Miami Dolphins' Top Needs, Fits for 2015 NFL Draft to Build for the Future
The Miami Dolphins are not in a position to miss on any of their draft picks.
They have been building toward getting over the hump for years, and with recent moves like the signing of Ndamukong Suh and the gutting of the depth chart at wide receiver in favor of new blood, the Dolphins appear to be going all in to win in 2015.
That means head coach Joe Philbin and general manager Dennis Hickey need to be extra diligent to hit on all their picks in the 2015 draft.
With selections coming up in less than one month, it's time to get familiar with the prospects who could be fits for the Dolphins.
Given the hundreds of prospects available and likely thousands of scouting reports on them, diligence would be impossible for people who don't spend their whole lives on this process. So, here's a briefer look at the Dolphins' needs and the players who could fill them.
Wide Receiver
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The Dolphins have already spent a lot of resources to fix the wide receiver spot, getting rid of the likes of Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson in favor of Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews.
But even with the long-term future in good hands with Stills and Landry, the Dolphins could still use one more threat in the passing game.
Kevin White, West Virginia
The Dolphins may not even have a chance to draft West Virginia's Kevin White, with many draft pundits predicting him to be a pick in or near the top 10.
With that said, if he's on the board at No. 14, he has a lot of traits that the Dolphins could use in their passing game. At 6'3" and 215 pounds, he would instantly add a missing level of size in the Dolphins' receiving core, but he also has scary long speed (4.35-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine) to test defenses deep.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, a dominant outside receiver who has soft hands and quickness to create separation.
He may not be a perfect fit for the run-after-the-catch style of offense Bill Lazor wants to run, but the Dolphins have Landry and Matthews for that. White could still be a physical and productive boundary threat.
DeVante Parker, Louisville
At least one draft pundit thinks Parker is a good fit for the Dolphins, with CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler projecting Parker to the Dolphins at the 14th pick. Brugler also compared Parker to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, a lofty comparison for any receiver but a fair one for Parker.
At 6'3" and 209 pounds, Parker is a strider just like Green and does his best work when the ball is in the air. He can track the ball in flight and then go up and fight for it once it gets to him.
He isn't an elite route-runner just yet, and he may never be an elite run-after-the-catch receiver, but he has big-play tools that are missing from Miami's offense.
Breshad Perriman, Central Florida
So far here, big bodies have been the name of the game for the Dolphins, and Central Florida's Breshad Perriman is another receiver in that mold.
Perriman has a 6'2", 212-pound frame with 32-inch arms, and he knows how to use that frame to his advantage. He is a great deep receiver with the desired long speed (4.24-second 40-yard dash at his pro day) to get over the top of defenses.
He also has leaping ability (36 ½-inch vertical) to win contested catches on jump balls.
Perriman's biggest knock is his history of drops. The Dolphins just parted ways with a receiver who had a bad case of the drops in Wallace, but if they are confident Perriman can overcome the issues that have plagued him, he would be worth a pick in the second round.
Running Back
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There are varying opinions as to whether the Dolphins need to address the running back position in the first round, Day 2, Day 3 or at all. But with a stable of backs that features four shifty, quick types and no between-the-tackles hammers, there's definitely room for a runner who can carve a niche for himself in short-yardage situations.
Todd Gurley, Georgia
Using a first-round pick on a running back is about as in-style as Hammer pants, especially when that running back is coming off a season-ending knee injury.
With that said, Georgia's Todd Gurley could be someone the Dolphins look to for help in the running game from a toughness perspective.
Gurley is universally regarded as the top running back in this class, and three out of four CBSSports.com draft analysts predict he will be a first-round pick.
He's a bit taller than some scouts might prefer in their running backs at 6'1", but he doesn't let it prevent him from getting low pad level through the hole and running with toughness. CBSSports.com's Rob Rang compared him to Marshawn Lynch. What else do you need to know?
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon is projected as a potential late first-round pick, which could put him out of range for the Dolphins. However, Gordon's elite production at Wisconsin might warrant consideration if the Dolphins have an opportunity to trade into his range.
He's not the explosive threat that Lamar Miller is, but he has the toughness to run through traffic and can contribute in the passing game. He led the nation with 2,587 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns and 32 total touchdowns in 2014.
The one problem is that he has already taken quite a beating in his career, after carrying the ball 631 times in his four-year career at Wisconsin.
