A look at the 30 prospects the Dolphins brought in
Dolphins chatter heading into NFL Draft week: The Dolphins A closely guard the identity of the players they fly into team headquarters for pre-draft visits. (As many as 30 non-local prospects can visit a team, per NFL rules.) But we — and others — have uncovered several of them. The confirmed “30” visitors and what to read into it:
Potential first-round offensive
A linemen Jackson PowersJohnson (the Oregon center) and Tyler Guyton (the Oklahoma tackle).
One thing they have in common: Exceptional pass protection skills. Powers-Johnson didn’t allow a sack (and just one hurry) in 497 pass blocking snaps last season, which is extraordinary. Guyton — who can play left and right tackle — allowed one sack in 511 career pass blocking snaps, mostly at right tackle.
What to read into it: Though defensive tackle and edge rusher might be a greater need, the Dolphins are considering offensive line help at 21. Guyton would give them a potential heir apparent to Terron Armstead,
who has no guaranteed money due after 2024. So would Georgia’s Amarius Mims, another player on Miami’s radar.
Running backs: Marshall’s
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Rasheen Ali (who scored an NCAA-high 25 touchdowns in 2021 and has been timed at nearly 22 mph on some runs) and Louisville running back
Isaac Guerendo, who averaged 6.1 yards per carry on 132 atmonster tempts last season.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick lists Guerendo as one of his five draft sleepers: “At 6-foot, 221 pounds, he has the skills to be a three-down back. Has gamebreaking top-end speed.”
What to read into it: Though the Dolphins can return with the exact same running back room that ended last season, they’re open to finding competition for
Salvon Ahmed (off a serious foot injury) and Chris Brooks.
Defensive backs Callen
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Bullock (a Southern Cal safety),
Qwantez Stiggers (a CFL cornerback), Jarrian Jones (an
FSU cornerback) and Sanoussi Kane (Purdue safety).
Bullock had nine interceptions the past three seasons and two returned for touchdowns. Jones, who picked off Tyler Van Dyke to end UM’s final drive against FSU last November, allowed just a 27 passer rating in his coverage area last season (fourthbest among FBS corners).
What to read into it: The Dolphins aren’t going to hand Kader Kohou the nickel corner job after a disappointing second season. Jones, a very good slot corner, is one of several nickel corners on Miami’s radar. Nik Needham and Cam Smith also will compete for that job.
The Dolphins have looked closely at several second-round safeties, knowing they need a No. 3 and a potential starter to develop behind Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland. Utah’s
Cole Bishop also has drawn Miami’s interest.
Kansas edge player Austin
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Booker.
Booker, who’s 6-4 and 240 pounds, appeared in only six games in two seasons for Minnesota before transferring to Kansas, where he blossomed last season. He had 56 tackles (including 12 for loss) and eight sacks for the Jayhawks. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein calls him a “gifted edge rusher with traits.”
What to read into it: Nobody should be surprised if the Dolphins take an edge rusher at 21 (FSU’s Jared Verse perhaps) or 55 to supplement Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Shaq Barrett.
Washington receiver Jalen
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McMillan and Tennessee receiver RaMel Keyton. ESPN’s
Mel Kiper Jr. mocks the 6-1 McMillan 51st — four slots before Miami picks. “He’s a dynamic slot receiver,” Kiper said.
Injuries limited McMillan a bit last season; he caught 45 passes for 559 yards (12.4 average) and five touchdowns. In 2022, he caught 79 for 1,098 (a 13.9 average) and nine TDs.
Keyton, who’s 6-3 and 195 pounds, is a potential third-day pick (or free agent) who caught 35 passes for 642 yards (18.3 per catch) and six touchdowns last season for the Volunteers.
What to read into it: The Dolphins want to add a highly skilled No. 3 receiver, whether it’s at No. 21 or No. 55 or whether it’s eventually coming to terms with a pedigreed veteran
(Odell Beckham Jr., Tyler Boyd, perhaps DJ Chark). But Miami has been reluctant to pay much for a No. 3 receiver, leading to an impasse with Beckham.
Among other 30 visits:
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Northern Iowa defensive tackle
Khristian Boyd and Iowa tight end Erick All.
What to read it into: The Dolphins need another highly skilled defensive tackle, and they’ve zoned in on a handful, including Boyd and LSU’s Maason Smith, who was worked out privately by Dolphins defensive line coach Austin Clark on the Tigers’ campus. ESPN’s Field Yates has Smith going 42nd — 13 picks before Miami’s second round pick — and notes “he has the raw tools to become a disruptor as both a pass-rusher and a run-defender.”
Though Miami seems set at tight end, they’re spending a surprising amount of time at the position. Mike McDaniel and tight ends coach Jon Embree spent considerable time in Austin, Texas, with Longhorns tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, who’s projected for Miami’s range at 55.
CHATTER
The Dolphins are expected
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to try to sign wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to a contract extension, and the potential price of that extension came more into focus Monday when Philadelphia gave receiver DeVonta Smith a threeyear, $75 million extension that includes $51 million guaranteed.
Waddle and Smith, former teammates at Alabama, were both selected in the top 10 picks of the 2021 Draft.
Waddle’s career numbers: 251 catches, 3,385 yards, 13.5 per reception and 18 touchdowns.
Smith’s career numbers: 240 receptions, 3,178 yards, 13.2 per reception, 19 touchdowns.
Armstead offered insight on
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Tua Tagovailoa during a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” including details about Tagovailoa’s first interaction with former Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees.
“So I connected Tua and Drew; they spent some time together and Tua ran over to me. He’s like, ‘Yo, T-Stead, I’m taller than Drew.’ He was so excited. Forget everything else they talked about reading defenses and all that anticipation, he was happy that he was taller than Drew.
“But as far as similarities, the accuracy, the precision is scary to see. Drew is Hall of Fame, one of the best ever to touch a football for sure. Tua’s accuracy and his ability to manipulate and move defenders with his eyes, footwork, it’s incredible. It’s Drew Brees, and I know that’s a tall comparison, but he stands up to it.”
Armstead praised Tagovailoa’s growth in intangible areas last season: “I saw him get on the great Tyreek Hill last year, which he never would have done the first year.
A UM source said UM defensive
A end Nyjalik Kelly, who left the program this week, annoyed some because he was complaining about his NIL money in recent weeks.
There appears to be mutual
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interest between the Canes and Houston receiver Samuel Brown, who’s looking to transfer after catching 62 passes for 815 yards last season.
There’s no bigger priority in
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the transfer portal than landing Oregon State running back Damien Martinez, who ran for 1,185 yards on 6.1 per carry last season. UM running backs coach Chris Merritt visited him in Dallas last week, and head coach Mario Cristobal and even defensive coaches have called his family.
Martinez will take an oncampus visit to UM next weekend, following visits to Arizona, Mississippi State and Kentucky. The Canes are recruiting him “the hardest,” Martinez’s NIL agent, Shawn O’Gorman, said.
Keep in mind that not only
A is outfielder Avisail Garcia due $12 million in both 2024 and 2025, but the Marlins will need to pay him $5 million to buy him out after the 2025 season. One mistake of the past and current regime was excessive use of buyout money; they also had to pay Johnny Cueto $2.25 million not to pitch for them this season.