Miami Dolphins: Full 2016 Draft Guide and Preview

The Miami Dolphins are one day away from being on the clock in the 2016 NFL draft. 

Miami has a plethora of holes to fill on both sides of the ball and will have eight picks to fill said holes, with three of them coming in the first three rounds. 

How Miami will use those picks are anyone's guess, as there's a lot of smoke in the air pertaining to what the Dolphins might do and which players they like. 

What will Miami do? We'll have to wait until Thursday night to even begin to find out. For now, just kick back and relax as you click over to the next slide and see everything you need to know about the Miami Dolphins in the 2016 NFL draft. 

Draft Picks

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Draft Picks

• Round 1- Pick No. 13 overall (via Philadelphia)
• Round 2- Pick No. 42 overall
• Round 3- Pick No. 73 overall
• Round 4- Pick No. 107 overall
• Round 5- Pick No. 147 overall
• Round 6- Pick No. 186th overall
• Round 7- Pick No. 227 overall (via Baltimore)
• Round 7- Pick No. 231 overall

What To Know

1. Up until last year, the Dolphins had drafted an offensive lineman in the first three rounds of every draft since 2012, as Jonathan Martin was a 2012 second-round pick, followed by the selection of Dallas Thomas in Round 3 of 2013 and Ja'Wuan James in Round 1 of 2014. They did select Jamil Douglas in the fourth round last year, but due to the ineffective play of Thomas and the controversy surrounding Martin (which also led to Miami jettisoning Richie Incognito and John Jerry), Miami will again have a huge hole at offensive line to fill in this season's draft.

The team will likely fill said hole in either the second or third round, depending who is available when Miami is on the clock. While no top-tier lineman prospects are likely to be available at No. 13 on Thursday night, there are plenty of possibilities in play for the Dolphins come Friday night should they choose the second or third round to go after a guard or tackle.

2. Miami has used a first- or second-round pick on a wide receiver the last two drafts, a trend that will likely end this year. Despite the loss of Rishard Matthews, the Dolphins are still in good shape in terms of receivers, so if they address the position, expect it to come later on.

3. Don't rule out the possibility of the Dolphins drafting a quarterback. While it appears that Ryan Tannehill's job is safe for the 2016 season, the Dolphins could look to add a quarterback to compete with him. 

One name mentioned is that of Michigan State's Connor Cook, who had a private workout with the Dolphins last month, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Cook will likely be available in the second round, and it also wouldn't be too surprising if the Dolphins also contemplated drafting Penn State's Christian Hackenberg. 

There will likely be a first-round quarterback on the board for Miami at No. 13 in the form of Paxton Lynch from Memphis; however, per James Walker of ESPN.com, it's likely that Lynch would be a possible key to Miami trading down in the draft to accumulate more picks. 

Top Needs

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It would be lazy (yet factual) to simply say "everything but wide receiver" when it comes to Miami's needs. 

However, I've whittled it down to the top five needs Miami faces in this year's draft. Here's a look at each of those five positions. 

1. Cornerback

Between the departure of former all-pro Brent Grimes as well as the uneven and inconsistent play of the rest of Miami's secondary, cornerback needs help immediately. 

The Dolphins need someone who can line up across from new acquisition Byron Maxwell and will likely look in the first two rounds for said player. 

Vernon Hargreaves out of Florida seems to be the most likely player chosen; however, there isn't a guarantee that he will be available at No. 13, and he's not the player Miami will likely trade up to acquire. 

2. Running Back

I don't look at running back as the second biggest need (it's still behind pass-rusher), but the Dolphins seem to with all of the smoke surrounding their interest and infatuation with Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott, according to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole.

That's why I have the position listed as second.

While Miami could use an effective running back to replace the Houston-bound Lamar Miller, it's not a position I would trade up for in the first round. With a better crop of running backs coming in 2017, a good collection of backs available in the middle rounds and the presence of Jay Ajayi on the roster (he showed flashes during limited playing time in 2015), I'd be more patient with the position at this point in time. 

