Miami Dolphins

2017 Miami Dolphins Mock Draft

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Half way through the NFL season, the Miami Dolphins needs for the 2017 draft are relatively clear.

Nov 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) hands the ball to Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The past few weeks have added clarity to what the Dolphins need to do for the team to get to the next level. In context, the emergence of Jay Ajayi changes quite a bit. If Ajayi is able to continue to produce at a similar (or even lesser) level, the Dolphins need to build a team around him.

When Adam Gase inherited the team after last season, the Dolphins made it fairly clear that they where going to build around Ryan Tannehill. Gase comes from two (formerly) high-octane passing offenses (in Denver and Chicago), many assumed that he would attempt to follow the same mold upon joining Miami. However, after half a season attempting to create an offensive identity where everything was channelled through Ryan Tannehill, Gase realized that the Dolphins roster is best fit for a power-run game.

Keeping that in mind, the entire team needs to be built around that philosophy.

The Dolphins, as an power-run team does, need to accept that they are not going to put up 400+ yards passing and 35+ points per game. That being said, the team needs to model every aspect of the roster around this understanding. This is how the Miami Dolphins need to approach the 2017 Draft.

April’s draft is crucial to the development of Adam Gase’s plan for Miami. Currently, the Dolphins have the fewest picks in the 2017 draft (five) so they need to make each one count. Gase has shown an inclination to play rookies (Tunsil, Howard, Drake, Grant, Carroo), so his 2017 selections should see the field quickly.

Here are the players (by position) that the Dolphins should target come April:

Tight End

Tight End is arguably the weakest spot on Miami’s roster.

The Dolphins addition of former Cleveland Brown Jordan Cameron has not worked out. Cameron could be forced into an early retirement due to concussions. Deon Sims and Marqueis Gray add depth at the position, but they are not good enough to start. Adam Gase wants a a Tight End in the same mold of what he had in Denver (Julius Thomas) and Chicago (Martellus Bennett). Both Thomas and Bennett had career seasons under Gases’ tutelage.

Further, Dolphins czar Mike Tannenbaum has pulled the trigger on Tight Ends in the first round before: in the 2008 draft, he selected Dustin Keller out of Purdue while with the Jets.

In contrast to last year, there are a lot of good Tight Ends in the upcoming draft.

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) celebrates a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama’s O.J. Howard looks to have all of the tools necessary to become a Pro Bowl Tight End. According to NFL scouting reports, Howard is a “phenomenal athlete” with a dangerous blend of size (6’6″ 242), speed (4.65, 40) and competitiveness.

The critique on Howard is that he has not yet mastered route running; this is a similar criticism Rob Gronkowski faced upon his departure from University of Arizona.

Although O.J. Howard will probably be the first Tight End taken, there is still a ton of value in later selections. Michigan’s Jake Butt and Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges are destined to succeed at the next level. Both players are pretty big — 6’6″ and 6’7″, respectively– and are integral pieces of their team’s offenses. Hodges probably has more upside, he draws comparisons to Jimmy Graham.

Defensive Back

The Dolphins secondary has been decimated by injuries and questionable acquisitions.

The biggest issue has been that Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones is on injured reserve. Jones is an elite player; without him, the entire defense suffers. Byron Maxwell came to Miami from the Eagles and has been benched multiple times; Chris Culliver was signed to add depth but has been injured and unable to contribute; and second-round pick Xavien Howard has been out since early October with an injury of his own.

Gase and the Dolphins have to be frustrated with the lack of continuity in the secondary. The team could look to draft a corner (and possibly a safety).

Gase and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph prefer large, physical defensive backs. In the pass-heavy age of the NFL, toughness is a premium quality for defensive backs.

Sep 17, 2016; Boone, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Corn Elder (29) lines up during the second quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Miami defeated App State 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Out of the University of Miami, Corn Elder is a defensive back that is cut from the mold of Hurricanes of old.

Arguably the Hurricanes most valuable player, ‘Canes captain Corn Elder is athletic enough to cover the ACC’s best wide receivers, yet tough enough to tackle in run support like a linebacker. Elder, although a great corner, could profit from a move to safety because of his elite ability to read opposing offenses. Any team that adds Elder, who could be available in the mid-rounds, is lucky.

The University of Michigan has two outstanding defensive players of its own: Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis.

Peppers, one of the most popular players in the country, is versatile enough to play linebacker or strong safety. Peppers, if he declares for the draft this year, might be gone by the time the Dolphins have their first selection. Lewis, in my opinion, is college football’s best cover corner. If the Dolphins want to secure their defensive backs going forward, Lewis could start from day one.

Outside Linebacker

The Dolphins have lacked consistency at the linebacker position since the departure of Zach Thomas in the late 2000’s.

Kiko Alonso is the only linebacker on the Dolphins roster who is probably good enough to start in the NFL. Unfortunately, the team’s current roster is inundated with oft-injured backers who are unable to stay healthy enough to contribute. Continuity at linebacker is essential in Vance Joseph’s system, which emphasizes communication.

Jelani Jenkins, Spencer Paysinger and Koa Misi are going to have to compete for playing time next season. The Dolphins could draft one –possibly two– linebackers to compliment Alonso. And, because Alonso plays inside linebacker in the team’s 4-3 scheme, the team will look to add outside linebackers; in the Dolphins scheme, the outside backers ideally are capable of covering Tight Ends, stopping the run, and rushing the passer.

Sep 10, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) works out prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Drawing back from the Tuscaloosa pipeline, Alabama linebacker Tim Williams is an attractive prospect. Williams is a nasty pass rusher who is quick enough to rush off the edge but strong enough to get a push inside if necessary. The Crimson Tide linebacker is expected to be picked in the first two rounds of the draft, so the Dolphins might not have a chance to draft him depending on what they prioritize.

The Dolphins could look to add outside linebackers in the later rounds, and I think they could lock in on Alex Anzalone from the University of Florida. Multiple scouting reports tout Anzalone’s pass rush ability; some even favorably compare him to Packers linebacker Clay Matthews

Other names to keep an eye on: J.J. Watt’s younger brother, T.J. Watt out of the University of Wisconsin and Devonte Fields, who transferred from TCU to Louisville.

Quarterback

Yes, quarterback.

Adam Gase will draft a quarterback to either: attempt to motivate Ryan Tannehill to get to the next level or to try to ultimately shape his own quarterback to replace Tannehill. Or perhaps both.

Regardless, if the Dolphins do draft a quarterback in 2017, it will be in the later rounds. This is because the team only has five total picks and they believe there are other positions that need to be addressed first. Whether you agree with that strategy or not, who are some of the late round quarterbacks who could fit Gase’s system?

Because the team is probably going to be built for the power running game, I believe that they will simply pick the quarterback who they think is the best available prospect.

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) passes the ball prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

In the later rounds, the Dolphins could take a shot on a player like J.T. Barrett of Ohio State. The Buckeyes quarterback doesn’t exactly have the perfect size of a Deshone Kizer or Bradley Kaaya, but he fits the Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott mold. Barrett is an accurate passer with a really strong arm; he could add a new dimension to the Dolphins’ current stagnant quarterback position.

Other names to keep an eye on: Mitch Leidner from the University of Minnesota, Mitch Trubisky from the University of North Carolina, and Luke Falk from Washington State. Leidner is somewhat of a game manager who, despite a strong arm, is stuck in a run-first system. Trubisky probably has the most talent of this group and will go in the early to mid rounds. Falk puts up monstrous numbers but benefits from playing in Mike Leach’s offense.

Who do you think the Dolphins should keep an eye on?