NFL Mock: Dolphins make good position group better

This is my first attempt at an NFL Mock Draft for this draft season, and the top is becoming rather clear. Once you get past the first three picks, I slotted players based on each team’s most desperate need. As for your Miami Dolphins, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for Chris Grier, Brian Flores and company to strengthen an already strong position.

1. CARDINALS – Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Newly minted Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury famously “called his shot” in October of 2018, as he said he would take Kyler Murray with the 1st overall pick if he could. Well, now he has that chance. So what happens with 2018 Draftee Josh Rosen? Traded, probably. Kyler Murray is too good to pass up and, in this writer’s opinion, would be a prospect on par with 2020 NFL Draft darling Tua Tagovailoa.

2. 49ERS – Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State

I was told prior to Nick’s brother Joey being drafted 3rd overall by the San Diego Chargers that the “Best Bosa” was yet to come and that little brother Nick at St. Thomas Aquinas High School was better. I agree that he will be. Nick Bosa in my opinion is the best non quarterback in this draft. A signature player for the 49ers at #2.

3. JETS – Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky

The consummate EDGE rusher, very much in the Von Miller mold. Having Josh Allen opposite of Jordan Jenkins would give the New York Jets a rather imposing pass rush to go with standout Defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Allen would give the Jets a blue chipper in every position group on the defense. The obvious pick.

4. RAIDERS – Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State

Jon Gruden traded away Khalil Mack in 2018. The Raiders added NFL Network star Mike Mayock, who will love a 6′-6″ 260 lb. Defender who ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Oakland defense is devoid of talent, and Montez Sweat is a good place to start to rebuild this decimated unit.

5. BUCCANEERS – Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

The writing is on the wall for Gerald McCoy, who could be on the way out of Tampa Bay. A trade of McCoy can save the Bucs some valuable cap space for Bruce Arians squad. Releasing him outright is not far fetched either. Best case scenario for McCoy fans is that you plug in a Ed Oliver to pay alongside McCoy in what could be one of the better DT tandems in the league. The more likely scenario is that Ed Oliver will replace McCoy, as the athletically freakish Oliver has drawn some comparisons to All-World DT Aaron Donald.

6. GIANTS – Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Eli Manning is not it. The Manning era in New York brought two Super Bowl titles and what could be a Hall of Fame ceremony. But the time for that era to end is here. For Giants GM Dave Gettleman, it is not every year (hopefully for his sake, the last) when you are gift wrapped a QB due to draft position, and the circumstances of the teams preceding you in the order. The highly productive Haskins is a perfect fit at #6.

7. JAGUARS – Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

After jettisoning standout DT Malik Jackson, the Jags have to be thinking of ways to keep augmenting and maintaining their talented defense. One of those ways is to draft the Alabama star to anchor the run defense alongside another former Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. Quinnen makes an already formidable Jags Defensive line even better. Pretty lucky to have him fall to #7.

8. LIONS – Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan

Ziggy Ansah is a Free Agent and is likely not to return to Matt Patricia’s defense. Rashan Gary is a Michigan product that is exactly the type of versatile defensive lineman that a Patricia unit requires. Some would say that this is a reach taking Gary this high, but the team, need, and player are too perfect a fit.

9. BILLS – Devin White, LB, LSU

Buffalo has some talent on defense, but lack a volume tackler in the linebacker unit. Drafting Devin White would also be a big boost for 2018 Draftee Tremaine Edmunds, who was playing somewhat out of position most of his rookie year. Devin White could be the best of a very strong linebacker class. The Bills can use one. They get one at #9.

10. BRONCOS – Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

Where there is smoke there is fire? No player has been tied to a team more than Lock to Denver. The erratic Missouri signal caller, seems to have Team Executive John Elway’s eye, and many local insiders such as Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) have confirmed the Broncos interest. Drew Lock makes too much sense here.

11. BENGALS – T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

Many consider Hockenson the best Tight End prospect in years. The Bengals have good talent on offense at RB (Joe Mixon), at WR (AJ Green) and now they can add a Tight end to that group. QB Andy Dalton would appreciate the help as he tries to hold on to a job that is slipping away from him. He gets one more year to stick in Cincinnati, this time with the best Tight End in the draft.

12. PACKERS – Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

The best offensive tackle in the draft. David Bakhtiari returns as one of the best left tackles in football to protect Aaron Rodgers’ blindside, but Bryan Bulaga has not been reliable at right tackle as of late, due to injury and some ineffectiveness. The window to win in Green Bay is now, and Taylor is the most NFL ready Tackle available. He starts at RT for the Packers from day 1.

13. DOLPHINS – Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

For a team with many needs, why would they add a player to a position group that is already pretty good? Might as well start becoming “elite” at something. I’m a big fan of Reshad Jones, but I realize he is not for long for the Miami Dolphins and the real core of the secondary is All Pro CB Xavien Howard and now 2nd year standout, the versatile Minkah Fitzpatrick. Let’s face it, the Fins are under-manned to play the coverages and defenses that Flores wants to play. Greedy Williams reminds me of Antonio Cromartie or Aqib Talib. A perfect compliment to Xavien Howard as a boundary corner. Greedy is also very good in Man coverage, the style of coverage that Flores gravitates toward. Greedy, Xavien, Minkah is a head start on rebuilding this defense.

Alfredo Arteaga (@UptownReport) is one of the three-headed monster on Three Yards Per Carry. He will remind you that he called Kallen Ballage to the Dolphins last year.