Day 2,322, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Targets Big-School Flyers On Busy Third And Final Day Of Draft

Following busy first and second days in Pittsburgh, the 'Fins picked a whopping seven players on the third day of a marathon draft.

Miami chose two fourth-round linebackers in Texas's Trey Moore (6-1, 243, No. 130 overall) and Pittsburgh's Kyle Louis (5-11, 220, No. 138 overall) and three fifth-rounders in Texas safety Michael Taaffe (5-11, 190, No. 158 overall), Missouri wide receiver Kevin Coleman (5-10, 179, No. 177 overall), and Mississippi State tight end Seydou Traore (6-3, 233, No. 180 overall). In the sixth and seventh rounds, the Dolphins selected Texas guard D.J. Campbell (6-3, 313, No. 200 overall) and Iowa edge Max Llewellyn (6-5, 258, No. 238 overall), respectively.

The pluses: Moore is a versatile 'backer, with some demonstrated ability to both rush the passer and play the run. He's athletic (4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash) with short-area quickness, relying on a constant motor and understanding of leverage. 

Louis is a decisive playmaker with skills to play at safety or strong-side 'backer. Strong athleticism (4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash, nearly 40-inch vertical) and body control match well with his natural instincts, allowing him to find the ball and punish the opposition. He earned first-team All-American honors as a junior, racked up six picks and 10 sacks in his final two seasons, is a film junkie, and served as captain. Notably, analyst Dane Brugler had him rated the seventh-best linebacker and No. 75 overall player in the entire draft, giving the Dolphins tremendous value out of the pick.

Taaffe was a former walk-on and three-year starter at a premier program, earning All-SEC honors on the strength of his seven career interceptions. He is known for being a hard hitter with good anticipation, instincts, and straight-line speed (4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash), adding blitz skills as his career progressed.

Coleman has quick feet, steady hands (2.9% drop rate), great after-the-catch running ability, and a natural feel for changing route speeds. He was tabbed as the No. 25 wideout and No. 184 player in the draft by Brugler, so he was picked in an appropriate spot. His work ethic, Senior Bowl participation, and production (140 catches over the last two seasons) made him attractive to the 'Fins.

A former goalie in soccer, Traore has lateral quickness, strength (25 reps on the bench), and agility (40-inch vertical, 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash), making him a plus blocker in space. He's tough at the catch point (just three drops in his final two seasons, with 69 receptions), a solid red-zone threat (10 career touchdowns across Arkansas State and Mississippi State), and committed to continuous improvement.

Another three-year starter at Texas, Campbell is a former five-star recruit who earned All-SEC accolades in a consistent senior campaign. Displaying good leg drive and long arms, he's powerful in the run game, solid on second-level blocks, and uses a good first step to absorb bull rushes. He's also dependable, starting 43 straight games in college.

Brugler considered Llewellyn a fourth-rounder as the No. 18 edge and No. 130 overall player in the draft, making him a tremendous value pick in the final round. The Iowa product is considered a relentless, high-effort rusher, using a great get-off, ability to convert speed to power, and refined pass-rush moves to rack up 45 pressures as a senior. Llewellyn has solid size and athleticism (4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash), posting a dozen sacks, nine batted passes, and three forced fumbles in the past two seasons. The honorable-mention All-Big Ten choice stood out in the Senior Bowl as well.

The minuses: Moore is considered a bit of a 'tweener who doesn't possess a dominant trait, meaning that his spot was pretty rich, considering Brugler had him rated the No. 25 edge and No. 188 overall player in the draft -- nearly 60 spots lower than the 'Fins drafted him. Due to issues in space, a lack of counter moves, short arms, and mediocre explosiveness, he lost playing time in his final season with the Longhorns.

No matter where Miami uses him, it will be difficult to hide Louis's lack of size. There were times when he was overpowered and overwhelmed in college, struggling to get off of blocks in the run game. He can over-pursue when chasing the ball and was less productive as a senior, partially due to injury.

Brugler rated Taaffe as the No. 13 safety and No. 170 overall player in the draft, making him a slight overpay where he was chosen. The analyst cited "underwhelming physical traits" (short arms and a lack of strength) and a tendency to "get trampled in the open field" -- suboptimal traits for a free safety. Taaffe is considered a liability in man coverage due to his over-aggression and a tendency to hold when plays are extended.

Coleman lacks ideal size and speed (clocked at 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine), has a limited route tree, does not stretch the field, and hasn't demonstrated much ability in the red zone. He played at four schools (Colorado, Louisville, Mississippi State, and Missouri), has a tendency to short-arm balls over the middle, and seems locked in at a slot position he may not be ideal for. 

Traore was chosen more than 100 spots before Brugler had him rated (No. 294 overall as the No. 27 tight end in the draft), and he'll be 24 years old by the time the season starts -- which may not align with the perception that he's a developmental project. He struggles blocking in the run game, partially due to his size and partially due to the fact that he's relatively new to the game -- with just six years of experience in 11-man football. 

Campbell can struggle with stamina and balance in space, shows shaky technique, spends too much time on the ground, and doesn't have the agility to recover or stand out on pulling plays. Brugler had him rated as the No. 21 guard and No. 248 overall player in the draft, leading some to consider him a slight reach.

Llewellyn only started for one season, and struggled against the run and playing with leverage in college. Scouts described him as stiff and predictable at times, with too many "almost" plays and a relative lack of experience for a 24-year-old rookie.