3. Pass-Rusher

It's not exactly the most urgent need, but this is a good draft to address it regardless of the round. The Dolphins will be trotting out Cameron Wake and Mario Williams as their pass-rushers, who, if they remain healthy, can disrupt plays and create fear in NFL backfields. The caveat is their ability to remain healthy, which is a challenge at their respective ages (Wake is 34, while Williams is 31).

Adding depth, especially a player who will be ready to replace either of those two players in the future, would be a victory for Miami in this year's draft. 

4. Linebacker

Between Jelani Jenkins, Koa Misi and Kiko Alonso, I'd consider Miami's linebackers to be a decent group that could be good, but "good" is the ceiling. Adding Myles Jack (a player Miami has interest in and could trade up for, per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald) could vault that position into one of Miami's strongest, which is the only reason I consider it a major need. 

Outside of the first round, there's still good depth at the position that Miami could really use. 

5. Offensive Line

It feels like I could just copy and paste this from the last five years: The Dolphins need help in the interior. While Billy Turner showed flashes during the 2015 season, Miami could use one more guard to create an effective offensive line. 

While not technically a guard, if a tackle is available in the first two rounds who could challenge Branden Albert for the job at left tackle, I'd consider choosing said tackle and then moving Albert over to guard. 

Top Targets

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Cornerback

1. Jalen Ramsay, Florida State. This is a pipe dream of mines and should be as much of a trade-up target for the Dolphins (if they choose that route) as Myles Jack or Ezekiel Elliott, if trading up is the route to go. Ramsay can be Miami's top corner for the next five years, or he pair with Reshad Jones to create the most feared safety tandem in the NFL. It would take a monumental number of picks to trade up for Ramsay, but he'd be well worth it. 

2. Vernon Hargreaves, Florida. The more likely pick at corner for the Dolphins in the first round, it's unlikely Miami would have to move up in order to acquire Hargreaves. He can be inserted into the starting lineup Week 1, which is a rarity among corners entering the league. Perfect for the zone coverage Miami uses, Hargreaves also won't hesitate to be physical when called upon, making him a great fit in Miami. 

Running Back

1. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State. If Elliott is available at No. 13, I really don't see the harm in picking him; I just fear the Dolphins giving up too much to trade up for a player who is certainly gifted and capable of being great at the next level but plays a position that ultimately can be filled later on in the draft. 

2. Derrick Henry, Alabama. Here's a player who would fit the Dolphins and could be had in the second or third round without the need to trade up (in fact, trading down to acquire an additional second- or third-round pick might help Miami get Henry). The Heisman Trophy winner does have the baggage of a heavy workload at Alabama somewhat holding down his draft stock, but with no medical red flags behind him, there's a good reason why Alabama used him as much as he did: He's just that good. 

In terms of a back who can move the chains and score, Henry is a great fit. 

Pass-Rusher

1. Joey Bosa, Ohio State. No, Joey Bosa won't be available for Miami in the first round unless there's a major surprise between now and Thursday. Despite that, he's still someone who should be on Miami's radar. He's South Florida-born and would be only the second second-generation Miami Dolphin (his father John Bosa played for the Dolphins in the mid-'80s along with his uncle Eric Kumerow). 

Bosa's baggage with Dolphins fans comes from said family ties, as his father and uncle were considered major busts for the Dolphins while they played. However, based on Bosa's career at Ohio State, there's no reason to think he'll follow in those footsteps. 

2. Shaq Lawson, Clemson. Way back in January, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had Clemson's Shaq Lawson as Miami's pick in the draft (h/t Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post). Of course, this was when Miami was still slotted to pick eighth, but there's a good possibility that Lawson will be available for the Dolphins at No. 13. 

Lawson's dynamic pass-rushing and run-stopping abilities will make him an attractive option for the Dolphins if he's available at No. 13. Miami would actually be a good spot for Lawson, as he'd have the chance to learn behind Cameron Wake and Mario Williams in his rookie year while also getting plenty of playing time to show off what he knows already. 

Linebacker

1. Myles Jack, UCLA. Myles Jack isn't just the best linebacker in the draft; in fact I'd suggest he might be the best overall player in the draft. Miami might be thinking of trading up for him, but his medical red flags (which seem at best, sketchy) might allow him to fall to the Dolphins at No. 13. 

