8 Prospects Miami Dolphins Should Target in 2015 NFL Draft

The fun part of the NFL offseason has, to me, always been the draft. 

I love the NFL draft and everything leading up to it, from the bowl season where I get to see many of the prospects (often for the first time) and how they shine in big moments, through the Senior Bowl, Shrine Game, combine and pro days. 

For the Miami Dolphins, 2015 is a crucial offseason, with the draft being the centerpiece. 

This team needs help at plenty of key positions on both sides of the ball and will have to do more than find two players that can come in and contribute right away, regardless of what round in which they find these players.

What players should the Dolphins target this year? Here's my preliminary list of eight players the Dolphins should target in the 2015 NFL draft. 

These players play either wide receiver, guard or linebacker, with a defensive tackle and running back on the list as well. Keep in mind these are only eight players on my board for the Dolphins (a draft board much bigger will be unveiled by me as the offseason progresses), and where they are on the board will rise and fall based off of what Miami does in free agency. 

While the list isn't ranked, I did do it an order from least-pressing need to most-pressing need while also factoring in just how good each player is at their position for the positions where I named multiple players. 

Jay Ajayi, Running Back—Boise State

The Miami Dolphins showed they can run the football well, but they could use more weapons in that category besides Lamar Miller, Damien Williams and Daniel Thomas. 

Actually, what they could use is someone who can complement Miller by being able to run between the tackles and show great vision, which has been something Miller has lacked throughout his career. 

Enter Boise State's Jay Ajayi, who can run between the tackles with the best of them in this draft. 

In fact, compared to the other running backs I've seen coming out this year, he's perhaps the best at complementing Miller. 

His pass-blocking does need some work, but the Dolphins haven't really emphasized that as much in their running backs in the last few years. 

Ajayi has earned praise from around the league, including NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, who said this about the Bronco back: 

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Most of the national attention on the running back position has been directed towards Melvin Gordon, Telvin Coleman and James Conner for their spectacular efforts, but Ajayi is beginning to generate some buzz on the West Coast with his sensational production as the Broncos' workhorse runner. The junior standout has notched seven straight games with 100-plus rushing yards, including a 229-yard effort against Utah State that clinched the team's berth in the Mountain West Championship Game. The "J-Train" has been a monster running between the tackles for the Broncos, exhibiting outstanding vision, pitter-pat and toughness. With Ajayi also displaying home-run speed and acceleration, scouts should pay close attention to the burgeoning superstar who is running rampant in the Mountain West.

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Give the Dolphins a true workhorse back and you can make this offense even better. Ajayi fits the bill and should be there in Round 3. 

Malcom Brown, DT—Texas

I would be in favor of the Dolphins addressing defensive tackle in the first round, provided some of their options at linebacker and wide receiver are not available. 

The DT I'd go after is Texas' Malcom Brown, who ESPN's Max Olson reported on Thursday will forgo his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL draft. 

Brown is a potential first-round pick and in fact was projected to go to the Miami Dolphins at 14 in Matt Miller's latest mock draft. 

The fit makes sense with Jared Odrick being a free agent and Randy Starks regressing in 2014 to the point where I see him as a likely salary cap casualty. Whether the Dolphins re-sign Odrick or not, I would be very happy with this pick, as Brown showed flashes of dominance in his junior season with the Longhorns. 

In three seasons, Brown started 26 games recording 126 tackles and 28.5 tackles for loss along with eight sacks. His technique is as impressive as his 6'2", 320-lbs size, and he was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophies. 

Arie Kouandjio, Guard—Alabama

Arie Kouandjio is the older brother of Buffalo Bills tackle Cyrus and was his teammate at Alabama. 

Despite playing two different positions, they're both very similar in build and in skill level. Cyrus did have his struggles with the Bills in 2014, but that shouldn't scare the Dolphins out of taking a look at Arie in the 2015 draft to help shore up their interior offensive line. 

Kouandjio simply overpowers defenders in the run game but could use some polishing in pass protection. Because of that, if he's drafted he'll have starter upside but could likely be the Dolphins' 2015 version of Billy Turner, taking a redshirt rookie season to refine his game. 

Does that make him worth the risk in the third or fourth round? Yes, it does. Even if the Dolphins sign a guard in free agency (something I expect them to do) you could always use depth at that position. 

A.J. Cann, Guard—South Carolina

The Dolphins could really use some interior offensive line help, and said help could likely be found in the second round in the form of South Carolina's A.J. Cann. 

Cann is your prototypical guard, as CBSSports.com's Rob Rang points out: 

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He [Cann] has been the rock of the South Carolina offensive front, using his combination of power, athleticism and heady awareness to be effective in pass protection and run blocking. Cann uses his wide frame and natural strength to seal off inside run lanes, but also shows the flexibility to get to the second level and initiate contact, although he does have room to improve his angles on the move. Cann doesn't receive a lot of media attention, but every SEC defensive coordinator and NFL scout knows how good he is.

