Miami Dolphins: Reassessing Draft Needs After First Wave of Free Agency
The Miami Dolphins had an exciting first week of free agency so far, signing the top free agent on the market in Ndamukong Suh, while also adding a tight end in Jordan Cameron.
The noise was big, but so far not too much more has been added to Miami's roster. While more moves are going to be made in the coming days and weeks, it's time to think of the draft.
Prior to the first wave of free agency, the way I'd rank Miami's needs would be defensive tackle first, followed by wide receiver, tight end, linebacker, cornerback and guard.
The signings Miami has made so far have changed the rankings a bit. Even one position in which no changes were made saw it's need somewhat diminish.
Here's a look at the Dolphins' draft needs re-ranked based on the acquisitions Miami has made in free agency so far, as well as how thin the Dolphins are at each position in terms of talent.
6. Tight End
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If the Dolphins re-sign Charles Clay, this position gets wiped completely off of my "needs" board.
Why is it here? Because as of now, I'm looking at a tight end depth chart featuring Jordan Cameron (who the Dolphins signed on Thursday, per Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel), Dion Sims (a solid tight end) and second-year player Arthur Lynch.
Because of the Cameron signing, I have this as need No. 6.
Despite Kelly closing the door on the Dolphins retaining Clay, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News reports that the Dolphins hope to retain Clay, as well as the fact that the Bills never even gave Clay an offer before he returned to South Florida.
Due to that development, I'm pegging Miami as the favorite to re-sign Clay and could see it happening this weekend. If that's the case, tight end is no longer a need, which is why it currently sits at No. 6.
5. Defensive Tackle
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How does a position go from being one of the primary positional needs to not being much of a need at all?
Signing Ndamukong Suh will do that.
In fact, after the Dolphins signed Suh, I took a look at their depth at defensive line, which includes A.J. Francis (who Pro Football Focus graded a 3.6 during the 2013 preseason and who missed 2014 due to injury), second-year player Anthony Johnson (two tackles and a PFF grade of minus-3.6 in six games in 2014), Kamal Johnson (1.8 PFF grade in 2014 preseason) and Deandre Coleman (who spent all but one week with the Dolphins in 2014).
That's who is behind Suh and Earl Mitchell on the depth chart, as the Dolphins lost Jared Odrick and released Randy Starks this week.
While defensive tackle looks fairly solid, it could always use another developmental body, which is why the position is on the list. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Derrick Lott would be a good fit for the Dolphins in this spot.
He has a great 6'4", 314-pound frame and recorded six sacks and 41 tackles (13.5 for a loss) in 2014. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein described him as a technically savvy pass-rusher:
"[He's a] [s]killed pass-rusher who understands the position and was simply too athletic and too talented for most of the competition he faced while at Tennessee-Chattanooga. [He] [i]s a natural fit as a three-technique in a 4-3 defense, but could garner consideration as a 3-4 defensive end if he can prove he's strong enough.
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There are concerns (he turns 25 in June and has had issues with injuries), but as a rotation guy, he fits.
4. Wide Receiver
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It's their fourth biggest need but also the need the Dolphins should address in Round 1.
How does that make sense? I like going best player available in the draft, and looking at every draft ranking (from Matt Miller's to Mel Kiper's and everywhere in between), the wide receivers available at pick No. 14 (or later in case the Dolphins decide to trade down) will be better than the players at other positions of need for the Dolphins at that point.
Now, this ranking could go up if the Dolphins make the decision to release Mike Wallace and retain Charles Clay. Doing so allows the Dolphins to use Clay as a slot receiver, kick Jarvis Landry to the outside and line Jordan Cameron up at tight end.
The Dolphins could also use Clay as an H-back in the backfield, or just use a good old-fashioned two-tight end set. The options with that offense are unlimited and would only get better if Miami drafts a wide receiver in the first round.
However, wide receiver goes from fourth to second or higher in the rankings if Wallace and Clay are gone.
As we mentioned earlier, Clay will most likely be re-signed. Regarding Wallace, it's looking like the longer he's on the roster, the less likely it is he'll be released.
The Dolphins are actually working on restructuring Wallace, per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
Furthermore, Wallace told ESPN's Josina Anderson, "Like I said I am willing to help out the team, but at the same time I’m not about to do nothing crazy either. I’ll definitely help the team out, but it has to be reasonable—what I feel is reasonable.”
As for what's reasonable, Wallace told Anderson, "I don’t know. I have to see what exactly what my agent and the team is talking about and whatever I feel is reasonable. It’s not set like this is what it is. If we come to an agreement, I’m with it. Like I said, I’m not about to do something too crazy. I still have a family that comes first."
Which wide receiver should Miami pick? If the team uses a first-round pick, the dream is either Amari Cooper, Kevin White or Devante Parker; however, I don't see those players being drafted by Miami unless the team trades up.
Arizona State's Jaelen Strong would be a nice selection at No. 14. If Miami decides to wait until the second round, Breshad Perriman, Devin Funchess or Nelson Agholar would be great selections at that point.
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3. Inside Linebacker
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I wouldn't be opposed to the Dolphins going forward at linebacker with what they have.
I'd move Dion Jordan to strong-side linebacker, keep Koa Misi at middle linebacker and have Jelani Jenkins play weak side, where he excelled last season.
Dannell Ellerbe is still on the roster as well, and he could play strong-side or middle linebacker if Miami chooses to retain him, which Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported the Dolphins are trying to do with a restructured contract.
That gives the Dolphins good depth at the position, one that benefits from having Ndamukong Suh more so than it did with last season's defensive line.
That doesn't mean they shouldn't try to improve at the position, because when you really look at it, they don't have a true 4-3 inside linebacker.
I'd look for one in Round 2, where there are plenty of good linebackers available.
The one I'd go with is University of Miami star Denzel Perryman. If he's available, take him. If not, move onto another position, including the two ahead of inside linebacker.
2. Guard
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Guard is the second-biggest draft need for the Miami Dolphins.
However, I would not draft a guard in the first or second rounds.
Even drafting one in the third round is debatable. This class of guards really isn't worth a high pick.
If possible, I'd want the Dolphins to sign a guard or trade for one.
In fact, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that the Dolphins were working on such a trade, for Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis. The same report includes the Dolphins' eventual denial; however, it's no secret that the Eagles are looking to trade Mathis, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (h/t NFL.com's Marc Sessler).
If no such trade is made, though, the middle rounds are where the Dolphins should look to draft a guard, with Jarvis Harrison, Tre' Jackson and Ali Marpet being fine options.
1. Cornerback
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Lots of changes have been made to Miami's defense with just one signing; however, one position could use some work.
Cornerback is that position.
Why not include safety on this list? I'm not too worried about the safety position, with Michael Thomas and Jordan Kovacs competing with Louis Delmas (if Delmas re-signs), who is coming back from an injury.
Cornerback, on the other hand, does worry me. I like Jamar Taylor, but I'm not 100 percent on him, as he's shown himself to be injury prone, while Will Davis appears to be more of a safety.
As for Miami's free-agent acquisition Brice McCain—an acquisition I like a lot by the way—I see him more as a nickleback, and what Miami needs is a true No. 2 cornerback.
For that, the Dolphins can either find one in free agency (which is tough with many of the top-tier ones being signed already) or look for one in the draft.
However, I don't support looking for one in Round 1, as the only real first-rounder at the position worth the 14th pick is Michigan State's Trae Waynes, who will likely be gone by the time Miami is on the clock.
I'd go with a second- or third-round pick—such as the University of Miami's Quinten Rollins or Washington's Marcus Peters—to fill the void.
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