Dolphins mock draft: Moving around to make the most of a league-low four picks
Like many avid football fans, as an adolescent, I was drawn to the popular “Madden” video game series, particularly its Franchise mode. Since being gifted my first copy — Madden ‘06 — and subsequently getting most of the annual installments that followed, I estimate that I have played through close to 200 seasons of Franchise mode. Yes — 200. This included several dozen seasons with a group of friends as a freshman at the University of Maryland.
Our favorite part of the season was the draft, where we got to put on our scouting hats, select future stars and unearth hidden gems, no different than the job Dolphins general manager Chris Grier is tasked with in this week’s NFL Draft.
In my first ever Miami Herald Dolphins mock draft, I tapped into those nostalgic times. For this experiment, I used Pro Football Focus’ Mock Draft Simulator, which I found to be the most realistic of the simulators and also allows trades, which Grier has shown no hesitation for in recent years.
This mock isn’t necessarily a perfect-case scenario. For example, I don’t come away with an inside linebacker who can pair as a running mate next to Jerome Baker. But it gives a realistic look of how Grier and Co., who have a league-low four picks on Days 2 and 3, might move around to take advantage of a deep draft.
Third Round (No. 102): Nebraska OL Cam Jurgens
▪ Just missed: Cincinnati LB Darrian Beavers, Georgia RB James Cook, Georgia LB Channing Tindall
▪ Also considered: Kentucky OL Luke Fortner, Western Kentucky EDGE DeAngelo Malone, Miami (Ohio) EDGE Dominique Robinson
After a long wait for the first of four Day 2 and 3 picks, there were still multiple players at positions of need, particularly interior offensive line and linebacker. There was some temptation to trade back a couple of spots and try to recoup an extra fifth- or sixth-rounder but at this point, taking a potential impact player in Year 1 is something you can’t pass up. The final decision was between Jurgens and Fortner. Fortner has more positional versatility, starting games at both guard spots and center, while Jurgens was exclusively a center in college. However, Jurgens is more refined and has more upside, making him the choice to add competition for Michael Deiter.
Trade with Panthers
Pick No. 125 in the fourth round might be the sweet spot for the Dolphins to move back and get some more picks. It’s a deep draft, but the gap between No. 125 and No. 224 in the seventh round, when the Dolphins pick next, is too wide to stay idle. I swapped the team’s fourth-round pick with the Carolina Panthers for a fifth-rounder (No. 137) and a sixth-rounder (No. 199), giving the team five total picks now.
Trade with Chargers
The moves don’t stop here. There are several prospects I like still on the board and decide to take a risk and move down again. This time, I send the No. 137 overall pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for their fifth-rounder (No. 160) and an extra sixth-rounder (No. 195). Six total picks now.
Fifth round (No. 160): Tennessee WR Velus Jones Jr.
▪ Just missed: Baylor S JT Woods, LSU LB Damone Clark, Iowa State DL Eyioma Uwazurike
▪ Also considered: South Dakota State RB Pierre Strong, UCF DL Kalia Davis, Alabama EDGE Christopher Allen
After dropping down, a few players who I coveted are off the board. The most notable is Clark, who is expected to miss his rookie season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery. His first year would have been a redshirt but assuming the medical vetting checks out, he is a Day 2 talent with the potential to be a three-down linebacker. That’s the risk you take in moving back, but I like the flexibility I have now with more picks.
Wide receiver isn’t the biggest need for the Dolphins after trading for Tyreek Hill and signing Cedrick Wilson. But Jones is an explosive athlete — he ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine — who fits into coach Mike McDaniel’s MO of speed. He needs development as a route runner but is an experienced return specialist, also a Dolphins need, who can provide depth and some instant contributions on schemed targets.
Sixth round (No. 195): Alabama EDGE Christopher Allen
▪ Just missed: Penn State EDGE Jesse Luketa, Boston College C Alec Lindstrom, Oklahoma EDGE Isaiah Thomas
▪ Also considered: N/A
Allen’s college career was derailed by a pair of season-ending injuries. But he was named All-SEC Second Team in his last healthy season in 2020, recording six sacks and leading the conference in tackles for loss. Allen, who had a predraft visit with the Dolphins, likely doesn’t have the size to be a fixture on the interior defensive line, but he’s a strong run defender who has some upside as a pass rusher.
Sixth round (No. 199): Baylor RB Abram Smith
▪ Just missed: N/A
▪ Also considered: N/A
There was some urge to select one of the higher-rated running backs with an earlier pick, but this is a good spot for Smith. He only has one full season of production at running back after briefly switching to linebacker in college, but it was productive. Abram rushed for 1,600 yards, which led the Big 12, and was named second-team all-conference. He wouldn’t vie for touches early on in a crowded backfield but has extensive special teams experience and could carve out a role there first.
Seventh round (No. 224): Michigan State TE Connor Heyward
▪ Just missed: N/A
▪ Also considered: N/A
At this point, you’re just looking for developmental guys who might have slipped through the cracks and players who can provide value on special teams. Heyward is a bit undersized at 5-11 and 233 pounds but was a utility player at Michigan State, lining up at running back, fullback, tight end and H-back. He even returned kickoffs. The Dolphins signed Alec Ingold to be their fullback but could groom Heyward to play a similar role.
Seventh round (No. 247): Georgia Tech S Juanyeh Thomas
▪ Just missed: N/A
▪ Also considered: N/A
Thomas was a do-it-all safety in college who likely projects more as a box player in the NFL. He was also a frequent contributor on special teams and can provide depth behind Jevon Holland, Brandon Jones and Eric Rowe, who is an unrestricted free agent after the 2022 season.
This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 12:37 PM.
