immediate upgrade from what they currently have in their starting lineup and at least one veteran free agent. To drop a couple of names, New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead or New England Patriots right tackle Trent Brown.
If Miami wants to go down the path of getting another lineman with a late first-round pick, general manager Chris Grier can rely on the experience of the next head coach after he and former coach Brian Flores spent the first (Austin Jackson). , two seconds (Liam Eichenberg, Robert Hunt), third (Michael Deiter), fourth (Solomon Kindley), sixth (Isaiah Prince) and seventh (Larnell Coleman) among linemen in the last three draft picks with the only true NFL caliber starter to show this in Hunt for the right back.
A few names to watch out for who the Dolphins will be picking are Nicholas Petit-Fraer of Ohio State, Bernhard Reimann of Central Michigan and Trevor Penning of Northern Iowa.
Petit-Frere (6’5, 315 lbs) was a standout left tackle for the Buckeyes and withdrew from the Rose Bowl as his draft status was already secured. He also has experience as a right tackle as of 2020 and can slip to protect southpaw Tagovailoa’s blind side if needed.
Pro Football Focus considers Reimann (6-7, 305) a fast player for his total blocking scores in 2021, significantly higher than the previous year. The Austrian high school exchange student started his college career as a draft tight end before turning into a left tackle where he began playing in 2020.
Penning (6-7, 322) has experience in both tackles and guards and is of typical height, weight and length and moves easily at that height. Darian Kinnard of Kentucky and Sean Ryan of UCLA may also be considered.
You also want the Dolphins to add a running back and receiving weapon. If no runner appears between the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Association, there will likely be none in the first round. Perhaps Kenneth Walker of Michigan State will remain available when Miami’s mid-range selection becomes available. He has an exceptional ability to break tackles, as was evident when he played at Hard Rock Stadium against the Hurricanes last September.
The Dolphins can also work on multiple receivers, depending on which one they like: Drake London of USC, Chris Olav of Ohio State or Garrett Wilson of Ohio State, Jameson Williams of Alabama, Traylon Burks of Arkansas, or Jahan Dotson of state of Pennsylvania.
The free agency moves made in March will shed more light on the needs left in the April 28-30 draft, but it’s unlikely that the offensive line is entirely dependent on free agents. So it’s a good bet, especially considering how many viable prospects are expected in this area of ​​the draft that the Dolphins are going there with a lineman.
Have a question?
Email David Furonesor mark @OmarKelly or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.
Answered earlier:
Can the Dolphins hire a offensive coach, keep defensive assistants?
Will Zach Thomas be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year?
Why not throw down the field for more waddle?
What do the Dolphins think of RB newcomer Jerrid Doakes?
What free agent wide receiver can pair the Dolphins with the Waddle?
What about Jason Sanders misses?
What changes can occur in the reception building during the off-season?
What linemen should the Dolphins target in free will?
Can Tua still be in the top 10 quarterbacks?
Does Austin Jackson’s move to left-back give you hope?
Did the franchise derail the Fitzpatrick, Tansil, Tannehill deals?
