Dolphins' Team Needs to Fill in 2023 NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins don't have a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. They had to forfeit their selection due to the team violating NFL policies "pertaining to the integrity of the game," per the league.

However, the Dolphins will still be active during the draft (scheduled for April 27-29 in Kansas City). They own four picks, including two on the second day (one in the second round and one in the third), so they'll be able to acquire some talented young players this offseason.

Miami has already been busy upgrading its roster via free agency and trades. They acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, re-signed their trio of running backs (Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Myles Gaskin) and have made some other moves to try to build on their playoff appearance from the 2022 season.

Here's a look at Miami's biggest remaining needs it may have to address in the draft.

Linebacker

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 02: Linebacker Henry To'Oto'O of Alabama participates in the broad jump during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Dolphins' linebacker corps is better now than it was at the start of the offseason. So far, they've signed David Long to a two-year, $11 million contract and brought in Malik Reed on a one-year, $1.2 million deal. Both players could be key contributors in 2023.

But Miami was lacking quite a bit of depth at linebacker. It's possible Long could slide into a starting role, as the 26-year-old made 12 starts for the Tennessee Titans last season. But he doesn't have a long track record, so the Dolphins should probably acquire another inside linebacker.

However, Miami also needs better depth for the outside spots behind Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. So the unit just needs more available players across the board.

If a player such as Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o is still on the board when the Dolphins are first on the clock at No. 51, he could be a great potential target. Miami could also wait until the later rounds and try to find a hidden gem at linebacker who could develop behind the more experienced players already on the team's roster.

Tight End

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 04: Tucker Kraft of South Dakota State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Two tight ends are currently on the Dolphins' roster: Durham Smythe and Eric Saubert. Neither has made much of an impact in the NFL, and neither is likely to be a great target for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 2023 season or beyond.

Miami needs to find a pass-catching tight end to replace Mike Gesicki, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the New England Patriots earlier this month. And without many great options on the free-agent market, the Dolphins may need to wait until the draft to fill this need.

Fortunately for Miami, there are some intriguing tight ends in this year's class who could potentially stay on the board long enough for the team to land one. A potential fit is South Dakota State's Tucker Kraft, who has the potential to quickly become a factor in an NFL offense early in his career.

It doesn't have to be Kraft whom the Dolphins take, but they need a young playmaking tight end to plug this sizable hole in their offense. Otherwise, it'll be easier for defenses to focus on trying to cover wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Offensive Tackle

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 05: Jaelyn Duncan of Maryland participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Miami's projected starting offensive tackles for the 2023 season are Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson. Last season, Armstead made 13 starts (missing four games due to a pectoral injury), while Jackson's campaign was cut short to two games because of an ankle ailment.

That underscores the importance of having depth at the tackles, because the Dolphins had times in which they were missing both of their starters last year. They need to be better equipped for the upcoming season, especially if it takes Jackson some time to get reacclimated to games.

In the draft, Miami may decide to target multiple offensive linemen. But they need to make sure that at least one of them is a tackle who they can both develop and use as a fill-in starter if necessary.

Maryland's Jaelyn Duncan is a tackle likely to go on the second day of the draft, and he has a wealth of experience, considering he was a four-year starter for the Terrapins. If the Dolphins are in a position to take him, they'd likely be wise to do so.