The best-case scenario: New coach Jeff Hafley shows his creativity as a defensive coordinator by using Moore and Louis in hybrid ways, while minimizing the deficiencies of Taaffe and Llewellyn, maximizing their motors, and developing them into special-teams stalwarts. Coleman finds a role as a punt returner with some affinity in the slot to boost a depleted receiving corps, Traore carves out a role on special teams and as a supplementary blocking tight end, and Campbell shows enough to find a home as a depth guard on the roster.

The worst-case scenario: Moore and Louis can't escape their status as 'tweeners, Taaffe turns out to be a better story than an NFL fit, and Coleman can't overcome the lack of polish in his game to stick. Traore loses out in a numbers game as an over-aged project and Campbell proves to be missing the versatility you like to see in fringe offensive linemen (99.99% of his starts in college game at right guard). Llewellyn is determined to have reached his ceiling and doesn't demonstrate the consistency needed to join the defensive line rotation. 

The bottom line: Miami targeted Power 4 players at the end of the draft, looking for proven, isolated skills against top competition. My two favorite choices were easily Louis and Llewellyn, and I think both have an opportunity to see significant time defensively based on depth-chart holes. 

You can't throw a rock without finding a need on this roster, but the fact that the Dolphins didn't double up at cornerback and invested such little draft capital in a pure edge is surprising at the least. Of course, this rebuild is going to take more than a single draft cycle, but it's fair to question some of the positional value prioritized by the braintrust within this draft. 

Day 2,261, Quasi-Quarantine: Reaches And Questionable Positional Value Slow Some Momentum On Day Two Of Dolphins Draft

After landing a pair of promising first-rounders on the first day of the draft, the 'Fins came into day two of the NFL Draft with four picks -- one in the second round and three in the third round. With their initial pick, Miami landed Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (6-1, 231 pounds) at No. 43, then they followed up with Rodriguez's teammate, receiver Caleb Douglas (6-3, 206, No. 75); Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek (6-5, 261, No. 87); and Louisville wideout Chris Bell (6-1, 222, No. 94). 

The pluses: Rodriguez was analyst Dane Brugler's No. 40 overall player and second-ranked linebacker in the draft, so the Dolphins got strong value with the selection. Miami was desperate for receivers after losing Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in the offseason, so bringing in young talent with size and speed was crucial. Kacmarek is seen as a road-grader of a blocker on the edges, a core need in getting tailback De'Von Achane out in space.

Rodriguez won the Chuck Bednarik, Lombardi, and Butkus awards, added the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for good measure, and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy race. He's a turnover machine (19 career forced turnovers) with tremendous instincts who should be an immediate starter in coach Jeff Hafley's new defense.

Douglas measures 6-3, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, and led the Red Raiders in receiving yards (846) and touchdowns (seven) as a senior. He's credited with a large catch radius, smooth transitions, sharp cuts, and solid special-teams coverage ability. 

Kacmarek was Brugler's No. 7 overall tight end and he's accustomed to playing both inline and in multiple-tight end sets -- the direction the NFL is going. He demonstrates a lot of physicality in the run game and has produced when called upon in the passing game, catching 23 of 27 targets without a drop. Kacmarek is seen as a leader with impeccable technique, strong hands, and impressive agility for his size.

Using one of the picks acquired in the Waddle trade to Denver, Bell was perhaps the team's best value pick despite the injury, an ACL tear suffered in November of his senior year. As a three-year starter with eye-catching strength and explosion, he was considered the No. 47 overall player and No. 8 wide receiver by Brugler. Analysts like Bell's body control, acceleration, ability to run after the catch, willingness to go over the middle, steady improvement, and competitive fire.

The minuses: With the No. 11 pick of the second round, another off-ball linebacker felt like a bit of a luxury at this stage of the rebuild. Rodriguez will also be 24 when the season starts, is somewhat undersized, and has marginal special teams experience.

Simply put, Douglas represented terrible value where he was chosen. Considered the No. 241 overall player and the No. 31 wideout in the draft by Brugler, he went at a prime spot at No. 75. Douglas dropped 10 passes in his last two years, possesses average play strength, and struggles with focus, contested catches, and disguising routes -- a combination that led to him being ranked so low by so many analysts.

Similar to Rodriguez, Kacmarek represented questionable positional value, with a blocking tight end feeling pretty rich for the No. 87 overall selection (acquired from the Eagles for edge Jaelen Phillips). In addition, he was tabbed as the No. 111 overall player by Brugler, primarily due to his unrefined receiving (just two touchdowns in two seasons for the Buckeyes), route-running, and separation skills.

In addition to needing to get healthy, Bell must develop his route tree, curb his pushing-off habits, and manage his emotions. He was whistled for 16 penalties in three seasons, including six flags in 11 games as a senior. He's an unpolished, straight-line athlete with marginal lateral agility and questionable availability for training camp.

The best-case scenario: Using his impressive instincts, Rodriguez pairs nicely with Jordyn Brooks from the jump, bringing much-needed play-making ability to the front seven. Douglas adapts to the pro game much more quickly than anticipated, giving quarterback Malik Willis a desperately needed, sizeable threat in the passing game. Kacmarek unlocks Miami's physical and perimeter running games while surprising as an auxiliary target through the air, while Bell's rehab goes without a hitch and he establishes himself as a size/speed handful relatively early in the campaign.

