There are opinions all over the place as to what the Dolphins need to accomplish in the 2024 NFL Draft. There are some that are hyper focused on improving the team for the 2024 season, and basically at the cost of the future of the team. Just win this year! While I understand there is an artificial timetable in place, some due to salary cap issues, others due to how long WR Tyreek Hill will be in a Dolphins uniform, and of course the elephant in the room, the looming contract extension for QB Tua Tagaovailoa which could potentially free up some cap space this season, yet hamper us in the future. Looking at the current roster, it’s easy for this author to see the gaping hole left by RDE Christian Wilkins, and also the potential holes on the OL, despite LT Terron Armstead not retiring, the signing of OC Aaron Brewer from the Titans, and swing OT Jack Driscoll, and the one year deal for OG Isaiah Wynn. As to which is line is more desperate for help, the O-line or the D-line, that depends on your viewpoint.
To make the case for the O-line is easy. LT Terron Armstead has played more than 10 games 5 times in his 11 year career, and has never played an entire season. He almost retired, I could imagine there was some begging done by GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel, so Armstead remains an active NFL player. In 5 years, Isaiah Wynn has gone over 10 games once, and has also never played an entire season. He was the starting RT in 2022 for the Patriots and managed just 9 games. Last season with the Dolphins, Wynn played in 7 games before being out for the season. OC Aaron Brewer actually started every game for the last seasons for the Tennessee Titans. Durability is not his issue, it’s pass blocking. He’s not the worst rated OC, he’s just been less than average. RG Robert Jones played well in a backup role for the Dolphins over 3 seasons and he has been a starter for 13 games in 3 seasons. RT Austin Jackson missed one game last season, and his play has been the best in his 4 year career as a Dolphins player. We also have a few guys capable of stepping in for spot start duty such as the aforementioned swing tackle Jack Driscoll, swing tackle Kion Smith, OG/C Liam Eichenberg who played both last season, and OG Lester Cotton. Depth is not the issue, quality along the interior line is questionable and every interior OL is a decent injury risk. Another issue is you have to bank on this being Terron Armstead’s farewell season.
For the D-line, in my eyes, the case is even easier. We brought in a bunch of players for the D-line to join incumbent LDE Zach Sieler. The problem is, with the exception of NT Benito Jones (6’1 335), who may possibly be an upgrade over NT Raekwon Davis, Da’Shawn Hand is not an adequate replacement for RDE Christian Wilkins. It’s funny how departed players get completely under appreciated now that they’re gone. Christian Wilkins who played every single game and over 80% of the snaps and had the most tackles in the history of the NFL for a DT in his first 5 seasons. “He made no impact, no pro bowls!” they scream. I’m going to be shocked if a D-lineman isn’t our first pick at #21. It could be Byron Murphy II, or “Johnny” Newton, or possibly even T’Vondre Sweat, although he currently projects more as a NT.
How the draft actually plays out though could definitely impact which direction we go. In other words if a bunch of interior O-lineman come off the board before we pick at #21, or we trade back, and there’s only one IOL we have an early grade on, we may draft the IOL. On the other hand, the same could happen at DT. We may like only one or 2 guys early and if the other is gone, we may want to pull the trigger to get the one we want, full well knowing he won’t make it to #55. Despite priority, sometimes you have to get the best player at a position of need, and both lines are very needy!
Now, back to your favorite topic. Look away Tua defenders, if you must! All I want is to have a winning team, and by winning, let me reiterate by saying to me, winning is a team that can compete in the post season, in big games at the end of the season, especially those games that decide whether we play at home or travel to another stadium where the weather will negatively affect the entire team. I’m a Dolphins fan through and through, and a football fan for who follows the game pretty closely. I fully understand it’s a team effort to win a game, but when your QB, the most player on the roster can’t elevate his team, and more importantly elevate his own play to help the team, then you’re not going to be a winning team. I’m not putting up stats, because certain people, and you know who you are just ignore them anyway. QB Brock Purdy isn’t a particularly athletic QB. He had 144 yards rushing during the 2023 season for the Niners. In the playoff game against the Detroit Lions, Brock Purdy did what he had to do. He rushed for a super important 48 yards on 5 carries. The first big run was a 21 yard scramble to the Lions 4 yard line with the Niners trailing 24-17. That set up the game tying TD late in the 3rd QTR. The next big play was another scramble by Purdy in the 4th QTR with the Niners leading 27-24, from the DET 49 yard line, a 21 yard run to the DET 28 yard line. That set up yet another TD for the Niners as they held on for a 34-31 victory. The Niner defense wasn’t great, you can’t always count on that, but Purdy made some huge plays to help his team win. If we gave up 31 points and lost 31-14, you guys would finger point at the defense, despite the QB and the offense only scoring 14 points.
