NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter provided a unique spin this week amidst the seemingly constant stream of NFL mock drafts that are appearing these days: determining the best case scenario for each team’s first two rounds.
The Dolphins selected Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders at number 55 overall in the second round and Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton with their first-round pick (21st overall) in Reuter’s exercise.
“Losing Christian Wilkins in free agency was a major blow to the Dolphins’ defensive line; Newton’s strength and quickness off the ball give him a chance to contribute immediately,” Reuter said in explaining his choices. When facing teams concerned about Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle outside, Sanders will get down the seam. This looks like a perfect match for an offensive that is already quite potent.”
ANALYZING MIAMI’S BEST ONE-TWO SCENARIO
The Dolphins actually have needs at multiple spots, so they could really go in a lot of different paths with their first two picks.
A safety, interior offensive lineman, edge defender, defensive tackle, and possibly wide receiver would be among the positions that could be considered the most critical right now.
Although Newton and Sanders are both promising possibilities, they do cover two positions that the Dolphins heavily targeted in free agency: two tight ends (Jonnu Smith), and six defensive tackles (Teair Tart, Neville Gallimore, Benito Jones, Jonathan Harris, Isaiah Mack, Danyion Nixon).
There may be some redundancy there because Sanders is perceived as a seam-stretching tight end, which is a phrase that somewhat suits Smith.
Given that every new player on the interior of the defensive line was signed to a one-year contract and that Newton has the potential to develop into the kind of impact player for the defense that Christian Wilkins was before he left for Las Vegas, he would be a strong long-term choice.
However, looking at it this way, it very well might be that an edge defender and an interior offensive lineman are the best options available to the Dolphins with their first two selections, with moving down not being a possibility in this hypothetical scenario.
And that’s really exactly what ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. assigned to the Dolphins in his most recent mock draft, selecting guard Christian Haynes of UConn at number 55 and edge defender Jared Verse of Florida State at number 21.