The worst-case scenario: Due to struggles in navigating traffic and getting off blocks, Rodriguez ends up being a sub-package 'backer with little experience to fall back on in impacting the third phase. Douglas is overwhelmed by learning a new playbook while correcting all the holes in his game; Kacmarek's one-dimensionality limits his play packages; and Bell is slow to return to full health, essentially taking a redshirt year.

The bottom line: It's hard to escape the feeling that the 'Fins did a little with a lot on the second day of the draft. The cynical view is that Miami came out of the second day of the draft without a contributor who will play the majority of the snaps on either side of the ball, an almost-unforgiveable mismanagement of draft resources. 

The Dolphins took two receivers who feel like long shots to impact the team in the first half of the season, a pure blocking tight end, and a player who plays the same position as the squad's lone first-team All-Pro (Brooks).

Of course, as the best-case scenario demonstrates, there is upside here, and a lot of it. In the long term, the Bell selection could end up being a coup for the 'Fins, but past draft disasters -- albeit under a different regime -- have put an early, pessimistic tint on the second-day efforts.

Editor's note: Could Miami rebound on the final day of the draft? Find out here.

Day 2,254, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Looks For Foundational Pieces On Either Side Of The Ball on Active Day One Of Draft

In what must have been something of a surprise to new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and his crew, when the clock started at pick No. 11, the Dolphins had their choice of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Miami edge Rueben Bain. 

Instead of taking one of those standout defenders, however, Sullivan moved down one spot (acquiring two more fifth-rounders in return) and selected Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. Then, later in the round, they moved from No. 30 to No. 27 (at the cost of moving from No. 90 to No. 138 later in the draft) to pick San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson.

The pluses: Proctor is young (won't turn 21 until close to the season) and massive (6-6, 352 pounds), with demonstrations of dominance as an All-America last season for the Tide. Scouts consider him to have rare explosiveness, good lateral agility for his size, a nasty streak, and uncommon athleticism -- he even ran the ball five times for 'Bama, including an 11-yarder. He's also durable and sound, playing 40 games at left tackle over three seasons and going 18 straight starts without a holding penalty.

Johnson is instinctive, collecting 13 pass breakups and four interceptions (including two pick-sixes) while allowing zero touchdowns and just a 41.9-percent completion rate when he was targeted. Scouts give him high marks in mechanics, awareness, fluidity, transitions, anticipation, feel, closing burst, and recovery speed. He's considered a high-character teammate, sticking with San Diego State despite many opportunities to transfer to a bigger program and earning All-America and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors.

In addition, Johnson is versatile enough to play both man and zone, is an eager run defender, and possesses good special teams experience, even blocking a punt along the way.

The minuses: Analysts have documented Proctor's struggles to play in space and understand leverage, with poor fundamentals, discipline, and technique at times. His timing has been questioned, he's shown late recognition on pass-rushing moves, he needs work on combo blocks, and he has no experience at guard -- where the 'Fins intend to play him initially. Perhaps most troublingly, he had significant weight issues early in his career, leading Bitch Saban to bash him unnecessarily during the draft process.

For Johnson, his thin frame (6-0, 193 pounds) and average long speed have caused him to be out-physicaled on 50-50 balls on occasion. Scouts question his tackling form, level of competition, and lack of experience in the slot. He did miss one game due to injury as a senior and skipped his team's bowl game, though he did play in and show out for the Senior Bowl.

The best-case scenario: Proctor lines up next to Patrick Paul on the left side of Miami's offensive line, creating a behemoth wall for new quarterback Malik Willis and opening sizeable holes for tailback De'Von Achane. Later in the season, Proctor transitions to right tackle, giving the 'Fins promising bookend tackles for the next decade-plus.

Johnson seizes a starting job from jumpstreet, giving the secondary a desperately needed playmaker and giving coach Jeff Hafley the confidence to create some exotic packages. The rookie emerges as one of the defensive cornerstones Miami needs to start to make some noise in the AFC East.

The worst-case scenario: Proctor struggles to adjust to the guard position -- mirroring the experience of highly touted 2025 rookie Jonah Savaiinaea -- and his weight becomes in issue in second-level and reach blocks. He earns a replacement-level (or worse) grade at a lower-impact position while Downs and Bain take the league by storm.

Johnson is targeted early and often by opposing signal-callers, and he loses more than he wins against a more physical and accomplished caliber of competition. He struggles in run support and his overall impact is diminished by the level of play that surrounds him in a secondary that lacks talent and experience.

The bottom line: Proctor was rated the No. 19 overall prospect in the draft by analyst Dane Brugler, so taking him as high as Miami did was a bit of a reach. He was also rated the fourth-best offensive tackle by Brugler, and since the Dolphins plan to play him at guard, one wonders whether the team could have prioritized more pressing needs at higher-impact positions.

Johnson was rated No. 24 overall and the third-best cornerback in the draft by Brugler, and his selection goes at least some of the way toward filling a massive void in the roster. No issues whatsoever with this selection.

You could make a compelling case for drafting either player, and I'd feel better about Proctor if he eventually takes over as the starting right tackle. Being a Dolphins fan, I fear that bypassing Downs (especially) and Bain will come back to haunt the franchise, but Miami needs players -- and a lot of them. While this braintrust has yet to earn the trust of the fanbase, you have to hope they had a conviction on both of these players that will pay off in the long run.

Editor's note: See how the Dolphins followed up on Day 2 of the draft.

