The NFL Draft - On The Clock, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins

Pick: #8

Top Needs:  CB, OLB (4-3), OG, FS

Top Targets:  Mackensie Alexander, DeForest Buckner, Ronnie Stanley

Off The Board:  

PickTeamPlayer, POSSchoolComments1Tennessee TitansLaremy Tunsil,   OTOle MissA shut down corner to protect franchise QB Marcus Mariota. 2Cleveland BrownsJared Goff, QBCaliforniaThe Browns finally find an answer to stop the QB merry go-round of the last 20 years.3San Diego ChargersJalen Ramsey, DBFlorida StateWhether he plays cornerback or safety, the Chargers get one of the best players in the draft.4Dallas CowboysJoey Bosa, DL Ohio StateThe Cowboys shore up their defensive line, and find QB, LB and DB help later in the draft. 5Jacksonville Jaguars Vernon Hargreaves, CBFloridaThe Jaguars get a shutdown corner in the first round, find solutions in the front seven in free agency and the rest of the draft.6Baltimore RavensMyles Jack, SS/LBUCLAThe Ravens leap to draft an elite defensive talent, and possibly draft a future star.7San Francisco 49ersCarson Wentz,   QBNorth Dakota StateKap forces the teams hand and they take a potential future starting QB to truly start a new era.8Miami Dolphins???

The Dolphins find themselves in a bit of a bind here. DeForest Buckner is still just hanging out there - so this really depends on whether the team re-signs one or both of Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon - they're currently saying they want to which would be a HUGE investment on the defensive line with Suh already there. If that's true, I can't see them focusing there on Buckner, that'd just be ... gross. (In addition, they play a 4-3 base.) 

They really need help at CB but some might argue this is too high of a place to be taking the next best CB on the board, Mackensie Alexander. I don't really subscribe to that school - take your guy unless you're sure you can trade down and still get what you need. Trading down (or up) are easier said than done. A few days ago, I think many would have slotted Jaylon Smith here despite his injury - but recent news suggests he may be out all of 2016, and his career is certainly a bigger question mark. Pass  for now. 

The team also needs help on the offensive line, and OT Ronnie Stanley is still sitting out there. With new HC Adam Gase in his first year, would he prioritize protecting Ryan Tannehill? It's very possible. My guess is that it's a toss-up between him and Alexander. 

THE PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

I gotta say, this is the first pick I'm not crazy about. But it seems to be the biggest need of the team and Alexander has the potential to be a great cover corner. The problem is, it depends on your perspective - in his two years at Clemson he had ... zero interceptions, and just 11 passes defensed. Was that because he wasn't that good? Or did teams just completely avoid his side of the field? 

I have no idea! It definitely would make me nervous - but a strong cornerback is a weapon in todays NFL and if he can take away a side of the field, that's gigantic. He fills a big need for the Dolphins, who can add linebacking help and offensive line help later in the draft, or to some degree in FA (with what little money they have left over.)

Next up, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.