These 8 offensive linemen and front seven defenders should be Dolphins' scouting combine focus
If the Dolphins were to draft a center with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the next NFL draft, nobody would be surprised.
So expect general manager Chris Grier and Miami's coaches and scouts to dig deep on such centers as Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon and Graham Barton of Duke at the NFL scouting combine, which starts Monday in Indianapolis.
If the Dolphins were to select a front-seven pass rusher with that 21st overall pick, nobody would be surprised.
So expect Grier and Miami's coaches and scouts to dig deep on such edge rushers as Laiatu Latu of UCLA and defensive linemen like Jer'Zhan Newton of Illinois.
Of course, Grier will want to select the best available player.
But it's no secret that NFL general managers most often select the best available player from one of their current or soon-to-be positions of need.
Center Connor Williams is a pending free agent who will be coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel is a pending free agent. And star edge rushers Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) are rehabbing now.
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will probably be franchise-tagged for the 2024 season if a long-term deal is not reached.
Grier was named Miami's general manager in 2016.
Since then, the positions he's hit on in the first round are: edge rusher (2), offensive tackle (2), safety (2), quarterback, wide receiver, defensive tackle, cornerback.
Edge rusher, offensive tackle and cornerback are the premium draft positions because when good players hit free agency in those areas, the costs are astronomical.
That's why there's a good chance, for example, Grier and Miami may have their choice of centers at Pick 21.
In 2011, Miami picked center/guard Mike Pouncey of Florida at No. 15.
That worked out fairly well.
We've selected four offensive linemen and four front-seven defensive players for the Dolphins to scrutinize and separate on their big board next week.
Here's the skinny:
O-Line for Miami Dolphins at NFL scouting combine
C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
What they're saying: Pro Football Network: "Sports a strong, dense, and well-leveraged frame with great mass. Quick accelerator both laterally and vertically. Nimble, lateral mobility, and stellar range. Elite power producer with a penchant for shocking attack punches and destruction. Can load overwhelming, explosive torque into his punches, which sends linemen lurching. Ability to exert menacing amounts of torque while latched and nullifying stunting rushers. Mauling presence in space with elite competitive physicality and finishing ability."
OT/G Troy Fautanu, Washington
What they're saying: The Ringer: "Fautanu is tall, with a well-built, sturdy frame. He’s a quick, light-footed mover who glides into his pass set effortlessly and mirrors skillfully. He takes good angles... He forcefully punches... He keeps his feet moving... There are times when Fautanu struggles to sustain blocks all the way through the whistle... Fautanu is tough and physical and has a versatile skill set; he has the quick feet and movement skills to play left tackle but the temperament and strength to play at guard."
C Graham Barton, Duke
What they're saying: The Draft Network: "Graham Barton is an instant upgrade at virtually any spot along most NFL offensive lines. A day-one impact starter with consistent all-pro potential. Big-time finisher. Exceptional physical ability. Dominant run blocker. Potentially and schematically versatile. Wins pass reps with conviction. Barton was a really easy prospect to fall in love with. He has a knack for overpowering opponents and displacing defenders with the help of some impressive physical traits. Barton possesses elite physical ability in both his speed/agility and strength. What immediately stands out is his core strength."
OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
What they're saying: Bleacher Report: "Good bulk and thickness... Very strong hands and upper-body strength... Good burst, ease of movement and angles as a lead blocker on screens, climbs and pulls to locate and seal off smaller targets... A three-year starter at left tackle inside Arizona's balanced run-pass split, zone-based run scheme with 37 career starts.... Morgan times the snap well in the run game with good initial quickness out of his stance... Can function on an island... Mediocre range leads to him opening his hips early, creating a soft inside shoulder and clean losses across his face. Overall, Morgan has the frame, build, play strength and physicality to make a smooth transition inside to guard, with the initial quickness and burst to be a high-quality run-blocker."
DL/LB for Miami Dolphins at NFL scouting combine
Edge Laiatu Latu, UCLA
What they're saying: Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network: "Latu has ideal size, quickness and instincts for the position. As a pass rusher, he can win with his quick get-off or a variety of hand moves... Against the run, he's been inconsistent when it comes to setting the edge... His effort is outstanding to chase, against both run and pass. Latu did have serious medical issues while at the University of Washington. Overall, Latu is the most skilled pass rusher in this class and should have an immediate impact at the next level."
Edge Jared Verse, FSU
What they're saying: Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network: "Verse is a rugged, twitched-up edge rusher with a thick/powerful build. At Florida State, he moved around the defensive front... When aligned inside, he relies more on his quickness to work the edge of an offensive guard. Against the rush, he is stout at the point of attack. He closes the back door quickly on runs away from him with great speed and effort. Overall, Verse is not only a productive pass rusher - he's a violent tempo setter for the defense."
Edge/DL Darius Robinson, Missouri
What they're saying: Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network: "Robinson is a big, long and versatile defensive lineman. He lined up all over the Tigers’ defensive front. As a pass rusher, he wins on the edge primarily with a violent push/pull move... He doesn’t have a dynamic first step, but his raw power showed up in every game I studied... He can do a lot of things well, and teams will have different visions for how to best use his abilities."
DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
What they're saying: Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network: "Newton is a slightly undersized defensive tackle with quick and powerful hands. As a pass rusher, he has shock in his mitts to jolt blockers. He mixes up his moves to generate sacks/pressures, routinely employing a violent club/swim and a quick-swipe maneuver... Overall, Newton lacks ideal lower-body flexibility, but he's a very skilled rusher and holds up versus the run.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins at the NFL scouting combine 2024 means these top 8 players