Limerick Friday #650: The Mets Keep Digging For Rock Bottom -- Day 2,221

Lost twelve in a row

It's a long road to hoe

Now wins back to back

It's not too late to sack

Mendy now, don't you know

So Will Wade is a bitch

Steered the Pack into a ditch

Now Gainey's here

And hope is near

Through this transfer portal sitch

Another draft day for the 'Fins

After another season for the bins

Draft picks galore

But forgive me if I snore

Wake me up when we have some wins

All these ticking clocks

For entitled families of jocks

Paul McNeill is disrespecting State

Refusing to decide his fate

Time to tell him to kick rocks

Ass-kissing simps

And visibility pimps

Sell your creative soul

To that AI slop hole

Find some self respect, ya gimps

Last time ...

Limerick Friday #637: Farewell To A True Blood -- Day 1,974

Had to swallow a tough pill

Struggling to understand it still

You looked out for the new kid

Saved my whole year, you did

Rest in peace, my friend Phil

Living in baseball hell

Turning every W into an L

Every move backfires

Turning contenders into liars

Will any Mets rise for that final bell?

Look for beauty in small things

And any happy tidings

They're there if you look

Sometimes in a book

And remember there are no kings

Getting punked day after day

Need any hope, just a ray

The coach is a lame duck

The GM is clueless as fuck

The 'Fins just can't find their way

It's that time of year

When the salt air feels near

Saying goodbye to summer

Is always a bummer

But the beach helps me hold back each tear

Last time ...

Limerick Friday #636: Nothing Is Great, And Everything Feels Bad -- Day 1,968

Find hope where it belongs

Despite all of the world's wrongs

Heard "Ohio" played off the shelf

And it made me ask myself

Where are this generation's protest songs?

"Ted Lasso" for golf is "Stick"

Owen Wilson does his normal schtick

But it's the summer's feel-good show

If you just let yourself go

And forget how much our country is sick

Football's coming fast

The summer nearly passed

I can't get unhooked

But the 'Fins already seem cooked

Who will play cornerback at last?

A demented, racist coot

And a pedophile to boot

As he wandered around the roof

Hoped someone could make him go poof

And cut out the problem at its root

A dismal June and July

And August makes me want to cry

The Mets are choking something rare

And really don't seem to care

Where does rock bottom actually lie?

Last time ...

Day 1,873, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Bets On Tools Over Output In Hit-Or-Miss Day # Haul

 

After landing massive trench players on Day 1 and Day 2, Miami didn't stray too far from the emphasis on physicality on Day 3. The second-day shuffling shut the Dolphins out of both the third and fourth rounds (though they did secure a 2026 third-rounder along the way), meaning they went 106 straight selections without a pick. The 'Fins did make three choices in the fifth round, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh.

The pluses: Jordan Phillips of Maryland went 143rd overall in the fifth round despite having a third- or fourth-round grade and being rated 121st overall and the No. 16 defensive tackle by Brugler. The 6-2, 313-pounder isn't even 21 years old yet and has freakish athletic ability that translated to a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Bowl. 

Running back Ollie Gordon (6-1, 226, Oklahoma State) also had a fourth-round grade, considered the No. 136 overall pick and No. 14 running back by Brugler, and Miami snapped him up in the sixth round (179th overall). Another young player (21 years old), he brings a physical dimension to running, short-yardage scenarios, and pass protection that the Dolphins have needed for a while. 

A viable quarterback prospect is always a need, and Quinn Ewers (6-2, 214, Texas) represents that as a seventh-rounder (231st overall). Brugler had him as the No. 6 QB and No. 86 overall player in the draft, with a third-round grade. Even with the signal-caller-value tax, Ewers is worth a flyer based on college production and a fast release.

The minuses: Jason Marshall Jr. (6-0, 194, Florida) was considered a sixth-rounder and the No. 241 overall player in the draft by Brugler, but the 'Fins selected him in the fifth round at No. 150 overall. Even though Marshall is a Miami native who played for the Gators, Dolphins analyst Travis Wingfield had not seen his film -- despite the screaming need the franchise has for cornerbacks. He's a four-year starter in the SEC, but hasn't intercepted a pass since 2022, has shaky technique, lacks speed, and does not have special-teams experience.

Safety Dante Trader Jr. (5-11, 200, Maryland) was Brugler's No. 12 safety with a No. 172 overall rating and went in the fifth round at No. 155 to Miami. Trader is quicker than fast and undersized for the position, though he could benefit from focusing exclusively on football instead of lacrosse, which he also played for the Terps.

On the concerns front for players we've already highlighted, Ewers has durability issues and struggles to extend plays, and he didn't test at the combine or his Pro Day. The inexperienced Phillips managed to record zero sacks in 23 career games and is seen as a one-dimensional, run-stuffing player whose production has not matched his tools. Gordon is a bit of a 'tweener who runs upright, is indecisive, and saw his production fall off dramatically in his final campaign. And Biggers had just two sacks and nine stops for losses in 47 career games.

The bottom line: Half of Miami's eight selections were linemen, and the focal point there was size and potential. For me, too many of the Dolphins' choices were based on projections instead of production, and the lack of attention on the secondary is a massive oversight that leaves the franchise with precious little leverage in negotiations. There are interesting players here who could develop into impactful starters, but general manager Chris Grier and his staff continue to demonstrate a lack of understanding of draft value, scheme fits, and contextual selections.

