A look at projections for Miami Dolphins’ draft picks at 51 and 84
A look at what several mock drafts project for the Dolphins with picks 51 and 84, their only selections before the sixth round:
▪ Pro Football Focus has the Dolphins picking Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 51; he ran for 926 yards (6.1 per carry) and seven touchdowns last season, while adding 44 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns.
The 5-11, 200 pound running back has a 5.6 career average on 383 carries.
“The Dolphins’ offensive weaponry gets even more speed,” PFF says in projecting Gibbs to Miami at 51. “Head coach Mike McDaniel would have a field day with Gibbs’ speed and pass-catching ability.”
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said of Gibbs: He “might be better off with a more measured carry count as an RB2, but his versatility and pass-catching prowess will give creative play-callers an opportunity to exploit certain personnel groupings and find mismatches in space.”
PFF has the Dolphins selecting Houston receiver Tank Dell at 84.
He put up absurd numbers in a spread offense last year: 109 catches, 1,398 yards and 17 TDs. Dell, 5-11, had 90 catches for 1,329 yards and 12 TDs in 2021.
NFL.com’s Zierlein calls Dell “a touchdown-making machine who pairs electrifying top-end speed with twitchy short-area quickness. His routes are fast and effective on all three levels with keen ball-tracking talent deep and sideline-dotting footwork. Focus drops and contested catches are ongoing issues that are likely to continue at the next level. Dell is dangerous with the ball in his hands after the catch and as a game-changing punt returner.”
▪ ESPN’s Todd McShay has the Dolphins selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones at 51.
McShay notes that “Jones is a massive 6-foot-8, 374-pound right tackle with long 36⅜-inch arms. And despite the size, he moves really well and allowed zero sacks in 12 starts last season. He would give the Dolphins another reliable tackle in their high octane offense.”
NFL.com’s Zierlein said of Jones: “Massive right tackle with rare length but limited athleticism that impacts his consistency.... His physical traits help cover up some of his athletic deficiencies... Jones is a work in progress with holes that will have to be covered up with scheme help, but he should become a starting right tackle if he maintains the playing weight his team desires.”
The players that McShay has the Dolphins bypassing at 51 and going in the following 10 spots: TCU guard/center/right tackle Steve Avila, UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet, Penn State tight end Brenton Strange (Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier met with him on his college campus; McShay has him going 54th), Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta (would fill a need), UM cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs, Clemson inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, Iowa cornerback Riley Moss, Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron and Tennessee defensive end Byron Young.
McShay mocks these five players directly before Miami’s pick at 51: Michigan cornerback DJ Turner, Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz, Iowa inside linebacker Jack Campbell, South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith and Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison.
▪ ESPN’s Jordan Reid has Miami taking Gibbs at 51, noting that he “could be drafted well before this spot, but running backs are tricky to project. He’d be an ideal fit in coach Mike McDaniel’s outside zone scheme, though.”
Reid has Miami selecting Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker at 81, adding that “the Dolphins lack a receiving threat at tight end after Mike Gesicki signed with the Patriots in free agency. Adding 6-5 Schoonmaker would add competition to a group searching for a player to emerge.”
He caught 35 passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns last season.
▪ Walterfootball.com has the Dolphins taking Avila, the aforementioned TCU guard/center right tackle.
“Avila’s technique and awareness pop on tape, and at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds, he’s a wall in the middle of the offensive line,” McShay said.
▪ NFL.com’s Chad Rueter has Miami taking Iowa tight end Laporta at 51; he had 58 catches for 657 yards season. He has the Dolphins picking Auburn edge player Derick Hall at 84; he had 6.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and an interception last season.
▪ Athlon Sports has Miami picking Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave at 51. He missed all but two games with an injury last season but had 22 catches for 304 yards and 2021 and is a big target at 6-6.
This story was originally published April 7, 2023 at 2:29 PM.
