Fan Mock Draft: Whom should the Dolphins select No. 19 overall?
It’s draft time! We’ve had our experts tell you who will be drafted where, but now it’s time for you to throw on your GM cap and decide for yourself. Each day we will present an argument for each player and why the respective team should pick him. Then, it’s up to you. You make the pick. The next day, we will compile the results and you can see who is off the board. Disagree with all of the options? Be sure to write in your pick below in the comments section. OK, let’s get into it. The Miami Dolphins are on the clock.
The Dolphins offensive line was an atrocity last season.
With the Incognito-Martin mess out of Miami, the Dolphins made a splash in free agency by signing offensive tackle Branden Albert and offensive guard Shelley Smith. Center Mike Pouncey is revered as one of the best in the game, but the right side of the line could use some upgrades. With the four top offensive tackles off the board, the Dolphins must determine if the next tier of options are worthy of their first-round pick.
While using a pick on an offensive lineman is clearly justified, there are some tantalizing options. The way this board shakes out could have general manager Dennis Hickey consider making a splash on draft day to inject some life into the fan base. So, who should the Dolphins select with the No. 19 overall pick?
1. Houston Texans select South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney
2. St. Louis Rams select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins
3. Jacksonville Jaguars select Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles
4. Cleveland Browns select Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel
5. Oakland Raiders select Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack
6. Atlanta Falcons select Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans
8. Minnesota Vikings select Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr
9. Buffalo Bills select Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews
10. Detroit Lions select UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr
11. Tennessee Titans select Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
12. New York Giants select Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald
13. St. Louis Rams select Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan
14. Chicago Bears select Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert
16. Dallas Cowboys select Auburn defensive end Dee Ford
17. Baltimore Ravens select Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin
18. New York Jets select North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron
Alabama OT Cyrus Kouandjio
Let’s face it, the Dolphins need a right tackle. Kouandjio was voted a first-team All American and a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy. The knock on the 6-foot-7, 322-pound mountain of a man is several teams failed him on his physical because of an arthritic knee from failed surgery. Since then, Dr. James Andrews sent a medical update to every NFL team to quell the report.
Virginia OT Morgan Moses
The 6-foot-6, 314-pound tackle has outstanding size and strength. While he logged 43 starts during his days at Virginia, some draft analysts have noted that he’s a developmental project.
UCLA OG Xavier Su’a-Filo
It’s certainly not the sexy pick, but this could help fortify the interior of their offensive line for the next decade. Put Su’a-Filo alongside Pouncey and you have a 1-2 combo that will make opposing defensive tackles nervous.
Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard
The Dolphins re-signed Brent Grimes and picked up Cortland Finnegan this offseason. Dennard has clearly fallen down the draft and the Dolphins could add a very physical cornerback to their secondary. While they have Jamar Taylor and Will Davis on the roster, Dennard has the accolades to back up his success on the field as he was a unanimous first-team All American and was the Jim Thorpe Award winner.
Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks
Mike Wallace is the deep threat. Brian Hartline is as sure-handed as they come over the middle. Add Cooks to the mix and this wide receiving corps is explosive. Since he was named an All-American and the Biletnikoff Award winner, teams have taken notice of the 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver. Cooks blew scouts away by running a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, but what’s more is he’s a precise route runner. His production can’t be discounted: 128 receptions for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns during his junior year.
