With the NFL Draft just over three weeks away, the Dolphins should be finalizing their board but what should that board look like? While the team doesn't have a lot of draft capital (only 4 picks) they can look to add some impact players, especially on day two. The Dolphins have needs at TE, RT, LG, RB, and potentially S and they have a chance to find an impact player as a rookie at pick 84 in the third round. (Click here for 5 targets for Miami at pick 51)
Zach Charbonnet RB UCLA
Zach Charbonnet is a much different running back compared to Jahmyr Gibbs who we talked about in our post about pick 51. Charbonnet isn't as explosive as Gibbs but he more than makes up for it with his size and power.
Charbonnet is a well rounded back. While his 4.53 40 yard dash isn't as nice as a Gibbs, Charbonnet is more than explosive enough to hit the hole and break off a long run with the big difference between him and Gibbs being that he can run through a defender on his way to doing so. Charbonnet also sticks his nose into pass protection while also being serviceable as a receiver out of the backfield, just don't expect him to be super dynamic there. Charbonnet will need to work on his vision hitting inside zone and focus on getting his pad level down a bit but overall, Charbonnet is a very solid running back who would be an upgrade over Jeff Wilson and his role in the offense.
Sydney Brown SAF Illinois
Outside of Luke Musgrave, no player probably had a better Senior Bowl week than Sydney Brown. Brown is a versatile, explosive athlete who could fit in nicely to the Vic Fangio defense.
There are several reasons why Brown would be a great fit for Miami. First, in the Fangio defense, the safeties are the play makers and while we all love Jevon Holland, there are questions at the over safety spots. Brandon Jones is coming off an ACL and is at his best down low, DeShon Elliot is at his best in the box also, and Veron McKinley is a UDFA who got some meaningful snaps last year due to injury. That's it for the safety room unless Trill Williams moves there. Brown would give Miami not only insurance this year at safety but Miami is also going to have to make some tough decisions on guys like Brandon Jones' contract next off-season. Brown recorded 6 interceptions this year and showed at the Senior Bowl his ability to play deep or man'd up in the slot. Brown would be a fine addition to the Dolphins' secondary.
Daiyan Henley LB Washington State
While Miami did sign David Long this off-season to a two year deal, Daiyan Henley is a former safety turned linebacker with excellent athleticism and decent size to go with that athleticism.
While linebacker is not a major need for the Dolphins anymore, Daiyan Henley might be too good to pass up at 84. Henley is still learning the position as a former safety but his coverage ability and sideline to sideline pursuit would be exceptional in this Dolphins defense. This would be more of a BPA pick than picking for need.
Israel Abanikanda RB Pittsburgh
Another potential target at running back is Pittburgh's Israel Abanikanda, an explosive athlete who at his pro day he jumped 41" in the vert, 10'8" in the broad, and ran mid 4.3s(u) in the 40.
Adanikanda would be a perfect scheme fit for Miami but there is a reason he will be around in the third round. For as explosive Adanikanda is for his size (5'10, 216lbs) he can be brought down by the first defender with ease and there isn't a lot of creativity with how he gains his yards. BUT, Adanikanda's ability to make the hard cut on outside zone and his ability to accelerate from the jump make him perfect for Mike McDaniel's scheme as a potential running mate/future replacement for Raheem Mostert.
Brenton Strange TE Penn State
Back to the well of Penn State tight ends? Maybe. Brenton Strange is starting to rise up draft boards as a potential late day 2 early day 3 prospect who has solid size and good athleticism.
Unlike Mike Gesicki, Brenton Strange is a solid blocker. Like almost all of the tight ends not named Darnell Washington, there are some things that Strange is going to have to improve in the blocking game, particularly hand placement and leverage (anyone else notice how short all of the top tight ends arms are?) but if you turn on the tape, Strange is holding his own on the line of scrimmage and opening lanes for his backs to run through. As a receiver Strange was under-utilized and underdeveloped in his route running but you can see the raw ability to be a solid yards after catch guy. If Miami gets to a point in the second where they go a a direction other than tight end, Strange should be the target in round 3.