Miami Dolphins should draft a defensive end in the first round
While the Miami Dolphins took a giant step in the right direction in 2016, there are still several positions the team needs to upgrade in order to become a true contender in the AFC and in the NFL as a whole.
The current list of positions that need the most upgrading include linebacker, offensive guard, defensive end, cornerback and defensive tackle. While the need for a starting linebacker may seem like the top priority, the Dolphins would be wise to address the defensive end position with their 22nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft instead of linebacker.
AROUND COVER32
Trivia Blitz Reveal: Find out how you did on Friday’s NFL quiz
Daily Dime: Taking a look at players who were franchised tagged on Monday
NFL Combine: Which five players have the most to prove at the Combine on Tuesday.
Dolphins News: McCain deserves a chance to start for Miami
Follow us on Twitter here
Typically in the draft, the best edge rushers would be off the board before the 22nd overall pick. However, this is one of the most talented class of pass rushers we’ve seen in quite a while so there will be some solid options left for the Dolphins when they make their pick near the end of the first round.
Myles Garrett, Derek Barnett, Taco Charlton, Solomon Thomas, Charles Harris, Takkarist McKinley and Tim Williams are all potential first-round selections which makes it very likely that at least one of them will still be on the board when Miami makes its first pick.
Linebacker, on the other hand, includes a much shorter list of first-round prospects that would fit Miami’s scheme including Reuben Foster, Zach Cunningham and T.J. Watt. It would take nothing short of a miracle for Foster to fall to Miami, and I personally feel you’re getting a more solidified player by selecting one of the previously mentioned edge rushers than either Cunningham or Watt.
With Andre Branch presently a free agent, the current stable of defensive ends for the Dolphins includes Cam Wake, Terrence Fede, Dion Jordan and Nick Williams. If Miami is unable to re-sign Branch, and with what seems to be the inevitable release of Jordan, Miami’s only proven starter is Wake – who will be 35 years old when the 2017 season rolls around.
Another thing that must be considered in regards to the Dolphins’ first-round selection is how free agency shakes out. It’s likely that Miami will address the position of linebacker before the draft, as there are more quality linebacker options in free agency this year than there are edge rushers.
It would be wise for Miami to take care of its need at linebacker with someone like Zach Brown or Dont’a Hightower in free agency, than to overpay pass rushers such as Jabaal Sheard or DeMarcus Ware amongst others.
There were some great free-agent edge rushers available before they were slapped with the franchise tag, including Jason Pierre-Paul and Melvin Ingram, but after not re-signing one of their own in Olivier Vernon last year, it seems very unlikely that the team is looking to pay top dollar for a free-agent pass rusher while they are also looking to get younger at the position.
Since Miami has several needs that can be addressed, and considering the fact that this is a fairly deep draft class, it’s likely that Miami’s top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft will either start or be in line for a quality number of reps; but a game-changing defensive end to pair with Wake is the direction the team should go the night of April 27.
READ MORE: Stills is unlikely to return to Miami next season
The post Miami Dolphins should draft a defensive end in the first round appeared first on Cover32.
