Identifying Ideal 5 Draft Targets for Miami at 51

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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 S (not sold the team is done there considering how Fangio uses his safeties and Miami only has Holland and McKinley as non-box safeties) and should be able to add an impact player with their first pick at 51. Today we look at 5 options and identify how they would fit into the Dolphins schemes. 

Darnell Washington TE Georgia 

Miami being in position to draft Darnell Washington is probably more of a dream than a potential reality which is unfortunate because he is the perfect player for this system. Washington is massive at 6'7 265lbs and yet is still an athletic freak (check out his spider graph via Mockdraftable.com) 


What makes Washington the perfect fit for Miami's offense is his ability to block and set the edge. Much will be made of Washington's size and athletic ability to run up the seam, which is impressive, but he does remind me of Gesicki in his lateral movement which is fine considering we won't be a major focal point of the passing game. Miami needs someone who is going to move people on the line of scrimmage and there isn't a better TE in this draft than Washington at that. If Miami can find a way to move up a little bit to get to Washington, I will be all on board. Tight ends generally take time to adjust to the league but I don't think Washington will have that hard of a transition. IF Miami is truly all in as they say they are, go get Washington. 

Sam LaPorta TE Iowa

One of my personal favorites in this draft, Sam LaPorta is a much more likely option at 51 than Darnell Washington is and while he isn't the physically dominate player that Darnell Washington is from a size standpoint, (see spider chart below), the former wide receiver is a more gifted athlete at the position. 


LaPorta is currently an adequate blocker with room to grow there. LaPorta was okay as a split flow blocker but the upside with him in that role is in the RPO game where LaPorta can take a lot of the flat concepts and turn them into run after catch opportunities that the Dolphins haven't had at tight end since Charles Clay. LaPorta won't be a complete liability in the run game like Mike Gesciki was and is a more well rounded player than any of the tight ends Miami currently has on their roster. I don't think that adding LaPorta would make the impact that adding Washington would but it would allow Miami to play a lot more 12 personnel in which they can max protect to get Waddle and Hill out with enough time to get deep or you can get LaPorta out into the concepts too while Smythe or Saubert stay in to protect. If Washington is gone, LaPorta should be the pick at 51. 

Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama

If Miami is going to add a running back at 51 there is only one option in my mind to do so (Sorry Zach Charbonnet) and that is Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs is an explosive athlete at the position and is a dual threat out of the backfield but the area of concern, and why he might be there at 51, is his size. 

Gibbs would provide Miami another explosive element at running back that only Raheem Mostert has on the roster. He isn't a great pass blocker, he doesn't have the size to gain a lot of yards after contact, but he has the wiggle, receiving ability, and speed to hit these outside zone concepts and take it to the house. Oh and he also provides kick and punt return abilities that the team sorely could use (I know Miami signed Braxton Berrios). 

Matthew Bergeron OT Syracuse

If Miami decides to go the offensive tackle route, Matthew Bergeron seems like the most likely player to be there at 51 than guys like Darnell Wright and Anton Harrison (Who might end up being first round prospects). Bergeron has played both right and left tackle for the orange and hits the prototypical size requirements but isn't the most physically demanding player at the position. 

Bergeron is techincally sound but not the strongest tackle out there. He moves great in the run game which would make him a perfect fit in the outside zone system but, Bergeron has struggled in pass protection. A lot. His hand placement is inconsistent and his drops aren't the most fluid out of his stance. He can get beat with power or speed depending on how quick the opposing rusher can get his hands off Bergeron as Bergeron can miss his strikes at times. Bergeron is a solid option at tackle but I don't think he is going to come in right away and solve all of Miami's problems (Aka Austin Jackson). 

Cody Mauch IOL North Dakota State

Cody Mauch next to Connor Williams and Terron Armstead would be a really solid left side of your line. Cody Mauch played tackle at North Dakota State but will almost certainly move inside to guard at the next level due to his arm length. 
 
Mauch is a smooth mover in the run game and the pass game but like Bergeron can struggle with hand placement. His length can allow defenders to get onto him but his ability to move his feet and mirror help. Mauch is older, already 24, but after a strong senior bowl and pre-draft process, should be an option for Miami on day 2.