Duke Johnson, Miami
Miami's Duke Johnson might be a redundant pick for the Dolphins—no, not only because Miller also played at Miami, but also because the two share similar skill sets. Nevertheless, the Dolphins have built their backfield full of backs in a similar mold, and if that's what they prefer, Johnson could be a fit.
At 5'9" and 207 pounds, he'll have no trouble getting low pad level, and his low center of gravity allows him to bounce off tacklers and keep his balance.
He's not going to give the Dolphins much of a lift as a between-the-tackles runner, though, as his vision and decisiveness through the hole could both use some work. As a second-round pick and complementary piece, Johnson could be a fit.
Guard
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For the past 13 months, the Dolphins have been rebuilding their offensive line.
They got it right with the additions of tackles Branden Albert and Ja'Wuan James, but the process continues as the Dolphins search for guards in 2015.
They can't possibly be 100 percent confident in Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner. The latter has played barely any guard in the NFL, whereas the former has played just enough guard to cause serious trepidation about his ability to play there on a consistent basis.
A.J. Cann, South Carolina
The Dolphins may be hard-pressed to find perfect fits at guard for their offensive line in this year's draft. There just aren't many prospects who have the athleticism it takes to excel in their zone-blocking scheme.
South Carolina's A.J. Cann isn't a natural athlete and would be a better fit for a power-blocking scheme, but beggars really can't be choosers here—unless the Dolphins are choosing to roll with what they currently have.
At 6'3" and 313 pounds, Cann may not have the qualities it takes to get out in front of a play, but he does have the traits to get what's in front of him out of the play.
Laken Tomlinson, Duke
The Dolphins may not like Tomlinson as a fit for their offensive line due to his inability to block on the move and pull out in front of a play, but he would immediately add a missing level of toughness in the trenches of the offensive line.
The 2014 All-ACC selection and Associated Press All-American has a 6'3", 323-pound frame that he knows how to use to establish leverage in the trenches.
Ryan Tannehill took quite a beating behind the Dolphins' offensive line in 2013, but NFL.com's Lance Zierlein points out that Tomlinson hasn't even allowed a sack since 2012. Therefore, while he may not be a perfect fit for the Dolphins' scheme, they could definitely find a use for him on their offensive line.
Ali Marpet, Hobart & William Smith
No, HWS' Ali Marpet is not considered a top prospect, but he is probably the Dolphins' best chance of finding a true fit for their offensive line.
At 6'4" and 307 pounds, Marpet moves well for a man of his size, and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says he "has the body type and movement of a zone-scheme center with guard potential."
Sure, the Dolphins already have Mike Pouncey to line up in the middle of the offensive line, but they could give themselves some flexibility between Pouncey and Marpet in the middle of their line to shuffle things around as need be.
The Dolphins could probably add him with a second- or third-round pick.
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Defensive Tackle
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Yes, the Dolphins just backed up the Brink's truck to Ndamukong Suh's doorstep, but that doesn't mean they're done at the defensive tackle position.
They lost both Jared Odrick and Randy Starks this offseason and will need to add to the depth chart unless they see lifetime role player Earl Mitchell suddenly stepping into a starting role.
The Dolphins could plug just about anyone next to Suh, and they would look like a star, but there are a few names that fit better than the rest in this year's draft class.
Leonard Williams, Southern California
Most NFL draft pundits project USC's Leonard Williams to be a top-five pick, or maybe even a top-two pick, but if he begins to fall, the Dolphins may want to consider trading up to land him.
He compares well to Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, according to CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler and Rob Rang, who point out that he's also being compared to Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.
His burst off the ball, lateral agility, strength and overall athleticism give him the ability to play either on the inside in a four-man front or on the end in a three-man line. The Dolphins have gone back and forth from time to time, so his full skills would be used.
He has such a monstrous ceiling that the Dolphins may be compelled to trade up for him much like they did with Dion Jordan a few years back.
Malcom Brown, Texas
Malcom Brown is probably much closer to being available when the Dolphins select than Leonard Williams, with CBSSports.com's analysts mainly projecting him as a selection in the middle of the first round.
That's not to say that he can't have an impact as a rookie, though. The 6'2", 319-pounder can come in and immediately plug gaps up front for the Dolphins' run defense.
He's flashed explosive playmaking ability to create sacks and tackles for loss in the backfield, but his greatest strength is holding his lanes, engaging and disengaging blockers as need be in a read-and-react style of play.
He will need to develop his pass-rushing moves rather than relying on his athleticism to get past blockers, but the tools are all there for the molding.