Day 1,868, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Makes A Short-Sighted Trade To Bolster The Offensive Front

Looking to fortify the offensive trenches after the retirement of Terron Armstead and other turnover, Miami traded up 11 spots in the second round to secure Arizona guard/tackle Jonah Savaiinaea with the 37th overall pick. The 6-4, 324-pounder was considered the No. 4 offensive guard and No. 55 overall player by draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic, and he actually attended the same high school as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Pairing Savaiinaea with first-rounder Kenneth Grant means the 'Fins added some 700 pounds of human to their lines in the draft's first couple of days.

The pluses: Described as powerful and competitive (and "alert," which, well, yeah, I would hope so) by Brugler, Savaiinaea has position flexibility, playing guard as a freshman and tackle the past two seasons. The three-year starter is also durable, starting 36 straight games across three positions, with a high ceiling based on the fact that he's only 21 years old. He's considered an elite athlete for his size, recording the best 10-yard split (1.72 seconds) at the combine among prospects weighing 315 pounds or more and boasting high percentiles among guards in speed (90th), agility and explosiveness (80th), and weight (85th). Savaiinaea is credited with strong hands, good play balance, positional thickness, leadership qualities, a mean streak, and a desire to always find the next block. Importantly, he's also disciplined, being whistled for just a single penalty last season.

The minuses: The Tafuna, American Samoa, native struggled as a pass protector, one of the reasons why he is not seen as a natural tackle and will be moved to guard. It's suboptimal to spend so much draft collateral on a position switch, especially one for a prospect that was widely considered a reach by observers. Savaiinaea has been described as playing too upright and stiff, spending too much time on the ground at the second level, and experiencing some struggles against inside leverage. He played in the Senior Bowl, but he left school a year early and may have benefited from a bit more experience -- especially at his pro position of guard.

The bottom line: Though Miami sees Savaiinaea as a tone-setter for the offense and the team could always use quality offensive linemen, it certainly felt as if the Dolphins surrendered entirely too much draft capital. To move up 11 spots, the 'Fins gave up its third-round pick and swapped its fourth for a fifth, a steep price for a non-premium position. Compounding matters, it ended the team's involvement on Day 2, which was widely considered the heart of this year's draft value, and also left Miami without a viable secondary addition (a glaring need) in the meaningful rounds.

The best case for Savaiinaea? He immediately grabs one of the two starting guard spots, bringing needed physicality to the unit. Savaiinaea shows an ability to both get to the second level and the perimeter while also anchoring short-yardage improvement.

The worst case for Savaiinaea? He struggles to adapt to a relatively new position and gets relegated to backup status due to technique issues.

Savaiinaea could end up being a terrific add, and there is very little issue with the player himself. The issue is with the price, the position, and the moment. Looking to beef up the offensive line, especially when you're a franchise that often has a unit that ranks at the very bottom of the NFL, is never a bad idea. However, general manager Chris Grier -- as has become a pattern -- has ignored draft context and overall roster need to reach for a player at too dear of a cost.

Day 1,866, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins Bypasses Playmakers To Go Behemoth On The First Day Of The NFL Draft

Defensive coordinator has been something of a revolving door for the Dolphins, as the franchise has had seven DCs in the last decade. Anthony Weaver somewhat surprisingly returns for a second season in the post, and Miami made a significant investment in his scheme with massive tackle Kenneth Grant.

The 6-4, 330-pounder from Michigan was pegged as the draft's No. 3 defensive tackle and No. 25 overall player by The Athletic's draft guru, Dane Brugler. The 'Fins drafted him at No. 13 overall with designs on shoring up the run defense and providing up-the-middle pocket push.

The pluses: Grant possesses tremendous athleticism for his size (he was rated No. 3 on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List"), with clips showing him chasing down ball-carriers deep down the field, revealing dogged effort. He can be dominant against the run, batted down 10 passes in the past two seasons, and has played both nose tackle and three technique. The Gary, Indiana, native is just 21 years old, but has shown leadership ability and room for growth.

The minuses: According to Brugler and others, Grant is unrefined as a pass rusher and struggles at times with leverage, playing too high. Scouts point out issues diagnosing plays and that he has ballooned over 350 pounds at times, so conditioning is something that will need close monitoring. His production has not always matched his ability (just 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 17 career starts), which is why many analysts regarded him as a reach at 13th overall. Depending on how you feel about the trend, it's worth noting that Grant also opted out of Michigan's bowl game and declined an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl.

The bottom line: The way the draft fell, there were value picks to be had at No. 13 at positions of larger need for the Dolphins: cornerback, offensive tackle, and tight end. Texas corner Jahdae Barron and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren are likely game-changers who could have slotted nicely into Miami's schemes. The guess here is that the 'Fins wanted to trade back, but couldn't find any takers (a common issue in a draft that did not have many sure-fire players) and went with a player they rated higher than some others.

And look, Grant looks the part and has the tools to develop into a polished pro. Some of his issues sound like they can be attributed to inexperience -- he played just two full years of college football -- but the question is whether it's wise to use a top-15 pick on a player who requires a significant amount of tutelage.

The best-case scenario for Grant? He becomes Zach Sieler's running mate by taking quickly to individual coaching, playing significant, impactful snaps as a three-down tackle in Weaver's scheme.

The worst-case scenario for Grant? His lack of pass-rush skills and overall conditioning render him a role player on Miami's interior, further impacting a depleted secondary with a lack of pressure in the quarterback's face.

There's a lot to really like about Grant and what he could bring to the franchise. However, a significant amount of that requires giving the Dolphins' braintrust the benefit of the doubt -- something that has gone unearned for a quarter-century.

