Miami Dolphins Last-Minute 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

The NFL Draft is when all 32 teams in the league look to set the tone for the upcoming season by drafting players they hope will push them to the next level. 

In the last decade, the Miami Dolphins have failed at that for the most part, drafting quite a few good players but not netting themselves a roster that can get them into the postseason. 

They hope to change that today in Chicago, and the rumors and noise flying out of Davie have been quite heavy to the point where just about nothing is guaranteed. 

Because of that, here's the latest Miami Dolphins mock draft and top-100 big board. It's a bit different from the last two I've published because so much seems to change within minutes, and the one thing we know for sure at this point is nothing.

Top-100 Big Board

Danny Moloshok/Associated Press

Compiled here is a top-100 big board based on Miami's needs, the best talent available in the draft, and players that could fortuitously slip to Miami in the draft (or players that the Dolphins could trade up to draft). 

You won't see Jared Goff or Carson Wentz on this board. Those players not only wouldn't be chosen by the Dolphins, but those draft picks (acquired by Los Angeles and Philadelphia, respectively) are unlikely to be traded. 

Miami Dolphins Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
2	Jalen Ramsey	CB/S	FSU
3	Joey Bosa	DE	Ohio State
4	Shaq Lawson	DE/LB	Clemson
5	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
6	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
7	Noah Spence	DE	Eastern Kentucky
8	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame
9	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
10	DeForest Buckner	DL	Oregon
11	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
12	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
13	Su'a Cravens	LB	USC
14	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
15	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
16	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
17	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
18	Cody Whitehair	G	Kansas State
19	Keanu Neal	FS	Florida
20	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan State
21	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
22	Vonn Bell	SS	Ohio State
23	Christian Westerman	G	Arizona State
24	Kentrell Brothers	LB	Missouri
25	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (Fla)
26	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
27	Deion Jones	OLB	LSU
28	Christian Hackenberg	QB	Penn State
29	Vadal Alexander	G	LSU
30	Charles Trapper	DE	Oklahoma
31	Sean Davis	CB	Maryland
32	John Theus	OT	Georgia
33	Jonathan Williams	RB	Arkansas
34	Bronson Kafusi	DE	BYU
35	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
36	KelVarae Russell	CB	Notre Dame
37	Scooby Wright III	LB	Arizona
38	Sebastian Tretola	G	Arkansas
39	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
40	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
41	Nick Vigil	LB	Utah State
42	Yannick Ngakoue	LB	Maryland
43	Joe Haeg	OT	North Dakota State
44	Rashard Robinson	CB	LSU
45	Graham Glasgow	G	Michigan
46	Jason Fanaika	DE	Utah
47	Eric Murray	CB	Minnesota
48	Cardale Jones	QB	Ohio State
49	BJ Goodson	LB	Clemson
50	Maliek Collins	DT	Nebraska
51	Eric Striker	LB	Oklahoma
52	Ryan Smith	CB	North Carolina Central
53	Avery Young	OT	Auburn
54	Joe Dahl	G	Washington State
55	Zach Sanchez	CB	Oklahoma
56	Kevin Hogan	QB	Stanford
57	Jayron Kearse	SS	Clemson
58	Landon Turner	G	North Carolina
59	Kevin Byard	SS	Middle Tennessee
60	Cole Toner	OT	Harvard
61	DJ Reader	DT	Clemson
62	Anthony Zettel	DE	Penn State
63	Dominique Alexander	LB	Oklahoma
64	Kalan Reed	CB	Southern Mississippi
65	DeAndre Washington	RB	Texas Tech
66	Justin Simmons	FS	Boston College
67	Tavon Young	CB	Temple
68	Willie Beavers	OT	Western Michigan
69	Spencer Drango	G	Baylor
70	Adam Gotsis	DT	Georgia Tech
71	Derrick Kindred	SS	TCU
72	Keith Marshall	RB	Georgia
73	Brandon Shell	OT	South Carolina
74	Darius Jackson	RB	Eastern Michigan
75	Tyrone Holmes	LB	Montana
76	DeVondre Campbell	LB	Minnesota
77	Joe Thuney	G	NC State
78	Kavon Frasier	FS	Central Michigan
79	Alex Lewis	OT	Nebraska
80	Jared Norris	LB	Utah
81	Lawrence Thomas	DE	Michigan State
82	Morgan Burns	CB	Kansas State
83	Trae Elston	SS	Ole Miss
84	Denver Kirkland	G	Arkansas
85	Ron Thompson	DE	Syracuse
86	Aaron Wallace	LB	UCLA
87	Deon Bush	FS	Miami (Fla)
88	Antaun Woods	DT	USC
89	Ian Seau	LB	Nevada
90	Darrell Green	G	San Diego State
91	Trevor Williams	CB	Penn State
92	Caleb Benenoch	OT	UCLA
93	Victor Ochi	LB	Stony Brook
94	Kyle Friend	G	Temple
95	Ian Wells	CB	Ohio
96	Cody Kessler	QB	USC
97	Brandon Williams	CB	Texas A&M
98	Jordan Walsh	G	Iowa
99	Terrance Smith	LB	FSU
100	Alex Redmond	G	UCLA

Round 1

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

Round 1, Pick 13: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

According to CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora, this is who Mike Tannenbaum and the Dolphins are selecting with their first round pick if they stay at 13. 

The pick makes sense as Miami is weak at cornerback, after losing Brent Grimes while still waiting on the development of oft-injured (and sparingly effective) Jamar Taylor.

With new acquisition Byron Maxwell hoping he has a bounce-back year in Miami and almost nothing else behind him, the Dolphins need a dependable starter at corner in the worse way. 

