It would be nearly impossible for the Miami Dolphins to make a wrong decision with their second-round pick in this year’s NFL draft. Yes, nearly impossible.
This offseason, the Dolphins have done such as good job filling needs in areas such as backup quarterback, running back and tight end that they don’t have any glaring needs entering the draft.
That means the Dolphins have the luxury of taking the so-called BPA (Best Player Available), as opposed to filling a need, when they make their first selection at pick No. 51 in Friday’s second round.
You know their recent history of good luck with second-rounders, so as long as the Dolphins don’t select someone with, say, sixth-round talent or select a punter, they almost can’t miss.
Yeah, they could always select the wrong player. So technically, yes, it’s possible to screw this thing up. But I’ll refer you back to their recent second-round pick history. It’s pretty darn good. And they could use help at a variety of positions, so it’d be tough for them to swing and miss.
I’m not saying the second-round pick will be a Hall of Famer, Pro Bowl selection or even an immediate starter. But I’m betting he’ll be a quality player and make a meaningful contribution as a rookie.
The Dolphins are in such a good situation because of the offseason work put in by general manager Chris Grier and the front office. They already have their starting 22.
For the record, I’d like to see the Dolphins select Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta with their second-round pick.
He’s a good combo tight end — in-line blocker and receiver — who is likely to be available when the Dolphins make their selection. He could contribute as a rookie, he fills a need, and he could be groomed as a sole starter.
Oh, and he’s a good player.
Set that aside.
If necessary, the Dolphins could roll into training camp with the starting 22 who are currently on their roster. They don’t necessarily need to get a starter from this week’s draft.
Of course, it wouldn’t be ideal to enter training camp without your second- or third-round picks being considered starters. You want more competition for starting jobs from such draftees.
On the other hand, opening camp with the starting 22 already on the roster would be a testament to the work the Dolphins have done in the offseason.
Recall Grier talking about the roster last week.
“I think where we are is we have a competitive roster that we feel we can win games with,” he said. “It’s not done. Obviously with the draft here still and even post-draft, there will be signings.”
Among starters, the biggest needs are left guard, tight end and running back. But the Dolphins could open camp with either Robert Jones, Dan Feeney or Liam Eichenberg at left guard, Durham Smythe and Eric Saubert at tight end, and Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. at running back.
Again if I’m making the Dolphins’ second-round pick Friday night, I’m likely selecting LaPorta because he gives you the combo blocking/receiving tight end you don’t have on the roster, and he can help immediately without the pressure of having to be a full-time starter.
If Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs is available at No. 51, I’d have to think hard about making him the selection. But he’ll likely be gone.
I think it makes more sense for the Dolphins to trade for a workhorse veteran running back such as Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook or even Tennessee’s Derrick Henry.
Remember, the Dolphins were 24th in third downs offensively largely because their offense struggled to move the chains without big plays.
And they’re in a “win-now” window, so the desire to acquire a difference-making running back is there.
Assistant general manager Marvin Allen said last week the Dolphins like the running backs they have.
“We brought them back, and they’re coming in on one-year deals,” he said, “so obviously we’re going to keep our [eyes] open to see what’s available in the upcoming draft and free agency.”
Of course, the Dolphins could go with an interior offensive lineman such as TCU’s Steve Avila, an aggressive sort who projects as a center or guard, or perhaps a versatile offensive lineman such as Cody Mauch of North Dakota State, who played tackle last season but might project as an interior linemen in the NFL.
Most likely the Dolphins won’t trade up unless they’re really tempted by Gibbs.
Trading down could make sense to acquire more draft capital, considering they don’t have a pressing need.
“We’ve had a couple of teams in the bottom half of the first round reach out, saying they would be interested in coming down possibly if their guys aren’t there, and if we’d be interested in moving,” Grier said, adding there hadn’t yet been any “serious conversations” but adding the Dolphins will “keep those options open.”
The biggest second-round surprise for the Dolphins might be selecting a defensive player. An inside linebacker might fit the bill in that situation, considering the Dolphins are loaded at defensive back and edge rusher, and there probably aren’t many interior defensive linemen better than the offensive players available around pick No. 51.
Whatever the Dolphins do with their second-round pick Friday night, understand that their work to this point in the offseason makes the selection more of a luxury than a necessity, and that’s a good thing.
