The day has finally arrived, as, what’s the equivalent of Christmas morning to many football fans, the NFL draft kicks off Thursday night from Las Vegas, Nevada.
At the moment, prior to potential trades, all but eight teams are preparing for their first-round selection. However, the Miami Dolphins are one of three teams to not have a pick in the first two rounds. That’s because Dolphins general manager Chris Grier made a savvy trade to acquire wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs last month.
Miami added the six-time Pro Bowler and sent both pick No. 29 and No. 50 to Kansas City. Miami also threw in a 2022 fourth-round pick as well as 2023 fourth-round and sixth-round picks to land Hill.
The last time Miami was without their two opening-round picks, was following the blockbuster Ricky Williams deal in 2002. So, while there’s a likely wait until the third round this year, Dolphins fans are wondering about the play from Grier. The choices are either to stay put at pick No. 102 or move around the board, something Grier has done in some form early in the process in the last three drafts.
Looking at inside linebackers, interior offensive linemen and running backs as main areas of need, Grier has selected very productive players in his Miami draft history since 2016. Sure, some may not be Dolphins currently, but, historically, Grier has had more hits than misses in terms of finding NFL-ready talent.
Dolphins fans have shown patience in many ways and the first 101 picks will be no different. The advice for today is simply a re-iteration of what Grier suggested to reporters last week – “watch Tyreek Hill highlights.”
It’s the first draft in which Miami doesn’t pick in the top-100, so in a group of prospects where there’s decent depth rather than top-end star power, there are gems waiting to be called by Grier and the Dolphins. These are some names in positions of need to keep an eye on as the draft moves towards Miami’s first pick.