Danny Shelton, Washington
A 6'2", 339-pound behemoth is typically not going to wow anyone with off-the-charts athleticism. In that sense, Danny Shelton is about what you'd expect. With that said, he is a monster as a two-gapping defensive tackle who can stuff runs at the line of scrimmage.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork and called him a "fit in a two-gap scheme [who] could benefit from playing fewer snaps than he was forced to play at Washington. He has an All-Pro ceiling, but must show a greater consistency of effort."
If the Dolphins think he can show the necessary effort to hit that ceiling, he'd be well worth consideration in the first round.
Cornerback
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Cornerback is not very high on the Dolphins' list of needs. They have their No. 1 cornerback in Brent Grimes, a strong slot option in Brice McCain and young cornerbacks in Jamar Taylor, Will Davis and Walt Aikens who have been developing for a couple years now.
But if the Dolphins want another surefire starter opposite Grimes, they may have to turn to the draft.
Marcus Peters, Washington
Traditionally, Washington's Marcus Peters would be a lock to not be on the Dolphins' big board at all. He was dismissed from the team on November 6 after repeatedly butting heads with his coaching staff and was ejected from a game in 2014.
Physically, he has it all. At 6'0" and 197 pounds, Peters has the ideal build of a perimeter cornerback in the NFL.
Not only does he have the physicality to jam receivers at the line and reroute them to the sideline, but he also has the athleticism and quickness to sink into zone coverage and break on the ball as the play unfolds before him.
Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
It's not all about size in the secondary, as the Dolphins have proved with their coverage group.
Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson stands at 6'0" and weighs 188 pounds, but he still has the tools to run and cover receivers in man coverage without giving up the quick-trigger/click-and-close ability he will need in a zone-heavy Dolphins defense.
The 2014 second-team All-ACC cornerback finished in the top five in four of the six exercises he participated in at the scouting combine: vertical jump (41 ½ inches), broad jump (130 inches), the three-cone drill (6.79 seconds) and the 20-yard shuttle (3.89 seconds).
If he can improve his value in run defense, he could come close to being a complete cornerback.
Quinten Rollins, Miami (Ohio)
The Dolphins might be rolling the dice if they draft Miami's Quinten Rollins, as he has only played one year of football since high school and only began playing cornerback for the first time in 2014.
However, in such a short time, Rollins was able to establish himself as a potential second-round pick. Imagine what he could do with more time to learn the position.
The 5'11", 195-pound corner is not known for a high level of physicality, but is instead regarded for what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein describes as "NFL-caliber click-and-close ability" as well as "good instincts" and "recovery quickness and natural anticipatory traits in coverage."
Those traits would all serve him well in the Dolphins defense, which demands a quick reaction time from its cornerbacks.
Inside Linebacker
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This offseason has been as much about adding new players for the Dolphins as it has been about cutting dead weight.
It's entirely possible that the Dolphins are confident in Dion Jordan, Koa Misi, Jelani Jenkins and Kelvin Sheppard to be the torch-bearers for their new-look linebacker group, but after parting with Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe, the Dolphins may be in the market to round out the depth chart.
Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
There are a great deal of undersized linebackers in this year's draft class. Benardrick McKinney is not one of them. At 6'4" and 246 pounds with 33-inch arms, the first-team All-SEC linebacker was compared by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein to Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing.
"McKinney plays within the scheme and finds himself near the play frequently," Zierlein says. "He plays with strength and has an ability to take on offensive linemen and get downhill to finish his tackles. McKinney looks like an above-average NFL inside linebacker who could become part of a really good defense."
That sounds like exactly what the Dolphins have been missing. They need some toughness in their linebacking corps, and McKinney would provide it in spades.
Paul Dawson, TCU
The Dolphins just parted ways with one linebacker who couldn't hold up in run defense. If they don't mind adding another, TCU's Paul Dawson could be on their radar.
At 6'0" and 235 pounds, he's not going to be a hammer in run defense, but he has the movement ability and athleticism to run and cover with running backs and tight ends. According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, he yielded completions on only 35.7 percent of throws into his coverage.
As mentioned, he will need to hone his fundamentals in run defense—such as sound tackling technique and shedding blocks—and he'll need to prove he can commit himself to his craft, but with some time to improve, Dawson could be a very important part of the Dolphins defense for years to come.
Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Another undersized linebacker at 6'0" and 232 pounds, UCLA's Eric Kendricks has one thing going for him that other prospects don't have: a bloodline. His brother is Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks and his father was former UCLA and CFL running back Marvin Kendricks.
