2024 NFL Draft: 6 players the Miami Dolphins should select in round one

At this time is draft day, Dolphins followers, and for the primary time within the Mike McDaniel period, the group will make a first-round choice! Now, the query on everybody’s thoughts is, who will McDaniel, Basic Supervisor Chris Grier, and his proficient scouting division choose when Miami is on the clock at 21?

If McDaniel has his method, he may select a quick, shiny new toy so as to add to his explosive offense. I’m speaking about Texas vast receiver Xavier Worthy, who has repeatedly been linked to the Dolphins over the past a number of weeks. However then once more, possibly with a run on offensive linemen anticipated, the Dolphins might have a proficient defensive lineman fall into their lap. Which, sarcastically sufficient, is one thing McDaniel as soon as mentioned was his favourite place to scout.

Right here’s what Miami’s head coach mentioned concerning the line of defense’s significance after the group signed Trey Flowers on September 1st, 2022.

Now, do you assume the Dolphins will draft a defensive lineman?

It’s onerous to say what gamers will probably be obtainable when Miami is on the clock with out figuring out how the board will fall. Nonetheless, we will hypothesize who could also be obtainable primarily based on group wants. Primarily based totally on Miami’s want and the gamers I’ve watched intently this draft season, I’ve give you an inventory of six gamers I wish to hear known as when the Miami Dolphins are on the clock with the twenty first total choose within the first spherical of tonight’s NFL Draft.

Listed here are six gamers the Miami Dolphins ought to choose within the first spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft.

* EDGE, UCLA, Laiatu Latu *

Hometown: Sacramento, California

Peak: 6’5”

Weight: 259 lbs.

2023 Faculty Stats: 49 whole tackles, 13 sacks, two compelled fumbles, two interceptions, two move breakups.

Very like Jaelan Phillips a couple of seasons in the past, Laiatu Latu caught my eye immediately. He’s quick AF off the EDGE and might win in varied methods. Moreover, I used to be impressed along with his hand utilization and talent to bend across the exterior. Like Phillips, he additionally has an countless motor that by no means quits. All of those are traits I imagine Miami’s coaches will love. Satirically sufficient, nevertheless, essentially the most important query mark surrounding Latu — like Phillips popping out — is his well being. In 2021, Latu was compelled to medically retire from Washington, however like his doppelganger, he by no means gave up. Now, he’s positive to listen to his title known as on evening one. And if I’ve issues my method, will probably be to the Miami Dolphins with the twenty first choose within the 2024 NFL Draft…

EDGE, Jared Verse, Florida State

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio

Peak: 6’4”

Weight: 254 lbs.

2023 Faculty Stats: 41 whole tackles, 9 sacks, one compelled fumble, two move breakups.

One of many names the Dolphins have been linked to most over the previous couple of weeks has been Florida State pass-rusher Jared Verse. The previous Albany Nice Dane can win a number of methods, however his Scott Steiner-like energy and talent to include the EDGE stood out most when watching the movie. At occasions, Verse would make an opposing lineman appear to be a blocking sled or a small baby, shifting him with relative ease into the quarterback’s lap. Regardless of that energy, he additionally confirmed an explosive first step, and his 4.58 pace makes him a literal nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. I like Latu extra, however with medical issues and Verse being extra of a well-rounded prospect, I might see Verse being the Dolphins’ choose at 21.

Defensive Deal with, Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida

Peak: 6’2”

Weight: 304 lbs.

2023 Faculty Stats: 52 whole tackles, 7.5 sacks, one compelled fumble, one restoration, two move breakups.

With Christian Wilkins making financial institution in Las Vegas, the Dolphins have a slightly massive gap to fill on the line of defense alongside the world’s most underrated participant, Zach Sieler. Miami has determined to go together with a secure of veterans desirous to show they belong. However what in the event that they wished to draft Wilkins’ substitute? If that’s what Miami hopes to come back away with in spherical one, the title I’d have a look at is Illinois defensive deal with. Certain, Texas’ Byron Murphy II appears to be the higher-ranked defensive deal with among the many draft pundits, however primarily based on video games I’ve watched, one thing about Newton made me really feel a kind of method. He’s a game-wrecker who can disrupt issues within the backfield at a second’s discover—the right mixture of energy and pace. There’ll by no means be one other salt and pepper, however Johnny Newton and Zach Sieler wouldn’t be too far off. Like Wilkins, it wouldn’t be the sexiest choose, however I feel followers would come to like the kind of participant Newton rapidly is.