If that does happen, the Dolphins will have to pull the trigger.

2. Reggie Ragland, Alabama. If Miami trades down in the first round, Alabama's Reggie Ragland is a player I would consider. He did benefit from having a great defense around him with the Crimson Tide, but in the end, it's his overall ability to stop the run as well as the power behind his hits that has him projected as a first-rounder, and one Miami might consider. 

Offensive Line

1. Jack Conklin, Michigan State. Conklin might be a tackle, but if the Dolphins draft him in Round 1 (a possibility due to their overall need in the offensive line and Conklin's strength and athleticism), it would mean Miami would upgrade at guard from Dallas Thomas to Branden Albert. 

2. Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame. Most draftniks and mock drafts have Stanley headed off the board before Conklin, but from what I've seen, Conklin is the better player, which is why he's first. That's not a knock on Stanley, though, as he's been an excellent tackle at Notre Dame for all three years he has started. He would be a natural fit at left tackle for Miami with Albert sliding over to guard. 

Latest Rumors

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Earlier in the slideshow we discussed Miami's possibility of trading up for either Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott or UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. 

Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are "apparently studying scenarios where they might move up to select one of the players" if the opportunity arises

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com suggests that Miami trading up to the fourth overall pick with Dallas to get Elliott is in play, writing that "the Cowboys will shop this pick and maybe they can convince Dolphins honcho Mike Tannenbaum, who loves to make a splash, to come all the way to get the back he covets."

I wouldn't go that high for a running back, but I likely would for Jack. 

La Canfora also pointed out that the Dolphins will likely take Eli Apple if they stay at No. 13, but with the possibility of Hargreaves being available, I don't see that being the pick. Apple would be a great addition to the Dolphins, but he's not someone I'd reach for at 13th overall. 

7-Round Mock Draft

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Assuming no trades are made, here's the mock draft for the Dolphins. 

Round 1, Pick 13: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida: Myles Jack and Ezekiel Elliott will both likely be off the board by No. 13, but Hargreaves should still be there. His addition would improve Miami's secondary, and he'd be a starter in Week 1. 

Round 2, Pick 42: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State: No, quarterback isn't a need for the Dolphins, but if Cook is available in Round 2, don't be too surprised to see Miami take him. He wouldn't exactly be a threat to Ryan Tannehill's job, but he could develop well under head coach Adam Gase and has plenty of big-game experience where he's made some big throws. 

Round 3, Pick 73: Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State: Technically sound blocking and superior athleticism make this former Sun Devil an intriguing third-round possibility for the Dolphins as they look to shore up what has been one of the team's weakest spots for the last decade. 

Round 4, Pick 107: Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU: Miami's fourth-round selection is a coach's son whose athleticism could help him make a huge impact at the next level, provided he's developed properly. 

Round 5, Pick 147: Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State: The Brothers Vigil created nightmares for their opponents while at Utah State, and a reunion in Miami could be in the cards with Nick joining Zack as Miami's fifth-round selection. 

Round 6, Pick 186: Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan: Willie Beavers is a bit small for an offensive tackle at 6'4", 324 pounds, but it's nothing that can't be fixed by an NFL training regimen. He has the technique down pat and has performed well when he's had the opportunity to face top-tier pass-rushers in college. He would be a tremendous addition to Miami's offensive line. 

Round 7, Pick 227: Deon Bush, S, Miami: His ability to diagnose plays might need more developing, but Deon Bush's athleticism and speed would make him a steal in the seventh round. One thing to note: Defensive players under Al Golden at Miami tend to underachieve while at Miami while going onto the pros and looking like steals for the teams that pick them (which could be why Golden is no longer Miami's head coach). As a result, don't be too surprised if Bush's problem diagnosing plays is nothing more than a shortcoming stemming from his collegiate head coach that gets magically fixed while in the pros. 

Round 7, Pick 231: Terrance Smith, LB, Florida State: FSU's Terrance Smith would provide depth and would play a major role on special teams if drafted. His athleticism isn't in doubt, and he has the ability to cover NFL tight ends when called upon.