The Miami Dolphins are gearing up for the NFL Draft, and they have plenty on their plate as they strategize their next moves. One major priority?
Bolstering the protection around their quarterback. With some shaky depth on both offense and defense, Miami is working overtime to patch up some significant gaps.
Rumors are swirling around a potential trade involving cornerback Jalen Ramsey, which could create another major void for the team.
Despite these concerns, the conversation around Miami’s draft strategy is buzzing with possibilities. There’s chatter that even though Miami’s thin at cornerback, lacks solid starters at safety, and has question marks on the offensive line, their top draft focus should be on finding a replacement for Terron Armstead. While Patrick Paul, who was picked up last year, is waiting in the wings to fill Armstead’s shoes, the need for a proven anchor on the offensive line is pressing.
However, the Dolphins are also a hot contender for a big move on Day 1 of the draft. There’s a particular trade scenario that could be a game-changer for Chris Grier and the Dolphins. In a mock draft analysis, Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated laid out a realistic trade scenario where Miami might drop back a few spots in the draft order with the Arizona Cardinals.
This trade would see Arizona snagging LSU’s standout offensive lineman, Will Campbell, with the 13th pick. While Miami could certainly use a player of Campbell’s caliber, they’d still have access to quality choices further down the draft line. Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, a prime target for the Dolphins, went off the board at pick 11.
In exchange, Miami would receive Arizona’s first-round pick at 16, their fourth-round pick at 115, plus the 225th pick in the seventh round. This would give the Dolphins consecutive selections in both the fourth and seventh rounds, a sweet spot for adding depth and options.
At the 16th pick, the analysis predicts Miami would select Kelvin Banks Jr., the top offensive tackle from Texas. Banks would be an immediate boost to their interior line while having the versatility to move outside if required. With Austin Jackson’s future uncertain and potential questions over Patrick Paul’s readiness, Banks could be the lynchpin of Miami’s line for years to come.
This move would not only give Chris Grier more leeway in navigating the rest of the draft but also stockpile more draft capital for further maneuvering. He’s mentioned before that he’s ready to trade up to snag a special talent if the opportunity presents itself. So, if this scenario unfolds, Dolphins fans might have a lot to be excited about come draft day.
