Year three of the Adam Gase head coaching era with the Miami Dolphins should begin with some high hopes. While the New England Patriots have ruled the AFC East for nearly a generation, the AFC conference wild cards were garbage last season.
There’s no reason why, even with the subtractions the Dolphins made via trades and cuts, they shouldn’t compete for a playoff spot. That is, of course, if Ryan Tannehill is healthy.
Like I did with the Indianapolis Colts, I’m putting this mock draft together based on that assumption.
Round 1, Pick 11: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
2017: 59 tackles, 13 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble (6-2, 280 pounds)
I’ve seen the Dolphins connected with the quarterback derby coming Thursday, but I don’t see that happening. Before he got hurt, Tannehill was unquestionably an NFL starter. He’s coming off knee surgery, but he’ll have nearly a full year of rehab under his belt before the preseason begins. Miami has a massive hole on the defensive line after cutting Ndamukong Suh. Hurst fills it.
Round 2, Pick 42: Holton Hill, CB, Texas
2017: 51 tackles, two interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, six passes defended, one forced fumble (6-3, 200 pounds)
The Dolphins are young at starting corner, but talented. Xavien Howard and Cordrea Tankersly have three years’ experience between them and their back ups are just as green. Hill adds more starting-level talent to that rotation.
Round 3, Pick 73: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
2017: 62 catches, 958 yards, eight touchdowns (6-5, 254 pounds)
Adam Gase loves to utilize a tight end in his offense, but hasn’t had much luck in fielding one in Miami. Andrews could very well be the best one in this draft and easily supplant penciled-in starter MarQueis Gray. He’ll certainly make Tannehill’s job easier, especially in the red zone.
Round 4, Pick 123: Jason Cabinda, ILB, Penn State
2017: 90 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery (6-1, 234 pounds)
Miami has a solid starting linebacker unit, but needs to build depth. Cabinda is a complete player and should be the primary back up to Raekwon McMillan. He was one of the best defensive players on a pretty loaded Penn State team.
Round 4, Pick 131: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
2017: 289 carries, 2,248 yards, 7.8 yards per carry, 19 catches, 135 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, 17 kick returns, 521 returning yards, two returning touchdowns, two punt returns, 70 punt return yards, one punt return touchdown (5-11, 220 pounds)
I’m not sure what the Dolphins added when they signed the desiccated remains of Frank Gore at running back this offseason. Penny has unrivaled production at the NCAA level and, even if he opens the year as a back up, can contribute on special teams.
Round 7, Pick 229: Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis
2017: 63.1 completion percentage, 4,257 yards, 38 touchdowns, nine interceptions, six rushing touchdowns (6-4, 210 pounds)
While I don’t see Miami taking a QB early to supplant Ryan Tannehill, they need to add some insurance in case their starter goes down again. Ferguson had some first round grades early in the mock draft process. He’s since been graded more realistically, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a solid NFL back up.
