Finsmob Unleashed

As of this writing, the Dolphins first pick will come at #21 in the 1st Round. It’s possible we stay there, or it’s also possible we trade back to acquire another pick or two, considering the huge gap we have after our 2nd Round pick (#55) and our next pick in Round 5 at #158, which is over one hundred picks later. It’s possible Grier could trade up into an earlier using draft capital from next year’s draft, but the trade back is the more likely means of getting an extra pick or two. The roster is in need of instant contribution, this is not the time to start grooming guys for next year or beyond, we need at least two of our players to be playing significant snaps this season right out of the chute.

In our own FMU Mock Draft, the consensus chose interior offensive lineman from Oregon Jackson Powers-Johnson. Whether you subscribe to the theory that our center is already on the roster in Aaron Brewer or not, most experts feel JPJ will be an excellent NFL center for the next decade or so. JPJ could also slide to OG, most likely RG, where Robert Hunt was last season. We signed OG Robert Jones to a one year deal and he’s penciled in at RG at the moment, with Isaiah Wynn, also here for a one year contract at LG. We need a player to be a force on that O-line this year and beyond, because next season the majority of the O-line disappears, with the exception of OC Aaron Brewer and RT Austin Jackson, and if Brewer doesn’t improve on his pass blocking, we may wish for him to disappear! LT Terron Armstead, LG Isaiah Wynn, RG Robert Jones, OT/OG Jack Driscoll, OT’s Kendall Lamm and Kion Smith are all GONE in 2025. We do have our full complement of draft picks in 2025, and could potentially have the money to sign a 2nd or 3rd tier FA or two, and we’ll probably have to considering 3 of our 5 starting OL right now are not on the roster in 2025. Be confident that one of our first 2 picks will be on the O-line.

There’s been some hype that we might take a WR with our first pick. I don’t see it happening, and I truly hope it doesn’t happen. WR Brian Thomas carries a similar grade to a few guys we chose in our own Mock Draft, players like OLB Laiatu Latu, OLB Chop Robinson, DE/DT Byron Murphy, OT Troy Fautanu, OT/C Graham Barton and OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and I believe any one of those guys would make a larger impact on our season and roster than a 3rd WR, but I suppose that’s partially up to HC Mike McDaniel. The other WR often mentioned is the fastest WR in the draft, Xavier Worthy from Texas. He would be a huge reach at #21, but would make more sense ( not to me!) after trading back.I like to stress how much flux this team is in, because it concerns me. We just took the 5th year options on WR Jaylen Waddle and OLB Jaelan Phillips. S Jevon Holland is a Free Agent next season, and if he has a healthy season and plays well, may as well kiss him goodbye, unless of course we’re willing to pay ridiculous free agency prices. Perhaps after June 1st, we’ll address Holland, but we did just let 2 talented young starters walk in Free Agency just a short while ago, so we’ll see what happens there. BTW, we also have yet to give Tua that big contract, but there’s speculation it might come after June 1st, where more cap money will be available. I find that odd because so many here were sure that the Tua extension was going to be the enabler to keep our own players entering FA, and his extension would likely have a small 2024 cap hit. Who knows?

On the NFL’s draft page, they list our top needs as OL, DL, and TE. I can agree with one and two, not so much on 3. We picked up TE Jonnu Smith, and I think he’s going to be very good in our offense. Would it be nice to have TE Brock Bowers, who is a George Kittle type of TE, sure, but he should be long gone by #21. I’ve seen a lot of buzz about Texas TE J’aTavion Sanders to Miami. He’s probably going to be a 2nd or 3rd RD pick at the latest, and we have more pressing needs than a TE. If we go O-line with #21, I’d expect either a DT/DE at #55 or and OLB pass rusher type of player there. With both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb rehabbing from serious injuries, and achilles tear and ACL surgeries, we need to have an impact player available to pair with the aged OLB Shaq Barrett. We no longer have AVG to come and save the day. Also, it’s possible that our cobbled together D-Line of JAG’s (with the exception of Zach Sieler) could be fine, but I’d like to add some young, impactful talent there too. You win in the trenches, or maybe more fitting, we’ve been losing in the trenches. I want a playoff ready team that’s tough in the trenches and able to take on the bad boys like Buffalo, KC and Baltimore.

I fully expect to be angry after our draft (I know, I’m always angry, right?), but I hope to be pleasantly surprised. Shore up the O-line and get a top notch pass rusher, whether he’s on the D-line or at outside LB, just find one! We could use a WR if Erik Ezukanma doesn’t have a breakout season. We definitely need a Safety, especially if we don’t give our young up and coming star Jevon Holland an extension, and even if we do. We lost both DeShon Elliott and Brandon Jones in free agency, and Jordan Poyer is 33 today, Happy Birthday Jordan! Poyer is also here on a 1 year contract, like I said, a whole lotta 1 year contracts. There’s going to be a lot of new players on this team in 2025, good thing we have all our picks and then some! Here’s to hoping for the best and expecting the worst as always! Enjoy!

GO DOLPHINS!!!