Prospects for Dolphins to Avoid in 2024 NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins need to maximize the return from their first two picks in the 2024 NFL draft.

Mike McDaniel's side picks at No. 21 and No. 55 and then it does not have a selection again until the fifth round.

The Dolphins must add help on both sides of the interior in the first two rounds to replace the number of players who left in free agency.

Miami must rebuild its depth through the draft because it could not afford to keep all of its stars from last season.

The Dolphins must be extra picky with who they select because those players have to make an immediate impact and then hopefully shine for years to come.

Jackson Powers-Johnson

Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 1: Jackson Powers-Johnson #58 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Washington Huskies at Allegiant Stadium on December 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

Jackson Powers-Johnson is one of the best interior offensive line prospects in the draft class.

However, he does fit the mold of offensive lineman the Dolphins should be after.

Powers-Johnson projects to be a center in the NFL. The Dolphins just signed Aaron Brewer to a three-year deal to be their center.

The Oregon product would be a redundant pick at No. 21 for the Dolphins, who need a more versatile interior player.

Ideally, the Dolphins would draft a player who can start his career at guard and then move out to tackle to replace Terron Armstead when he eventually leaves.

Maason Smith

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: LSU Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) rushes on defense during the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers on January 1, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Maason Smith enters the NFL from LSU with a ton of potential.

However, Smith struggled to stay on the field during his time in the SEC. He missed the entirety of the 2022 season with a leg injury.

Smith recorded 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season to get his career back on track, but he could be off the Dolphins draft board in the second round.

The significant leg injury from two years ago might be a big enough red flag for the Dolphins to look elsewhere at No. 55.

Miami needs players who carry little risks and who can jump into the defensive line right away to help plug the gap left open by Christian Wilkins.

Smith could be a useful player for a team in a different situation than the Dolphins, but he feels a little too risky for Miami's current situation.

Ladd McConkey

Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) races for the end zone during the Capital One Orange Bowl game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ladd McConkey's physical profile is too similar to Tyreek Hill and Braxton Berrios.

The Georgia product stands at 5'11" and would be redundant inside a Miami offense that already has a speedster on the outside and a solid pass-catcher out of the slot.

The Dolphins lost Cedrick Wilson in the offseason and need to find a more physical presence to counter all the speed they have to work with Tua Tagovailoa.

McConkey was one of Georgia's most reliable pass-catchers over the last few years, but asking him away from the middle of the field goes against the resume he built in the SEC.

Miami is better off going after Florida State's Keon Coleman, South Carolina's Xavier Legette or Oregon's Troy Franklin because of their size at over six foot tall.