After losing Guard, Robert Hunt and Defensive Tackle to free agency, the Miami Dolphins have two big holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Does one take precedence over the other?
The Miami Dolphins 2024 NFL Draft: Area of Focus
The Dolphins need not just “an offensive lineman”, they need a guard who can move, is agile, and dynamic. Those are some of the attributes that come to mind when one thinks of Robert Hunt. Defensively, they need a fierce, tenacious, and physical player that would match those of Christian Wilkins. There is a plethora of talented defensive tackles in this draft. Conversely, there is not a deep well of offensive guards in this draft class.
Dolphins Go Defense in Round One
While the offensive line has been a work in progress, it seems for almost a decade., factoring in the lack of depth at the guard position in this draft class, the Dolphins must focus on drafting the best defensive lineman available, with pick 21. Who is likely to be available to fill the shoes of Christian Wilkins?
Other Teams in Need of a Defensive Tackle
The Dolphins are not the only team in need of a defensive tackle. The two other teams whose priority need is defensive tackle are the New York Giants (Pick six) and the Indianapolis Colts (Pick 15). Assuming the Giants and Colts take the top two defensive tackle prospects, (based on combine performance) Braden Fiske (Florida State University) would be available for the Dolphins to draft.
Round 1: Pick 21
Should the Giants and Colts forego their priority need for a defensive tackle, the Dolphins could have a chance to draft one of the two top defensive tackle prospects in this draft in Byron Murphy II (Texas) or Jer’Zhan Newton (Illinois). The likelihood is that one of the aforementioned players will be wearing aqua and orange come draft night. It is this writer’s opinion that the Giants and Colts take Murphy II and Newton and the Dolphins keep Fiske in the Sunshine State. If that scenario plays out remains to be seen, but logic and reasoning have factored into this writer’s prediction.
But What About a Guard?
This is not to say the Dolphins do not, at some point in the draft, select a guard; it just will not be in the first (or likely), second rounds. With a little over a month until the draft, Dolphins fans are hoping the Dolphins have a plan to replace two of their most athletic players from last season.
Takeaway
Despite the Dolphins needing a dynamic and agile offensive tackle to replace Robert Hunt, likely, the Dolphins will not draft a guard in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. That means they likely fill another significant need, on the opposite side of the ball and draft a defensive tackle with pick 21, to replace Christian Wilkins. The two top defensive tackles in the draft are Byron Murphy II and Jer’Zhan Newton. However, with the Giants and Colts also having defensive tackle as a priority, the Dolphins likely draft Braden Fiske out of Florida State University.
Main Photo: BILL INGRAM/THE PALM BEACH POST-USA TODAY NETWORK
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