So that’s pretty much it in a nutshell. You need the QB to do more in big games, if you want to win in the NFL. In the last 2 seasons, that has not been the case. 2 seasons ago Tua was injured and couldn’t get us a win in games 12 through 15, so four games with the season on the line, in which we scored 18.10, 17 and 16 points against the Niners, Chargers, Bills and Packers. Then of course his season was over and that left 1st year QB, 7th RD pick, Skylar Thompson to battle the Patriots and the Jets, and then ultimately, the Bills in a wild playoff loss. This past season, with 5 games to go and a 3 game lead in the division. Against the Titans, zero TD’s, zero INT’s. We lose in a heartbreaker 28-27. We play the hapless Jets and we dispense with them easily 30-0. Then we eke out a 22-20 win against the visiting Cowboys, the NFL version of the Miami Dolphins, who can’t beat winning teams either (It’s a narrative!) Then the wheels come off against the mighty Ravens, who by the way, managed to keep their star DT and paid him! We manage to allow the Ravens 56 points, while only scoring 19 ourselves. Then the coup de grace, the season finale against our division rival Buffalo Bills. Our QB can only manage 1 TD and 2 INT’s, and while the Bills QB wasn’t much better, he had 2 TD’s and 2 INT’s and 1 fumble, but that guy is relentless! He had 15 rushes for 67 and carried and ran over Dolphins defenders all game and helped them win.
In summation, some people here scoff at Josh Allen because he’s not an accurate passer. He’s not. He can probably throw it 70-80 yards, but who knows where it’s going to land. On the other hand, he’s a winner! He’ll do whatever it takes to win, put his body on the line, damn the future, damn his life, he’s going to get it done. Yes, I understand he’s as big or bigger than a LB, so what? He may not always be pretty, but he will take the hits, and he will deliver the hits, and he will help his team win games. I love his spirit, I wish our QB had the same indomitable spirit. I wish he could help us win some big games, not in Week 3, but in Week 15, 16, 17 and 18 and then if we qualify, in the post season. If Tua isn’t the guy that can deliver that, then it’s time to move on and find the QB that can, and you keep trying until you find him, even if it takes another 20 years!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Brian Miller over at Phinphanatic put out a post (his posts are no more “articles” than what we post here, Plus he is a douche!) Saying that if you follow the dots it will lead us to believe that a move from CB to Safety for Ramsey is likely this year.
He goes on to say that because we have no depth behind Poyer and Holland that it makes sense because drafting a safety doesn’t make sense with all the other needs we have…
He goes on to say because Anthony Weaver has “run three high safeties before” that not having a third safety means it would make sense to take out best CB who is making $25mil per year and move him to the 3rd safefty position….WHAT AN ASS CLOWN!
It was almost enough to make me sign up so I could comment on their site. Almost. I decided it was easier and just as cathartic for me to ridicule him hear.
Carry on. LOL
So you don’t think I’ve reached “douche” status yet? lol
are you fishing for compliments? Because I didn’t say that. ;-) LOL
I’m no big fan of Brian’s, but this isn’t something new he thought up, have seen others talking about it too, and I agree that Ramsey will be playing some of that 3rd high, rover safety at times
Why wouldn’t he? I mean why not, when that 3rd safety will be in the middle of a zone with run responsibilities at the LOS as well
Put your best player, where he can be the most effective
Some weeks he may play a lot of man, versatility is key
As 3rd high safety he could cover guys like Kelce
Cooper DeJean can play Safety. 🙂
I thought this was classic!
LOL
I have seen that before. It is awesome
Bills have lost a ton of talent, but they have a QB that makes plays. That makes up for and covers a lot of weaknesses. They are basically doing a soft rebuild this year, but I’ll be surprised if they aren’t right there competing for the division at the end.
Bingo
This league is all about QB play.
