NFL draft analyst details outlook
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier is known to take a best-player-available approach to drafting, but in that, a franchise decision-maker has to operate with some level of consciousness toward positional needs for a roster.
The Dolphins could most likely benefit from selecting an offensive linemen, defensive linemen or edge defender when their first pick rolls around at No. 21 in the first round on April 25.
Among edge rushers, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu could be a solid choice, or Florida State’s Jared Verse if he drops. Alabama’s Dallas Turner, a South Florida high school product and St. Thomas Aquinas grad, is expected to be long gone by the 21st pick.
At defensive tackle, Texas’ Byron Murphy appears to be a premium choice, or maybe Illinois’ Johnny Newton, who was recruited to the Fighting Illini by current Dolphins defensive line coach Austin Clark.
If choosing between those two positions, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah brought up a good point in a Wednesday afternoon conference call with reporters in why it may behoove teams to prioritize those top defensive tackles. He believes teams can still find quality pass rushers in later rounds, while the defensive tackle depth in this year’s draft tails off.
“When you look at the draft, to me, there’s some other interesting names that you could go after outside the first round at the edge rusher position,” Jeremiah said. “It falls off pretty quick at defensive tackle.”
But Miami could also pass on either of those defensive positions and shore up the offensive line in the first round.
With a possible immediate need for a starting interior offensive lineman, there’s a distinct top three in this draft for that role. Jeremiah ranks them as such: Duke’s Graham Barton, Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier.
“I think they’re three kind of distinctly different players, but I think all three of them are excellent. I think all three of them are ready to start right away,” he said.
“Graham Barton is the best athlete of the three. I think he has legit five-position flexibility, can move around, play left tackle. I think he’s best at center, but I think he can survive at tackle if you need him to. I think he’s fully capable of playing guard, as well. But he’s the best in space, at change of direction, just overall athleticism. He’s really, really talented.
“Jackson Powers-Johnson, he’s just bigger. He’s 328 pounds. He’s going to be more set a firm pocket. You want more of a mauler, brawler in the run game. He’s not a polar athlete. He’s just not the athlete that the other two guys are out in space, but he’s a physical, strong, sturdy presence there in the middle, who you’ll be able to set a nice deep pocket with him.”
Jeremiah noted Frazier’s tenacity and physicality through the whistle as a four-time state champion wrestler.
The Dolphins could also go for a pure tackle. Although they have left tackle Terron Armstead and right tackle Austin Jackson plugged in as starters next season, Armstead already flirted with the idea of retirement, so this could be his last NFL season.
Jeremiah detailed his best fits at offensive tackle specifically for the Dolphins, who deploy a widezone blocking scheme in the run game.
“You want guys that can move around a little bit and guys who can protect,” he said. “So, if I’m looking at where the Miami Dolphins are picking there at 21, (Notre Dame’s Joe) Alt’s gone; I think (Oregon State’s Taliese) Fuaga’s gone; I think (Penn State’s Olumuyiwa) Fashanu’s gone. I think there’s a chance (Alabama’s J.C.) Latham could be there.
“I think Latham would fit them. I think (Washington’s Troy) Fautanu would be a great fit. I don’t think he’ll be there. He’s my 11th player, but these guys have them in different order. That, to me, the two that I would feel great about is if somehow Fautanu would be there or if it was Latham, in terms of being ready to go right away. Amarius Mims has the freaky upside, but with this Dolphins team, it feels like they’re ready to go right now. And the presence of somebody like Latham just a little more prepared to step in right now and go.”
Miami has also been linked to Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton at tackle.