The Miami Dolphins headed into this year’s NFL draft needing to add depth across the board throughout their roster. Most importantly, they needed a starter for the offensive line who could step in and play day one. Secondly, it was imperative for Miami to find a reliable replacement for the cornerback role that was left open after Brent Grimes left for Tampa Bay during free agency. Within all the moving parts involved in the draft, it was Dolphins general manager Chris Grier’s job to make sure these needs were adequately fulfilled for his team. Without further ado, here were their selections:
1st Round, 13th Overall: Laremy Tunsil – OT – Ole Miss
2nd Round, 38th Overall: Xavien Howard – CB – Baylor
3rd Round, 73rd Overall: Kenyan Drake – RB – Alabama
3rd Round, 86th Overall: Leonte Carroo – WR – Rutgers
6th Round, 186th Overall: Jakeem Grant – WR – Texas Tech
6th Round, 204th Overall: Jordan Lucas – S – Penn State
7th Round, 223rd Overall: Brandon Doughty – QB – Western Kentucky
7th Round, 231st Overall: Thomas Duarte – WR – UCLA
Dolphins’ 2016 Draft Grade: 7.5/10
Miami Dolphins 2016 NFL Draft Review
The Best Player: The most talented player selected in this year’s draft by the Dolphins is Laremy Tunsil. On the field he is a bona fide dancing bear with explosive, powerful hands. His only red flags came from off-the-field issues; most notably, the night he was drafted by Miami, when his twitter account was hacked and a video was uploaded of Tunsil smoking out of a gas mask. This all happened just minutes before the first pick was announced last Thursday night. Obviously, Tunsil’s draft stock fell even further, leaving him outside of the top ten. Tunsil went to Miami at pick 13, when he was widely considered to be the most NFL ready player in the draft. Nonetheless, the Dolphins have allowed the most quarterback sacks in the entire league since 2012, and they believe Tunsil will prove to be well worth the risk.
The Head-Scratcher: The head-scratcher during the draft for the Dolphins was their selection of Leonte Carroo in the third round. Miami decided to pull the trigger on a trade with Minnesota, giving up third- and fourth-round picks in next year’s draft (2017) to acquire the 86th overall pick this year. Carroo profiles as someone who could be a legitimate middle of the field threat for the Dolphins, but Miami is loaded with young, talented receivers so it will be interesting to see how things shake out in training camp.
The Surprise: Xavien Howard was the biggest surprise this year for the Dolphins. They gave up their own second-round pick and their fourth-round pick just to move up four spots to take Howard. They must’ve heard murmurs around the league about a team or two that might be in front of Miami wanting to take Howard. With how high he was on their board, the Dolphins felt inclined to give up the additional asset to move up. Howard is a rare breed on the field, though, and could be a Pro Bowler down the road. His closest comparisons drawn throughout the draft process include Patrick Peterson and Darrelle Revis. Miami is hoping he lives up to those expectations all the way.
The Steal: Getting Tunsil was a steal, but let’s take him out of the equation here and spotlight another pick. Jordan Lucas, the safety from Penn State, could prove to be one of 2016’s biggest steals for the Dolphins. He was a three-year starter and team captain for the Nittany Lions. Lucas is 6’0”, 200 pounds and could easily play multiple positions with his size and versatility. He has 4.4 40-yard dash speed and profiles as someone who could defend the slot for Miami at a high level for years to come.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Jakeem Grant, a wide receiver from Texas Tech, is the most likely to turn heads during the preseason. Grant is very shifty in space, and could be a very dynamic return man in the NFL from day one. However, he stands only 5’6” and weighs in at 165 pounds. Not quite the ideal size for a receiver at the pro level, but we have learned over the years that players like Dante Hall (5’8”) and Darren Sproles (5’6”) definitely have a place in the league. Grant profiles as such for his future with the Dolphins.
The Rest: Kenyan Drake, a running back from Alabama, was the Dolphins first selection in the third round. He should compete for first-string carries right away in training camp. The hole left by Lamar Miller leaving for the Texans shouldn’t be so glaring now. Brandon Doughty was a very prolific collegiate quarterback at Western Kentucky, having thrown for at least 48 touchdown passes in back to back years, and even throwing for over 5,000 yards his senior year. He will provide quarterback depth behind Ryan Tannehill for Miami. Thomas Duarte was the last pick for the Dolphins in this year’s draft. Duarte is a 6’2”, 230-pound receiver who might end up making the move to tight end if he can put on a little more muscle and prove himself in Miami’s blocking scheme. If he does make the switch, Duarte’s career would have more upside and could resemble that of Washington tight end Jordan Reed.
The Bottom Line: At the end of the day, the Dolphins made several smart moves during the 2016 draft. They may have some explaining to do down the line if Tunsil and Howard don’t pan out in the NFL. However, with those players’ skillsets and talent levels on the field, there’s also a chance here that Miami just got a whole lot better on both sides of the football.
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