Draft Picks
21.
Jackson Powers-JohnsonOC Oregon
55.
Leonard Taylor IIIDT Miami (FL)
158.
Theo JohnsonTE Penn State
184.
Xavier ThomasEDGE Clemson
198.
Josh ProctorS Ohio State
241.
Josh CephusWR UTSA
I am officially in draft simulator obsession mode. No trades, i would take this draft all day.
Rock – Not looking to be a “douche”. I just find it’s easy for Dolphins fans to villainize fans who don’t like what the team is doing
Well, I seldom like what the team is doing, so villainize me all you like.
😉
Note the Avatar
I forget who suggested Peter V. Brett’s Demon Cycle Series to me, but I am about half way through the Daylight War and I am enjoying it. Thank you for the recommendation. One thing I do not like about Brett’s style is he makes you hate a character and then goes and does “back story” on them to change your opinion. NO Peter! He / she is a dick! I don’t care if they were abused in their backstory. LOL
That was me. And yes , you hate a character only to find out maybe there is a reason they’re assholes. Damn grey.
Was anybody ACTUALLY surprised by this? 🤔🤣 #tommacdonald #hangovergang (youtube.com)
😂
Mentioned Morgan before
I haven’t watched him at all – what are your thoughts on him. I see him in mocks going in the 2nd round
Kong – Agreed. They have a QB that will put the team on his back. Those teams always have a chance
I can tell y’all one thing, not even counting the Draft: we aren’t done adding talent with the cap space we’ll have post-June 1st.
The only question: who will be (still or become) available as a FA?
In other words, it’s far too early to assess this ’24 team right now.
I saw MJD’s mock draft over at NFL.com today. He has Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas, falling to us @ R1P21. THAT would be GRAND!
He also had Graham Barton going to the Seahawks @ R1P16… that would be not so grand.
To me, an ideal draft would consist of all options on the table for us (AKA: pushing as much talent down to us as possible, both Offensive and Defensive).
The key to that? As many QBs as possible going off the board before select.
I’ll take it!
Me too, bud!
Mike E,
I can’t say this enough, so as to agree with you to the nth degree: Dolphins Twitter is so bloody toxic. What kills me the most? Ya have some wannabe ‘know it alls’ with so many followers who take their opinions as official decrees… and they are wrong more often than not.
I’m not going to name any names, but you probably know many of the names I’m thinking about.
I’ve even seen some of those “know it alls” say exactly that, “I have this many followers for a reason”. That doesn’t mean shit.
EXACTLY, Bro!
My FA requests once we get to June (hopefully they are both still available… one for Offense, one for Defense
WR Tyler Boyd (est. $8.7M/year, per Spotrac)
DL Emmanuel Ogbah (probably under $9M/year)
Check that… Ogbah would probably go for under $8M/year.
I’d feel a LOT more comfortable with Ogbah being in our D-Line rotation, plus his familiarity with teammates (communication and comfort).
He and Sieler next to one another — despite a new Defense being installed — should make it that much easier for both.
100%
The A’s are going to be playing for 3 years in Sacramento before their move to Las Vegas.
Pretty cool, now we have two minor league teams in Sacramento.
I do NOT know or have the answers, but perhaps you do being you are Californian. Why is Oakland being abandoned by pro sports teams? I hate it when these moves occur, being I love nostalgia.
They will ALWAYS be the Oakland A’s and Oakland Raiders to me!
I don’t follow the A’s, so probably only know the same rumors you know.
I can tell you the stadium is a sh^thole and I have worked in Oakland numerous times and it is one of my least favorite cities to be in.
And i will never get used to the Raiders being the LV Raiders. I didn’t even get used to the LA Raiders. They’re Oakland to me too.
Yeah, man… I’m with ya. I couldn’t get with the ‘LA Raiders’ either. I love the city of Oaktown for many reasons (especially the music), and I’m saddened to see sports leave the town.
I wouldn’t want to live in Oakland, but that place is rich in nostalgia to me.
Oakland has been a shithole forever. Used to go to A’s games in the late 80s. Taking your life into your hands every time.
Weaver has said Ramsey is the ultimate chess piece. He will move around but I highly doubt he plays safety most of the time.
