Breaking down who the Miami Dolphins could take at number 22
With the NFL Draft kicking off this Thursday night, the Miami Dolphins are looking for a prospect that is going to come in and make an impact right away. Finishing with a 10-6 record last season and being knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Steelers, they want to learn from their mistakes and get them fixed.
There are plenty of different routes the Dolphins could take on draft night this year though. With them being near the bottom of the first round draft order, it may be difficult to decide but they should have plenty of options to pick from based on the available talent in this year’s draft class.
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Forrest Lamp – Offensive Guard – Western Kentucky
With the the Dolphins trading left tackle Branden Albert to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, they will be moving their first rounder from the 2016 NFL Draft Laremy Tunsil from left guard to his natural position of left tackle.
Drafting Forrest Lamp would improve their offensive line immediately. Even though Lamp played at left tackle during his college career, scouts have said he is more of a guard and have compared him to Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin who is one of the league’s’ top offensive lineman.
Providing another big man for Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi and another protector for quarterback Ryan Tannehill will help the offense immensely. Will he be available at number 22? That’s a tough question only because he is one of the top offensive linemen in the draft so he may be taken earlier but if he isn’t, Miami should take it into consideration in drafting Lamp.
T.J. Watt – Linebacker – Wisconsin
If the Dolphins can get their hands on a playmaking linebacker to go along with Kiko Alonso it will likely end up being T.J. Watt, the youngest brother of Houston Texans star player J.J. Watt and Los Angeles Chargers fullback Derek Watt.
Just being related to J.J. Watt who is in the conversation as the best current defensive player in the league will get you looked at. One thing to know about T.J. is that he doesn’t let his last name distract you from what he is capable of.
Getting a player that is explosive and is in constant look for the ball, he would definitely cause trouble for opposing quarterbacks and running backs. He’s not considered one of the top prospects in the draft, but he will provide size, strength and determination just like his brother J.J. When Miami is on the clock, Watt is more than likely to still be available so if Miami wants to improve their defense they should take another look at T.J. Watt.
John Ross – Wide Receiver – Washington
Why would the Miami Dolphins take a wide receiver when they already have an excellent receiving core in Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and newly acquired tight end Julius Thomas? The real question is why not add another receiver that can disrupt secondaries like the Dolphins receivers already do? Especially a receiver that now owns the record for the fastest 40 yard-dash time at 4.22.
Look at the Atlanta Falcons from last year when they had one of the most dangerous passing offenses in the league if not the best. If you give a quarterback plenty of targets, he’ll have more opportunities to make plays like Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan did last season.
On another note, adding another receiver will make secondaries add more coverage which could open up the field for Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi. Ajayi showed us all what he can do when he gets in the open field. Imagine having more coverage on the receivers and forgetting about Ajayi.
Even if defenses can stop Ajayi, they are still going to have to stop a threatening wide out group. Jarvis Landry who we already know is dangerous alone. DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills are reliable options once Landry is covered. Julius Thomas is going to be a big target for Tannehill and as long as he stays healthy, he can open the field. With the possible addition of John Ross, they would add a fast receiver who can be a quick in-and-out option but who could also blow past defenders and become a vertical threat.
READ MORE: Miami may have gotten steal in trade for tight end Thomas
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