Check out Miami's Day 2 selection.

Day 1,860, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Dolphins Pre-Draft Position Outlook: The Secondary

 

So with Jalen Ramsey the latest Dolphin to signal his desire to leave South Beach, Miami is staring at the prospect of having to replace four of the five starters from last year's secondary. 

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver returns for a second season and is reported to have more sway in some of the personnel decisions on that side of the ball, an important development considering the sheer number of needs at a position group with the most question marks on the roster.

Here's a look at the pre-draft roster landscape:

THE RETURNING STARTER:

Kader Kohou

Kohou has focused on the slot but may need to take on a boundary role. Perhaps the dominant UFA success story in recent franchise history, he has had uneven moments but is certainly a solid starter.

THE HOLDOVERS:

Ethan Bonner, Elijah Campbell, Storm Duck, Cam Smith

Bonner was undrafted out of Stanford, but has gotten some internal praise the past two seasons. At the end of the day, however, he has seven appearances, two tackles, and one pass breakup in his career.

Another undrafted player, Duck was forced into action a season ago and ended up recording 35 tackles and four pass breakups in three starts as a rookie. 

Campbell is considered a core special-teams player entering his fifth season in Miami. He has started three games at safety and does not have an interception in his career.

Despite being a second-rounder, Smith has not started a game in his first two seasons. He has 18 tackles and no interceptions in 21 contests.

The Dolphins seem invested in this quartet to varying degrees, but I think -- even at his most optimistic -- Weaver (notwithstanding a difficult-to-imagine scenario that sees the light suddenly come on for Smith) would agree that things have gone horribly wrong if any of the four have to start consistently in 2025.

THE NEWCOMERS:

Artie Burns, Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu

A local product, Burns had some good early moments with the Steelers, but his career has meandered of late and he started just one game over the past three season for the Seahawks. Burns, who hasn't had an interception since 2017, needs to be considered purely a depth piece at cornerback.

Davis has spent the past five seasons with the Jets, starting 22 games and grabbing eight picks in that time. I suspect Miami sees him as a rotational safety under the best circumstances.

The most highly regarded newcomer, Melifonwu has good size (6-3, 210 pounds), but had just 14 starts and two interceptions in his four years with the Lions. Based on sheer numbers, the 'Fins have to be projecting him into a starting safety role.

THE FRINGE GUYS:

Jordan Colbert, Ryan Cooper, Isaiah Johnson, Jason Maitre, Patrick McMorris

McMorris -- a sixth-rounder a season ago -- is perhaps the most intriguing of this group, but all five face uphill battles to make the squad in 2025.

THE DRAFT PLAN:

In the likely scenario that Ramsey is jettisoned for a Day 2 pick, Melifonwu is penciled in as one starter, and Kohou is consider another, the 'Fins face the unappealing prospect of entering the draft with three open starting positions in the secondary. Yes, there are street free agents poised to get snapped up following the draft, but that's also not an attractive approach.

That's the bad news. But -- believe it or not if you're a Dolphins fan -- there is good news.

Miami currently has 10 picks and is likely to pick up more when Ramsey and/or Tyreek Hill are traded. This draft is also widely considered to be an extremely strong one for safeties, so the 'Fins seem well positioned to grab a starting safety relatively early in the draft.

Cornerback is considered to be top heavy, which could lead Miami to prioritize the position with the No. 13 overall selection. The top two corners are widely considered to be Colorado's Travis Hunter (also a wideout) and Michigan's Will Johnson, both of whom are likely to be gone by the time the Dolphins are on the clock. 

However, Jahdae Barron (Texas) may be in play at the spot, and Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Azareye'h Thomas (Florida State), and Shavon Revel (EZU) could be trade-back options. 

Or Miami could also go in the direction of South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, who many feel has strong coverage skills and is capable of playing in a hybrid role in Weaver's defensive backfield. Georgia's Malaki Starks is another safety who may have too high a grade for the 'Fins to pass on when it's time for them to pick.

THE PREDICTION:

The Dolphins get lucky by sitting tight and landing Johnson, who unexpectedly gets out of the top 10. Miami gets a fourth-rounder for Ramsey and a conditional third for Hill, then fortifies the secondary with a safety on Day 2 and multiple Day 3 corners.

Day 1,617, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Foregoes Need To Triple Down On Skill-Position Speed On Day 3 Of The Draft

Somewhat surprisingly (and perhaps shortsightedly), Miami loaded up on skill-position players on the draft's third day, landing a running back (Tennessee's Jaylen Wright) and two wideouts (Virginia's Malik Washington and USC's Tahj Washington). In between, the 'Fins landed an edge rusher (Colorado State's Mohamed Kamara) and a safety (California's Patrick McMorris), which fit much better into the "need" category than the other three selections.

The pluses: Wright was assigned a third-round grade and deemed the No. 83 overall player by draft analyst Dane Brugler, though Miami grabbed him with the 120th overall pick, in the fourth round. He's seen as an explosive, speedy (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash) home-run hitter, which makes him a scheme fit.

Kamara is intense (described as an inspirational captain) and productive (30.5 career sacks), with a high-effort style that lends itself to a rotational role at a position of need due to injury.