Eric is not as explosive as his brother Mychal, but he is not lacking in athleticism or football smarts. He has the agility to sink into zone coverage and the awareness to read and react to plays in order to get there as quickly as possible.
He has played inside at UCLA but has the versatility to play outside as well.
Outside Linebacker
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As mentioned in the previous slide, the Dolphins are dealing with a lot of turnover at linebacker. It's entirely possible they are confident that their current depth chart can step up into bigger roles in order for the defense to keep performing at a high level.
In the event that the Dolphins aren't convinced, there are linebackers available of all shapes, sizes, positional persuasions, strengths and weaknesses.
Denzel Perryman, Miami
Size isn't everything at linebacker, and Miami's Denzel Perryman brings a lot in a small package.
Not only does he have the athletic skills and instincts to drop into zone coverage, but he also has the toughness and physicality to make an impact in run defense.
Perryman is listed as an inside linebacker, but his skill set may be suited for a switch to SAM linebacker as well. At 5'11" and 236 pounds, he's not quite built like your typical inside linebacker anyway, but he has the toughness to set the edge against the run and is surprisingly capable when it comes to shedding blockers.
Shaq Thompson, Washington
Between Danny Shelton, Marcus Peters, Hau'oli Kikaha and Shaq Thompson, Washington has put out a lot of talented defensive players for this year's draft class.
Thompson is one of the more athletic prospects, given his position. The 6'0", 228-pound linebacker is built more like a strong safety, but what he lacks in size, he makes up in closing speed and change-of-direction agility.
The problem with Thompson is that he may be overpowered too easily at the second level and in the hole in the running game, which might restrict him to a role on passing downs or even force him to change positions.
If the Dolphins are comfortable with his ability to find a role in their defense, he would be worth consideration in the second round.
Kwon Alexander, LSU
The true 4-3 outside linebacker prospects are few and far between this year, with many outside linebackers qualifying more as 3-4 edge-rushers than 4-3 athletes who can run and cover, attack the line of scrimmage against the run and chase down plays.
That's what describes Kwon Alexander's game. He is a two-year starter who has the speed to run down plays from all over the field and the strength and hands to stack and shed blocks.
He will need to learn to harness that speed before he can truly contribute to an NFL defense, but he could contribute on special teams right away.
Strong Safety
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With Reshad Jones on the back end, the Dolphins already have one safety spot figured out. The question is whether they know what they're doing at the other spot.
For the moment, Louis Delmas is a nice stopgap option, but they may need to find a long-term solution sooner than later if Delmas is going to keep playing out one-year deals and testing the open market every year.
Landon Collins, Alabama
All Alabama does is win championships and churn out NFL-ready prospects. Yes, the Dolphins have a sour history with Nick Saban, but they should not let that get in the way of drafting Landon Collins if he is seen as a fit and is available.
Collins is the best of a weak class at strong safety, but that doesn't mean he's simply the beneficiary of looking like a dime next to a group of duffs.
At 6'0" and 228 pounds, Collins is thickly built and knows how to use that frame to help out in run support, taking good angles and wrapping up the ball-carrier. He's at his best in the box, but if he can improve in coverage, he will come close to being a complete NFL safety.
Anthony Harris, Virginia
There are varying opinions on Anthony Harris. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein grades him as a player who has a chance to become an NFL starter, whereas CBSSports.com's Derek Stephens and Rob Rang consider him a sixth-round prospect.
Either way, scouts agree that he has shown the ability to play either safety spot interchangeably—which would fit well with Reshad Jones, who often bounces back and forth within the defense depending on the play call and scheme.
Scouts also agree that Harris will have to add to his 6'1", 183-pound frame if he's going to become an every-down starter in the NFL.
Jaquiski Tartt, Samford
These days, everyone wants their own version of Kam Chancellor at strong safety. At 6'1" and 221 pounds with 32 ⅜-inch arms, Samford's Jaquiski Tartt is about as close as you'll get to Chancellor in this year's draft.
He has a similar skill set to Chancellor too, with the willingness to get his nose dirty in run defense as well as the strength to make an impact—figuratively and literally—as receivers try to catch the ball.
He may never become an elite deep-coverage safety, but he can excel in his role as long as the Dolphins are willing to use him in the right ways.
Unless otherwise noted, all scouting combine information and draft notes provided by NFL.com and CBSSports.com.
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