From now until Sunday, the NFL has its annual Combine. This event highlights 330 college players as they compete in drills. All 32 NFL teams will go to Indianapolis to watch and interview these players to determine who they will take in late April for the NFL Draft.
The Dolphins are a team that will be very active in the Draft. The Dolphins, who have been claimed “the Kings of the Draft,” will be busy this weekend scouting players and figuring out their strategy for the draft. The Fins have six draft picks in the first three rounds of the day, including three in the first round.
Besides looking at a quarterback, the Dolphins have several avenues they can go with their draft picks. The Dolphins Top 5 needs according to CBS Sports is Quarterback, Offensive tackle, Interior Offensive Line, Running Back, and Edge Rusher. The Dolphins are in a good position to draft several top prospects in each position.
The Dolphins may also look into several other positions in the draft, such as a defensive back and wide receiver. This is a very deep receiver class. NFL Network Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah, has over 20 receivers with a top-three round grade. Defensive backs will also be a position the Dolphins can use an extra, but with the development of Nik Needham and Jomal Wiltz, the Dolphins may look at free agency or just wait later in the draft.
Below are some of the prospects to watch who can be one of the Dolphins first six picks:
● Quarterbacks:
○ Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
■ The second-rated quarterback prospect in the Draft. Will not be participating in the Combine but according to reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tua has received “Overwhelming positive reports on his dislocated hips”. Tua who is projected by Mel Kiper Jr. to go 3rd to the Lions is a prized possession by the Dolphins.
○ Justin Herbert, Oregon
■ The third-rated quarterback in the draft according to ESPN. Herbert has impressed at the combine thus far throwing well in the on-field drills and testing well. He ran a 4.68 40-yard dash and ran a quarterback group bets 7.06 three-cone drill, if Tua is not available to the Dolphins, he can be looked at as a backup option for the Dolphins.
○ Jordan Love, Utah State
■ Love is a name that since the Combine that has been on the rise. Came to the Combine on Tuesday measuring well and according to NFL Network’s Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah the best out of the quarterback group. Jeremiah told Joe Rose and Zach Krants that he rates Jordan Love higher than Justin Herbert.
● Running Backs:
○ D’Andre Swift, University of Georgia
■ Rated the top overall running back prospect in the draft, is projected to be available late in the 1st round. Swift measured in short at 5’8 but was a dominant running back at UGA where he was compared to former UGA back Todd Gurley. The Dolphins hold the 26th overall pick from the Houston Texans, Swift may be available at that spot.
○ J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
■ A projected second-round draft pick according to most NFL Draft experts, Dobbins is a good out the backfield running back. A back who can run and catch can be a good pick-up for the Dolphins with their 56th overall pick, if available.
○ Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
■ The Workhorse running back for the Badger has proven to be one of the top pure running backs during his career. A Question with him is his pass-catching ability and how healthy he is. He was a workhorse at Wisconsin, running the ball, near 300 carries since his freshman year and only one season over 10 catches. These questions will be answered at the combine.
○ Zach Moss, Utah
■ The South Flordia native has been sort of looked passed since the end of the College Football Season. A compact back at 5’9 and 223 pounds, he can be a third or fourth-round talent that that Dolphins can look at. With the Dolphins needing a running back, Moss can be a steal at the Combine.
● Offensive Tackle
○ Tristian Wirfs, Iowa
■ Wilrfs has been rated as a top-five tackle in this draft. Wirfs has been known to be able to switch from right to left tackle and has a powerful frame. Mock drafts have him being picked in the teens. A big thing that he needs to show at the Combine is that he is fluid and not stiff.
○ Mekhi Becton, Louisville
■ Becton is the biggest tackle in the draft. Measured at 6’7 and 364 pounds, Becton is a steam roller on the field. If you watch his tape, he can move down the field and he can lay a hit on opposing players. His weight is one of the biggest concerns of most scouts. His workouts will be a big factor on where he gets picked.
○ Andrew Thomas, University of Georgia
■ According to Lance Zierlein of NFL Network, as a Day 1 starter, Thomas has been a guy that the Dolphins have been linked to at the 18th pick. He has been compared to former Dolphin tackle Ja’Wuan James.
● Interior O-Line
● Netane Muti, Fresno State
○ The early leader in the strongest player at the NFL Combine. Muti hit 225 in the bench press 44 times at the combine, which ties him third all-time in Combine History. Has the size to be an NFL caliber Guard, but injuries in college make him an uncertain pick by teams and most likely a day two pick.
● John Simpson, Clemson
○ Described as a big guy who can create lanes in the middle for running backs. Simpson is rated the top Guard in the draft. The issue with Simpson is the delay he takes from when the ball is snapped to when he gets out of his stance. When we see the board drills and other lineman one on one drills, it will be interesting to see if he can correct it
● Edge Rusher:
○ A.J. Espensa, Iowa
■ Espensa is a big and powerful defensive end from Iowa. He measured in at 6’5 and 275 pounds. Espensa can disrupt plays and put pressure on the quarterback and block holes. Rated the third-best edge rusher according to ESPN. The main thing to watch is to see if he can move his hips and become more mobile and have a better range of motion.
○ Yuter Gross-Matos, PSU
Gross-Matos has been seen as one of the most athletic edge rushers, with his athleticism being compared to Chase Young and K’Lavon Chaisson. The 6’5 and 266 pound Gross-Matos has the potential to be one of the NFL’s top edge rushers. His speed and skill need to develop but with his promise, he can be an interesting pick if available.