Assigned a third-round grade by Brugler, Washington may have simply been too good to pass up by the Dolphins in the sixth round -- Brugler had him as the No. 90 player in the draft and Miami got him 184th overall. He was second in the nation in receiving yardage (1,426 overall) and a team captain with only four drops in three seasons. Importantly, Dolphins draft guru Simon Clancy tabbed Washington as the best prospect at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

A former running back, McMorris is described as having good play recognition, physicality (6-0, 207 pounds), and versatility. That's the extent of the good news on this sixth-rounder (198th overall).

The 'Fins landed another small wideout Washington (5-9, 174 pounds) in Tajh, who was rated as a fifth- or sixth-round pick by Brugler but landed 241st overall, in the seventh round. One of Caleb Williams's favorite targets, he can stretch the field vertically (five 50-plus-yard catches to lead the conference), is strong after the catch, is durable, possesses return skills, and had a single drop as a senior.

The minuses: At 5-10, 210 pounds, Wright is viewed by some as inclined to avoid contact and was an afterthought in the receiving game. Miami also traded a third-rounder in 2025 for this selection, despite already having Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, Jeff Wilson, Chris Brooks, and Salvon Ahmed in the backfield.

Kamara will be 24 years old by the time the season starts, so his ceiling is perceived to be limited. He has been described as undersized (6-1, 248 pounds) and stiff, with struggles in the run game and with avoiding penalties.

Washington is another wee 'Fins receiver (5-8, 191 pounds) who is challenged to overcome jams, lacks long speed, and does not have much experience on special teams. Granted, there appeared to be some conflicting analysis of the wideout in his scouting report, so the minuses for Washington would appear to be debatable.

McMorris was rated as a priority free agent by Brugler based on a lack of impact plays (two interceptions in the past two years), poor angles, iffy technique and balance, questionable range, and shaky tackling. That's ... a lot to overcome.

Like Malik, Tajh Washington is described as struggling against physical coverage, with a poor catch radius, short arms, and small hands. If he is to perform in the slot -- his most likely role -- he would need to improve his patience in route-running, according to analysts.

The bottom line: While the best-player-available approach is usually the right one, did Miami really need to triple up on skill-position players when the only offensive lineman taken (Patrick Paul) is described as an extreme project? The Dolphins also had seven picks and did not take a single defensive tackle -- despite losing Christian Wilkins in free agency -- nor a cornerback, despite an aging and depleted corps.

In addition, the 'Fins loaded up on undersized players again, despite the team's well-documented struggles against physical opponents when the weather gets worse late in the season. 

It's also important to note that the Dolphins surrendered a third-round pick next year to take Wright, though the team is likely expecting compensatory picks after losing some key players in free agency. 

The early impression is that Miami will come out of this draft without a starter -- technically, Chop Robinson could start early in the campaign due to injuries to both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb -- for the third year in a row (obviously, never a good sign). With so much of the salary cap tied up in so few players, general manager Chris Grier is digging himself a big, big hole by struggling to replenish departing talent via the draft.

Day 1,518, Quasi-Quarantine: Day 2 Of The Draft Brings Another Potentially Problematic Project Prospect

Perhaps as a result of coming on the heels of a perceived reach in Chop Robinson in the first round, the selection of offensive tackle Patrick Paul seemed to generate the most angst and frustration within Dolphin Nation.

The 6-7, 331-pounder out of Houston was selected in the second round with the 55th overall pick, which for many didn't jibe with his status as a "project" by many. However, analyst Dane Brugler rated him the No. 59 overall player in the draft and a second- or third-rounder, lending credence to the idea that this was an appropriate selection.

The pluses: Well, Paul certainly has the size (he "looks the part" in scouting lingo) and prototype size and length (36-inch arms and 86-inch wingspan). He's described as aggressive and difficult to disengage with, featuring good lateral mobility. Scouts credit him with recognizing stunts quickly, and as a two-time captain, he has strong leadership qualities.

Paul also has the strength (30 reps in the bench press) and durability (44 starts at left tackle, including 39 straight) needed to give him the best chance of developing relatively quickly.

The minuses: The glaring issue seems to be an overall struggle with leverage and technique that allows him to be beaten inside (due to a wide kick-slide) and by bull rushers (due to poor hand usage and placement). 

In the run game, his tendency to get out of balance and rhythm make it difficult to sustain blocks. Paul has a reputation as someone who plays too high and holds too often, which is likely to make him a target of officials on the next level.

The bottom line: Brugler had Paul rated as the No. 8 offensive tackle in the draft, but there are few analysts I trust more on Dolphins-related issues than Simon Clancy, and his assessment of Paul was troubling to read. 

Clancy wrote that Paul's technique is "all over the place, and he'll need significant coaching before you could let him on an island in the NFL." If you're considering the rookie to be an eventual replacement for aging veteran Terron Armstead, Clancy's next comment is even more problematic.

"There is a tool-box, and he has some things you can't teach -- he's tough, smart, and nasty -- but I wouldn't touch him until the fourth round, and I wouldn't expect him to see the field for a year or two in any sort of starting capacity."

Even this scenario assumes competent position coaching, which has been a massive weakness of the 'Fins for decades. While Butch Barry had a promising start in the job last year, viewing Paul as a potential two-year project is daunting for a coach of any capacity.

Also, while the value of this pick may be in line according to some rankings, you have to keep in mind who else was available at this spot. A number of highly regarded cornerbacks were still on the board at this spot, and one wonders whether taking one of those or trading back was ever in the conversation for Miami.

