The Miami Dolphins are a team on the rise. The front office has been busy making moves and now has four picks in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft. It is opportunities like these that can make a franchise competitive for years to come.
While the Dolphins have elite talent in the roster like cornerback Xavien Howard, there are still several holes to plug. Miami's first pick at sixth overall will most likely be used to give young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa an additional weapon in the passing game. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase from LSU fits the bill.
Below are three options for the Dolphins.
1. Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
Getting Emmanuel Ogbah proved to be one of the best signings last year. With a modest contract, he finished last season with nine sacks and regularly generated pressured from the edge. Despite the solid play of Andrew Van Ginkel from the opposite side, he seems better suited to not be a full-time edge defender.
Paye is arguably the best prospect at his position in the class. Nabbing him with the 18th selection is good value and addresses a need at a premier position. At 6'4, 272, he has great size and ironically, is built similarly to Ogbah. He has an impressive burst and has a good set of moves and countermoves to get to the passer. Combine these with his powerful hands and Paye can be a real difference-maker for the defense.
Paye has the versatility to fit in all sorts of defensive schemes and plays with a high motor. In terms of intangibles, he was voted by his teammates as a team captain and should a leader in the locker room, when he gets older.
One of his cons is his perceived lack of production at the collegiate level. But without that, he'd definitely be mocked much higher on draft boards.
2. Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia
Ojulari is an athletic defender and is stronger than he looks. He has the explosiveness to go around blockers and make plays. Ojulari should be able to stay for all three downs and is very fluid in how he plays. He does not give up on plays and is absolutely relentless, which the Dolphins would love to add to their defense.
The downside to him is his size or rather lack thereof. Standing at just 6′ 3, 240 pounds, he is quite lean to play 3-4 OLB. Of course, he could always add some more pounds without losing his burst, but there is a risk that more agile tackles will get the best of him in matchups.
3. Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Miami made one of the most surprising moves in the offseason when they moved on from their pricey acquisition in linebacker Kyle Van Noy. The Dolphins essentially replaced him with Benardrick McKinney, who has a couple of solid seasons under his belt.
The Dolphins could use a prospect with a higher ceiling in addressing the middle of the defense. If Penn State's Micah Parsons and Notre Dame's Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are still available then well and good. If not they could turn to Collins.
At number 18 overall, he might seem like a reach, so the front office should consider looking for a partner to trade down again. At 6'4, 260 pounds, he looks more like the part of a designated pass rusher than Ojulari.
Collins is a quick linebacker and moves very well for his size. He has solid coverage skills and could be readily used by the Dolphins in blitzes. Collins is a versatile chess piece.
Follow Us
Subscribe