Senior Bowl 2023: 10 Players for Miami Dolphins to scout
The Dolphins head to the upcoming Senior Bowl without a first-round pick, but that doesn't mean there won't be opportunity in late April.
If Miami hadn't been penalized by the NFL for tampering for quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton, it would have held the 21st pick in the next NFL Draft.
We'd be talking about top prospects such as cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (Oregon), Joey Porter (Penn State), Cam Smith (South Carolina) or Kelee Ringo (Georgia), tight end Michael Mayer (Notre Dame), guard O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida) and running back Bijan Robinson (Texas).
Without an unexpected move back into the first round, the Dolphins won't be swimming in those waters.
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The Dolphins would have also held the 29th pick in the next NFL Draft, but they shipped it to Denver in a deal for linebacker Bradley Chubb, who they immediately provided a mega-extension.
This places increased importance on general manager Chris Grier and his scouting staff to hit on one or more of their picks in the second and third round.
The Dolphins hold one pick in the second round and two in third on April 28. Those picks will be in the range of 52nd, 78th and 85th overall, according to Tankathon.
"It’s the same process we’ve always had," Grier said after the season. "It doesn’t matter how many picks we have or what. You have to go through it because you have to be ready for every scenario."
Senior Bowl practices are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Mobile, Alabama, and they're generally considered even more important than the actual game on Saturday.
Some of the players Miami has drafted in the second and third rounds in recent years include:
Outstanding picks
Safety Jevon Holland, guard Robert Hunt, linebacker Jerome Baker, cornerback Xavien Howard, running back Kenyan Drake.
Solid picks
Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, safety Brandon Jones, center Michael Deiter, linebacker Raekwon McMillan.
Too soon to tell
Linebacker Channing Tindall, guard Liam Eichenberg, tight end Hunter Long.
Didn't pan out
Cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, wide receiver Leonte Carroo.
This is an encouraging list, overall.
In the second and third rounds this year, Miami seems likely to strongly assess prospects at running back, cornerback, guard, tight end and linebacker.
Here are 10 players for the Dolphins (and you) to evaluate at Senior Bowl practices:
Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly
Size. Fluidity. Attacks the ball.
Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
Big. Athletic. Versatile.
Iowa CB Riley Moss
Track star. Ball hawk. Former WR.
Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
Long. Physical. Aggressive.
Alabama LB Henry To'oTo'o
Smart. Instinctive. Physical.
*Unfortunately, he has withdrawn from the Senior Bowl, citing an injury.
Alabama TE Cameron Latu
Converted defensive end. Can block and catch.
Alabama G Emil Ekiyor, Jr.
Experienced. Physical. Run impact.
Tulane LB Dorian Williams
Strong. Determined. Productive.
Illinois RB Chase Brown
Explosive. Dynamic. Durable.
Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh
Patience. Burst. Receiving skill.
Joe Schad can be reached at jschad@pbpost.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Senior Bowl 2023 has slew of 2nd- and 3rd-round Dolphins prospects
