Staff predictions for Dolphins’ first-round pick

DAVE HYDE Sports columnist The pick: UCLA DE Takkarist McKinley

The reason: The Dolphins need to take the best defensive end or cornerback on the board. Those are game-changing positions, and Miami needs younger, cheaper options there considering the rest of the roster. Assuming Tennessee’s Derek Barnett and Missouri’s Charles Harris are off the board, McKinley would be the highest-ranked pass rusher available.

OMAR KELLY Dolphins writer/columnist The pick: Western Kentucky OG Forrest Lamp

The reason: Lamp will likely be gone by the time the Dolphins make their selection, but if he’s there, it’s a no-brainer because Lamp would become a Day 1 starter at guard, and could serve as Laremy Tunsil’s backup at left tackle. The Dolphins can wait until Day 2 and 3 to find help on defense, but offensive line is one of this draft’s thinnest areas. That’s why getting Lamp, one of this draft’s top 20 talents in the first round, is ideal. CHRIS PERKINS Dolphins writer The pick: Michigan DE Taco Charlton

The reason: At 6-6, 277 pounds, Charlton is a quality pass rusher with length. He was a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end at Michigan and can also play the run. He had 9.5 sacks as a senior and would seem like a strong bookend with veteran defensive end CameronWake. KEVEN LERNER Online sports editor The pick: Florida LB Jarrad Davis

The reason: With Forrest Lamp likely a top 20 pick, the Dolphins will turn to the former Gators standout, who would be an immediate starter at outside linebacker. Davis, the star at UF‘s Pro Day, can play sideline to sideline. He had 158 tackles, including 17 for loss, and 10 pass break-ups the past two seasons. STEVE SVEKIS Multimedia reporter The pick: Miami TE David Njoku

The reason: The former Hurricanes electric play-maker is poised to take his spot among the long line of UM grads who have starred at tight end at the next level, and the Dolphins could create nightmarish mismatches with Njoku and free agent pickup Julius Thomas.