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This is what the Dolphins will need inside as they shift Mike Pouncey back to center for 2015. Miami's run-blocking on the interior did leave much to be desired and was a big part of why it struggled in the red zone, while the interior pass-blocking was no great shakes either. 

Cann has the ability to start from Day 1, and while he's projected to go anywhere from late in the first to early in the third, he should be there for the taking for Miami in the second round. 

Kevin White, WR—West Virginia

The Dolphins will have to rebuild their unit of wide receivers in 2015, and the first round of the draft is the best place to do it. 

One name to consider is a man NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah considers "the top receiver in the draft." 

With a draft featuring the likes of Amari Cooper and DeVante Parker, that's a pretty bold prediction but one that you can't fault Jeremiah for. 

At 6'3" and 210 lbs, White would be the biggest target for Ryan Tannehill on the field, which go well with his great leaping ability and stellar hands. Jeremiah also compared White to Falcons wideout Julio Jones, and while he's not as great as Jones, he is similar in size and in skill set. 

Much like Jarvis Landry, he's not the fastest guy on the field, but he can fight for the ball, has great vision after the catch (producing YAC) and is a pretty good run-blocker. 

In 2014, White was a Fred Biletnikoff winner, recording 109 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Kevin White fits the Dolphins best among first-round receivers this year and should be their first-round pick, as well as Tannehill's new best friend. 

Just don't have him returning punts like the Dolphins did with Landry last season. 

DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver—Louisville

It might be a stretch to think DeVante Parker will be available for the Dolphins at 14, but it's not a large stretch, as the debate between he and Kevin White will be a good one draftniks will engage in between now and the draft. 

Parker's size (6'3", 209 lbs) would make him a nice target for Ryan Tannehill and a good fit for the offense (really, any wide receiver with Parker's or White's skills fit that bill). 

His burst off the line of scrimmage isn't great, but his speed in stride along with his long arms and big hands is. He seems to have the ability to catch anything thrown in his direction, and he was certainly an asset for Teddy Bridgewater while both players were at Louisville. 

At 14, my preference is for the Dolphins to go after the best player available at key positions of need (guard, linebacker, wide receiver). Parker, along with Kevin White and Benardrick McKinney, certainly qualify for that status. 

Denzel Perryman, Linebacker—Miami

Say Miami goes with Kevin White or DeVante Parker in Round 1. 

What to do in the second round? 

That's when it drafts its linebacker, and as far as second-round inside linebackers go, Denzel Perryman is the best of that bunch. 

He is the second-best at the position, although his diminutive size (5'11", 242 lbs) and being stuck on an Al Golden-Mark D'Onofrio-coached defense hurt his stock just a bit. 

As I saw Perryman during his time at Miami, what impressed me was his leadership and his skills. He's a hard hitter and solid tackler, which is exactly what the Dolphins need in a linebacker. Matt Miller even called Perryman "the hardest hitter in the draft" and I can't say I disagree with that. 

Taking off my orange and green glasses, I'd say Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney is the better prospect and the only one worth going after in the first round. However with other needs available and players that can fit said needs available at 14, the Dolphins could afford to wait until Round 2 and grab Perryman and have an anchor for the defense for years to come. 

Benardrick McKinney, MLB—Mississippi State

Sometimes you look at a player and can't help but think "perfect fit for the team and the scheme it runs." 

The Dolphins run a 4-3 base defense and since 2012 have been in dire need of a true middle linebacker. Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney fits what the Dolphins have lacked and has the size (6'5", 249 lbs), speed and athleticism to flourish in Kevin Coyle's defense. 

McKinney had a breakout season in 2014 as the leader of one of the top defenses in the country, and in his last two seasons at Mississippi State recorded 173 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. 

McKinney has draftniks gushing over his ability across the board, with ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. saying this about the young man (subscription required): 

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He sees most of his snaps in the middle of the field, but you can put the 6-5, 250-pound McKinney in other spots and he'll succeed, and the Bulldogs' coaches have put him on the edge to take advantage of his supreme athleticism and decent pass-rushing skills. McKinney's versatility is driven by what a special athlete he is. He's going to run as fast as many running backs, and jump as high as some good wide receivers. But he's strong, too, and takes on blocks and won't be pushed backward by ball carriers.

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Bleacher Report's Matt Miller is also a fan of McKinney, whom he has at the top of his board at inside linebacker, pointing out: 

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Benardrick McKinney could play any linebacker spot in a 4-3 defense and offers unreal athleticism combined with instincts and production at the "Mike" spot.

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The "Mike" spot is where the Dolphins need the most help as it's been a revolving door since 2012 and featured Koa Misi in 2014. Misi would be better served moving back to strong-side linebacker. 

If the Dolphins decide to go for a linebacker in Round 1, McKinney would be their best option, as other inside linebackers in the draft grade in the second round. 

Statistics provided by ESPN.com, defensive statistics like tackles and tackles for loss are unofficial stats. 

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