Defensive Again, Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Hometown: Odebolt, Iowa

Peak: 6’ 0 1/2”

Weight: 203 lbs.

2023 Faculty Stats: 41 whole tackles, two interceptions, 5 move breakups.

When Anthony Weaver signed on because the Dolphins’ new defensive coordinator, we first heard from all of the ‘eXpERts’ on social media that it was essential to have three safeties on this protection. If that’s true and my numbers are right, Miami’s present safeties are Jevon Holland and 32-year-old Jordan Poyer. This leads me to my subsequent participant, Iowa defensive again Cooper DeJean. DeJean is a flexible participant who would enable the Dolphins to get inventive within the secondary. He’s proven he can play at a excessive degree on the skin, inside, and at security, making him the right choose if Miami plans to maneuver round cornerback Jalen Ramsey extra this season. Oh, and he additionally has some return talents. I’m unsure the place he’d play to begin, however long-term having a mix of Holland and DeJean within the secondary seems like a superb downside with how explosive offenses are rapidly turning into.

Offensive Lineman, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Hometown: Draper, Utah

Peak: 6’3”

Weight: 328 lbs

2023 Faculty Stats: N/A

Sure, I do know that is now Graham Barton’s spot within the pecking order, however it seems like simply yesterday that many Dolphins followers had been banging the desk for Oregon Geese’ heart Jackson Powers-Johnson. As I often do, I attempt to follow my weapons for higher or worse. Thus, making my JPJ my selection for Miami’s beginning heart/guard of the longer term. The athletic, violent inside offensive lineman might fill a necessity on Miami’s line instantly at guard, with the potential to finally be the group’s beginning heart. Or, for those who’ve been listening to One other Dolphins Podcast, you’d know the way Brian Baldinger feels about Aaron Brewer enjoying heart… which might open the door for Powers-Johnson to begin at heart sooner slightly than later. He might need fallen down the pecking order, however in my coronary heart, JPJ continues to be certainly one of one if Chris Grier and Co. plan to draft an offensive lineman.

Large Receiver, Xavier Worthy, Texas

Hometown: Fresno, California

Peak: 5’11”

Weight: 165 lbs.

2023 Faculty Stats: 75 receptions, 1,014 yards, 5 touchdowns.

Perhaps it’s the endless Worthy highlights I’ve seen on #DolphinsTwitter the final a number of days, however I’ve to be sincere: I’ve actually warmed as much as the concept of the Dolphins drafting the king of pace, Xavier Worthy. Sure, he’s solely 175 kilos, and a few may view him (ignorantly) as solely a deep menace. However once you activate the movie, you see that not solely is he the quickest human ever timed on the mix, however the tape says he’s a extra refined receiver than many give him credit score for. Couple that with Miami’s want for a 3rd receiving goal, the rumors we proceed to listen to about their curiosity in Worthy, and the (potential) uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Hill & Waddle, and I don’t know that I’d be as stunned as I as soon as was if Worthy is Miami’s choose. Nonetheless, it will undoubtedly be extra palatable by way of trade-down or early within the second spherical.

* = my favourite

[Please Note: My brain tells me that the Dolphins should draft an offensive lineman. Whether that be Troy Fautanu, Graham Barton, Amarius Mimms, or *insert player’s name here* if they were to fall. Solidifying the offensive line is of the utmost importance!]

One participant I’d be okay if the Miami Dolphins traded up for…

Tight Finish, Brock Bowers, Georgia

Bowers is a unicorn that does issues most tight ends merely can’t. If McDaniel really desires to take this offense to the subsequent degree, discovering a solution to land arguably the perfect tight-end prospect in years will surely assist treatment that.

One participant I’d be okay if the Miami Dolphins traded again for…

EDGE, Chop Robinson, Penn State

As of typing this final evening, NFL Community’s Peter Schrager has formally mocked Penn State pass-rusher Chop Robinson to the Dolphins by way of commerce down. Why, with the obtainable gamers on the board, you may ask? I don’t have the reply to that. However I do know that if Miami desires to land a probably game-changing pass-rusher + land an extra day-two choose, Robinson may very well be that man.

Which title do you hope to listen to known as when the Miami Dolphins make their first-round choice in tonight’s NFL Draft? Do you assume they draft an offensive or defensive participant? What’s the Dolphins’ most outstanding want heading into the 2024 NFL Draft? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!