Top 5 needs heading into NFL draft
Team could use edge rusher to complement Ogbah
The Miami Dolphins’ signings the past two weeks put General Manager Chris Grier in a position of comfort heading into next month’s NFL draft.
Since being named general manager, Grier has annually used free agency to address the team’s glaring needs one way or another, setting the Dolphins up to select the best available players during the NFL draft.
Miami’s 13 free agent signings in 2021, plus the one trade and the seven veterans the team re-signed, has helped shore up the roster’s shortcomings. But not every unit has been upgraded.
Here is a breakdown of the Dolphins’ top five position needs — in order — and an explanation of why bolstering these positions in the draft could help them advance to the postseason.
Edge rusher
Emmanuel Ogbah blossomed in his fifth NFL season, becoming a reliable edge-setter and a consistent threat to opposing quarterbacks. But the Dolphins struggled to find someone to put on the opposite side of Ogbah in 2020. Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson, two free agent additions last offseason, were average and overpaid, which explains why Miami moved on from both this offseason, releasing Van Noy and trading away Lawson. Re-signing Vince Biegel, who missed last season become of an Achilles injury he suffered in training camp, will help this unit. His versatility mirrors that of Andrew Van Ginkel, and their presence on
the field should allow the hybrid scheme to flourish. But Miami needs a more forceful player to set the edge consistently against the run, and someone with polished pass rushing moves who can apply pressure to offensive tackles on passing downs. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, this year’s draft isn’t deep when it comes to edge players, especially the ones that fit Miami’s defensive scheme. That might force the Dolphins’ hand, making one an early selection.
Center
Signing former Ravens starter Matt Skura to a one-year deal worth $1,750,000, which features $200,000 guaranteed, hints that Miami isn’t convinced the 28-year-old is past the injury that has hindered his play the past few seasons. Michael Deiter, a 2019 third-round pick who spent all of last season learning how to play center, could push Skura for the starting spot. But it would benefit the Dolphins to use one of the team’s eight draft picks on one of the five centers — Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey, Ohio State’s Josh Myers, Alabama’s Landon Dickerson, Georgia’s Trey Hill and UW-Whitewater’s Quinn Meinerz — who are viewed as potential day-one starters.
Running back
Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed, two young tailbacks who collectively contributed 903 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 217 carries, are nice complementary backs. And so is Malcolm Brown, who was added as a free agent this offseason. But the Dolphins need a workhorse who can handle 200-plus touches a season on his own and can play on all three downs to make the Dolphins’ Run-Pass-Option offense execute at its optimal level. There are three tailbacks in the 2021 NFL draft — Alabama’s Najee Harris, Clemson’s Travis Etienne and UNC’s Javonte Williams — who fit that mold. The Dolphins would likely need to use one of its top four selections to land each of these tailbacks and might need to use an early first-round selection to secure Harris’ services if he’s the top choice.
Linebacker
Jerome Baker, the team’s leading tackler for the past two seasons, Benardrick McKinney, whom Miami acquired this offseason in a trade that sent Lawson to Houston, Elandon Roberts and Biegel, who were both re-signed, and Van Ginkel provide the Dolphins five linebackers who have the versatility to fill any role at any linebacker spot in this hybrid 3-4 defense. Some are better at coverage, some are better at run game fills, and some excel with twists and stunts on blitzes. This should enhance the creativity of Miami’s defensive calls. But the Dolphins need to invest in a young linebacker who possesses upside because Baker is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and Roberts and Biegel only signed one-year contracts.
Receiver
The Dolphins enter training camp with seven receivers who belong on an NFL team’s 53-man roster. Unfortunately for Miami, all but one (second-year receiver Lynn Bowden Jr.) has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. DeVante Parker and Preston Williams have the talent to be alpha receivers, but need to develop better chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa. Will Fuller, who was signed to one-year deal worth $10 million, is the deep threat and playmaker this offense has lacked since Kenny Stills’ departure. His addition lowers Miami’s thirst level for a receiver upgrade. But the Dolphins would benefit from adding another playmaker who specializes in delivering run-after-the-catch yards. Because receiver is one of the deepest positions in the 2021 draft, the Dolphins don’t have to rush to take one, unless they want an elite talent such as LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, or Alabama’s DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle.