The offensive line gets retooled and an explosive running back joins the fold in this Miami Dolphins 2022 Mock Draft.
To say the Miami Dolphins start to the season has been rough is probably an understatement. After hanging on to beat the Patriots in Foxborough week one, they have dropped four straight, including a pair of drubbings from the Bills and Buccaneers. In the process, they lost quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to fractured ribs, although he could be back this week for their London tilt with Jacksonville.
Still, this is a team that has just plain struggled. The defense hasn’t been able to generate a lot of pressure, and the offensive line has been a mess. They’ve tried to shuffle things around by getting rookie Liam Eichenberg out to left tackle and kicking Austin Jackson in to guard, but the results haven’t been too favorable.
It could be a wild offseason with all the rumors swirling about a quarterback from Houston, but we will wait and see on that. For now, in this Miami Dolphins mock draft, let’s look at how retooling the offensive line, adding an explosive running back, and adding more to the front seven can help them going forward to build a contender.
Miami Dolphins 2022 Mock Draft
Round 1, 11th Overall: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The retooling starts at the center position for the Miami Dolphins. Between Greg Mancz and newly signed Austin Reiter, center has become a position of stopgap for the Dolphins in 2021. Finding a starter for the long term makes sense here for Miami.
Yes, taking a center in the first hasn’t yielded great results recently. But, with a center as talented as Tyler Linderbaum, it’s worth it. Yes, Linderbaum is listed at 290 pounds which is a little light for the NFL, but adding weight shouldn’t be a problem. The talent is what’s important. Linderbaum has great initial quicks, explosion, and athleticism to function in a zone scheme while having the wrestling background and tenacity to handle power at the point of attack.
It isn’t the flashy pick, but Linderbaum makes the Dolphins better at an important position, especially with a young quarterback they’re hoping develops.
Round 2, 36th Overall: Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
The offensive line barrage continues into day two for the Miami Dolphins in this mock draft. While it’s possible Eichenberg sticks at left tackle, Jesse Davis has struggled on the right side, and Robert Hunt is best on the interior. At this point, it might be best to look at the Jackson pick as a sunk cost and move on.
Sean Rhyan is the pick here in round two, and he’s quickly becoming the consensus OT2 in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s got impressive footwork to mirror rushers in pass protection, and has great hand usage and anchor to boot. If he can be more aggressive in the run game, teams will look at him as a complete prospect. For now, it’s great value for the Dolphins.
Round 3, 99th Overall: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
Between Adam Butler, Christian Wilkins, and Raekwon Davis, the Miami Dolphins have a very good trio to stop the run, but they still lack quite a bit of juice to get after the quarterback, as Sunday’s game showed.
Travis Jones is a very good run defender for the Huskies, but his quicks and explosion, combined with excellent athleticism, scream a good interior rusher who can get quick penetration into the backfield. He could be one of the bigger risers in the 2022 NFL Draft down the stretch this fall and in the all-star circuit.
Round 4, 109th Overall: Jerrion Ealy, RB, Mississippi
The running back position has been one that’s puzzling for the Miami Dolphins. Myles Gaskin has the burst and receiving skills to thrive in the offense, but after him sits only Malcolm Brown and Salvon Ahmed.
They could go in a different direction here with someone who fits the bellcow mold, but going for home run hitting burst and explosive plays seems like the right call here. Jerrion Ealy can be that guy, as he brings a similar skill set as Gaskin, but more toughness and a bigger frame. Ealy can be a big part of the receiving game as well as a home run hitting machine for Miami.
Round 4, 114th Overall: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
The Miami Dolphins love adding depth to the front seven, and they’ve done so in the past couple drafts. They stick to the script here in this mock, selecting Minnesota edge rusher Boye Mafe.
Mafe has an intriguing blend of length and athleticism to be molded into a good rusher at the next level. He can convert good get off into power and drive lineman back, and flashes great hand placement at contact to get off blocks and create pressure.
Round 5, 148th Overall: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
The linebacker position in Miami could use an influx of young talent, and Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams could be a big part of that. He’s a bit of a sleeper at this point, but Williams plays fast with good recognition skills. His closing speed is very good and he’s willing to play physical and get off blocks.
Round 5, 179th Overall: Kyle Phillips, WR, UCLA
The wide receiver position isn’t high on the list of priorities for the Miami Dolphins, but it’s a group where decisions will have to be made next offseason. Should they bring back Will Fuller? Does a tender for Preston Williams make sense? Will Albert Wilson return?
All that feels like drafting a receiver in 2022 makes sense. Where do they turn? How about to a player who operates extremely well in the slot? UCLA’s Kyle Phillips is a dynamo in the slot with creating separation, and has the skills to be a menace after the catch.
Round 6, 184th Overall: Tyrese Robinson, IOL, Oklahoma
The finish to the retooling for the Miami Dolphins is here. The shift to tackle didn’t make a lot of sense for Tyrese Robinson at Oklahoma this season, as he’s better suited to handle things in a phone booth at one of the guard spots. He’d be a great addition to the room and could be relied on as a good depth piece.
Round 6, 192nd Overall: Brant Kuithe, TE, Utah
The tight end room could look pretty different for the Miami Dolphins when the 2022 NFL Draft rolls around. Both Durham Smythe and Mike Gesicki could end up elsewhere in the offseason, and that leaves Miami with some intriguing options in the draft.
Brant Kuithe is a bit undersized, but he fits in very well as a move tight end piece who can operate in the backfield or in the slot. He’s a good route runner who can stretch the seam and make plays after the catch with his quickness and nose for extra yardage.