Miami’s 2024 Draft plan does not include pursuing a first-round quarterback.
The Miami Dolphins hope to land a star in the 2024 NFL Draft after back-to-back seasons without a first-round selection. Miami has obvious needs along the offensive line, defensive line, and in the secondary — each of which could be addressed when on the clock at No. 21.
Chris Grier, the team’s general manager since 2016, met with the media on Tuesday and was asked about his drafting philosophy and whether it’s wise to pursue better talent over the larger need.
“I think the best player available, and again this is probably going back from years when I started to learn under Coach [Bill] Parcells years ago and going through Coach [Pete] Carroll, Nick Saban and stuff,” Grier said. “You always stack your board and you work hard, but your board, obviously early in the draft, will always look kind of how you set it in terms of best player.”
Miami had three first-round picks in 2020 (Tua Tagovailoa, Austin Jackson, Noah Igbinoghene) and two in 2021 (Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips). The Dolphins have six picks this year, but none between No. 55 in the second round and No. 157 in the fifth round.
“When you get into Day Three, the board is being picked apart,” Grier said. “So it’s one of those, and I think sometimes when you get late in the draft, you end up looking for depth or filling holes in your roster.”
Anything is possible in mock draft season, but those involving a first-round quarterback should be dumped. Grier seemed certain that quarterback is one position Miami won’t be chasing on the first night.
“I would say that’s not somewhere I’m looking at in the first round,” Grier said. “It’s not a position that we’ve even talked about. There are some good players, but we’re very happy with Tua and where he is with us. At some point, I wouldn’t say we’re not going to draft a quarterback at any point.
“We took Skylar [Thompson] here in the seventh round years ago. You always look at opportunities for where you can add depth in your roster, so I just think that goes across the board for any position.”
The Dolphins could move around the draft board and Grier’s never shied away from a high-profile trade to gain more picks. That said, unlike years past, it doesn’t seem like a move will be made until the draft begins on April 25.
“Some of those conversations are happening now where teams call,” Grier explained. “So for the most part, if a deal is too good to pass up, you pull the trigger now, because you never know when those opportunities come and go.
“I think we’re open to everything, but also you don’t want to pass on a good player. You always weigh those factors of yeah, it’s great to pick up an extra third, but if that second-round player is someone we believe in like a Jevon Holland or Jarvis Landry in the second round, then you’ll take the player.”