In many quarters, the view is that the Dolphins took developmental prospects with each of its first two selections, which is out of kilter with what many perceive to be a rapidly closing window of contention for the franchise. Paul could be under significant pressure to escalate that timeline and mature more quickly, which may be unfair in the kindest interpretation -- and damaging in the harshest.

Day 1,506, Quasi-Quarantine: Chopping It Up On The First Day Of The Draft

By the time Miami picked at the 21st slot in the first round, just four defensive players had been chosen. The 'Fins had their pick of back-seven defenders, but opted for Penn State edge Chop Robinson with their choice.

Draft analyst Dane Brugler had tabbed Robinson as his No. 4 edge rusher in the draft and the No. 26 overall player in the draft, with a first- or second-round grade. So this was not necessarily a big reach for the Dolphins, but his selection must be considered in the context of who else was (surprisingly) available on the board.

The pluses: At 6-2, 254 pounds, Robinson ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, so it's safe to say that elite athletic ability and agility are among his strengths. Scouts lauded the Maryland transfer's ability to flatten his pass rush -- maintaining his balance while simultaneously turning the corner and ducking under a blocker -- and his potential when dropping into coverage. 

Active hands, good reach, and tremendous change of direction were also noted, allowing Robinson to check off just about everything in the "physical gifts" category.

The minuses: The overwhelming negative is a simple and undeniable lack of production: Robinson posted just 11.5 career sacks, including four sacks (and 7.5 tackles for losses) in his final college season. 

The inability to finish is mostly attributed to what scouts consider to be average body strength and a lack of refined counter moves. He also struggled in the run game, which may be why he played 30.3 snaps as part of a rotation even in his final campaign.

The bottom line: The reality is that Miami had a golden opportunity due to the unexpected run of offensive players -- the first 14 players off the board played on that side of the ball -- so taking a one-year starter without a documented history of impact plays feels problematic.

Listen, the need is certainly there: Both Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are coming off season-ending injuries, and the 'Fins lost Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah in free agency. However, most observers agreed that more polished players capable of making an immediate impact were available, meaning at least a trade down should have been considered.

Robinson can certainly make the discussion moot by emerging as at least a situational pass rusher as a rookie. But making a projection while simultaneously prioritizing need over talent is a road to head-shaking that the Dolphins have traveled far too often over the years.

Here's hoping that's not the case this time around. Go get 'em, Chop.

Day 1,223, Quasi-Quarantine: At Very Long Last, The 'Fins Spend A Lottery Ticket On A Blocker

If you've made it this far, you may have noticed that I've been not-so-politely pointing out that Miami ignored its weakest position group by not selecting any offensive linemen with their first three picks in the draft. The Dolphins finally placated those of us who think blocking is kind of important by picking a tackle with its final choice.

Ryan Hayes of Michigan was nabbed in the seventh round as the 238th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. While it's possible he was taken just to shut up failure owner Stephen Ross by taking a player from his alma mater, the hope is that Hayes can represent a development prospect who could pay dividends a couple of years down the road. Tabbed as the No. 19 offensive tackle in the draft and assigned a seventh-round grade by analyst Dane Brugler, Hayes was picked in an appropriate spot by the 'Fins.

The pluses: A good athlete who nearly played baseball as well in college, Hayes was a tight end and defensive end in high school, and that athleticism served him well in shifting to the offensive front. Light on his feet for his good size (6-6, 298 pounds), he is considered to be quick to his keys, exhibiting good technique and angle usage. Hayes has impressive discipline as well, committing a single penalty and not allowing a single sack in 357 pass-blocks snaps as a senior.

He boasts a wealth of experience as well, emerging as a three-year starter and four-year letterman for a program that went 25-3 in his final two campaigns. Along with his 30 career starts at the high-tension left tackle position, Hayes earned three Academic All-Big Ten selections and a pair of second-team all-league honors, and he was a key component of an offensive front that won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards as the outstanding offensive line unit in college football.

The negatives: Scouts dinged Hayes for having short arms and below-leverage strength for his height, which contributed to his poor leverage technique at times. He has difficulty maintaining blocks in the run game and (like many young tackles) struggles with speed rushers. While arm length can feel like nitpicking for non-draft gurus, the attribute can be a death sentence for aspiring NFL left tackles -- especially when paired with below-average play strength.

The bottom line: Seventh-round selections are basically lottery tickets in the NFL, and you'd like to have the most information possible in that context. Hayes participated in the Senior Bowl and spent his career in a highly competitive conference, so the Dolphins have a lot of indications of how he stacks up against elite talent.

Brugler characterizes him as a potential backup if he can find ways to adjust to a lack of core strength and length, which is certainly a lot to ask of a rookie. How do you get better at having short arms? While Terron Armstead is closer to the end of his career than the beginning as one of the league's top left tackles, there are (barely) stronger in-house options in reserve when Armstead battles the inevitable injury.

Instead, Hayes is a guy Miami is likely to try to stash on the practice squad and work with over time. However, development of young players on the offensive line has been a dramatic weak spot for the 'Fins for, I don't know, ever, so expectations should be pretty low from the outset. But hey, if you're going to buy a lottery ticket, it's best to do it on a core position like left tackle. Hope can be a strategy in such situations, right?

That wraps up the 2023 draft picks for the 'Fins. We'll try to take a look at some intriguing undrafted rookie free agents before training camp begins in earnest.

2nd round (51st overall): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

3rd round (84th overall): De'Von Achane, RB, Texas A&M

6th round (197th overall): Elijah Higgins, WR/TE, Stanford

7th round (238th overall): Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan