Dolphins can’t afford another swing-and-miss on pass rusher

Dolphins add several productive college players on 3rd day of Draft

As the final day of the NFL Draft unfolded, one commonality among Miami’s Saturday picks emerged: They were all highly productive college players last season.

Miami traded up for a running back, Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright, who was second in the nation in per carry average last season at 7.4.

They drafted an edge rusher, Colorado State’s Mo Kamara, who had 13 sacks in 2023 and monster numbers throughout his college career.

They drafted a Virginia receiver, Malik Washington, who led the nation with 110 receptions last year.

Then they took a Cal safety, Patrick McMorris, who had six interceptions over the past three seasons.

With the Dolphins’ first round pick, Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson, Miami drafted more for potential and traits than sheer tackle/sack production. (Robinson had 15 tackles and four sacks last year.) The Dolphins’ second round pick, left tackle Patrick Paul, needs time to develop, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said.

But Saturday’s first three Dolphins picks combined high-level production with traits that appealed to the organization.

A glimpse at Miami’s first three picks on Saturday:

TENNESSEE RUNNING BACK WRIGHT

Miami — which entered the day without a fourth round pick — relinquished a

2025 third-round pick to Philadelphia in order to acquire the 120th overall pick on Saturday, which was used on Wright.

Wright averaged 7.4 yards per carry on 137 rushing attempts last season, closing with

MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com The Dolphins selected linebacker Chop Robinson, above, a boom-or-bust developmental project, over two highly promising offensive linemen in Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton and Duke’s Graham Barton.