Dolphins 2024 NFL mock draft: Finding early contributors, rebuilding trenches
For the last two years, the Dolphins have been one of the most inactive teams during the draft. Blockbuster trades — and punishment for tampering violations — have left Miami with four picks in each of the last two drafts.
The Dolphins are set for a much busier weekend in 2024. Miami is set to have a first-round pick (No. 21 overall) for the first time since 2021. Miami also has a second-round pick, the No. 55 overall pick. The team doesn’t have selections in the third and fourth rounds because of its tampering violations and the Bradley Chubb trade, respectively. However, the team has several picks on Day 3, including a fifth-rounder (No. 158), a pair of sixth-rounders (Nos. 184 and 198) and a seventh-rounder (No.
241).
It’s an important draft for the Dolphins, who lost several key starters in free agency and only have one contributor from its last two draft classes, running back De’Von Achane. And with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s looming extension, the days of the Dolphins spending lavishly every offseason are coming to an end.
Using the default settings on Pro Football Focus’ Mock Draft Simulator, the Miami Herald predicts what the Dolphins will do in the 2024 NFL Draft. This sevenplayer class includes a first-round trade and an emphasis on the trenches.
TRADE WITH VIKINGS
In this trade, the Dolphins send the No. 21 overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 23 and No. 129 overall pick. At this point, there are still multiple prospects who would fill needs and fit for Miami. But the Dolphins don’t have a pick in the third or fourth round and moving back slightly allows them to pick up a mid-round pick and still get a potentially coveted player.
FIRST ROUND (NO. 23): ILLINOIS DL JER’ZHAN NEWTON
Just missed: UCLA outside linebacker Laitu Latu, Texas defensive lineman Brian Murphy III, LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Also considered: Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton
The Dolphins put themselves in a position to take the best player available in the first round after effectively retooling during free agency. It’s unclear exactly how Miami’s big board stacks up but Newton, the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player, would slot in as a starter to replace Christian Wilkins. Newton, 6-2 and 304 pounds, is a bit undersized but uses his quickness to shoot gaps and uses his hands well as a pass rusher. With several newly signed veteran defensive linemen on the roster, Newton could work in a rotation as he acclimates to the NFL as a rookie.
SECOND ROUND (NO. 55): MICHIGAN WR ROMAN WILSON
Just missed: Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, West Virginia center Zach Frazier
Also considered: Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, Penn State outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, UConn guard Christian Haynes
The Dolphins have been searching for a No. 3 wide receiver, making an offer to free agent Odell Beckham Jr. and checking in on other veteran receivers. Wilson projects as a slot receiver and checks all the boxes the Dolphins need in a secondary pass-catcher. He ran a 4.39-second 40yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was a physical blocker in a run-first offense at Michigan. He’s a reliable passcatcher and comes down with tough catches. Tagovailoa gets another playmaker and Miami adds reinforcements for Tyreek
Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
FOURTH ROUND (NO. 130): TEXAS OT CHRISTIAN JONES
Just missed: Kansas State guard Cooper
Beebe, Utah safety Cole Bishop, Texas A&M WR Ainas Smith
Also considered: Miami defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III, Boston College cornerback Elijah Jones, Tennessee cornerback Kamal Hadden
Jones, 6-5 and 306 pounds, is an experienced lineman (48 starts over six seasons) with snaps at both tackle positions. His long arms allow him to latch onto defenders and he has the functional athleticism to execute zone-blocking schemes in Miami. His technique is a bit inconsistent but he could be a developmental lineman as the Dolphins re-signed Kendall Lamm to be their top swing tackle again in 2024.
FIFTH ROUND (NO. 158): PENN STATE TE THEO JOHNSON
Just missed: Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo
Also considered: Maryland safety Beau Brade
Johnson, 6-6 and 257 pounds, has the size to be an effective run blocker if he hones in on his technique. He ran well at the Combine with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash but isn’t very quick and doesn’t separate consistently. His blocking skills and upside could intrigue the Dolphins, though.
SIXTH ROUND (NO. 184): AUBURN DL JUSTIN ROGERS
Just missed: N/A Also considered: N/A
There’s not a lot of flash to Rogers’ game. He’s a big nose tackle — 6-2 and 330 pounds — who takes on blockers in the middle of the defense. His role in the
NFL would be limited to an early-down player but that’s just what the Dolphins need. Raekwon Davis left in free agency and the only other natural nose tackle with experience in Miami is Benito Jones.
SEVENTH ROUND (NO. 198): PENN STATE C HUNTER NOURZAD
Just missed: N/A Also considered: N/A
Nourzard was an All-Ivy League right tackle at Cornell and transferred to Penn State, where he was an all-Big Ten selection at left guard and center. His versatility should help him as a late-round pick and so should his solid fundamentals. Aaron Brewer is expected to start at center and Liam Eichenberg filled in as a backup last year but is better suited at guard. Nourzad wasn’t able to do any athletic testing at the Combine or Penn State’s Pro Day because of a stress reaction in his fibula. If he happened to drop this far, it’d be great value for Miami.
SEVENTH ROUND (NO. 241): SOUTH CAROLINA TE TREY KNOX
Just missed: N/A Also considered:
N/A
The Dolphins have an affinity for tight ends who once played wide receiver and they round out their draft by selecting another in Knox. The 6-3 and 240pound Knox has long 34inch arms — this measured in the 80th percentile for tight ends at the Combine — that come in handy as a blocker and is fluid running routes with his receiver background. Knox only has two full seasons as a tight end, so he’s still working on the nuances of the position but he’s another late-round project with potential.
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