Who do the latest mock drafts have the Miami Dolphins taking in the 2024 NFL Draft?
We're a week out from the 2024 NFL Draft, and the latest NFL mock drafts are narrowing down the Miami Dolphins' targeted prospects.
The Dolphins have the No. 21 pick and could use help on both the offensive and defensive lines. Miami knows this could be the last season for Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead, but their priority should be finding a stalwart at guard or center to help him protect Tua Tagovailoa and lead the charge for De'Von Achane and the run game. At the same time, the loss of Christian Wilkins and Emmanuel Ogbah, plus the lingering injuries to Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, means filling out the defensive front is also high on the to-do list.
Here's what NFL experts predict the Dolphins will do with their first pick in their most recent mock drafts:
Joe Schad's latest mock draft: Who will the Dolphins pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft?
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Chop Robinson, Penn State defensive end
"The need for depth off the edge was never more clear than late last year for the Dolphins, who may need some help while Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips work their way back."
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: Jared Verse, FSU defensive end
"At this point, Verse could come off the board at various junctures of the top 25, and I wouldn't be surprised. In a relatively down year for D-line prospects, Verse does a lot of things well. Versatile and experienced, he lined up everywhere for the Seminoles as a productive game wrecker. The Dolphins' D lost two big pieces up front in free agency: Christian Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel."
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois defensive tackle
"Trading back would afford some flexibility for GM Chris Grier, who currently faces a gap of more than 100 picks between his second-round selection and his next choice in the fifth round. Newton is no one-for-one replacement for Christian Wilkins, but his disruptiveness would come in handy for a Dolphins defense in transition."
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: Cooper DeJean, Iowa cornerback
"A fast, versatile playmaker on the defensive side in Miami. Nice addition here."
Dan Parr, NFL.com: Jared Verse
"Landing Verse at No. 21 could be one of the draft’s biggest steals. With Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb recovering from injuries and Andrew Van Ginkel departing this offseason, the Dolphins are thrilled to find a safe edge rusher with big-time power still waiting to hear his name called."
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: Jared Verse
In a tandem mock draft with Field Yates, Kiper had the Dolphins taking Verse: "I would have gone with (Duke guard Graham) Barton if he were available, but Verse is a stellar backup plan for Miami. He is a balanced pass-rusher who can set the edge in the run game."
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Graham Barton, Duke offensive lineman
"Graham Barton has positional flexibility. The franchise signed Aaron Brewer in free agency so Barton can slot in at guard to replace Robert Hunt, who signed a lucrative free agent contract with Carolina."
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com: Jer'Zhan Newton
"Free-agent departure Christian Wilkins leaves enormous shoes to fill in Miami, especially considering his rare endurance for a DT, having logged more than 80 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps in each of the past two seasons. In related news, Newton barely came off the field over his last two spectacular seasons at Illinois."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Jer'Zhan Newton
"They lost Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free agency, so why not add to the room with a smallish but quick inside player? They signed some veterans to help, but Johnny Newton can be a long-time starter inside."
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports: Graham Barton
"This is one of my favorite fits in the draft. Barton’s movement skills and hand usage make him a menace in the zone run game. He’d slide in at guard on Miami’s offensive line, despite playing tackle for Duke the last three seasons."
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Laiatu Latu, UCLA defensive end
"The Dolphins weren’t scared off by Jaelan Phillips’ injury past, and I don’t think they will shy away from Latu’s either. With Bradley Chubb and Phillips working their way back from injury, Latu and his savvy pass-rush skills can contribute immediately in Miami."
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports: Jared Verse
"Despite already having Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips -- albeit coming off major injuries -- the Dolphins continue stocking the defensive line with Jared Verse, who is too talented to pass up here."
Kyle Dvorchak, NBC Sports: Graham Barton
"Per usual, protecting Tua Tagovailoa has to be a top priority for the Dolphins this offseason. Tua posted elite efficiency numbers in 2023 but still didn’t look comfortable out of structure. The best way to avoid that is to bolster his line, preventing the structure from breaking down in the first place. Barton started his collegiate career as a center but quickly moved to and found success at tackle. If the draft breaks this way, the Dolphins could draft Barton as a center and deploy free agent addition Aaron Brewer at either guard spot."
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon offensive lineman
"Yes, the Dolphins signed C Aaron Brewer in free agency, but Jackson Powers-Johnson is dominant and should be a Day 1 starter in Miami."
Miami Dolphins draft picks 2024
Here are the picks held by the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 NFL Draft:
Round 1, pick 21
Round 2, pick 23 (55 overall)
Round 5, pick 23 (158 overall)
Round 6, pick 8 (184 overall)
Round 6, pick 22 (198 overall)
Round 7, pick 21 (241 overall)
When is the NFL Draft? Location and dates, how to watch
Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
Round 1: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25
Rounds 2-3: 7 p.m. Friday, April 26
Rounds 4-7: Noon Saturday, April 27
TV: ABC, ESPN (Channel 206 on DirecTV, Channel 140 on Dish), NFL Network (Channel 212 on DirecTV, Channel 154 on Dish)
Streaming: NFL+, ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)
The 2024 NFL Draft will begin Thursday, April 25 and run through Saturday, April 27 in Detroit, Michigan. The draft will air on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network. Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial for potential subscribers.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: NFL mock draft 2024: Dolphins pick predictions in first round
