NFL Draft Notebook: Miami Dolphins address lines of scrimmage in 7-round mock draft

In this edition of NFL Draft Notebook, we look at how the Miami Dolphins could add a couple of difference-makers despite only having two picks in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft. These playmakers will likely be on the line of scrimmage as the team needs to upgrade both the defensive and offensive line.

In addition to previewing what the Miami Dolphins may do in the 2024 NFL Draft this week’s article also highlights what the Dallas Cowboys could do at the running back spot, talk about a legacy pick for the Denver Broncos, and much more.

Miami Dolphins Mock Draft

The Dolphins had some significant losses on the defensive line with Christian Wilkins signing with the Las Vegas Raiders and in a cap-saving move releasing Emmanuel Ogbah. Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton should be able to play defensive end in the Dolphin's 3-4 defense due to his explosiveness off the ball and impressive strength.

A position widely predicted to be taken with the Dolphins' first-round pick is offensive guard, but Miami will likely find better value at this position in the second round. UConn’s Christian Haynes should be able to improve the Dolphins 31st ranked pass-blocking unit having just allowed 12 pressures last season.

The Dolphins need to add depth behind Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer. Maryland’s Beau Brade is an aggressive run defender who should also be a standout cover man on special teams.

Another area Miami will likely look to add depth at late in the 2024 NFL Draft is wide receiver. Texas A&M’s Ainias Smith is an explosive wide receiver who would be a natural fit in Mike McDaniel’s offense. Last season, Smith averaged 15 yards per reception and also was a dangerous return man finishing seventh in the FBS with a 14.3 average.

"He’s a unique player, a unique competitor, and I love him to death."

-  Jimbo Fisher on Ainias Smith

While the Dolphins have two explosive runners in Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane, both have some concerns. Mostert is 32 years old and will likely soon start to lose some of his explosiveness. Achane had a good rookie season when healthy, but injuries will likely always be a concern with him. Louisville’s Jawhar Jordan is another playmaking running back who has the hands to help out in the passing game.

With their last pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dolphins add one of the most productive pass rushers in college football. Last season, Green was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year after setting the conference record with 15.5 sacks in just nine games. He should be able to give Miami some much needed depth at the outside linebacker spot which they need with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips coming off significant leg injuries.

NFL Draft news and notes

UNI defensive tackle getting plenty of interest: Last week ago, I named UNI defensive tackle Khristian Boyd to my All-Underrated team and he is seeing his share of NFL interest. According to Bleacher Reports Ryan Fowler he has 11 visits set up so far. This makes it very likely Boyd will hear his name called on draft day as does his 38 reps on the bench press he posted at Northern Iowa’s Pro Day. I currently have a fifth-round grade on Boyd and have him rated as one of my top small-school players in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Cowboys address running back: It is starting to look more and more like the Cowboys will be addressing the running back position in the 2024 NFL Draft, after losing Tony Pollard in free agency and not signing any starting quality running backs. A player they have show a strong interest in is Texas’s Jonathon Brooks. The team met with him at the NFL Combine and sent offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to meet with him at his pro day, Brooks is coming off an impressive season that saw him rush for 1,139 yards in just ten games before tearing his ACL.

Legacy continues: One of the top wide receivers in Denver Broncos history is Ed McCaffrey who spent eight years with the team and was named to the Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team. Denver is now looking at his son Luke McCaffery and are bringing him in for a visit. Luke is wide receiver who shows impressive quickness and is a big threat to pick up yards after the catch. Also, like his dad he excels at catching the ball in traffic showing both the contraction and strong hands to come away with the tough catch. I currently have a fourth-round grade on him and could see Denver using one of their four picks in the fourth or fifth round to take him.

How high would have Shedeur Sanders gone: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders made news last week when he said his son and Buffalo quarterback Shedeur Sanders would have been the second quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. I have a hard time seeing this and think North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels easily would have been drafted ahead of him. Instead, I likely would have given him more of a mid-first or second-round grade. The reason for this is he has good arm strength and shows impressive accuercey when not under pressure. However, to be a top-five pick he will need to improve his pocket awareness and go through his reads quicker.

"He wouldn’t have been the first quarterback off the board. I think he had the ability but he probably would have been the second quarterback off the board."

- Deion Sanders on Shedeur Sanders

NFL Draft stats of the week

150: More than 150 NFL employees attended the Michigan Pro Day, which makes it one of the most well-attended pro days in NFL history.

3: Stanford kicker Joshua Karty connected on all three of his field goals from over 60 yards at his pro day. Overall, he went an impressive 11 of 13 on the day.

4: Montana wide receiver Junior Bergan might be the top return man in the 2025 NFL Draft. Last season he returned a total of 4 kicks for touchdowns including 3 punt returns and one kickoff.

85: Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo set a Hurricane record with 85 receptions last year. He enters the 2024 season as one of the top wide receivers in college football.