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The Miami Dolphins made three picks yesterday in their effort to completely overhaul their roster and get the team ready to be competitive in the AFC East in 2020. So far, so good. But the middle rounds of the NFL Draft are the “money rounds” — hitting in the second and third rounds of the NFL Draft will provide greater returns and value relative to peers across the rest of the league. Teams who can out-draft the league on Day 2 with consistency will find themselves on a fast track to the postseason.
That is the challenge for Miami now. The team secured a franchise quarterback, they secured a scheme fit for the offensive tackle position and went with a “best player available” approach according to their own criteria after trading back. Now is the time to target talent and further plug up spots on the roster that lack the necessary depth of a contender. Will the Dolphins be able to successfully plug up all of those gaps this offseason? No, of course not — Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither will the Dolphins.
But there are some key variables to look for today as the Dolphins look to further establish their footing among the young upstarts in the AFC East.
Here are three bold predictions as to what the Dolphins do next.
Trade up into Day 2 with a fourth pick
The Dolphins own picks 39, 56 & 70 today but will have the luxury of an added 4th-round pick thanks to their trade back with Green Bay. Look for Miami to package Day 3 picks together to jump back into the top-100 for a fourth selection tonight. That is, of course, assuming they keep their ammunition as is with their first three picks in the queue.
Target running back at 39
The Dolphins saw RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire come off the board at 32 to the Chiefs to end the 1st-round last night. With Miami picking again at 39, look for Miami to find their pairing with Jordan Howard quickly today. That is, of course, unless a sliding safety is too temping of a proposition.
Target Louisiana OL Robert Hunt
Hunt is a viable candidate at 39, but ideally he’s around with Miami’s second 2nd-round selection. If Miami feels the heat being turned up, they may look to trade up and secure another rookie piece to their offensive line. Hunt has the power at the point of attack to warrant consideration as an early starter for Miami and the team could use his talents on the right side of the line, which is where he played in college.