^
You don’t have to actually play Ramsey at safety. You can just disguise coverages and shift him as needed. Show one thing and shift to another. Ramsey wouldn’t be the concern…or potential mismatch….its who’s filling in or shifting in coverage if you rotate Ramsey. Do we have any coverage LBers?
Do we have any coverage LBs? The answer is a resounding NO. That sucks.
The best we had was Jerome Baker, who had a really good season.
Mike, I was simply talking about what we currently have on DL. No point in discussing what if’s.
My 2nd Official Mock Draft for our Phins (no trades)
R1P21: Jer’Zhan ‘Johnny’ Newton, DL, Illinois, OR Graham Barton, OT/IOL, Duke
R2P55: Cooper Beebe, IOL, KSU, OR Kris Jenkins, DI, Michigan
R5P158: Kitan Oladapo, SS, Oregon State, OR Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
R6P184: TBD
R6P198: TBD
R7P241: Will Reichard, K, Alabama
UDFA: Javier Duran, DT, Kent State; Brian Holloway, LB, Texas State; many more to come…
if we drafted Newton and Beebe with those first two picks – that would be an excellent draft
but trading down and still drafting DT and OL before day 2 is done (as well as anyone else who falls to the 2nd or 3rd round) would be even better
I have absolutely NO IDEA why Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington, is projected to go as late as the 5th-6th round.
Just remember his name come Draft Day. He’s an incredible coverage LB and a legit run-stuffer to boot.
He’ll be the next Zach Thomas, IMO.
6’0″, 236 pounds, 4.56 40-time, 39.5″ VJ(!!!), 10’8″ BJ, 79 5/8″ wingspan.
Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale, had his Pro Day yesterday. Looks as though the only thing he participated in was the BP: 21 reps.
Official: 6’5″, 323 pounds, 9 5/8″ hands, 36 1/8″ arms, and a wingspan of 85.5″!
Being the only thing he did was the bench press yesterday, I’m left to assume he’s not yet 100%. If he’s a faller come Draft Day, may he fall to US.
For those in the back row who may not have heard…
Coach McDaniel came from Yale. I’m certain that he’s been checking on Kiran Amegadjie.
And if ya didn’t already know, Kiran excells in a ZBS. He checks ALL the boxes for us.
*excels
do you think he might fall to 3rd round?
most projections I’ve seen has him in the late 2nd
that kind of groups him with a bunch of other guys – so that’s not great for him if there are questions about his health
It might be wishful thinking, but if we managed a trade down and picked up a 3rd rounder – he would be a great pick
as far as drafting an OT goes, I don’t mind drafting a guy with upside who’s a bit raw and used to playing much lower levels of competition
Twitter has a bunch of people, that hide behind a keyboard, you may not know what team they follow, how many accounts they have…
By having a yearly fest and only 1 username, this site is legitimized, so no hiding
The difference is the same as driving your car and raging, compared with talking to someone on the street
If folks actually believe that the owner has ordered Grier and the team to try to win immediately…which I guess I’ve never seen a team official say…you wouldn’t be trading back. You’d actually be trying to move up, if possible.
If you have 4 or 5 guys at positions of need all ranked very similarly, when on clock, why wouldn’t you drop back 4 or 5 spots to get an extra pick?
Dropping 5 spots only nets us 100 pts or last pick in 3rd #100, still could have value
^
Tim Knight
says:
April 4, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Weaver has said Ramsey is the ultimate chess piece. He will move around but I highly doubt he plays safety most of the time.
I don’t think he will either, but I hope we can get away with him playing a lot of 3rd high safety, it would mean our D is outstanding
Ramsey could be a little deeper Zach Thomas type, making tackles all over the field, mostly though on the outside, so he’s not getting beat up
Key to our D will be getting a Wilkins replacement, Ogbah isn’t the same type of player, but he’d go a long way to help
Problem with Ogbah is we cut him, wonder what he thinks of it
The draft may tell us what kind of D front we’ll be playing
^
Jerzhan Newton’s positional fit is an easy one. The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis to free agency this offseason, leaving a big hole in the interior of the defensive line.
Seems he’d be a better fit in a 4-3 IDL, than a 3-4 DE, but could play either
https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-potential-draft-target-jerzhan-newton-profile
Don’t really think we’re trying to replace Wilkins, as that would assume we’ll be playing the same type of D, but looking for the right DL for Weaver
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