Draft Day Targets For Dolphins After Eagles Trade

Earlier this week, the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles completed a trade that sent former Eagles Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso to Miami. On Wednesday, that trade was finalized and it was reported that the teams would be swapping first round picks in the 2016 NFL Draft. Philadelphia will now be selecting 8th overall and Miami selecting at 13. Even though they slip only five spots, a lot of fans and the media believe that the Dolphins got the low end of the deal. It’s a fair assumption since both Maxwell and Alonso underperformed during their short stints in Philadelphia. Not to mention, they’ve each had their share of injury issues. In fact, the trade almost never happened after concerns with Maxwell’s shoulder started to develop early Wednesday morning. However, the Dolphins medical staff cleared Maxwell and the trade was completed. It’s a huge risk for the Dolphins to take on but cornerback and linebacker are huge needs for Miami going into the upcoming season. If both players can remain healthy and get back to their original form of production, then it will look like Miami made the right move. That’s a big if, however, and we won’t know for sure until the season starts. In the meantime, Miami can make their case by selecting one of their top targets in the upcoming draft.

Not all of the players on Miami’s radar at pick 8 will be there at 13. Players like Joey Bosa, Vernon Hargreaves, and Myles Jack, will no doubt be off the board by the time Miami selects. However, there will still be several options for the Dolphins to choose from. The Dolphins have several needs and this is considered a mediocre draft at best so dropping off five spots may still give Miami an opportunity to snag a player that they coveted with the eighth selection. We’ll take a look at some of those options for Miami to choose from for the April 28th draft day.

Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

After losing Olivier Vernon in free agency to the New York Giants, Miami will once again be looking for an edge rusher. They may have signed Mario Williams away from Buffalo but it’s a dropoff in production when you compare the two. Mix that in with the fact that the Dolphins still have not been able to restructure the contract of their other pass rusher, Cameron Wake, the Dolphins are starting to look thin on the edges. Defensive end Shaq Lawson from Clemson would be a great addition for the Dolphins if he falls to them. It’s likely that Lawson will not be there by the time the Dolphins select since he’s been linked to the top 10 in the majority of mock drafts, but if he is I doubt the Dolphins let him pass. Lawson is a complete pass rusher that is also very good against the run, something the Dolphins have been awful against the past year and a half. If the Dolphins really want a defensive end here and Lawson is already off the board, they could look at his teammate, Kevin Dodd.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

Miami lost hometown favorite, Lamar Miller, on Wednesday to Houston in free agency. On Thursday, the team offered Broncos running back, C.J. Anderson, a four-year deal worth $18 million but he is a restricted free agent and Denver will have the option to match. After missing out on other free agents like Matt Forte and Chris Ivory, Miami could go running back in the first round if things don’t work out with Anderson. Ezekiel Elliott has been labeled the best offensive talent in this class since the Combine. Elliott is a three-down workhorse and ran an impressive 4.47 in the 40-yard dash (NFL). Some scouts have compared him to the likes of Adrian Peterson (SB Nation). Unfortunately, the team that Miami traded with, Philadelphia, could be looking at Elliott as a potential replacement for DeMarco Murray after trading him to the Titans.

Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

The Dolphins may have acquired Alonso in their trade with Philly but his health will be a concern and Miami is already very thin at the position. One of the major needs for the Dolphins this year is an inside presence at linebacker. There’s hope that Alonso will be the one they are looking for but a player like Reggie Ragland from Roll Tide Alabama has to be on the Fins radar. As a part of the national championship team, Ragland was a strong leader on that dominant defense of Alabama. He is excellent against the run but does have some issues covering on passing downs, which could be a concern. However, some scouts have reported that Ragland is better in passing situations than people realize. Miami finally got wise in drafting University of Miami players a few years back and now it would be wise to start drafting from the best team in college football as well.

Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

The only more pressing need than linebacker for the Dolphins has to be on the corner. After Miami brought in Maxwell on Wednesday, the Dolphins decided to show starting cornerback Brent Grimes (and his wife) the door. Grimes was due $8 million this year with a cap hit worth $9.5 million (Miami Herald). He had a very disappointing season, showing signs of regression and fatigue. Mix that in with the outspoken frustration of his wife, Miko Grimes, the Dolphins felt it was best to cut ties with their former star. However, that leaves the other side of the field completely open for the Dolphins. The former Buckeye, Eli Apple, could fill that slot for the Dolphins. Apple is much bigger than Grimes (6’1, 200 lbs.) and has great speed. He ran a 4.4 flat at the Combine (NFL).

Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

I did say that the Dolphins need a cornerback. Alexander has been linked to Miami with the 8th pick, so if the Dolphins can snag him at 13 they may come out looking good on their end. Apple has better size than Alexander but Alexander may be more mentally and physically ready to step on an NFL field at this time. College teams completed less than 30% of the passes that were thrown Alexander’s way and he allowed zero touchdowns (NFL). He shows a lot of similarities to Brent Grimes since he is shorter than most NFL teams would like but makes up for it by being physical with good instincts. Regardless of who they choose, the Dolphins will have to address the cornerback position in the earlier rounds or fans can expect another long season.

Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Let me be clear, Miami does not need another starting offensive tackle. Not yet anyway. However, like linebacker and cornerback, the Dolphins are desperate for a guard. If they can’t agree to one in free agency or find one early to draft, look for the Dolphins to consider moving current right tackle, Ja’Wuan James, to the inside position. If that’s the case, then drafting Ronnie Stanley from Notre Dame would make perfect sense. Stanley played both left and right tackles during his time with the Irish. With Branden Albert on the left side, Stanley could be Miami’s right tackle come week one and James as one of the guards. Miami has failed to address their offensive line issues and drafting Stanley could help Ryan Tannehill and company. Stanley’s draft floor/ceiling has been tough to measure as he’s been projected to go as high as 3 to the Chargers and as low as the mid-20’s. Thursday night, the Dolphins agreed to terms with offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod on a one year deal but they will still need a lot of help.

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