Apple's best attribute is his size; he's 6'1" 199 lbs and has great route anticipation as well. Unfortunately, his aggressiveness (which as a whole is a plus) is also a great weakness as he can remain too hands on down the field, drawing costly penalties.

His aggressiveness can also lead to missed tackles, which is why his game film doesn't look as great as a player with his attributes should look.

Round 2

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Round 2, Pick 42: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

I've looked at the possible players available for Miami in the second round of the draft, and Jaylon Smith's name always came up as a tease. 

Smith was a likely target for the Dolphins' first-round pick, but then came the Fiesta Bowl and a devastating knee injury which tore his ACL and MCL, and included nerve damage, per Elizabeth Merrill of ESPN.com. 

Now his projection is all over the map, as it looks like he won't play at all in 2016. Despite that, he'd be the best choice for the Dolphins in the second round. 

Smith is the second-best linebacker in the draft behind Myles Jack, and without the injury, he's likely up there with Jack not only as the best linebacker, but best overall player.

This type of value can't be passed up, and considering that the Dolphins are unlikely to be contenders in 2016 anyway, why not take a flyer on an immensely talented player that in 2017 and beyond could not only be a decent linebacker, but the Dolphins' best linebacker since Zach Thomas? 

I'd take that risk, and Mike Tannenbaum likely would too.

Round 3

Young Kwak/Associated Press

Round 3, Pick 73: Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State

Miami's guard situation isn't exactly one to feel comfortable about. 

While Billy Turner showed some flashes in 2015, he didn't have the consistency needed to deem Miami safe with him as a starter. 

Jamil Douglas seemed lost on the field at times, but Miami constantly shifting him around can be blamed for that more than the player himself. 

As for Dallas Thomas, if he's still on the roster come Week 1, that's an indictment of Miami's inability to properly scout the position. 

Arizona State's Christian Westerman is the third-round choice due to his quickness and movement ability. His blocking is technically sound and fluid while also being strong and powerful.

He'd be a great fit for Miami's offensive line, and with the players already on the roster, a starter at right guard in Week 1.

Round 4

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Round 4, Pick 107: Devontae Booker, RB, Utah

Ezekiel Elliott isn't the only running back the Dolphins have on their radar this weekend. 

If Elliott isn't available, Miami will likely draft a running back later, and their choices will come down to Utah's Devontae Booker and Arkansas' Alex Collins. 

I went with Booker, a patient yet decisive runner who's excellent between the tackles and fits in the same mold as C.J. Anderson in terms of fit into Adam Gase's offense.

Teamed up with Jay Ajayi, it should be a powerful duo in Miami's backfield that could vault the Dolphins' offense to the next level.

Round 5

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Round 5, Pick 147: Thomas Duarte, TE, UCLA

Miami's pickings at tight end look more productive than they have actually been. 

Dion Sims has shown flashes of potential but hasn't quite lived up to his potential, while Jordan Cameron's 2015 season could best be described as "uneven" (and he still has the same concussion worries that plagued him prior to signing with Miami last season). 

It wouldn't surprise me if Miami decided to draft a tight end who visited Davie pre-draft—UCLA's Thomas Duarte, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 

Duarte would fit an Adam Gase offense well with his ability to create separation from safeties and linebackers, while his size at 6'2" 231 lbs makes him a good red-zone target as well. 

You can also line up Duarte on the outside, further boosting the Miami offense while eliminating the need to draft another receiver.

His leaping ability helps as a red-zone target as he ranked fifth among tight ends at the combine with a 33.5 inch vertical leap.

Round 6

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Round 6, Pick 186: Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan

Whenever Branden Albert or Ja'Wuan James are out of the lineup, the Dolphins' offensive line became a septic-level storm. 

In the past, they have swung guards out to tackle to replace either player, typically with disastrous results. 

Since Albert is on the wrong side of 30, the Dolphins should not only consider drafting a player that can fill in for him when he's hurt, but also someone that can replace him come 2017. 

A good pickup for scenario that would be Western Michigan's Willie Beavers. 

Beavers started 40 consecutive games at left tackle for Western Michigan, and in that time showed off his great foot quickness and agility. He's a perfect fit in a zone-blocking system thanks to his athleticism while also showing great tenacity and power. 

Beavers could still get stronger with an NFL weight program, and the step up from Western Michigan to the pros will be steep. However, he played well against Michigan and Ohio State during his career in Kalamazoo, including doing a decent job blocking against Joey Bosa.

Round 7

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Round 7, Pick 227: Deon Bush, S, Miami (Fla)

With Reshad Jones in the secondary, Miami already has a hard-hitter at safety. 

Adding Deon Bush from The U would make them even more physically imposing. 

Bush has great size (6'0", 199 lbs) at safety and tremendous speed, and he can shine on special teams early on while developing at the NFL level. He's also a valuable blitz weapon to have, but he could use some help when it comes to diagnosing plays. 

I wouldn't be too worried about Bush's abilities at diagnosing plays, as he did play in an atrocious defensive system at Miami while being coached by Al Golden and Mark D'Onofrio.

Many players have left Miami under Golden drafted lower than they normally would have and gone on to have fantastic NFL careers, and Bush wouldn't be an exception to that. 

Round 7, Pick 231: Kevon Seymour, CB, Southern Cal

Rounding out Miami's draft is their second corner selection of the draft, an intriguing and fast corner out of Southern California named Kevon Seymour. 

Seymour has decent size at 5'11' 186 lbs, and he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February, which was the fifth fastest among cornerbacks. 

Seymour's style of play is suited towards the off-man coverage favored by the Dolphins, which would allow him to get playing time early as a nickle corner as a rookie. 

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