Gauging Dolphins’ options for offensive line and receiver in Round 2
Part 1 of a two-part series The Dolphins’ secondround draft picks, over the past dozen years, have included exceptional players (Xavien Howard, Jarvis Landry), very good players (Robert Hunt, Jevon Holland) and pretty good players (Jordan Phillips, Mike Gesicki, Raekwon Davis).
They have also included players who were serviceable but not quite as productive as hoped (Raekwon McMillan, Liam Eichenberg) and something close to busts (Jonathan Martin, Daniel Thomas, Jamar Taylor). It’s too early to judge what the Dolphins have with cornerback Cam Smith, who was a seldom-used rookie last season.
With the Dolphins facing salary cap challenges in the years ahead, it’s vital they acquire an immediate contributor at No. 55.
Exploring who could be available in that range at several offensive positions, with the caveat that several of these players are likely to be selected in the second round Friday before Miami’s pick:
OFFENSIVE LINE
Connecticut guard Christian Haynes: This is Mel Kiper Jr.’s pick for Miami at 55 in his newest ESPN mock draft. He notes Haynes “started 49 games at right guard in college, and he allowed just one sack over his final three seasons. He’s my
No. 3-ranked player at the position.”
Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe: ESPN’s Matt Miller mocked him to Miami at 55 in his first mock draft and now has him 57th.
Miller says the pick makes sense because
Connor Williams and Rob Hunt aren’t on the team anymore and it’s “a nearlock that the Dolphins will add a guard or center early in the draft.
Beebe played left guard at an expert level for Kansas State, but there has been chatter about his potential at center. His
movement ability in the run game just so happens to be a perfect fit for Mike McDaniels’ offense, too.”
Kiper has him 62nd, noting that “he’s my sixth-ranked guard — he has short arms for his 6-foot-3 frame.”
He started 48 games in college, played every position except center (where he worked in practice) and yielded just three sacks.
Washington’s Roger Rosengarten: He played 1,935 snaps at right tackle the past two seasons and didn’t allow a sack.
But it’s highly questionable that he will be there at 55. Kiper mocks him 31st in his mock draft this week; Miller mocks him 44th.
West Virginia’s
Zach Frazier: Miller mocked him to Miami at 55 in his second mock draft, adding: “Frazier is a top-32 prospect on my board, but teams aren’t in a hurry to prioritize centers in the draft yet. The four-year starter was a state wrestling champion in high school, and he is perfect for Mike McDaniel’s zone offense that needs mobility in the middle of the offensive line. Plus, Frazier has the tools to start at guard or center.”
Kiper has him 57th in his newest mock draft.
BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia: Kiper has him 64th, noting that he “took snaps at both left and right tackle in college, but he made huge strides while playing on the left side last season. He’s strong and quick, and he has the feet to get to the second level in the run game.”
South Dakota State center Mason McCormick: “One of my favorite sleeper picks in this draft, McCormick can be a starting guard or center despite not getting the attention he deserves in the pre-draft process,” Miller said, mocking him 58th.
Houston offensive tackle Patrick Pall: He started 39 games at left tackle for the Cougars. Miller slots him 40th, noting: “He is raw, but NFL offensive line coaches I’ve talked to are in love with his tools and want a chance to develop his traits into a high-end starter.” Kiper has him 50th.
FYI: Oregon guard center Jackson-Powers Johnson, linked repeatedly to Miami at No. 21 in January and February mock drafts, slipped all the way to 47th in Kiper’s mock draft released Wednesday. So he cannot be ruled out at 55.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Michigan’s Roman Wilson: A quarter of his 48 catches went for TDs last season. Beyond the 12 touchdowns, the 6-0 Wilson had 769 receiving yards and has some experience as a kickoff returner.
Kiper has him going 49th, adding: “Wilson moved up in my rankings after he ran a 4.39-second 40 at the Combine; he ran away from defenders on crossers on tape, but I wasn’t totally sure how he’d test.”
Washington’s Jalen McMillan: Injuries limited him a bit last season; he caught 45 passes for 559 yards after catching 79 for 1,098 and nine TDs in 2022.
“He’s a dynamic slot receiver,” said Kiper, who mocks him 51st. McMillan recently visited Dolphins headquarters.
North Carolina’s Devontez Walker: Miller has him 53rd, in Miami’s wheelhouse. Kiper doesn’t have him in the first two rounds.
“Walker has great power in his route tree and an ability to run through contact both before and after the catch,” Miller said. “Has the upside to develop into a top-two wideout over the course of his rookie deal. In just eight games in 2023, Walker caught seven touchdowns” on 41 receptions.
Florida’s Ricky Pearsall: He played three years at Arizona State and the past two at Florida. He blossomed last season, with 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns.
Kiper mocked him 38th this week; Miller mocks him 49th.
“His 4.41-second 40 at the Combine solidified himself as a top-50 pick,” Kiper said.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein calls him a “dependable slot target with good size and soft hands who will need to prove that he has the ability to free himself against NFL man coverage.”
Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley: Kiper has him 45th. Miller slots him 51st in his most recent mock draft and said “at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, there are obvious Deebo Samuel comparisons. Corley is one of my favorite receivers in the class thanks to his afterthe-catch ability and versatility.”
His 253 receptions since 2021 are the most in FBS; he has 29 TDs during that time.
Oregon’s Troy Franklin:
He has a mix of good speed and size (6-3), and his numbers were eye-popping last season: 81 catches for 1,383 yards (17.1 average per reception) and 14 touchdowns. Kiper slots him 46th.
“Franklin might not get WR-1 target volume, but he should be productive with a high yards-percatch average and the ability to open things up underneath for his teammates,” Zierlein said.
Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk: Kiper mocks him 53rd, calling him a big-play threat who averaged 17 yards per catch the past two seasons. He had 69 catches for 1,159 yards last season.
South Carolina’s Xavier Leggette, FSU’s Keon Coleman and Georgia’s Ladd McConkey are bubble first-rounders who are considered unlikely to be available at 55.
TIGHT ENDS
Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders: He met with coach Mike McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and general manager Chris Grier at his Pro Day recently, and the Dolphins are believed to hold him in high regard.
But the Dolphins seem set at tight end and have other needs.
Miller, who mocks him 69th, said Sanders “is more of a Y tight end than in-line player, and he made a living bursting up seams at Texas. …
“He comes to the NFL as a ready-made flex tight end option.”
Sanders caught 45 passes for 682 yards last season (15.2 per catch) and has seven receiving TDs over the past two seasons.
Barry Jackson: 305-376-3491, @flasportsbuzz
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