Draft to put some veterans on thin ice
They may be traded, waived or have to compete for roles.
One point the Dolphins have continued to raise during predraft conversations is the inevitability of players from other teams being cut loose once the fresh crop of rookies arrives. But the rest of the league is eyeing Miami’s roster for the same opportunities.
Though t he NFL dr a f t , which begins Thursday in Philadelphia, brings a wave of optimism for management and fan bases, it can be an uneasy viewing experience for some veterans. A cornerback at the tail end of his prime, for example, can’t possibly enjoy watching his bosses draft a 22-year-old version of himself this weekend.
When the Dolphins get through their seven picks, three of whom are in the top 100, they ’ll need to make room for promising young talent. Some veterans could be waived or traded, while others will be thrown into competition to maintain their standing on the depth chart.
Despite general manager Chris Grier’s saying otherwise, most assume his draft class will be mainly defensive players. The team will likely look for a linebacker and defensive end early, and current players William Hayes, Koa Misi and Neville Hewitt won’t be surprised when those players come hunting for their roles.
Even the starting defensive ends, Cameron Wake and Andre Branch, will take note of an incoming pass rusher — especially if he’s a first-rounder — and be highly aware the new player is intended to one day develop into a replacement for one of them. Wake’s seen a couple of them come and go, most recently 2013 firstround pick Dion Jordan.
The interior line is anchored by Ndamukong Suh. The spot next to him isn’t guaranteed to be filled by Jordan Phillips. Phillips, a second-rounder in 2015, is the leader to win that job, but that’s in jeopardy if Miami takes a defensive tackle.
In the secondary, safet y Reshad Jones and cornerback Xavien Howard have the most security. The Dolphins took Howard at No. 38 last year and expect him to have a long career with the team; they signed Jones to a five-year extension worth $60 million last month.
Seventh-year cornerback Byron Maxwell is in for an interesting week since this draft class is thought to be loaded with players at his position. He had a good year for Miami in 2016, but he’s 29, and the team can get out of his contract consequence-free at the end of the upcoming season.
At safety, the Dolphins are working with stopgap options alongside Jones. They brought in Nate Allen, who hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2014, on a one-year deal and added talented T.J. McDonald from the Rams. He’ll miss the first eight games for a suspension.
If any player Miami picks — Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers is a good example here — doubles as a return man, that presents an instant challenge to Jakeem Grant. Grant is on the roster as a 5-foot-7 receiver, but the Dolphins have used him almost entirely as a kick and punt returner.
Considering how hard it’s been for Grant to claim snaps at receiver, Miami drafting a gifted returner in this draft class puts him on notice.
The Dolphins’ offense is fairly set. With Ryan Tannehill healthy and Jay Ajayi coming off his first Pro Bowl, it’d be shocking if they drafted a running back or quarterback other than a long-term project. Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker are entrenched as the top three receivers, and Gase is seeking a role for Leonte Carroo.
Offensively, the potential draft positions for Miami are tight end and offensive guard. The team acquired Julius Thomas, but there’s no certainty he’ll be a long-term solution, and the guys behind him are unproven. Thomas Duarte, a seventh-round choice a year ago, will be in a battle if Miami brings on a rookie at his spot.
At guard, the team signed Ted Larsen to a three-year deal and brought back Jer- mon Bushrod. While Bushrod might appear vulnerable to some, Gase is adamant that he was the second-best offensive lineman on the team last year and expects him to be even better now that he’s in his second season playing right guard after a career spent at left tackle.
That said, if the Dolphins l a nd s o meone o f Fo r re s t Lamp’s caliber, they probably won’t keep him on the bench. They were plenty happy with Branden Albert at left tackle, but the clock started ticking on him when Laremy Tunsil fell into their lap last year.
The draft has roster-shuffling ripples throughout the league, and it’ll take months before all of it gets sorted out. The picks themselves are only the beginning.