Kelly: Dolphins Left Glaring Roster Holes Heading into NFL Draft

Chris Grier has a longstanding philosophy of patching holes in his roster and eliminating positions of need before the NFL draft so he can take the best available player approach when on the clock.

But this offseason, because of a few expensive additions made the past two years that cost Miami draft picks and created some cap constraints, the Dolphins have limited resources to use to enhance the roster.

Outside of trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and signing linebacker David Long Jr to a respectable two-year, $10 million contract, the Dolphins were bargain shoppers during free agency.

That approach forces Grier, who is in his eighth offseason as the Dolphins' general manager, to enter this 2023 NFL draft with some glaring needs.

Here is a breakdown of the Dolphins’ top five positions of need, and a look at the competition they have to fill them with the team’s four draft picks (No. 51, 84, 197 and 238) .

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Miami’s biggest need is to find a starting right tackle who can protect left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side. Nobody is certain that player presently is on the roster considering how much Austin Jackson, a 2020 first-round pick, has struggled in his first three seasons. Injuries limited his participation last season, but he's struggled plenty the past three seasons.

The Dolphins have players on the roster who could fill in as a starting tackle, but if something serious happened to Terron Armstead, the Pro Bowl left tackle, the season might be over because the O-line's collapse would be inevitable. That’s why adding a potential starter, someone who could play on both sides of the line, should be the team’s top priority for the remainder of the offseason.

The Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Colts, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Packers, Falcons, 49ers and Rams all need offensive tackle help, and plenty of these teams will select one before Miami’s on the clock with pick No. 51 in the second round. It’s a good thing this draft features a couple of supersized right tackle options who could be available in the middle rounds.

TIGHT END

The Dolphins signed Durham Smythe to an extension that added two extra years to his contract, which gives him assurances whoever Miami adds in the draft won’t be a threat to his role as the in-line starting tight end. That's beneficial because it encourages Smythe to be a good mentor.

Miami also added Eric Saubert, a journeyman free agent, this offseason for $1.7 million, $500,000 of which was guaranteed, and intend to groom Tanner Conner, a converted tight end they stashed on the 53-man roster all last season.

Considering this is one of the deepest positions in the 2023 NFL draft, don’t be surprised if Miami selects one of the six upper-echelon talents — Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave or South Dakota’s Tucker Kraft — on the second day.

However, there’s a ton of competition for these tight ends considering the Bengals, Jaguars, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints also have this position among their top five needs. Expect a second-day run on that position, so waiting till pick No. 84 could be risky.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Dolphins could be resetting their entire defensive line next offseason since every player on the front line but Emmanuel Ogbah is playing on the final year of their existing deal. And even Ogbah’s $15.8 million salary is voidable in 2024.

Considering 3-4 ends are easier to find and groom than nose tackles, it would be ideal for Miami to find a backup to Raekwon Davis this season, especially since John Jenkins left as a free agent and signed with the Raiders.

The Patriots, Ravens, Browns, Jaguars, Broncos, Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Bears, Saints and Cardinals are all in search of athletic 300-pounders who can plug running lanes.

Coastal Carolina's Jerrod Clark, Michigan's Mazi Smith, Baylor's Saiki Ika, Texas' Keondre Coburn, Penn State's P.J. Mustipher and Western Kentucky's Brodric Martin fit the mold of what the Dolphins are looking for, and none of them are likely to be around when Miami is on the board in the sixth round (pick 197).

OFFENSIVE GUARD

Robert Hunt has been one of Grier’s better selections during his tenure as general manager, but he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, which means he’ll become expensive in 2024.

Miami signed veteran Dan Feeney as insurance for Liam Eichenberg, a 2021 second-round pick who has struggled in his first two seasons. Robert Jones is a young offensive guard the Dolphins have spent the past two seasons grooming, and he could be ready for a breakout season. He’ll likely be given a chance to compete for a starting role this summer.

Taking a guard early likely would mean a top 50 prospect they expected to be taken earlier fell into the second day, or they selected the best available player in the second round. Keep in mind Miami prefers its offensive linemen to be athletic and have movement skills because of the wide zone scheme they run.

Those types of athletic offensive linemen won’t be easy to find, and the Bills, Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Broncos, Raiders, Giants, Commanders, Bears, Falcons, Buccaneers, 49ers, Seahawks and Rams all need to replenish their guard depth, if not find a starter.

SAFETY

Because Brandon Jones will be 10 months into the rehabilitation of his torn ACL in August, and playing in the final year of his rookie deal, the Dolphins need to find someone who can compete for the starting spot opposite Jevon Holland. While Miami signed veteran DeShon Elliott, who has started 35 games in the past four seasons, to a one-year deal worth $1.7 million this offseason, the fact he’s on his third team in five seasons isn’t comforting.

It would benefit Miami to find a safety who could work in the box, close the line of scrimmage, but still possess the ability to defend a tight end one-on-one since Eric Rowe is no longer around. It's a good thing strong safeties typically get selected late because it means the Dolphins could address this need in the later rounds, or with a veteran free agent, or a waiver wire claim.

The Browns, Jaguars, Chiefs, Raiders, Eagles, Lions, Vikings and 49ers are the other teams likely shopping around for safety help. There are roughly 30-35 draft-eligible safeties who can make an NFL roster the way Verone McKinley III did last season, so the Dolphins shouldn’t be pressed about selecting one, but reinforcements are needed, and a safety might be a great value pick at 51 if a top 30 prospect is still available.