Miami Dolphins Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions, Post-Combine
Like 31 other NFL teams, the Miami Dolphins are beginning to finalize their draft board, with the last major event before the draft now in the books.
The 2015 scouting combine brought us more amazing displays of athleticism, and prospects have either validated the predraft evaluations of the scouts, or they have given those scouts a reason to go back to the tape and see if their original analysis matches up with what they saw in Indianapolis.
With that in mind, and with the mock draft season in full swing, now seems like as good a time as any to go back to the drawing board and see what the Dolphins could be doing when the draft rolls around on April 30. So, here's an updated seven-round mock draft.
Round 1: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
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Either Dannell Ellerbe ($9.85 million cap hit, according to Spotrac), Philip Wheeler ($4.4 million cap hit) or both could be salary-cap casualties this offseason. Both men have been up and down with their ability to produce, and in and out with their ability to stay healthy.
With that being said, it may be time for the Dolphins to address the linebacker spot regardless of what they do with their two veterans.
Enter Clemson's Vic Beasley, a playmaking 6'3", 246-pound linebacker. His knack for getting into the backfield to make big plays (52.5 career tackles for loss, 33 sacks at Clemson) underscores his explosiveness and agility.
He may be a better fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 one, but the Dolphins could use him in a role similar to Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack.
Round 2: Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
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Of course the 2015 scouting combine was going to send UCF wide receiver Breshad Perriman's stock soaring. He has the combination of size and speed that could fit with any offense. The 6'3", 214-pound pass-catcher put on a show at UCF as a downfield threat, notching 89 receptions for 1,855 yards (20.8 yards per reception) and 13 touchdowns in his final two seasons.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein notes that Perriman's "routes are sloppy and a work in progress, but his hands keep him out of the top tier of receivers. His drops will drive teams crazy, but his physical traits and ability to hit the big play should warrant early round consideration."
The Dolphins may be in need of a new vertical threat if they cannot reach terms on a restructured contract with Mike Wallace and end up releasing him. Whether they bring him back or not, they will be in need of more red-zone threats, and Perriman's size makes him an immediate factor in the red area.
Round 3: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
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The Dolphins do not need pass-rushing savants in the middle. That's what they have Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon on the edges for. Instead, they need to find gap-stuffing forces that can help the defense stop the run.
Iowa's 6'5", 315-pound defensive tackle Carl Davis looks like the man for the job. He has the power, hand technique, leverage and punch off the line of scrimmage to gain control of his gap immediately off the snap. He's not incredibly explosive or agile, and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein characterizes Davis as an "eventual" player rather than a sudden one.
"Davis has the height, weight and length of a first-rounder," writes Zierlein, "but his draft value will be hindered by his lack of productivity as a pass rusher. If Davis can get his overall production to match his talent and traits, he'll have a long NFL career."
In truth, overall production won't matter in the long run as long as Davis is doing his job and winning in his lane (or lanes), particularly in the running game.
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Round 4: Ramik Wilson, ILB, Georgia
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With so many question marks at linebacker, why not double dip?
For the Dolphins, the questions run deeper than who will be back next year, but also who will line up where. With a versatile linebacker like Ramik Wilson, the Dolphins would improve the possibilities when it comes to putting their best players on the field for any situation.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says Wilson has "the potential to play SAM or WILL linebacker spots in a 4-3," but adds that there are "questions about how effective he can be in coverage." CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler indicates that he may have some of the same problems the Dolphins' current linebackers have in terms of shedding blocks.
The Dolphins may need a linebacker with more toughness than what Wilson brings to the table, but they won't find many who can be plugged in as many different spots as Wilson.
Round 5: Damian Swann, CB, Georgia
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The Dolphins have some pieces toward a top-flight secondary. Cornerback Brent Grimes is one. Safety Reshad Jones is another. If you're having trouble thinking of others, so am I. Georgia cornerback Damian Swann wouldn't upgrade the secondary instantaneously, but his presence would provide an element of competition for the likes of Jamar Taylor, Walt Aikens and Will Davis.
The 5'11", 180-pound corner isn't big enough to move to safety, and according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, he "doesn't play tightly enough in coverage or make enough plays on the ball to be a starting cornerback," but the Dolphins need depth in the secondary regardless. If any of the three youngsters—Taylor, Aikens or Davis—can develop into a starter opposite Grimes, the Dolphins secondary would be in great shape.
CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler remarked on Swann's ability as a blitzing cornerback, which would serve him well in Kevin Coyle's defense, where defensive backs blitz often.
Round 6: Jon Feliciano, OG, Miami
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Even after spending millions of dollars on the offensive line last offseason, the Dolphins still have a few needs up front.
Particularly, they need depth on the interior. Miami Hurricanes guard Jon Feliciano may not be a Day 1 starter, and may not ever be a starter, but versatility is key to late-round picks making the final roster, and Feliciano has it. Ryan Booher of CBSSports.com pointed out that Feliciano started 46 games at Miami: 39 at left guard, five at right tackle and two at left tackle. Thus, he could probably slot into multiple spots for the Dolphins if need be as a backup.
Feliciano didn't post any eye-popping numbers at the combine, and he doesn't necessarily possess the lateral agility the Dolphins would like from interior linemen in their zone-blocking scheme, but he can anchor in the running game when he gets to drive off the ball. For a sixth-round pick, the Dolphins could give him a shot to make their roster at any of his possible positions.
Round 7: Kenny Hilliard, RB, LSU
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If the Dolphins want their running game to pack a little more punch in 2015, LSU running back Kenny Hilliard could be just the man for the job.
At 6'0" and 232 pounds, he looks more like a small linebacker than a running back at times, but that only gives him the toughness that it takes to bounce off of tackles. The Tigers runner has a nose for the end zone, with no fewer than six rushing touchdowns in each of his four seasons. At the same time, his use as a red-zone and goal-line back means he does not have much tread taken off his tires, with only 302 career carries.
He's not an elusive back the likes of Knowshon Moreno or Lamar Miller, but he has the toughness to help the Dolphins improve in the red zone, a major weakness for them in 2015.
Unless otherwise noted, all scouting notes and combine information obtained via NFL.com and CBSSports.com. All salary cap and contract information obtained via Spotrac.com.
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