Who will the Miami Dolphins pick in the first round?

This pick is made with the idea that the Miami Dolphins will, at some point, need to move on from Tyreek Hill. It may not happen within the next couple of years, but a succession plan is a good idea. In the meantime, Worthy is – pun intended – more than worthy to be the team’s 3rd wide receiver in a scheme that values speed and separation ability above all else.

With that said, Miami’s selection of a WR in round one means that it is absolutely imperative that the Dolphins select a guard in the second round, whether they make a trade in the process or not. If I had my choice, Christian Mahogany out of Boston College would be the selection for that slot.

*****

In the first round, the Dolphins take Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA.

Miami’s roster today needs help getting to the QB. Latu is my #2 edge player and provides help now as well as a runway to move on from Chubb when Phillips gets his big deal. Coleman is my top receiver after the big 3 and was a no-brainer at pick 55. I used future picks to come back into the 3rd round for a versatile, aggressive safety in Bishop to pair with Holland and allow Poyer to be a situational player. After a long break in picks, Bortolini and Jackson are players who line up athletically with Chris Grier’s past picks and provide depth/competition to positions where it’s needed. I wrapped up the draft with a speed receiver in Tulu Griffin who could spell Hill/Waddle while maintaining the timing of the offense. He could also challenge Berrios for the return role.

*****

Dolphins trade down with Arizona to get the #27 pick and receive pick #71 and #162

With the 27th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Duke OL Graham Barton. Barton a versatile OL has played Tackle, Guard, and Center. GM Chris Grier stared he loves versatility and Barton can do just that. Barton projects as a Guard at the next levels and fills in a need. If called upon Barton can fill in as a Tackle and Center spots if Armstead/Brewer do get injured. Protecting Tua Tagovailoa is important considering how the OL was decimated by injuries at the end of the season which directly affected the offense later in the season.

*****

OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma:

I’ve seen some mock drafts listing the Miami Dolphins taking a passrusher at No. 21 overall, but I’m not buying it. 

The Fins need help on the edge with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips both expected to miss the start of the season with their major injuries. However, Chubb is on a big-money contract with a major dead money cap hit that doesn’t come down for a couple years, so he’s expected to remain in Miami for the foreseeable future unless a trade happens. And based on general manager Chris Grier’s comments and enthusiasm regarding Phillips recently, the Dolphins are going to exercise the 5th-year option on their 2021 1st-round selection. 

And with Shaq Barrett signed, Cameron Goode returning, and perhaps the disappointing Channing Tindall getting a look at edge duties, Miami should have enough to create a degree of pressure on teams until Chubb and Phillips return to the lineup. 

With all that being said, I’m predicting that Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel select an offensive tackle in the first round. One that still has the ability to play on the left side before the dropoff happens and only right tackles remain. 

Enter Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton – 6’8, 322lbs, and 34 inch arms.

Guyton is young at 21 years old, but has coveted tools and athleticism that many project can get better with time and more experience. He is a good pass protector (Zero sacks allowed on 335 pass-block snaps in 2023), and can move in space as a lead blocker – two things that McDaniel would cherish in his offense. 

Current left tackle Terron Armstead is on the verge of retiring, and has never played a full season. Guard’s Robert Jones and Isaiah Wynn are penciled in as starters for now but are being paid spot-starter/backup money. Combine that with Grier’s April comments about Armstead and “having a two-year look into the future”. Is it possible the Dolphins could play Guyton at left guard (something Miami did with OT Laremy Tunsil during his rookie season in 2016), until he is ready to become Armstead’s eventual successor? Or at least have Guyton waiting in the wings in case of the likely Armstead injury? 

The Dolphins and star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are looking to get a longterm contract done this offseason, but we all know Tua isn’t likely to keep up the statistical success if he doesn’t have adequate protection. Protecting your franchise quarterback should be the next item on the list after locking him up. Guyton could be the future solution. 

Mel Kiper links Guyton to the Cowboys in his Mock Draft, and if there is anything we know about the Cowboys, it’s that they know how to find offensive lineman. Ravens writers also have their eye on him. The Dolphins can snatch Guyton before the Cowboys or Ravens have a chance to grab him. 

If you are worried about Guyton being too raw or inexperienced, that’s a valid concern. But remember that Miami’s Austin Jackson was once drafted as a raw OT prospect in 2020, and he developed into a solid right tackle and signed a 3-year extension with the team. So there is hope in that area.

Here are some evaluations on Tyler Guyton:

“Ascending tackle prospect with the traits and tape to project a bright future as a high-level pass protector in the league. Guyton has battled injuries and had limited reps coming over from TCU after the 2021 season, but his flashes have been complemented by increasing consistency. He plays with a high center of gravity and needs to get stronger, but leveraged hand strikes can help overcome those concerns. He should continue to get better as a run blocker but might never shine in that department. Guyton’s value comes with his pass protection, as he has the length, feet and body control to become a human roadblock. He should become a talented starter at either tackle position.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Analyst.

“Overall, Guyton is a higher-level athlete with the elite physical tools you look for, showing snapshots of dominance with his technique and easy, fluid movement in the run game and pass protection. Guyton glided out of his two-point stance in pass protection with an efficient and comfortable kick slide. He has the balance, body control and range to close down the edge, yet he also has the firm base to anchor and control the speed-to-power pass rush. Guyton is a strong prospect, but you must understand his lack of experience position will likely mean that he needs coaching and development before he can become a full-time starter. Given that Guyton has only one year of starting experience and given his size, length and movement, it would not surprise me if NFL teams saw him as a LT.” – Greg Cosell, the 33rd Team