Getty Images
With the trade of Mike Wallace to the Minnesota Vikings, the Miami Dolphins are in a very interesting position when it comes to the NFL Draft. The Dolphins hold the 14th pick in the first round and have a number of holes to fill, but which one will take priority? Considering the fact that the Dolphins don’t have a true No. 1 receiver, Miami might feel obliged to take a receiver in the first round, especially if a top-flight talent like DeVante Parker is still on the board.
Conversely, there is a number of other needs that should take priority over receiver. If players like cornerback Trae Waynes and safety Landon Collins remain on the board, the Dolphins would be poised to take either one of them and address a glaring need on the defensive side of the ball.
Another need is at the guard position. LSU’s La’el Collins will be on the board when the 14th pick rolls around, but that would be a bit of a reach on an interior lineman. Still, if Collins grades well and the Dolphins are enamored with him, few could argue that there would be a better use of the pick.
That said, I believe the Dolphins should, and will trade down from the 14th pick. Middle linebacker and guard are the two most pressing positional needs for the team at this point, and with a number of teams in the late first round looking to move up, it would make send for Miami to make a deal and begin stockpiling additional early to middle-round picks where the Dolphins’ needs could be addressed.
For instance, consider the possibility of Miami drafting a linebacker like Eric Kendricks, Bernardrick McKinney or Denzel Perryman late in the first round, and adding a guard like Laken Tomlinson or Arie Kouandjio with a second-round pick. This scenario would address the top two needs and immediately turn two liabilities into strengths, making the Dolphins a better team from top to bottom.
It might not be the most popular route, though it’s definitely a smart one.
